Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, our summer Freshman Orientation sessions (June & July) have a capacity of 900 students each. We encourage students and family members to register early if they are ready to commit to MSU. We view registering for Orientation as a student’s intent to enroll. Our Fall Orientation session (OF4, August 17-19) does not have a capacity.  

Yes. Both components are mandatory and are necessary for transitioning into MSU for the incoming semester.

Pre-Orientation includes information such as confirming one's area of study, practicing logging into MSU technology, online math and writing placement, uploading a photo to your MSU ID, and more. By completing these steps prior to the in-person session, you will be prepared to meet with your Academic Advisor.

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During June & July Orientation sessions, you will stay on campus, meet other incoming students, connect with MSU faculty and staff, register for classes, and complete all necessary enrollment items before the fall semester. Classes are gradually released throughout the summer so that all incoming freshman students will have a selection of classes to choose from. All students will be able to register for a full schedule of classes regardless of which Orientation/Class Registration session you choose. By attending an earlier Orientation session, you will have more flexibility in your schedule.

No. Students are required to complete the online pre-Orientation and attend the on-campus Orientation/Class Registration program prior to registering for classes. You will register for classes on the last day of your on-campus Orientation/Class Registration program.

Because our final session takes place in August and coincides with the start of school, MSU works closely with August Orientation Students to ensure that you are provided with a schedule prior to your in-person program. During the online pre-Orientation, you will complete an online survey to share critical information with Academic Advisors and collects information such as schedule needs, incoming credit, academic strengths and interests, and more. Academic Advisors will use this information to provide you with a course schedule that sets them up for success and fulfills major degree requirements. You will be notified of your fall semester schedule in mid-August. You are required to attend the in-person Orientation session on August 18-20 to understand course selection and confirm your schedule, connect with an Academic Advisor in-person, and discuss possible schedule changes.

Registration instructions can be found here: Orientation Registration Instructions - Undergraduate Admissions | Montana State University 

Registration for Orientation for Fall 2025 will open February 12, 2025.

Orientation is $135 for our incoming Freshman students and $40 for our incoming Transfer, NonTraditional, Veteran, and International students.

No. The Orientation fee is non-refundable. This is true if a student withdraws, defers, etc.

If you are unable to complete the Orientation fee as a result of a financial need, please email [email protected].

Yes, assuming the session you want is not full. Please keep in mind that we do have limited space in our Orientation sessions and they do reach capacity. Please email [email protected] with your name and Student ID or birthday so we can switch your session.

You can access your online Orientation confirmation page via your MyInfo checklist. Under the Orientation header, you can click the link detailing, "To view the details of your Orientation/Class Registration program, click here" On your confirmation page, there are instructions on how to login. Please note that you will not have access until May 1.

It may take up to one business day for your CatsConnect account to activate after registering for Orientation. If you need immediate access to your pathway, please email [email protected] or call (406) 994-2827.

That truly depends on the student and how much they have done in advance. Students can complete the pathways in a day if they are really sitting down and chugging along but we also encourage students to break up these items so that they are getting the most out of their experience. There are important items included in your online Orientation/pre-Orientation such as the writing assessment and math assessment. Students should be prepared to dedicate about an hour to each (in addition to the modules).

If you register for Orientation prior to May 1, your EdReady account will be created on May 1 when the online Orientation opens. You cannot take the math placement test before then. If you register for Orientation after May 1, your EdReady account will be ready for you by the Wednesday after you register. If you need immediate access to EdReady, email [email protected] or call (406) 994-2827.

Yes! It is advantageous for all students to achieve the most current math placement. This ensures that your skills are fresh and you’re most set up for success at MSU. If you want to adjust your math placement, you must follow your study path and achieve your target score before August 13. After August 13, you can continue to work through your study path to refresh your math skills, but progress you make won’t change your math placement.

Nope!

A tentative schedule will be posted to your confirmation page prior to your arrival on campus. You will be provided a finalized schedule during Orientation check-in.

A list of recommended items to bring is on your Orientation confirmation page (linked in your MyInfo Checklist).

For those attending our June and July sessions, check-in will take place on the MSU campus from approximately 8:30-10:30 AM on Monday morning and check-out will take place by 2:00 on Wednesday. Please make appropriate travel plans.

Orientation check-in (not residence hall move-in) for those attending Fall Orientation (OF4, August 17-19) will take place from 8:30 – 11:00 AM on Sunday, August 17. Further details regarding your specific Orientation session will be included on your confirmation page. 

Yes. You are required to stay on campus for Monday and Tuesday nights of the June & July Orientation sesions. We do not accept housing or roommate requests for Orientation. If you require additional accommodations (ADA accessible room, etc.) please contact [email protected].

Yes. You will be assigned a double room based on your area of study. Your roommate during the June & July Orientation sessions will likely not be your roommate for the fall semester. You will be placed with someone of the same identifying gender but may be on a co-ed floor. You cannot request a specific roommate during Orientation.

