Getting Started
New Student Orientation
What is New Student Orientation?
New Student Orientation introduces you to campus – you will learn about WVU’s academic programs, meet faculty members, register for your fall classes after discussing your options with your academic advisor, discover all of our student support services, and make new friends with other incoming students.
There are three types of Orientation: a standard one-day program, an extended program that lasts a day and a half, and a program for transfer and nontraditional students.
Do I have to attend?
Orientation is strongly encouraged for all freshman. If you do not attend, you will not be able to register for classes until August (by then, certain classes may be full). Knowledge is power, and knowing where to go, what help is available, and meeting your advisor can help you become a successful student.
Orientation is also encouraged for all transfer students. Although you have already attended college, it is still beneficial to attend WVU’s Orientation and learn about the opportunities awaiting you.
What are placement exams?
Placement exams are an important way to help us determine which classes are best for you. To place you into the appropriate course or level, WVU relies on placement exams.
Every student attending orientation will take the Math Placement Exam. The results from this exam will determine your placement into a math class at WVU. If you are required to take chemistry the results will also determine your placement into a chemistry class.
If you are currently taking French, German, or Spanish and plan to continue taking the same language at WVU, you must take the computerized foreign language placement exam in that particular language before you are permitted to attend class.
You are strongly encouraged to take the foreign language placement exam before attending orientation. It can be found online at http://www.as.wvu.edu/forlang/
When is New Student Orientation held?
You will choose your first, second and third choice in June, and we will assign you to one of those sessions.
Do I come by myself?
We strongly encourage parents or guardians to attend Orientation with you. A separate program will give them the information they need to help you become a successful college student.
Where do we stay?
Students and guests have the option of staying in an on-campus residence hall of in local hotels. If you choose to stay on-campus, parents and students will be housed in separate areas of the residence halls, and students will be assigned a roommate upon arrival. Parents and guests will be assigned to the same room unless they request otherwise. If only one parent or guest is attending, he or she will be assigned to a room with another parent or guest of the same gender. There are many hotels, motels, and bed-and-breakfasts nearby.
Additional information will be sent in March. First-time freshmen will not be mailed Orientation information unless they pay the academic deposit.
WVU New Student Orientation
Purinton House
PO Box 6411
Morgantown, WV 26506-6411
Phone: 304-293-2264
E-mail: orientation@mail.wvu.edu