Freshman Orientation

Freshman
Orientation

Orientation is a personalized event where we roll out the maroon carpet to welcome the newest members of the Bulldog family! Attending Orientation is how students confirm they are enrolling at MSU. When you sign up, you will need the username and password you used when applying to MSU.

Registration for Spring Orientation for new students entering Spring 2025 is live.

Registration for new students entering Fall 2025 will go live on February 3, 2025 at 9 a.m. CT.

Ready to become a part of our Bulldog Family? Start by signing up for Orientation today! Orientation is an on-campus personalized experience for you and your family members. Join us for a variety of events and information sessions as we share all the resources MSU has to offer. You will meet with your academic adviser and departmental representatives to register for classes and gain an overview of your program – so no need to stress! Throughout orientation, you will learn about student organizations, meal plans, residence halls, financial resources, and so much more! You will meet with current students here on campus and learn about their experiences as you prepare to transition into an exciting new phase of life. We can’t wait to welcome you into our Bulldog family. Hail State!

Meet Your Orientation Leaders

Sessions

13 Jan 2025

Spring Orientation

Cost to Attend

Spring Orientation

Student Fee $85
Guest Fee $50

Program
Highlights

Student Involvement

Students will hear from university representatives on how to get involved on campus and learn about different academic and social opportunities!

Academic Advising and Class Registration

Students are advised and register for their classes in a group setting with the assistance of a faculty advisor.

Academic College Meetings

Meet with representatives from our academic colleges to learn more about opportunities and services within your academic college.

Registrar's Session

The University Registrar will provide an overview of the course registration procedures at MSU, while demonstrating the university's web registration system.

University Billing Cycle

Student accounts are to be paid in full or enrolled in a payment plan, by August 1st for the Fall semesters, or January 1st for the Spring semesters. Payment plans give students the option to disperse the bill over four months. During Orientation, you can learn more about enrolling in a payment plan and how to access your account to do so.

Frequently Asked Questions

Contact Info: orientation@msstate.edu

Yes, Orientation is required for all new full-time undergraduate students. Orientation is the best way to confirm your intent to enroll at MSU. Orientation is an exciting event for incoming freshmen and transfer students (and their families) to gain information that will prepare you for your time at MSU. Students will learn about student life, hear from a variety of administrators, meet other incoming students, and finalize their class schedule! Online students and student athletes are not required to attend Orientation due to their own on-boarding process. Please contact Online Education and Athletics regarding the on-boarding process for online students and student athletes.

Maroon U is an online course through CANVAS with Pre-Orientation and Post-Orientation modules to help incoming students become familiar with the University before the start of their academic journey. Students will receive an email with instructions on Maroon U.

Students will need to submit a photo for their student identification card PRIOR to attending their Orientation session. Directions and instructions will be provided in the Maroon U course after December 2nd.

For the two-day events, the cost to attend covers the one-time registration fee, meals including our infamous MSU ice cream, the Orientation guide, night activity, student ID, and Orientation bag with a t-shirt, pen, name tag, and the student's Hail State flag. For the one-day events, the cost to attend covers the one-time registration fee, the Orientation guide, student ID, a lunch meal voucher, infamous MSU ice cream, and Orientation bag with a t-shirt, pen, name tag, and the student's Hail State flag.

Immunization records must be submitted in order to register for classes. The Health Center accepts immunization records from physicians and health departments. MSU has partnered with Med+Proctor to provide immunization-verification services. To upload your immunization records, first go here and sign in using your MSU credentials, then provide Med+Proctor with the basic information being requested. You will use your MSU email address for subsequent logins.

If you have general questions concerning the status of your immunization records, please contact the Health Center via email: health@msstate.edu (preferred method) or by phone 662-325-2431.

During your scheduled Orientation session, we will offer a variety of sessions where you will have the opportunity to interact with other incoming students. The ZeeMee app is also a great way to connect with incoming students.

Students will be contacted by an advisor prior to their Orientation session about course scheduling but will still confirm their schedule at Orientation and can make changes at that time.

Students should bring a laptop or tablet in order to register for classes at Orientation. It is recommended that you wear comfortable shoes and casual clothes. We also recommend that you bring a raincoat and/or umbrella if the forecast calls for rain. Students and guests should bring money for meals, coffee, and soft drinks. Barnes & Noble at Mississippi State will be open throughout the program, as well, for textbook pre-orders, MSU apparel, and other items.

Yes! We will work to provide alternate transportation for those with mobility issues to various locations during Orientation. In order for accommodations to be made, please be sure to include that information when you register for Orientation online; or feel free to contact our office to let us know if you will need alternate transportation or special assistance.

When signing up for an Orientation, there is a place to let us know if you need any special accommodations. You are also more than welcome to contact the Office of Orientation & Events at 662-325-2334 if you have a disability and require special accommodations. The Orientation staff team will work with the Disability Resource Center to provide assistance during the event.

Students who apply and are admitted after Orientation can still register for classes by contacting our office at 662-325-2334. Our staff will connect you with an advisor. Note: There will be $30.00 registration fee for students you register for classes if they are admitted after the Orientation session.