Orientation

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New First-Year Students: What to Expect

Day One

During day one students and guest will take part in University Orientation activities based on the program agenda. This also includes any placement testing necessary that a student has not already completed prior to their orientation date.

Day Two

On the second day of orientation, you will participate in a group session led by the Office of Academic Affairs in EHE. We will have a presentation for both students and their guests. Some of the topics we will cover are:

  • General information about our college and the majors we offer
  • Academic Advising
  • The basic components of an Ohio State degree
  • The process of creating your first semester schedule
  • EHE 1100 (Survey)

Students and their guests will then split up:

  • Meet with your academic advisor for a one-on-one advising appointment
  • Discuss your first semester schedule
  • Schedule your classes

Transfer Students: What to Expect

Transfer orientation currently takes place virtually. One your week of orientation, you will have an overview day (typically Monday) lead by University Orientation. On a different day of that same week, you will have a scheduled advising appointment with an academic advisor in EHE. Information will be sent out weeks prior leading up to your orientation date (including information on how to schedule your advising appointment for the week you have orientation). In that communication, a website will be included which covers some of the below information:

  • General information about our college and the majors we offer
  • Academic Advising
  • The basic components of an Ohio State degree
  • Transfer credit and how it applies to your degree
  • The process of creating your first semester schedule
  • EHE 1100 (Survey)

Additional Orientation Information

Placement Testing

Post-secondary Coursework

To earn credit for post-secondary coursework, please request to have an official copy of your transcript sent to Ohio State electronically. Learn how to send a transcript.

Advanced Placement (AP)/International Baccalaureate (IB) Credit

If you have taken AP or IB exams, please have your official scores sent to Undergraduate Admissions. Scores may be sent at the time of the exam administration or by calling (888) 225-5427 and requesting scores be sent to us (recipient code 1592). Please allow 2-3 weeks for receipt and processing of scores.

  • If you are a New First-Year Student for the Autumn Semester, and you took an AP or IB exam during your senior year of high school, your scores might not be posted to your OSU student account until early July. If you attend Orientation prior to that date, advisors will work with you to plan your Autumn schedule based around any credits you expect to receive.
  • If you are a Transfer student and you had AP or IB scores sent to your previous school, you will need to have them re-sent to Ohio State using the information listed above. Scores do not automatically transfer from one institution to another. 

What if I need to change my orientation date?

If you are already registered for an Orientation session but need to change the date and attend a different session, please contact the Orientation office as soon as possible at 614-292-4161 or orientation@osu.edu.
 

What if I want to change my major?

It is important for students to pursue the major that they think is best for them. If your desired major is different from what you originally declared when you applied to Ohio State, you can change your major as follows:

  • Before Orientation: contact the Orientation office as soon as possible at 614-292-4161 or orientation@osu.edu.
  • At Orientation: notify the Orientation staff of your new desired major when you check in for Orientation.

What if I can't attend orientation?

All new incoming Ohio State students are required to attend Orientation, which is comprised of both campus-wide and college-specific events. It is in your best interest to make arrangements to attend a regularly scheduled Orientation session. If you are truly unable to attend a regularly scheduled Orientation session, you will not be permitted to schedule your classes until all Orientation sessions are complete. For students beginning in the Autumn Semester, this means you will not be allowed to schedule classes until early August. You will also be required to complete an online or in-person make-up Orientation at the start of the semester. If you are truly unable to attend Orientation, please contact the Orientation office as soon as possible to make alternate arrangements: 614-292-4161 or orientation@osu.edu.