New Student To-Do List

Pre-Orientation Requirements

The requirements below must be completed before your scheduled New Coug Orientation session. To learn more about each item, click on the titles below.

Additional New Student To-Do List – Prior to Start of Classes

The Pre-Campus Arrival To-Do List should be completed before arriving on campus for your first semester of classes. To learn more about each item, click on the titles below. 

Complete CougReady Steps

CougReady is an online program specially designed to help new students prepare for New Coug Orientation, advising consultations, course registration, and the transition to life as a Coug.

CougReady Step 1 is required for all new Cougs prior to attending an academic advising consultation and registering for courses.

Step 1: CougReady Step 1 is designed to prepare you for your advising consultation and to register for your first semester of classes. Please check your email frequently for access.

  • March 28 Experience WSU x Transfer Orientation participants will be emailed access in February.
  • All other incoming students students will gain access in May.

Step 2: CougReady Step 2 prepares new Cougs for move-in, purchasing text books, and conversations to have as a family. Step 2 will become available in early July.

Step 3: CougReady Step 3 goes over how to make the most of Week of Welcome, the first month of classes, and building your community. We will also go over important information to setup your WSU email, Okta dual authentication, and more to ensure you’re ready to start classes. Step 3 will become available in early August.

Questions about CougReady? Please contact New Coug Orientation.

Placement Assessments

It is important that students who need to take placement assessments complete them at least two weeks prior to their advising consultation and course registration appointment. Placement scores will determine which classes you are eligible to register for during your appointment.

ALEKS Math Placement Assessment
Complete the ALEKS math placement assessment if you are not transferring in college-level math. Do I need to take the math placement assessment?

Writing Placement Assessment
Take the Writing Placement Assessment if you plan to enroll in English 101 or an equivalent course. Additionally, students planning to enroll in the Honors College need to take the Writing Placement Assessment. Do I need to take the writing placement assessment?

Foreign Language Placement
If you plan to enroll in a foreign language course, please visit the Language Placement Testing website for more information and to take the assessment for your intended language.

Advising Consultation & Course Registration

All new students MUST complete an advising consultation and course registration BEFORE attending their New Coug Orientation session. There will not be any academic advising available on-site at orientation.

During your remote, online consultation an academic advisor from your college or the Academic Success and Career Center will review your transcripts, placement assessment scores, and degree plan as they help you register for your first semester of classes. The goal of this appointment is to set you up for a successful first semester. Scheduling will become available in early May. Appointments will occur from June through July.

In your first semester, you will be assigned an academic advisor within your college. You will meet with them for a more in-depth appointment to plan for your second semester and any hands-on learning you want to incorporate into your WSU experience such as, internships, research, or study abroad.

Send Updated Transcripts

Before Your Advising Consultation and Course Registration Appointment: Send updated transcripts prior to your scheduled advising consultation to get the most out of your appointment. This includes Spring 2026 grades, AP test scores, and any other college level coursework. These can be unofficial transcripts.

Before You Arrive On-Campus for the Semester: Make sure your high school or transfer institution and testing agencies are sending final official transcripts and test scores to the WSU Office of Admissions. Students who are in Running Start, High School in the College, or other dual enrollment programs must send transcripts from each college/university providing college-level academic credit.

Apply for Campus Housing

You can apply for housing after you have confirmed your offer of enrollment. If you’re eligible to live off-campus, explore additional options at offcampusliving.wsu.edu. The priority deadline for new housing applications is May 1, 2026. All applications received at that time will be treated equally in the first round of the placement process.

Orientation Overnight Housing

  • Fall Start New Coug Orientation: As a part of the New Coug Orientation experience, students are encouraged to stay in the in the residence halls for the night between their session dates at the cost of $40. Additional night(s) before or after the orientation session are available upon request at $40 per night.
  • Spring & August New Coug Orientation sessions: Housing is not provided. Students will move directly into their housing for the semester.

Complete Mandatory Programming

Incoming first-year and transfer students are required to complete the following mandatory programs:

Consent and Respect: This course discusses healthy and unhealthy relationships, the importance of consent, and how to report gender-based violence if it occurs.
Alcohol Wise: This 15-20-minute self-guided alcohol survey provides feedback specific to your own alcohol usage. The program is required for all incoming students who will be under the age of 21 at the beginning of their first semester.
Hazing and Hosting: This course helps you identify and report hazing if you see it happening. Washington State has a no-tolerance hazing law.

Instructions to complete this programming will be sent to your WSU email address from WSU Health Education.

Spring Orientation: students will receive access and instructions in January 2026.
Summer Orientation: students will receive access and instructions in August 2026.

It is your responsibility to complete this program during your first semester. Failure to complete the course will result in a hold on your student account. See more about the mandatory programs or contact WSU Health Education with any questions: health.education@wsu.edu.

Send Vaccination Records

WSU students are required to provide documentation of:

  • Hepatitis B Vaccine
  • Measles (Rubeola), OR MMR (Measles, Mumps and Rubella) Vaccine
  • Meningococcal Vaccine (MCV4/ACWY)*
  • Tdap – tetanus, diphtheria, and whooping cough (Pertussis) Vaccine
  • Varicella (chicken pox) Vaccine
  • Tuberculosis screening for high-risk populations (Login to your WSU Patient Portal to complete the screening)

Find details regarding immunization requirements, submitting documentation, exemption requests or getting immunized if you have not done so at cougarhealth.wsu.edu or contact cougarhealth.immunizations@wsu.edu.

Failure to complete the course will result in a hold on your student account.

Note: If you were vaccinated in Washington State but cannot find your records, view the instructions for downloading your immunization records.