UT Orientation Frequently Asked Questions

Are all incoming students required to complete orientation?
Yes, orientation is required for undergraduate students. You will register for your classes during your orientation session. 

When can I register for an orientation session?
Registration for New Student Orientation will begin March 20-22, 2024 depending on your college or school. More information on the registration process can be found here for incoming freshman and here for transfer students.

You must be admitted and satisfy your enrollment deposit before you can register for a session. Visit MyStatus to accept your offer of admission and, if required, to satisfy the enrollment deposit.

How do I register for orientation if I’m an international student (non-U.S. citizen, non-permanent resident)?
If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident upon admission to UT Austin, you are classified as an international student.  You will need to complete the requirements listed below as a part of your orientation process. You will not be able to register for classes until you have completed these tasks:

• Register and participate in your required University orientation.
• Complete the check-in process with Texas Global  BEFORE your required University orientation.
• Satisfy the immunization requirements. Click here to learn more about requirements for international students.

If interested, attend the optional International Student Orientation. This is in addition to your required University orientation. Click here to learn more. 

If you did not find the answer to your question, please email nss@austin.utexas.edu.

Which orientation session should Path to Admission through Co-Enrollment (PACE) students register for?  
If you are a PACE student who is starting in the fall semester, you should attend a session in which your program is represented. A full list of which programs, colleges and schools attend each orientation session can be found below

Freshman: https://newstudentservices.utexas.edu/orientation/freshman/orientation-dates

Transfer: https://newstudentservices.utexas.edu/orientation/transfer/orientation-dates

Which orientation session should Coordinated Admission Program (CAP) admitted participants register for? 
All students in the CAP program should sign up for a June/July session of Transfer Orientation. If you cannot attend a June/July session, you must attend the August Orientation.

Is there an orientation program for parents and families?
Yes, Family Orientation is separate from student orientation. Family orientation requires a separate registration process. You can find more information about Family Orientation at newstudentservices.utexas.edu/content/family-orientation.

Can I switch orientation sessions?
Switching orientation sessions is not recommended. Orientation space is limited, so it is important to try to attend the session you signed up for to participate in. If you need to change your session, you must do so before the registration close date. More information on this process can be found below for incoming freshmen and transfer students.
Freshman: newstudentservices.utexas.edu/orientation/freshman/registration
Transfer: newstudentservices.utexas.edu/orientation/transfer/registration

What if I can’t attend any of the orientation sessions or my school/college indicates “full” on the registration page for May/June/July?
If you are admitted for the fall term and are unable to participate in any of the May/June/July sessions, there will be a virtual August Orientation session held before classes begin. If all May/June/July orientation sessions are full for your college, you will automatically see the option to register for August Orientation within the registration portal. Please note: Registration for August Orientation will open for all students after the final May/June/July orientation session.

All colleges will be participating in the August Orientation session so you will be able to interact with your college, academic advisor, meet other new students, and register for classes during August Orientation, consistent with May/June/July sessions.

While August Orientation will be hosted 100% virtually, students will have the opportunity to connect with campus and fellow Longhorns in-person at Longhorn Welcome.

Can I get on a waitlist for a session?
Sessions do not have waitlists. If the session you wish to participate in is full, you should register for a different session that you can attend. You can continue to check the orientation registration system to see if a space opens up in your desired session, but New Student Services cannot place you in a session that is full. Sessions must maintain caps in order to ensure that all students have quality time allotted during college and advising meetings in preparing to successfully register for their classes.

What if I miss or do not complete all requirements during my orientation session?
If you register for a May/June/July session, but fail to participate, you will need to go back into the orientation registration system and register for either a later session that is still available or August Orientation. Your payment for the May/June/July session will transfer to the August Orientation but will not be refunded. If you miss your May/June/July session and do not register for August Orientation, you will not be able to register for classes at your designated access time. You will need to contact New Student Services to make arrangements and discuss the steps you need to take to be able to register.

Will I still be able to get the classes I want if I attend a later orientation session?
In some classes, seats will be reserved so that students in each orientation session have a chance to register for those classes. No matter which session you participate in, there will be classes you can register for that will fulfill your core requirements and keep you on track for graduation. You should expect to be flexible with class days and times. Being open about professors will also help you maximize your options for courses.

