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New Student Orientation

Summer New Student Orientation will welcome and prepare students starting at MSU in the fall semester. NSO will occur in stages and begin as students gain access to content in MSU's D2L platform.

Once a student has completed that content, they will be granted access to schedule an academic advising session with a JMC advisor.

Please monitor your MSU email for instructions on making this appointment. Students will get one appointment in June or July to discuss their academic priorities and goals with the JMC advisor as they work together to plan the student's first year fall semester schedules (you will enroll for spring semester starting in early November).

Summer 2025 NSO Instructions

  • Starting in May, all new students will be given access to the virtual New Student Orientation Course on MSU’s online learning platform, D2L (Desire to Learn). Students will work their way through the modules that focus on general MSU policies, procedures and resources. For more information on these modules, visit the New Student Orientation website. 
     
  • Once a JMC student completes the modules in D2L, advisors from James Madison College will reach out to schedule an advising and enrollment appointment. This will take place between June 9 and July 18.
     
  • Instructions for how to register for your advising & enrollment meeting will be included in the message sent to your MSU email account. There are two different options for this meeting:
    1. Online: Students can schedule a one-on-one meeting with a JMC advisor. During this meeting, we will focus on creating a plan for fall semester and guide students through using MSU’s online enrollment system. Meetings are 45 minutes and conducted via Zoom.

    2. In Person: JMC will offer several in-person advising & enrollment sessions during summer 2025. These full day sessions (approx.10am-4pm) include the opportunity to interact with representatives from housing, career services, and education abroad. Students will have a one-on-one advising appointment and enroll in their full fall schedule while in attendance. Sessions will be held in Case Hall.

  • Prior to their advising meeting, all JMC students must take the MTH Math Placement Assessment.  Additionally, if a new student intends to continue studying a language they have previously studied, a language placement assessment should also be taken. Students will not be able to enroll for classes without completed placement assessments.

  • Some new students participate in a program that requires pre-college advising, so they will meet with the program advisors before meeting with a college advisor from JMC. Once this program level meeting is complete, your JMC advisor will reach out via email to schedule your advising & enrollment appointment. (examples of programs that require this meeting: Honors College, Academic Scholars, Detroit M.A.D.E. Scholars, etc)
     
  • If you have not heard from an advisor within 7 business days of the completion of your D2L modules, please email Lindsay Snyder at thornh12@msu.edu for a status check. If you have difficulties finding availability because you are in a different time zone, please reach out directly for accommodation. 
     
  • Please complete the NSO homework document (available here as a PDF or Word Doc) and send the completed form to your advisor ahead of your appointment. Detailed instructions are available on the document.

5 tips for a successful NSO advising & enrollment experience

  1. Check your MSU email every day. This is our primary way of communicating with you.

  2. Take your MSU math and language placement assessments at least a few days prior to your advising appointment so your advisor has time to review.

  3. Log in to student.msu.edu prior to the day of your appointment. Students will need a device to use for two-factor authentication (so, don’t forget to have that nearby during your appointment).

  4. If you register for an online appointment, schedule the meeting for a time when you will have access to good wi-fi and a quiet environment free from distractions. You will also need time after the appointment to enroll in classes, so make sure to plan accordingly.

  5. Have a list of any credit you have previously earned (or expect to earn). This includes credit from AP or IB exams, dual enrollment and/or classes from another institution. MSU will need the official transcript or test scores, but having an unofficial copy of this information to share with your advisor during the meeting is often helpful.

Admitted Students