New Student Orientation

Frequently asked questions

• Do I have to attend orientation?

  Yes – we provide a number of sessions to accommodate the busy schedules of our new students. If you are unable to attend one of our sessions due to an insurmountable hardship, please contact us and we will work together to find a solution. Vacations, summer jobs and other obligations are important, but New Student Orientation helps students prepare for a successful college career and is a great investment of time for both new students and their families.

  Even if you are a transfer student, you are required to attend an orientation program. We know that you have experience attending another institution but Transfer Student Orientation focuses on how to navigate Wayne State specifically.
  
  Students who are admitted directly to the following professional schools or colleges do not attend the general New Student Orientation sessions. Please contact the school or college directly for further information:

  • College of Nursing - 313-577-4082
  • Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences — 313-577-1716
  • School of Social Work — 313-577-4409
• Will I meet with an academic advisor during orientation?

  Yes. You will meet with an experienced advisor who will review your degree plan and help you choose your courses. Transfer students should meet with an advisor prior to the orientation program if at all possible in order to maximize your class scheduling opportunities. You should expect to receive information regarding the advising process from your academic advisor by your scheduled orientation date. All advising communications will be sent to your Wayne State email, so be sure you've set up your account and are checking it regularly.

  Many academic advisors at Wayne State are using Microsoft Teams to meet with their students (either by audio call or video chat). We recommend downloading Microsoft Teams from your app store and logging in with your accessID and password (once you've established your account in Academica) to ensure a successful meeting with your advisor.

• Are you pre-med, pre-physician assistant, pre-law or pre-dental?

  If you answered YES to this question, please note that none of the programs above are considered majors at Wayne State. You must choose a major from our list of programs and follow the prerequisite coursework for the respective program. For a quick overview regarding being pre-med/pre-PA at Wayne State, check out this video.

  Pre-med students should make a reservation for a one-day orientation program, followed by a Pre-Med Essentials Session to learn about pre-med preparation and course planning.

   

• Will I receive information about Financial Aid?

  The Office of Student Financial Aid mainly communicates with students through Wayne State email and Academica. Be sure you are checking both on a regular basis (at least once per week) so that you don't miss important deadlines.