What do I do if I have a registration hold?
Any bars you have will be listed on your Registration Information Sheet.

• If you have an advising hold, that will be cleared during orientation once you meet with your academic advisor.
• If you have a health hold, you must submit your documents to University Health Services at least two weeks in advance so it may be reviewed in order to clear your hold. Domestic students, click here to learn more about medical clearance requirements. International students, click here to learn more about medical clearance requirements.
• If you have an international hold, that will be cleared once you have completed your Check-In process with Texas Global.
• If you have a high school transcript hold, it will not prevent you from registering for classes.
• If you have a financial hold, in most cases, financial holds may be paid in cash or by check at the cashier's office in Main Building room 8, or cleared online at the What I Owe page.
• If you have a non-financial hold, you must resolve a non-financial hold with the administrative office that imposed it.

What if I miss a required program at orientation? Will I still be able to register for classes?
There are required programs throughout the duration of your orientation session that you must participate in and, if you miss them, you may not be able to register for classes. If you miss a required program, please contact New Student Services at nss@austin.utexas.edu immediately for further instructions.

How will orientation prepare me for class registration?

During orientation, you'll attend a College Meeting where you'll learn about college requirements, degree plans and how to use the registration system. You will also have a meeting with an academic advisor who will go over the course schedule with you, talk about your degree plan and help you map out a sample schedule of classes. While registering on the final day of your scheduled session, you will have support from advisors and current students to answer any questions.

After I have attended an orientation session, if necessary, when can I make changes to my class schedule?
You can only make changes to your schedule during the official add/drop period. You can check your Registration Information Sheet to see when your next registration window opens.

Can I change my major during my orientation session?
If you are concerned about your major choice, you will have time to discuss it with your advisor during your academic advising appointment.

Do I need to take any placement tests at orientation? If so, how can I contact Student Testing Services for information about testing or policies?
Not everyone needs to take all of the placement tests that are offered at orientation—it often depends on a number of factors, including your major, what tests you have taken, and what kind of credits you have obtained from other colleges through transfer work or dual-credit. To find out which tests are most appropriate for you, either contact the Student Testing Services office or speak with your academic advisor during your orientation session.

How do I register for placement tests at orientation?
There are two primary ways to register for orientation tests:

• Online using the Orientation Registration page
• In-person with Student Testing Services during your orientation. More information will be shared via the New Student Orientation schedule.

When you register in either of these manners, you will not be charged for the test until after you take it.

If you signed up for tests on the orientation registration site that you no longer need, you can cancel your reservation. If you are still able to access your orientation selections through the New Student Services orientation website, you are welcome to cancel your test registration through the “Update your session” button. If you no longer have access to the orientation system, you do not need to worry about trying to cancel your test registration. Students are only charged for a test after they take it, so if you do not show up for the test for which you registered, you will not be charged for it.

When and how should I plan on paying for my placement tests at orientation?
If you registered for a test through the orientation website or in person with Student Testing Services, you will be charged for any testing fees after you sit for the test. You will have up to two weeks to pay for these charges. There are three ways that you can pay:

• Online through your What I Owe page
• In-person at the Bursar’s Office located in the Main Building, Room 8
• By mail to the Bursar’s Office, University of Texas at Austin, P.O. Box 7398, Austin, TX 78713-7398

If you need to take other placement tests, you may register online through Student Testing Services at https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/ctl/regi/. Results from these exams are available within 24-48 hours, allowing time to adjust your schedule during the add/drop period.

How do I claim credit or earn credit by exam?

Students with credit-eligible Advanced Placement (AP), CLEP, SAT Subject Test, SAT/ACT Writing Scores or International Baccalaureate (IB) test score may find they have already earned coursework credit at UT Austin by taking exams. To learn more about what tests you should plan to take and when you can take them, visit Student Testing Services or call (512) 232-2662. Credit by exam information, including a list of accepted exams and scores and testing schedules for exams offered on campus staff can be found at here.

Make sure you have any test scores (Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, etc.) sent directly to UT Austin. It's helpful to gather all test scores and transcripts for completed college-level courses and have them with you during your advising appointment at orientation. Your advisor can still work with you to plan out your course selections even if some of your scores are still pending.

