Prepare for Orientation

The New Student Orientation (NSO) experience will take place primarily online, with an in-person program offered just before the start of the semester. Transfer students will complete a series of five checkpoints as part of their NSO journey. To successfully complete NSO, transfer students must finish all five checkpoints. Be sure to view the transfer student NSO checklist to learn more about what is required throughout the NSO process.

Important information, next steps, and deadlines s will be communicated through bi-weekly e-newsletters, so it’s essential to check your email regularly. Since Orientation is crucial to your success, all new transfer students are required to participate, unless you meet specific exemption criteria.

Note: Failure to complete NSO, may result in the revocation of your admission to MSU.

Pay your AED to register for Your New Student Orientation (NSO) Experience

After submitting your Advanced Enrollment Deposit (AED) payment, you will receive a confirmation message sent to your preferred email account. This message will be available in your Admissions portal. Be sure to review the confirmation message carefully for important next steps. Additionally, we have a list of frequently asked questions to help guide you through the NSO experience.

Check Your Status

CHECKPOINT 1: Placement Tests

CHECKPOINT 1: PLACEMENT TESTS

COMPLETE YOUR PLACEMENT ASSESSMENTS AND SURVEYS

Before beginning your NSO D2L course and meeting with your academic advisor it’s crucial to complete your Placement Assessments and survey tools. These are key first steps in your NSO journey. Both the assessments and surveys can be done online from home. Continue reading for detailed information about the requirements for Checkpoint 1.

How DO I KNOW WHAT PLACEMENT ASSESSMENTS TO TAKE?

Math Placement Assessment All incoming students are required to complete the Math Placement Assessment. This assessment is crucial for ensuring your are enrolled in the appropriate math course for your major. Without completing the math placement assessment you maybe placed in the lowest level of math, which could result in the need for additional math courses to meet graduation requirements. The math placement score is a prerequisite for higher-level math courses, so it’s important to complete the 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 using the link above and navigate to ‘Take the MPS Assessment’.

Language placement assessments are recommended for all students who have previously studied a foreign language. Taking this assessment can help you continue with your language studies or meet any foreign language requirement.

NOTE: If you have questions about either of these placement assessments, please contact your advisor or the math or language departments directly using the links provided.

Math Placement Assessment Foreign Language Placement Test

Access and Technology Accommodations Survey

To ensure you have the tools and support necessary for your academic success, we strongly encourage you to complete the Access & Technology Survey as part of your NSO Checkpoint 1. This survey helps us identify any technological needs or accessibility accommodations you may require during NSO programming, allowing us to provide the resources that will best support your transition to MSU. Completing this survey early is key to ensuring you have everything you need for a successful start to your Orientation journey.

If you have any questions or need additional assistance with the survey, please contact the Resource Center for Persons with Disabilities (RCPD) directly at 517-884-7273. They are available to provide guidance and answer any concerns you may have.

Review Our Helpful Resources

With the assistance of our campus partners, we have compiled a comprehensive list of important resources to help you prepare for both your New Student Orientation (NSO) experience and your first semester at MSU.

Are you unsure how to navigate Desire2Learn (D2L), the first component of your NSO experience? Don’t worry! We have created user-friendly tutorials that will guide you through the platform. Simply click the link below to access these valuable resources.

Additionally, we want to ensure that you’re fully equipped for your academic and virtual engagements. If you need help setting up your two-factor authentication or accessing your Zoom and Microsoft Teams accounts, we’ve got your covered! Our resources are designed to make your transition smoother and more efficient, allowing you to focus on what matters most-your education and success at MSU.

Click the link below to get started, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any questions!

Review Our Helpful Resources 2023-24 NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION RESOURCE GUIDE

Spartan ID Card

All Spartans are issued a student ID card known as the Spartan ID Card. Before the semester starts, students can upload their Spartan ID photo, with the option to do so before your arrive on campus. You’ll be able to pick up your Spartan ID Card when you arrive on campus, but make sure to bring a government-issued ID (such as a passport or driver’s license) to obtain your card.

Incoming students will receive more information when photo submission is available. When it is available, the photo upload and submission deadlines can be found using the links below. The ID Office will update their website with important dates for photo uploading sometime before the semester begins.

SPARTAN ID FAQ Upload My Photo