Student Checklist

Transitioning to Michigan State University can involve a lot of tasks. Students can use the below checklist to review some of the items that New Student Orientation & other MSU staff expect them to complete before starting their first semester!

New Student Orientation (NSO) - Checkpoints 1-5
NSO Checkpoint 1: Getting Started
- Admitted Students Reserve Your Place, by paying your Acceptance Fee (formally the Advanced Enrollment Deposit) (Reserve Your Place)
- Take the Math Placement Assessment (Math Assessment) NOTE: To determine if your major may waive the University math requirement by proctored math placement assessment, please (click here). All other students can go directly to the math placement assessment.
- Take a Foreign Language Placement Assessment (if required by academic program)(Foreign Language Placement Test)
- Complete the Accessibility and Technology Survey (Access & Tech Survey)
- Complete the Immunization Record Form (Immunization Form)
- Register with Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) if accommodations are needed (Resource Center For Persons With Disabilities)
NSO Checkpoints 2, 3, 4, & 5
- Log in to D2L (Desire2Learn) and complete the online D2L experience course (Log In to D2L)
- Schedule and attend your academic advising appointment, then complete your course enrollment virtually. You will receive details about scheduling your advising appointment and enrolling in courses after completing the NSO D2L course. Please be patient, as advisors and colleges will follow up directly with students via their MSU email.
- Participate in virtual podcasts (optional) and connect with the NSO office via phone or email (optional) to answer any questions about next steps
- Participate in the in-person NSO program
Preparing for the First Semester - General MSU Checklist
These general MSU checklist items are applicable to all new students. This curated collection includes essential resources and requests from various campus departments. While this list is not exhaustive, students are encouraged to review the following checkpoints to prepare for the upcoming semester. Any questions about specific items on this list should be directed to the respective office, as they will provide answers to inquiries.
Additional Items:
- If you are living on campus, please sign your Housing Contract and check your My Housing account for your hall and roommate information (liveon.msu.edu)
- If you are living on campus, review Live On’s List of Things to Bring to Campus to prepare for Move-In (What to Bring)
- Upload Student ID Photo: Incoming students should upload a photo to be used on their student ID card, known as the Spartan Card. (Student ID Photos)
- Submit Your Immunization Forms: MSU requires all entering undergraduate students to complete an Immunization Self-Report. Failure to complete this form may affect your ability to attend MSU. In order to submit the Immunization Self-Report, you will need to have activated your MSU NetID and password. If you will be under 18 years of age when you begin attending Michigan State University, you must also have a parent or guardian sign the Consent Form for Medical Treatment of Students Under Age 18. This allows for treatment at Olin Health Center or by the MSU Health Team.(Immunization Form)
- Review Health Insurance Requirements: If you are an incoming domestic student, you are not required to be covered by the MSU health insurance plan. However, you are eligible to voluntarily enroll in the MSU health insurance plan if you wish to do so. If you are an international student, you are required to be covered by adequate health insurance and you will automatically be enrolled in the MSU health insurance plan. If you can demonstrate that you have other coverage meeting the waiver criteria, you may apply for a waiver, unless you are an international student. (Health Insurance Information)
- Manage Parent/Guardian Account Access: For security purposes, students are cautioned never to share their MSU NetID and password with anyone. However, we realize that some students may want the option to easily share information in their Student Information System account with families/supporters. For this purpose, students can create guest accounts and grant guests access to view and pay their bill, view financial aid information, view IRS 1098-T data and view MSU charges and credits. (Guest Access)
- Check Your MSU Email to complete the modules for Online Relationship Violence and Sexual Misconduct (RVSM)
- Begin to use MSU's Student Information System (SIS) at (student.msu.edu) where you can review your course schedule, academic calendar and billing information. For help on SIS go to (https://sis.msu.edu/help/students.html). If needed, you can grant guests access to your account in SIS as well. Instructions can be found at (https://sis.msu.edu/Resources/guest-access.html).
- Review Your First Bill (student.msu.edu)
- Attend welcome events hosted by the Office of Spartan Experiences at the start of the semester (Spartan Experiences)
- Register your Electronic Devices and Connect to Campus WiFi (Register Your Device Here)
- Familiarize yourself with MSU’s Spartan Life Handbook (Spartan Life Handbook)
- Download the MSU Mobile App to learn more about campus (The official app of MSU)
- Download the MSU NSO App to stay connected during the Orientation experience.
- Download the SafeMSU app to get access to valuable resources that include a virtual friend walk, one-touch emergency calls, access to Safe Ride, a link to Night Owl services, and access to a form to send tips to the police. The app can be downloaded through the (Apple Store) or (Google Play)
- Bringing a vehicle or bike to campus - you'll need a permit! Check out Parking Services for more information regarding ordering a vehicle, bike, or moped permits online (Parking Services)
- Check out Career Services for advice on resume writing and job opportunities (Career Services)
- Attend your Neighborhood Engagement Center for virtual or in-person events, tutoring, etc. (Neighborhoods at MSU)
- If you want to check out all the ways you can get involved on campus, including student organizations, campus events, and MSU resources, as well as RSVP for the NSO Resources and Involvement Fairs, log into (Involve@State) with your MSUNetID and Password!
- Save Your Academic Advisor's Contact Information to use During Your First Semester

Save and Continue Later

Student Checklist

New Student Orientation (NSO) - Checkpoints 1-5

Preparing for the First Semester - General MSU Checklist