Do I need to take the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) assessment?
You can check your TSI status on your Registration Information Sheet (RIS). If you are exempt it will say "Exempt" or "Complete" on your RIS and there is no further action needed from you. If not, you will need to provide documentation of your exemption or present passing scores from the TSI Assessment before you can register for courses. For more information, email the TSI Office at tsi@austin.utexas.edu. Please allow 6-10 business days for their office to process your documents.
 

Do I need to take the UT Math Assessment?
College of Natural Sciences first-year freshman students, regardless of AP or IB high school credit, must take the UT Math Assessment (UTMA) before their orientation session. Some students in other colleges and schools also must take the UTMA, including students planning to take Calculus I (M408C/K/N/R/Q) that do not meet the exemption requirements for non-CNS students. Non-CNS students can wait until after discussing their course selection with an academic advisor at orientation to take the UTMA. You must purchase the online Math Readiness Package that will provide online learning modules and the proctored assessment.

The College of Natural Sciences, which oversees the assessment process for students in all colleges and schools, offers additional information, including exemption criteria and test registration details, on their UTMA website. If you have further questions, please email readiness@cns.utexas.edu and be sure to provide your UT EID.
 

Do I need to take the UT Exam for M305G (Pre-Calculus) Credit?
If you do not plan to take a calculus course but still need a math credit to complete your degree, you may have the opportunity to take the UT Exam for M305G (Pre-Calculus) Credit. 

If your degree plan allows M 305G (a pre-calculus course), you have the option of testing out of the course with an eligible score on the UT Exam M305G (Pre-Calculus) Credit. The UT Exam for M 305G (Pre-Calculus) Credit is given on the UT Austin campus during regularly scheduled testing periods, including during summer orientation.

For more information and to register, visit the Student Testing Services website. Results from these exams are available within 24-48 hours, in time for students who may need to adjust their fall schedules based on their results to do so during the add/drop period

Do I need to take the Chemistry Assessment?
Many students registering for CH 301 will be required to complete the Chemistry assessment prior to the Fall semester. The assessment will not need to be completed until after orientation. It is important that you do not purchase a Chemistry Readiness Assessment until after you have attended orientation and discussed course selection with your academic advisor.

If you did not find the answer to your question, please email nss@austin.utexas.edu.

Am I required to participate in a Spring Orientation?

Yes, attending Spring Orientation session is mandatory for all degree-seeking undergraduate students starting their Longhorn journey in the spring term.  

When can I register for Spring Orientation?

Registration for Spring Orientation will open on November 13. More information on the registration process can be found here.

Can my family attend Spring Orientation with me?

No, families cannot attend Spring Orientation with their student. However, a separate Spring Family Orientation program is offered for all incoming Longhorn families. This optional family programming requires separate registration. Learn more here.

Will all programming of Spring Orientation be virtual?

All required programming will take place virtually. Optional social opportunities will take place virtually and in-person. Please make plans accordingly so that you can participate in both required and optional programming throughout your session to get the most out of your orientation experience. 

What computer equipment is recommended for Spring Orientation?

You will need a computer or tablet with Zoom capabilities, webcam, headphones and a quiet place with a reliable internet connection to complete the virtual components.

Note: You will need the most updated Zoom version and an official UT Zoom account to complete orientation. Follow this link to set up Zoom on your mobile device or computer.

What digital platform will be used for the orientation program?

Canvas will be used for orientation and will include modules as well as the orientation schedule with Zoom links. This helps introduce students to the Canvas platform, which they will use throughout their time at UT Austin for classroom instruction and support. Students login to Canvas using their UT EIDs and Duo authentication. Access to the Canvas modules will begin on December 30 for students who have registered for orientation.

How do I request accommodations for the online orientation and video modules?

If you have a disability and need accommodations for online orientation, you can find information about how to request accommodations at newstudentservices.utexas.edu/students-with-disabilities.

When do I register for classes?

For freshman and transfer students participating in Spring Orientation, you will register for classes on the last day of orientation and you will have access to the registration system until midnight that day.

You can check your Registration Information Sheet to view your access times.

Visit the Class Registration FAQ page for more information.

Can I cancel my registration?

There are no cancellations or refunds for Spring Orientation.

