Students taking a tour during orientation

Welcome to Orientation! You look good in Gold.

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Gold Gateway

Log in to confirm your admission, pay your deposit, and start your journey toward becoming a Bronco.
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New Student Hub

After you have completed the required items in Gold Gateway, check the New Student Hub for the next steps on your Orientation to-do list.

 

New Student Orientation

Congratulations on your admission to WMU! Your academic journey begins with New Student Orientation. Orientation is required for all incoming students (transfer, beginner and early middle college) starting either summer session or fall semester in 2025. Orientation is the most efficient and effective way to become more comfortable with your transition from high school or transferring from another institution. All orientation sessions will be held in-person on the main campus of WMU.  Students only need to attend one orientation program.

Western Michigan University prioritizes inclusion and accessibility for all participants attending New Student Orientation. To request reasonable accommodations for yourself or your guests, please submit your request at least two weeks prior to the orientation date. Our staff will make every effort to accommodate your needs. Please email us at ost-info@wmich.edu or call 269-387-2167.

During orientation, you will learn more about the many programs and services available to you at WMU, including social engagement opportunities, making connections with other students, touring campus, get your WMU Student ID and register for your courses.

You can take care of other University business during orientation, including:

Guests and Families

Students are welcome to bring two guests to orientation. If participating in the overnight program, students will spend the night in one of our residence halls; however, guests will be responsible for their own accommodations.

Summer Orientation Registration is Currently Closed.

Open to Any Domestic Student - One Day Program
DATES will be added by early February for 2025 Orientation

Transfer and Early Middle College Students ONLY - One-Day Program
DATES will be added by early February for 2025 Orientation

WMU grad student in front of tree and seal

Graduate Students

For questions and information related to graduate orientation, please visit the Graduate College.
International WMU student Medallion Scholar in NYC

International Students

For questions related to orientation for international students, please visit International Student Services.
Parents on move in day carrying large box

Parents and Families

Your student has access to a wealth of resources at WMU, and we want to provide you with the knowledge, resources and assistance needed to help too.

WMU and You: A Safe Space to Be

As you begin your time at WMU, we want to make sure you are aware of your rights and responsibilities, as well as the resources available to help you stay safe. Learn more about public safety, Title IX, and student rights and responsibilities.

Your Next Steps

  1. Log into the Gold Gateway using the username and password you created at the time you completed your WMU application.
  2. Accept your admission to WMU and pay the $100 Enrollment Deposit (waived for Pell eligible students).

Once you have accepted your admission and paid the enrollment deposit, access the New Student Hub using your Bronco NetID and password.  Here you will complete the following orientation tasks (not all tasks apply to all students):

  • Register for Orientation - REQUIRED
  • Complete the Pre-Advising Survey – REQUIRED
  • Sign-up for On-Campus Housing - OPTIONAL
  • Complete ALEKS math placement assessment – REQUIRED if not transferring a math course to WMU
  • Complete the Foundations in Writing and Reading survey - REQUIRED if not transferring a writing course to WMU
  • Complete the Online Orientation Modules – OPEN MAY 1
  • Submit your photo for your Bronco ID card
  • Submit Military documents - REQUIRED if using military benefits
  • Complete your FAFSA - OPTIONAL but required for student loans

Academic group advising will take place during your *in-person orientation session.

*Because Transfer and Early Middle College students are eligible to register for courses based on transfer credit hours, they will receive a link to book an appointment with an advisor, which can be held either in-person or virtually, upon completion of the pre-advising survey. This appointment may happen before you attend your in-person Orientation session; however, advisors are available on the day of in-person orientation in the afternoon.

All students are required to complete the Online Orientation Modules, which open May 6 in Elearning and should be finished by September 13, 2025. You are automatically enrolled into these modules after you complete your Pre-Advising Survey.

Please note: it may take up to 24 to 48 hours for the modules to appear in Elearning. Please set aside 30 to 60 minutes to complete all six modules.

