All new students (first-year and transfer) are required to attend a New Coug Orientation (NCO) session provided by New Student Programs. NCO provides students the opportunity to learn about Washington State University Pullman’s university’s mission, goals, values, and academic expectations; discuss academic policies, procedures, and programs; review costs, in terms of both dollars and personal commitment; and expose you to valuable resources and campus-support services.
Orientation is a mandatory program for all new students. You’ll take part in learning modules, view college and department presentations, learn about student life, and meet one-on-one with an academic advisor to register for classes. You will be a part of a small group of other New Cougs guided by an orientation counselor (OC) who is a current WSU student. You will have the opportunity to ask questions, make new friends, and fully immerse yourself in New Coug life at WSU Pullman.
New Cougs are making a big commitment in time, money, and resources. Research shows that students who participate in orientation are better prepared to succeed by being set up from the beginning on how to navigate a university, learn at the college level, and develop self-agency as a young adult.
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.
You will meet with an academic advisor during your orientation session. That is where you can ask your academic advisor specific questions.
Families can attend a family and supporter orientation if they would like to learn more about their student’s transition to WSU. More details and updates about this program can be found on our Family and Supporter page.
Orientation is a requirement of all WSU incoming students.
For orientation purposes, transfer students are students who have at least 27 semester or 40 quarter credits at another institution, post-high school. Transfer students can also attend any of the above sessions, not just the transfer-specific sessions. Students with Running Start or College in the High School credit hours need to attend a general orientation program.
There are a couple options to navigate the New Coug Orientation (NCO) fee.
Option #1:
The Office of New Student Programs has limited funding available for those who demonstrate financial need. If you have a financial aid award that covers more than tuition and fees, the orientation/matriculation fee for orientation can be paid using your financial aid. If a student would like to defer the $250 matriculation fee, they will need to indicate that when they are registering for a session. On the registration, the student will need to check the box where it states that the student would like to defer to their student account. The fee will not appear in the student’s account until the first day of classes.
Option #2:
Limited NCO fee waivers are available for students who are in financial need and are full federal Pell Grant eligible. Please contact orientation@wsu.edu with your full name and WSU ID. Please note that your request is not a guarantee. New Student Programs will determine if a student will receive an NCO fee waiver according to available funds and Pell eligibility.
Note:
While the student may possibly receive a fee waiver, the waiver only covers the student and not the optional Family & Supporter Orientation fee(s).
Optional: – Family & Supporter Orientation (FSO) fee(s)
Family & Supporter Orientation Fees:
Age 13+ – $140
Age 6-12 – $70
Age 0-5 – No Cost
The student matriculation fee is still a mandatory fee associated with completing your Orientation requirement. In light of an unprecedented health crisis, we are maintaining the best possible safety protocols in place with students, so everyone is able to stay safe, healthy, and our students are able to continue their transition to WSU with minimal disruption. As we transition back to our in-person orientations we continue to pay staff and student employees for their good work to help you succeed, and at the same time are making high-quality existing and new services available to students online and investing in new technologies as we do so. Additionally, this fee covers for the student housing, dining, and programming that is set in place for a successful, fun, and engaging experience. The student matriculation fee thus remains integral in continuing our work to provide these needed services. We hope, however, that upon further reflection, you understand we are actually increasing our investment to support student needs.
You can send medical records to the Cougar Health Services here: cougarhealth@wsu.edu.
This depends on where families are coming from. For information on visiting our WSU campus in Pullman, visit our Travel Guide.
Students who are attending the NCO programs must be in compliance with the university’s vaccine requirements. For further details, please visit our Required Immunizations website: https://cougarhealth.wsu.edu/2021/07/23/vaccine-and-exemption-documentation/
Students that are one vaccine away from being becoming fully vaccinated may still attend our NCO. However, the student will not be allowed to stay within WSU Housing unless the student has completed the exemption process.
Washington Governor Jay Inslee has announced that the state’s general “indoor mask mandate” – with some specific exceptions – will be repealed effective Friday, March 11th. For this reason, we will not be requiring face masks on campus. Any individual has the right to wear a mask for any reason, without explanation, in or on any campus facility or location, free of harassment or questioning, in accordance with State law. This includes any environment where the wearing of masks is considered optional by others.
You will not be able to tour your Residence Hall during NCO.
You can change your orientation date all on your own! Follow these quick, easy steps:
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.
You can contact us directly at orientation@wsu.edu, or we can transfer you to the correct department who has better knowledge on your question.
In your email to WSU’s New Student Programs, please include your full name and WSU ID # (01#######). Thank you!
For questions about mail services in Pullman, please contact WSU Mailing Services here: https://printing.wsu.edu/mailing-services.
Advising appointments usually range from 30-45 minutes. However, students can expect to wait for their appointment time during the day.
You will need to attend all of the days of your New Coug Orientation in order to fulfill your orientation requirement. We have 3-day and 2-day programs, depending on which session you are attending you will need to be there for all those days.
Based off of the New Coug Orientation schedule, you will meet with an Academic Advisor on Day 3 (of the NCO sessions) and afterwards will register for your Fall classes.
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” is to ensure that all new students meet with their academic adviser before registering for classes. The hold will then be removed for students to register. Students will register for classes on their last day of New Coug Orientation.
Emails will be sent to a student’s official WSU email. Please be checking your email on a regular basis. For assistance accessing WSU email please contact CougTech at (509) 335-4357 or visit cougtech.wsu.edu.
WSU students do not need a bus pass to use the Pullman bus system. Students only need to show their Cougar Card ID when entering the bus.
Contact New Student Programs either through email or phone for assistance. We can be reached at 509-335-4242 or at orientation@wsu.edu. Please be ready to provide your full name as well as your WSU Student ID.
Students can select their intended major when registering for New Coug Orientation. When students meet with an academic advisor during their orientation session, they can then confirm their intended major with their advisor.
The Writing Placement Assessment is a very important piece for students, however, if you missed your opportunity, know that you can simply take a history class this semester and take the writing placement at a later date for your English class for spring semester. Your advisor will help you with this during your advising session on the last day of orientation.
Please talk with the Writing department about any questions regarding the Writing Placement Assessment.
Writing Department Contact Information: Email: writing.program@wsu.edu. Phone: 509-335-7959.
Writing Placement Details and Exemptions: https://writingprogram.wsu.edu/writing-placement/