First-year Orientation FAQ

You can register for Orientation after you’ve confirmed your intent to enroll and paid your enrollment fee. After you've paid your fee, log in to your Next Steps Portal to register for Orientation. 

Contact Orientation and First Year Programs at orientation@niu.edu to reschedule.

Please contact Orientation and First Year Programs at orientation@niu.edu if you need to reschedule. However, Orientation dates close as they reach capacity, on a first-come, first-served basis. Many early Orientation dates fill at least a month out, so it is possible that earlier dates may not be available for rescheduling.

Once you have paid your enrollment fee, there are no additional fees to register for Orientation.

First, double-check your NIU email. Make sure to check your spam and junk folders, too. If it is not there, email us at orientation@niu.edu and we will resend your confirmation.

The enrollment fee secures your spot at NIU, provides access to enroll in your first semester of courses, and covers the costs of the Orientation experience and Week of Welcome (WOW) programming. The first-year enrollment fee is $155.

This fee is automatically posted to your student account after you confirm your intent to enroll in MyNIU. Once paid, the enrollment fee is nonrefundable. Learn how to confirm your intent to enroll and pay your enrollment fee.

There is currently no option to waive enrollment fees. Please contact our office at orientation@niu.edu to request a payment plan pay your enrollment fee.

Participating in Orientation is required for all new students and is mandatory to remain enrolled in your first-semester courses, even if you have completed your Pre-Orientation Advising Appointment. In addition to offering an overview of the Huskie experience, orientation introduces the many academic resources and support services available to you. Through your orientation experience, you’ll begin making connections with other new students and learn about what supports and resources are available to you to help you find success as you transition to college. Orientation will set you up with the tools you need to thrive academically and socially during your time at NIU.

Yes, all new students are required to complete Orientation. If you need a more flexible option to complete Orientation, you may request to be registered for a virtual Orientation by emailing orientation@niu.edu.

Yes, all new students are required to take part in our first-year orientation program.

Students in University Honors will have the opportunity to participate in a special session about the honors program at orientation. Meeting invitations will be sent to your student email account.

Please contact your coach to discuss your orientation options prior to selecting a date.

If you sign up for an in-person Orientation, you’ll come to campus to attend sessions that will help you get to know important campus offices and provide you with key information for your first semester at NIU. You’ll also attend a department resource fair and meet other new students. You should plan to be on campus from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. You can download the NIU 2024 New Student Orientation Guide to view the Orientation Day schedule.

After you’ve registered for orientation, you’ll begin receiving emails with information about how to prepare.

If you sign up for a virtual experience, your orientation will include information sessions delivered through Microsoft Teams. The sessions will help you get to know important campus offices and provide key information for your first semester at NIU. Your formal orientation programming will run from 9 to 10:30 a.m.

Placement testing must be completed well before you attend orientation. Completing your placement exam(s) helps your academic advisor prepare for your Pre-Orientation Advising Appointment and make recommendations for first-semester course enrollment. We recommend that placement exams are completed at least six weeks before your Orientation date. For placement exam information, please visit Testing Services Placement Exams.

Other than completing POP, placement testing and attending your Pre-Orientation Advising Appointment, make sure you check your NIU email frequently. Important information is shared weekly to help prepare you for your first semester at NIU, so make time to review the information that is sent to you.

You should also submit a photo for your NIU OneCard. You'll receive an email with instructions on uploading your photo after you register for orientation.

Our Pre-orientation Program (POP) is a self-guided module introducing many of the topics you’ll explore further at your orientation. You can access it through your Next Steps Portal.

Please fill out our online form to request a change in your major. Major changes may impact your Pre-Orientation Advising Appointment date.

When selecting your orientation date, please fill out the “Accommodations” box on the orientation registration form. Make sure to include a comment about the accommodation you are requesting to let us know what you will need. We recommend contacting us at least two weeks prior to your orientation at 815-753-1535 or orientation@niu.edu to confirm that your request has been received.

You may bring up to two guests with you to your in-person Orientation. There is no additional fee for guests. Please note that you'll attend the group advising and class registration session without your guests. Your guests will attend the large group sessions with you, and we’ll have sessions just for them while you’re meeting with other new students.