Getting Ready for New Student Orientation

 

New Student Orientation (NSO) is designed to welcome new students and their families to American University. During New Student Orientation, you will learn about academics and campus life at American University, while meeting other new students as well as current AU students who will help you acclimate to the university. In addition to meeting with your advisor and finalizing your course schedule you will learn your way around campus, spend a night in a residence hall, take necessary placement exams, receive your AU ID Card and much, much more. By the time you leave New Student Orientation, you will be well on your way to success!

Use the following checklist to get ready for NSO this summer!


Choose a summer NSO session to attend. If you CANNOT attend NSO during the summer, we offer a make-up orientation program on Monday, August 17 and Tuesday, August 18 called First Year Fundamentals (FYF). Click here for more information on the FYF program and here for International Student Orientation.

The dates are as follows:

Session
2009 Dates
Session I June 18-19
Session II June 22-23
Session III June 25-26
Session IV June 29-30
Session V July 6-7
Session VI July 9-10
August Move In Information Click here


Register yourself and your family members on-line using your New Student Checklist on the my.american.edu web portal. Our registration site works best when using Internet Explorer. Remember that your NSO registration is NOT confirmed unless you receive an email confirmation to your AU email address.

***International Students are welcome to attend one of the New Student Orientation programs during June or July. If it is more convenient, however, you may choose to attend International Student Orientation in August during the week before classes begin.

Plan your travel to and from NSO. Our program officially begins at 9:00 a.m. on day 1. If you are traveling a long distance you might want to take advantage of our early arrival option. On Day 2, our program will end around 4:00 p.m. depending on the sessions you choose to attend or if you have any other appointments scheduled on campus.

Our sample student and parent and family member schedules should help you plan your arrival and departure times.

Interested in carpooling? Join the "AU New Student Orientation Carpool 2009" Facebook group.

Want to learn more about using Mass Transportation to get to NSO? Click here.

Reserve a hotel room. This option is for parents and family members only. Students are required to stay on campus for the NSO program. For more information regarding our Parent and Family Orientation programs click here.

Class Registration. During orientation you will meet with your academic advisor to discuss your fall semester registration. In order to plan and get registered for your first-year courses, you must complete the Online Freshman Guide to Academic Programs and Registration by the deadline specified. Information about this online process is sent by your school/college in May.

Submit your photo for your AUID card. By using your my.american.edu web portal, you can submit your own photo for your AUID card. If you do this at least 3 days prior to your NSO date, we will have your AUID card at the closing session on Day 2.

Print out directions to campus and campus maps.

Email us at orientation@american.edu at least 48 hours in advance if you have any cancellations or changes to your registration.

Pack your bags! Here is a list of what you will need to bring with you for NSO:

1. The folder that was mailed to you to hold all your important information

2. Your results from the Foreign Language Placement Exam (if applicable)

3. Some sort of alarm clock

4. Comfortable walking shoes

5. Casual and warm-weather attire, as well as a sweatshirt or light sweater for air-conditioned rooms

6. Umbrella

Read our FAQ's and Answers if you have any more questions or call us at 202-885-3303.

First-Year Students
Parents and Families
Transfer Students