You will have a scheduled appointment with your academic advisor during your orientation.

When registering for your orientation program via MyNIU, fill out the section titled, Accommodations, to let us know what you’ll need. NIU and your orientation program will have numerous support services for students who have a temporary or permanent health impairment, physical limitations, psychiatric disorders or learning disabilities.

We recommend planning to spend the full day on campus for your orientation. You’ll arrive for check in between 7:50 a.m. and 8:20 a.m. in the Holmes Student Center. Depending on your advising and course registration, your orientation program runs to 4:30 p.m.

Family orientation runs concurrently with new student orientation. Students and families will have opportunities to attend sessions together and separately. Your family will check in for family orientation at the Holmes Student Center between 7:50-8:20 a.m. Families can expect to conclude their day one sessions around noon.

No, but students in the Honors Program must make plans to meet with the honors department immediately after advising and registration is complete.

Yes, all new students are required to attend orientation prior to advising and registration.

The confirmation fee secures your spot at NIU, covers the costs of your orientation program and a portion of your Welcome Days activities.

The confirmation fee is nonrefundable, so it is best to be certain of your student's plans to attend NIU before making a payment.

During the orientation program, families will get to meet with their student's major college. Families can ask questions and gather contact information during the Academic Connection session. Only students will attend advising/registration.

Yes, students must take needed placement tests prior to orientation. Testing must be complete at least one week prior to the start of your orientation program. New students can contact Testing Services to learn what placement tests they need and to schedule their test date at 815-753-1203 or visit their website.

No, but students in the CHANCE program will have mandatory meetings during the day of orientation.

Yes, all new students participate in the orientation program.

Contact Orientation and Family Connections at orientation@niu.edu or 815-753-1535 to reschedule.

First, double check your NIU email or email you gave on your application to NIU. Make sure to check your spam and junk folders, too. If it's not there, email us at orientation@niu.edu and we'll resend your confirmation.

Please fill out the online form to request a major change.

We’ll contact you once you fill out the form if you need to change your orientation date. Some majors don't advise every orientation day or your new major might be full on your orientation date.

If you need a room to stay in before or after orientation, please contact Orientation and Family Connections at orientation@niu.edu to make arrangements. Family members may be eligible to spend the night in the Holmes Student Center Hotel at a reduced rate.

Please contact your coach to discuss your orientation date options.

Express Orientation is an abbreviated program providing you with the most essential information/resources on campus, an appointment with an advisor and registration for the upcoming semester. You’ll also get to visit the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office and get your student ID (OneCard). If Express Orientation is an option for you, you’ll see it when you register in MyNIU.