Yes. During Freshman Orientation, students are required to stay on campus for two nights and will be provided six meals.

No. The Orientation Office will arrange lodging for the nights you are required to stay on campus (Monday and Tuesday night) and you will be provided meals during the program.

Students in need of transportation options to and from the airport are encouraged to reach out to the Orientation team ([email protected]) for resources and recommendations. 

The Orientation Office will arrange for your lodging for Monday and Tuesday nights, but if you need to arrive early or stay late and need additional accommodations, please visit the Summer Housing - New Student Orientation Housing - Conference & Event Services | Montana State University webpage. Parents may stay on campus during the June & July sessions.

Please contact the Orientation Office at [email protected]. Please also note that we can only make some accommodations based on need, not preference. The Orientation office can work with you regarding your program, but you are responsible for establishing accommodations for your semester. If you have not already been in contact with the Disability Services Office in preparation for your start on campus, we encourage you to contact [email protected] or 406-994-2824. 

Students can learn more about move-in on the Fall Move-In Weekend website. Students participating in August Orientation will have the opportunity to move-in on Saturday, August 16 in preparation for Orientation programming to start on Sunday, August 17.

During our fall session in August, you will move into your assigned residence hall room.

Because our final session takes place in August and coincides with the start of school, MSU works closely with OF4 students to ensure they are provided a class schedule prior to their in-person program. During the online pre-Orientation, students complete an online survey to share critical information with Academic Advisors. The survey collects information such as schedule needs, incoming credit, academic strengths and interests, and more. Academic Advisors use this information to provide students with a course schedule that sets them up for success and fulfills major degree requirements. Students will be notified of their fall semester schedule in mid-August. Students are required to attend the in-person Orientation session on August 17-19 to understand course selection and confirm their schedule, connect with an Academic Advisor in-person, and discuss possible schedule changes.

During June & July Orientation students stay on campus, meet other incoming students, connect with MSU faculty and staff, register for classes, and complete all necessary enrollment items well before the fall semester begins. Classes are gradually released throughout the summer so that all incoming freshmen have a comparable selection of classes to choose from. All students will be able to register for a full schedule of classes regardless of which Orientation/Class Registration session they choose to participate in. By attending an earlier Orientation/Class Registration session, you may have more flexibility in your course scheduling.

You are required to complete both the online pre-Orientation and the in-person program on August 17-19. Both components are mandatory. You will be provided a personalized QR code that they will scan in at sessions throughout the program. This feature allows us to see which students are participating and which students haven’t yet completed their Orientation requirements.

Not a problem! During your mandatory in-person Orientation session on August 17-19, you will connect with Academic Advisors face-to-face and register for courses. There is no need to reach out to your advisor in advance as there is already designated time for class registration during Orientation. In preparation for your in-person session, we ask that if you haven’t already, you complete all required items in your pre-Orientation including math and writing placement, confirming your major, the Orientation questionnaire, and getting any holds lifted from your account. These steps will help us ensure you can register for classes during in-person Orientation.

Your schedule was personally created for you by Academic Advisors and professional staff members. They registered you for courses based on the pre-Orientation information you submitted and that coincide with your area of study. During your mandatory in-person Orientation session on August 17-19, you will connect with Academic Advisors face-to-face, have the opportunity to understand course selection, and ask questions. We will not be modifying schedules in advance of the in-person Orientation.

Yes! However, before doing so, we would like you to meet with an Academic Advisor during your in-person Orientation on August 17-19 to better understand course selection and discuss possible schedule adjustments if desired. We will not be modifying schedules in advance of the in-person Orientation.

We will not be modifying schedules in advance of the in-person Orientation.

During your mandatory in-person Orientation session on August 17-19, you will have a designated time in which you will be eligible to make modifications to your class schedule. Once school has started, you are eligible to make any changes according to the Registration Add/Drop Schedule.

No. During your mandatory in-person Orientation session on August 17-19, you will connect with Academic Advisors face-to-face, have the opportunity to understand course selection, and ask questions. There is no need to reach out to your advisor in advance as there is already designated time to connect with an advisor during Orientation.

Not a problem! During your mandatory in-person Orientation session on August 17-19, you will have a designated time in which you will be eligible to make modifications to your class schedule based on these changes.

Yes! If you have unofficial transcripts or test scores that you can reference during in-person Orientation, it is helpful for advising discussions. Please also send official copies from the institution/testing agency directly to the Office of Admissions, if you haven’t already.

Yes! It is advantageous for all students to achieve the most current math placement. This ensures that your skills are fresh and you’re most set up for success at MSU. If you want to adjust your math placement, you must follow your study path and achieve your target score before August 13. After August 13, you can continue to work through your study path to refresh your math skills, but progress you make won’t change your math placement.

Your confirmation page is linked on your Undergraduate Admissions Checklist in MyInfo.

