First-Year Student - Class Registration and Orientation

Step 1: Schedule Your Individualized Class Registration Appointment

You will meet with an academic advisor virtually via Zoom to talk about class selection and register.  Prior to your appointment, please complete all pre-registration requirements and resolve any enrollment holds you might have.  

Have you changed your major?

  • If you wish to change your major from the one you listed on your application to NDSU, update us at ndsu.apply@ndsu.edu or (800) 488-6378.  Please include your seven-digit EMPLID number in communications, which can be found in your admission letter.

Step 2: Complete Pre-Registration Requirements

Complete the following pre-registration steps at least one week before your class registration appointment.  Use your Bison Login for each of these steps.  Your Bison Login is separate from your ND University System Acount and must be activated.   

You Belong Here Pre-Registration Modules
  • Completion is estimated to take one hour, and you may stop and return as often as you wish.
  • You must submit the Completion Survey at the end of You Belong Here.
  • Your family and friends may also complete You Belong Here by using the guest login option. 
Math Placement Survey
  • All first-year students must complete the survey even if they have math transfer credit.
  • The estimated completion time is 2 minutes.  You will be asked about previous math classes you have taken (high school and college-level), ACT/SAT scores (if applicable), and high school GPA.
  • The survey does not replace official transcripts.  You will still need to send your final high school transcript to NDSU along with any transcripts from colleges that awarded your college level credit (if applicable).
  • Additional information is available in the University Catalog.
English Placement Survey
  • All students must complete the survey even if they have English transfer credit.
  • The estimated completion time is 10 minutes.  You will be asked about your previous experiences and comfort level with a variety of academic reading, writing, and research tasks.
  • The survey does not replace official transcripts.  You will still need to send your final high school transcript to NDSU along with any transcripts from colleges that awarded your college-level credit (if applicable).
  • Additional information is available in the University Catalog.

Step 3: Make an Orientation Reservation

  • Instructions for making a reservation will be sent to your email.  Please contact ndsu.admission@ndsu.edu with questions.
  • First-year students starting summer 2025 are required to attend a virtual panel (via Zoom) on May 19, June 12, or June 30.  
  • First-year students starting fall 2025 are required to attend an on-campus orientation. 
    • Dates include:
      • June 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18, 26 and 27
      • July 24 and 25
      • August 4 and 5
    • We strongly encourage you to register for classes before orientation.  However, if you haven't met virtually with an academic advisor to register by your orientation date, you will register during orientation. 
    • If you live more than 300 miles from Fargo, you may request an exemption to the on-campus orientation requirement. 
  • Fall online students (those who will complete their degree entirely online) are required to attend a virtual panel (via Zoom) on August 18.

Step 4:  Send Documents

Send Official Transcripts
  • An official transcript from each college must be sent for all PSEO, dual credit, and CIS coursework by July 1. Your high school transcript will not be used for any college courses.
  • You are encouraged to send official college transcripts prior to your virtual appointment with an academic advisor, to assist with advising and registration. If you choose to wait to send official transcripts until after you have completed all courses, you should be prepared to show your academic advisor an unofficial transcript or log into your student account during your virtual advising session. 
  • Upon graduation, have your high school send an official transcript showing all final grades and your graduation date
  • Learn how to send your official documents to NDSU.
Send ACT or SAT and Advanced Placement (AP) Scores
 
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