Frequently Asked Questions

New students and their supporters are making a big commitment in time, money, and resources when they choose a college. Research shows that students who participate in orientation programming are better prepared to succeed.

New Coug Orientation teaches new students how to navigate the university, learn at the college level, and develop self-agency as a young adult. It also helps new Cougs begin to make connections with other new Cougs, current Cougs, and key support resources for a successful start to the first semester.

Please talk with the Math department about any questions regarding the Math Placement.

Math Department Contact Information: Email: math.stats@wsu.edu. Phone: 509-335-3926.

Math Placement Details: http://www.math.wsu.edu/placement/

Math Exemptions: http://www.math.wsu.edu/placement/exceptions.php

Please talk with the Writing department about any questions regarding the Writing Placement.

Writing Department Contact Information: Email: writing.program@wsu.edu. Phone: 509-335-7959.

Writing Placement Details and Exemptions: https://writingprogram.wsu.edu/writing-placement/

Please talk with SLCR-Foreign Languages about any questions regarding the Language Placement.

SLCR-Foreign Languages Language Placement Contact Information: Foreign Languages advisor: heustis@wsu.edu

Foreign Languages – Language Placement Details: https://slcr.wsu.edu/placement-testing/

While students have the opportunity to experience the full immersion of the life of a WSU student, it is up to families/supporters to find appropriate accommodations off campus during the New Coug Orientation. We welcome you to explore the diverse options our Pullman area has to offer. For a full list of hotels around the WSU campus, please visit the Pullman Chamber of Commerce site.

All students MUST complete a remote, online advising consultation and course registration BEFORE attending New Coug Orientation. New Cougs will receive instructions and a custom link to schedule an advising consultation in May. Appointments will be available June 1 – July 30. There will not be any advising on-site at orientation.

Families can attend a Family and Supporter Orientation to learn more about how to support their student’s transition to WSU. Family and Supporter Orientations run concurrently with, but separately from, your student’s New Coug Orientation session.

First registrant age 13+: $100
Additional registrants age 13+: $50
Registrants under 12: Free

More details about this program can be found on our Family and Supporter Orientation page. Registration is required to participate. Participants under 16 must be accompanied by an adult family member who is also registered as a participant of the Family and Supporter Orientation program.

Orientation is a requirement of all WSU incoming students.

Student Fee: your New Coug orientation fee is included in the mandatory $350 New Student Enrollment Fee, due with tuition by the first day of classes.

Family and Supporters:
Students may register up to 4 participants for Family and Supporter Orientation.

• $100 for the first participants over the age of 13.
• $50 for each additional participant over the age of 13.
• Free for any participant under the age of 12.

Family and Supporter Orientation fees CANNOT be billed to the student account. Participants must register and pay no later than the time of the student’s orientation program. Learn more about Program Costs & Policies.

You can change your orientation date all on your own! Follow these quick, easy steps:

1. To do this, you must go back on to our website: https://orientation.wsu.edu/sign-up. 
2. Click “Register Here” and log in
3. Click on the session you are currently registered for
4. Click “cancel registration”
5. Return to our website and sign up for a different session

NOTE: Before switching sessions, please check which sessions are still available. You can see these after you select the “Register Here” button. All the available sessions will be on the right hand side of the screen.

Advising consultation appointments are managed by each academic college and can range from 30 to 45 minutes. When you receive your custom link to schedule, you will be able to see the start and end time of your appointment.

You will need to attend the full New Coug Orientation program to fulfill your orientation requirement.

All new students will have an introductory consultation and register for classes with an advisor from their college before New Coug Orientation. Academic advisors will be assigned in myWSU after the consultation, but before your first semester. Your first appointment with your assigned advisor will be during your first semester as a Coug.

Students will not receive a printed course catalog in the mail. Please refer to the Washington State University Catalog website for further information: https://catalog.wsu.edu/General

The “Undergraduate Advising Hold” will be lifted upon full completion of orientation.

Students can select their intended major when registering for New Coug Orientation. If you would like to change your major after registering for orientation, please log in to CougReady and update your major. For the best advising consultation and course registration experience, it is important to update your major BEFORE scheduling the consultation.