New Student Orientation

The Online orientation experience 2020

New Student Orientation will occur with three components for students enrolling in summer and fall 2020 classes: 

 1.       On-demand learning modules.  Modules will be open for completion on June 15.  You will be notified via email when this is available.  Modules will be on-demand and should take approximately 2.5-3 hours to complete.  This will introduce you to the essential information you need to know as a new student.   We will also offer learning modules for parents and family members that wish to participate in orientation. 

 2.       Virtual 1:1 advising and course registration.  Students will receive a pre-advising survey via email in mid-to-late May.  When complete, you will be prompted to schedule an advising appointment.  All incoming students with an ACT Math subscore of less than 27 or SAT Math subscore of less than 640 must complete the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment prior to your advising appointment.  If your major is within the College of Engineering and Applied Sciences, visit:  https://wmich.edu/step/aleks.  Non CEAS majors visit:  https://wmich.edu/math/placement for more details.

 3.      Virtual Community Sessions. These are being developed as a partnership between Student Transitions and Student Engagement and will occur in July.  This will provide real-time opportunities to connect with current students, faculty and staff, student organizations, and affinity groups.  Students can explore areas of interest and learn about the many ways that they can connect to campus. To learn more, click here. 

Registering for New Student Orientation

Once you complete your Intent to Enroll form and pay your Enrollment deposit of $100, you will be able to register for New Student Orientation. All of these steps can be completed through the Gold Gateway.  Please note that the Enrollment Deposit is your first payment towards tuition, not your Orientation fee.  View a video demonstration of the registration process.

NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION Requirements

  • All 2020 high school graduates are required to attend Orientation (regardless of how many credits they are transferring in).
  • All 2017, 2018, and 2019 high school graduates (that did not complete any college credits after graduating) are also required to attend New Student Orientation.
  • Early Middle College graduates are required to attend Orientation, the year they plan to begin at Western.

  • Students that are not enrolling on main campus (i.e. students enrolling fully online or at one of our regional campuses) are not required to attend New Student Orientation.

  • There is a $60 Orientation fee that is automatically billed to student accounts in August with fall tuition.  This covers programming and staffing for Orientation and first-year programming throughout the year. 

PARENT AND FAMILY ORIENTATION

  • Open to all parent and family members that have a new beginner student starting in the fall semester.   Family members can register on the same form as the student.  We are in the process of creating an online-on-demand module for families. 

TRANSITION ORIENTATION PROGRAM

  • Any new transfer, returner or second bachelor's student starting in the summer I, summer II or fall semester should attend the Transition Orientation Program.  CLICK HERE for more information and to register.
  • Parent, family members and guests who have a student starting in summer I or II or fall are encouraged to attend the Transition Orientation Program with their student.  There is a session just for you during this program.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION

  • International students are required to attend an International Student Orientation.  CLICK HERE for more information.

SPRING ORIENTATION

  • Any new transfer, beginner including adult learner (age 22+), returner or second bachelor's students starting in the spring semester should attend the Spring Orientation Program.  Spring Orientation registration is currently closed and will be available in mid-October.
  • Parent, family members and guests who have a student starting in the spring are encouraged to attend Spring Orientation with their student.  There is a session just for you during this program.