Welcome To Penn State! To help you get started on a path to success at Penn State you will need to learn more about the Penn State community, academic and co-curricular expectations and opportunities, and ways to begin meeting your educational goals. New Student Orientation (NSO) will help you develop educational goals, become familiar with campus resources, and schedule courses to put your academic plan into action.
Timeline for Summer & Fall Admits
Month(s) of the YearEventsLate March
After you accept your offer from Penn State and pay your acceptance fee, you will receive instructions (via postcard or e-mail) to complete the steps outlined below.
Watch for this communication. It contains critical information about your personalized New Student Orientation timeline!
Starting in Late March
Complete your Educational Planning Survey and placement tests.
Educational Planning SurveyThis survey will help us help you when you visit campus for your orientation.Placement TestsYou will take tests in mathematics and chemistry. These test results will help you choose appropriate courses for your first semester. Take these tests online from any location with Internet access.Starting in April
After you complete steps 1 and 2, your campus of admission will send you additional information about New Student Orientation.
Note: You will only receive information about your orientation program after you have completed your Educational Planning Survey and placement tests.
April - June
Complete your "Pre-NSO Homework" to prepare for your visit.
May - August
You will visit your campus for orientation to meet with campus personnel, discuss academic choices,learn about student life, and schedule courses. For University Park students, New Student Orientation is an overnight program.
Timeline for Summer & Fall Admits
Month(s) of the YearEventsLate March
After you accept your offer from Penn State and pay your acceptance fee, you will receive instructions (via postcard or e-mail) to complete the steps outlined below.
Watch for this communication. It contains critical information about your personalized New Student Orientation timeline!
Starting in Late March
Complete your Educational Planning Survey and placement tests.
Educational Planning SurveyThis survey will help us help you when you visit campus for your orientation.Placement TestsYou will take tests in mathematics and chemistry. These test results will help you choose appropriate courses for your first semester. Take these tests online from any location with Internet access.Starting in April
After you complete steps 1 and 2, your campus of admission will send you additional information about New Student Orientation.
Note: You will only receive information about your orientation program after you have completed your Educational Planning Survey and placement tests.
April - June
Complete your "Pre-NSO Homework" to prepare for your visit.
May - August
You will visit your campus for orientation to meet with campus personnel, discuss academic choices,learn about student life, and schedule courses. For University Park students, New Student Orientation is an overnight program.
Info
International Student Orientation Programs are held on a semester basis. Their specific dates are as follows:
- Summer 2013 International Student Orientation Program (held June 22-25, 2013)
- Fall 2013 International Student Orientation Program (held in August)
- Spring 2014 International Student Orientation Program (held in January)