Please login to view your Undergraduate Admissions Checklist in MyInfo to confirm or change your major. We recommend confirming your area of study is listed correctly on your Undergraduate Admissions Checklist prior to the start of your Orientation/Class Registration session.

Students are required meet immunization requirements before registering for classes. If students do not meet these requirements, students will have a hold on their account and will not be able to register for classes. To learn more about MSU’s immunization requirements, explore our Immunization webpage. We encourage students to check the status of their immunization holds through their MyInfo Undergraduate Admissions Checklist prior to the start of your Orientation/Class Registration session.

Please submit all final, official transcripts, ACT/SAT scores, and AP/IB scores directly from the awarding institution/testing agency to the MSU Office of Admissions following graduation. This information is critical for course selection and can impact course scheduling. We encourage students to send any materials by July 10. We understand AP scores may be pending and we typically receive them in July. Please login to view your Undergraduate Admissions Checklist in MyInfo to see what information has been sent, received, and reviewed. We encourage students to have unofficial copies of transcripts and test scores available during Orientation to discuss with an advisor. 

Parents and family members may register for an optional, in-person Parent/Family Orientation session held concurrently to their student's in-person Orientation/Class Registration session. The Parent/Family Orientation is held during the same time frame but families will participate in their own separate programming. Parent and Family programming consists of information sessions, opportunities to connect with MSU staff, a parent and family social, a farewell brunch, and more!

Please send us an email at [email protected] and include your full name (the student's full name) so we can help you sign up.

Parent and Family Orientation has a non-refundable fee of $85. This is a one-time cost and adding an additional family member will not incur an additional fee.

During our June and July sessions, parents and family members are welcome to stay on campus. All information and more is available on the MSU Summer Conference Housing website. Unfortunately, since the students will have moved into the residence halls in August, we cannot house family members during the Fall Orientation OF4 program (August 17-19).  Family members are also encouraged to explore local lodging options on our Bozeman Travel Information and Local Guidepage.  

Move-In kicks off over the weekend leading up to the start of school. We encourage students and their family members to review our Move-In Weekend webpage for details. With questions, please contact University Housing at [email protected] or 406-994-2661.

Parking permits go on sale on August 1.  Students who have registered for classes or who have registered for Fall Orientation prior to August 1 will have ability to purchase a permit on August 1.  Students attending an earlier orientation session will not have an advantage over those attending the Fall Orientation session.  More details will be available on our Parking Services page as August 1 approaches. On-campus resident parking is limited.  There is no guarantee parking will be available near each residence hall. We encourage students who do not require frequent use of a vehicle to consider refraining from bringing a vehicle to campus. Students may always walk, bike, or take the Streamline Bus. Additional transportation information is available online.

Wednesday, August 20, 2025.

Orientation is $40 for our incoming students in the spring semester. The $40 non-refundable Orientation/Class Registration Program Fee directly covers programmatic costs such as student Orientation Leader pay, online pre-Orientation maintenance, mailings, the Orientation guidebook, etc.

No. The Orientation fee is non-refundable.

If you are unable to complete the Orientation fee as a result of financial need, please email [email protected]
to discuss an Orientation Fee Waiver option.

Register online through your Undergraduate Admissions Checklist in MyInfo. Follow our step-by-step guide to finding your Undergraduate Admissions Checklist and registering for Orientation here.

Yes. All incoming students are required to complete a formal Orientation session before registering for classes.

Yes. Both components are mandatory and are necessary for transitioning into MSU for all incoming students for the spring semester.

No. Students are required to complete the online Orientation prior to registering for classes. The online Orientation guides students through academic procedures and technology, and also instructs them on how to schedule appointments with their advisor. Following completion of online Orientation students will either register for courses themselves, or be registered for courses by an Academic Advisor. Students who are not registered for courses by January 10th will have the opportunity to do so when they attend the on campus Orientation/Class Registration program.

Online Orientation, which should be completed prior to the in-person session, includes information such as confirming one's area of study, practicing logging into MSU technology, online math and writing placement, uploading a photo to your MSU ID, and more. During online Orientation, there will be instructions on how to schedule an appointment with an academic advisor. Following completion of online Orientation students will either register for courses themselves or be registered for courses by an Academic Advisor. By completing these steps prior to our in-person session, students will be registered for courses and have a strong foundational understanding before joining us on the MSU campus.

Veteran Orientation will appear as an option for students who self-identify with either group on their application.

Freshmen students using a parent’s or spouse's VA benefits will complete Veteran Orientation including online Orientation and the in-person program on January 13. Dependents are not required to attend the half-day Veteran Orientation in the afternoon on January 13. 

Incoming non-degree seeking students are not required to complete a formal Orientation/Class Registration session before registering for their semester courses. Please note that if you decide to pursue a degree at MSU, you will be required to complete a formal Orientation/Class Registration program.