Will I be attending the same orientation as my student?
You and your student will be attending two different orientation sessions. Spring Family Orientation and New Student Orientation are two separate programs designed uniquely for their respective audiences. Registration for each program is separate. If you register for Spring Family Orientation, it does not register your student for their required orientation session. Students must register for Spring Orientation here: https://utdirect.utexas.edu/apps/dos/orientation/

Do I need to take off work to attend Spring Family Orientation?
The Spring Family Orientation program is hosted virtually via self-guided modules, which means that you can complete them at any time that fits your schedule. Once you have access to the modules, you are able to move through them at your own pace until Jan. 24 at 11:59 p.m. CT. The modules make up the entirety of Spring Family Orientation programming.

 What do I need to access Spring Family Orientation modules?
Accessing Spring Family Orientation is simple, all you need is an internet connection and a device to access the online Canvas platform. We suggest viewing Spring Family Orientation on a laptop or tablet as the content is more user-friendly on a larger screen.

You will receive an email from nss@austin.utexas.edu between Jan. 6 and Jan. 9, depending on when you register, with instructions on how to access Canvas.

How long will I have access to the modules?
The modules will become available on Jan. 6 and close on Jan. 24 at 11:59 p.m. If you register prior to the modules becoming available, you will receive an email on Jan. 6 with more details on how to access Canvas. If you register between Jan. 6 and when registration closes on Jan. 9, you will receive an email at the start of the following business day.

Once you have access, you can view the modules at your own pace and as many times as you like. Once they close, you will no longer have access. 

How can I request accommodations if I have a disability?
New Student Services staff can assist by coordinating with the Disability and Access office. Please email us at nss@austin.utexas.edu or call our office at 512-471-3304 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CT) for more information. We need your requests at least two weeks before the Spring Family Orientation modules become available in order to make sure you receive the best experience.

For Spring Family Orientation-specific FAQs, click here.

Planning for Family Orientation

Will I be with my student during Family Orientation?
No, your student will be attending New Student Orientation. However, you will have the chance to reconnect with your student at the end of Family Orientation. Afterwards, you’ll send your Longhorn on their way to complete the rest of New Student Orientation.

What college/school program should I attend if my student has a double major, or I have more than one student?
If your student has a double major in separate colleges/schools, you are encouraged to attend the presentation by your student’s primary major. Or, if you have multiple attendees in your party, you may split up to attend different sessions.

My student was admitted to a certain college/school but wants to transfer to another. Can I attend the presentation of the college/school to which my student wants to transfer?
No, you must attend the college/school presentation of the college/school in which your student is currently enrolled.

Is there programming available for siblings or children who attend?
Siblings and children will attend the same programming as adults. We understand it may be necessary for younger children to accompany you; however, if you are able to attend without them, that is preferred as the programming will be structured to an adult audience.

How can I request accommodations if I have a disability?
New Student Services staff can assist. Please email us or call our office at 512-471-3304 (Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m. CT) for more information. Requests must be received at least two weeks before the date of your orientation session.

Where can I park during orientation?
Parking for students and families attending on-campus orientation is serviced by UT Austin’s Parking and Transportation Services (PTS) department and is a separate fee from orientation registration. You will receive an email with detailed parking information closer to your orientation session.

Should I bring anything with me?
At check-in, you will receive a bag that will help when collecting handouts throughout the day. If you are a notetaker, we recommend you bring additional paper to write on. We also recommend wearing comfortable walking shoes as you will be traveling between buildings, bringing a sweater as it can get chilly inside campus buildings and a refillable water bottle to stay hydrated in the Texas summer heat. 

Registration and Sessions

Am I required to attend the same orientation session date as my student?
While we recommend that you attend the Family Orientation session that corresponds with your student’s orientation session, it is not required. If you attend a session date that differs from your student, you must make sure that your student’s college/school is presenting at the session you desire to attend.

I have completed the Family Orientation online registration process, but need to modify my registration. How can I update my registration?
If you need to change any information (date, # of guests, email address, etc.) after registering for family orientation, please reply to your registration confirmation email with updates on what needs to be adjusted. It is important to ensure your student’s college/school is presenting at your desired session. Please note, changing your Family Orientation session does not change your student's orientation date.

What if I miss or do not show up for my orientation session?
If you miss your registered Family Orientation session, your payment will not be refunded. You may request to attend a later Family Orientation session date by replying to your registration confirmation email with the session date to which you’d like to switch.