Assessment and LEarning in Knowledge Spaces (ALEKS) is a web-based, artificially intelligent assessment and learning system.  Students with a verified ACT Math subscore less than 27 or SAT Math subscore of less than 640 must complete the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment prior to attending Orientation.

If you have a major in one of the following programs - ALEKS REQUIRED, you MUST take ALEKS prior to coming to Orientation or meeting with your academic advisor unless you are transferring a college level math course and/or AP/IB credit for math.

For more information about ALEKS, please review the information by Clicking Here. You can access the assessment at the previous link or log into your New Student Hub.

All students should take this assessment prior to attending Orientation unless they are transferring a college-level writing course or appropriate AP/IB score.  You can access the assessment in your New Student Hub.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes. All new beginner and transfer students starting classes in Summer I, Summer II or Fall at WMU for the first time are required to attend orientation.

Orientation and Fall Welcome are required for all freshmen and Early Middle College students. Orientation fee will be determined by the session attended ($150 for Transfer and Early Middle College Students and $200 for the two-day programs). The Fall Welcome fee is $265.  These fees will appear on your fall tuition invoice as two separate charges.
 

Orientation is required for all incoming transfer students.  A fee of $150 for Transfer and Early Middle College or a fee of $200 for the two-day programs (beginner students) will be added to the fall tuition invoice.  Students who attend orientation and decide not to enroll at WMU will be responsible for the non-refundable fee.  If you are a transfer student and participate in Fall Welcome, you will be charged the Fall Welcome fee of $265 in addition to the orientation fee.  The fee(s) will appear on your fall tuition invoice as two separate charges.

You can access the New Student Hub at wmich.edu/newstudenthub and log in with your Bronco NetID (username) and password.  

You should have received a Bronco NetID and a temporary password via email from the Office of Information Technology. Your Bronco NetID is different from your WIN (Western Identification Number). Visit Change Password to set your Bronco NetID password. If you do not have your Bronco NetID and temporary password, please contact the Technology Help Desk at (269) 387-HELP or email @email.  You may need to check your junk, spam or promotions folders to locate this message.

  • Log in to goWMU to verify your new password.
  • Be sure to check your WMU email regularly, as important University business -- such as your financial aid offer details and housing information -- will be sent there.

Information related to orientation will come to your personal email address; however, please check both your WMU and personal email accounts to ensure you receive all communications. Also, be sure to monitor your spam, junk, clutter and promotions folders too! Adding @email to your safe senders list, will help ensure prompt delivery.  You can also link your WMU and personal email accounts together.  You can contact the Help Desk at (269) 387-4357 (HELP) for assistance.

To track anything related to Orientation, you can log into your New Student Hub.

No.  There is a pre-advising session on Day 1 and then students will register for courses on Day 2 as part of the group advising process.

Transfer and Early Middle College students (students that attended a 13th year of high school) are eligible to register for courses prior to attending the one-day or two-day programs. Advising will still be available for the one day programs in the afternoon.

Students attending the two-day programs will register for courses on Day 2 of Orientation at the group advising session.

Early Middle College students essentially attended a 13th year of high school.  These students most likely receive an Associate's degree upon completion.

 

Orientation Tips

  • Each student's journey is unique - we know it, now you do too - don't stress about it!
  • Not all tasks in the checklist apply to all students. If one is not applicable to you, simply move on to the next; it will remain the same color.
  • Scheduling your classes occurs with your academic advisor when you attend in-person Orientation.  Transfer, and Early Middle College Students – it is possible that your advising session may occur virtually, before your in-person Orientation session.  Advising is also available in the afternoon on the day of a scheduled session.
  • Take advantage of all opportunities to meet people and get involved during the Orientation process. Familiar faces on day one, in class or at lunch make campus life much more fun!
  • We are here to help - no question or concern is unimportant. Email us at ost-info@wmich.edu or call our office at (269) 387-2167.