Advice for Students by Year
First-Year Students
- Prior to orientation, set up an appointment with testing services to take any required placement tests.
- Attend orientation to meet with an advisor and register for classes.
- Consider registering for UNIV 101, a 1-credit hour course to help students adjust to life at NIU.
- Attend the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Welcome Days event.
- Review a four-year plan for your intended major.
- Beginning the first week of October, meet with an advisor to plan your spring schedule.
- Beginning the first week of March, meet with an advisor to plan your summer and/or fall schedule.
- Register for courses on your enrollment date (found in MyNIU Student Center each semester).
Second-Year Students
- Students with 24 or more earned credits will be advised by an advisor. Schedule an advising transition meeting as soon as you are assigned an advisor in Liberal Arts & Sciences.
- Beginning the first week of October, meet with a college advisor to plan your spring schedule.
- Beginning the first week of March, meet with a college advisor to plan your summer and/or fall schedule.
- Register for courses on your enrollment date (found in MyNIU Student Center each semester).
- Consider enrolling in UNIV 301: Braven Leadership and Career Accelerator during your second year.
Third-Year Students
- Register for a practice interview before attending a graduate school fair, internship fair or career fair.
- Beginning the first week of October, meet with your major advisor and a college advisor to plan your spring schedule.
- Beginning the first week of March, meet with your major advisor and a college advisor to plan your summer and/or fall schedule.
- Register for courses on your enrollment date (found in MyNIU Student Center each semester).
Fourth-Year Students
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August/Summer Graduation
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Application Period:
Apply from August 1 through June 15. -
Commencement Ceremony:
NIU does not hold a commencement ceremony in August. August graduates will automatically be invited to attend the December commencement ceremony. -
May Ceremony Participation:
August graduates who wish to participate in the May ceremony must apply for August graduation by February 1.
December/Fall Graduation
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Application Period:
Apply from March 1 through September 1.
May/Spring Graduation
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Application Period:
Apply from August 1 through February 1.
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- Meet with your advisor for a graduation check before the semester you intend to graduate.
- RSVP for your graduation ceremony.
- If you plan on taking courses at another institution as a senior, you must fill out a senior transfer request form with your college advisor.
- Attend a graduate school fair, an internship fair and/or a full-time job fair.
Contact
College of Liberal Arts and Sciences Advising
Zulauf Hall 201
815-753-0114
815-753-5904 (fax)
clas_advising_office@niu.edu
