Orientation Homepage

Useful Links:
Admissions
Center for Student Progress
Directions to Campus
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Office of Housing and Residence Life
Office of Student Life
Placement Testing
Penguin Connection Handbook
Schedule of Classes
Registration of Classes
Undergraduate Student Bulletin
The Code*
Your Right to Know*
YSU Bookstore

The Top Ten Questions Asked:

1. Why should I attend orientation?
2. Do parents have to attend?
3. What is a peer mentor?
4. Do I send in the registration fee in now?
5. Can I leave an orientation program early?
6. Can I take my placement tests and register on the same day?
7. Can I register before I take my placement tests?
8. Are parents permitted to attend the advisement and registration portion of orientation with the students?
9. Do I need to buy my books the day of orientation?
10. I've registered for orientation, now what?

If you have questions about issues only a specific campus service could answer, please check out the following links:

Office of Housing and Residence Life questions
Placement Testing Services questions

Why should I attend orientation?

Coming to an orientation program marks the beginning of your educational journey at YSU.  Through our programming, you will make vital connections to campus resources, services, faculty, professional staff, upper-class students, and the campus community.  If you are a first-year student, you will also have the opportunity to go through our formal advisement and registration process.  Our orientation programs not only help you and your family through your first semester but through the personal transitions you will continue to make during your career at YSU.

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Do parents have to attend?

It is not a requirement for parents or family members to attend orientation but suggested for the EARLY and SOAR programs. During the first-year student orientation programs, the parents will attend some orientation sessions with their student.  However, the parent and family member schedule differs from the student schedule at particular points of the day.  The parent programming will address the issues and transitions parents will be facing as their students begin their relationship with the University.   Please be assured, we realize the importance of the parental presence in the students' college career and believe we have designed sessions to meet the needs of students and their parents/family members.

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What is a Peer Mentor?

In general, a Peer Mentor (PM) is a first-year student's best friend on campus.  During orientation, this upper-class student will serve as an orientation leader and co-facilitate the various sessions.  Once the academic year begins, the PM will provide assistance and guidance with the multitude of transitional issues students may face in their first year.  To learn more about the PM role, check out First-Year Student Services.

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Do I send in the registration fee now?

No, the registration fee, a.k.a. orientation/matriculation fee, will be added to your bill once you have finalized your course registration.  There is no need to pay this fee in advance.

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Can I leave an orientation program early?

No, our orientation programs are structured in a way that every session is a necessary component of the process.  For EARLY and SOAR participants, you must complete all of the sessions in order to complete the course registration portion of the orientation program.

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Can I take my placement tests and register on the same day?

No, all tests must be taken prior to your orientation date.  This policy is in place so academic advisors may have your results for the advisement and registration session on your program date.

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Can I register before I take my placement tests?

Yes, but this is not advised.  If you do not take your required placement tests prior to your orientation date, you will not be permitted to register for English Composition, Foreign Language, Mathematics, or Reading courses.  Please refer to the Placement Testing Services for additional testing information.   

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Are parents permitted to attend the advisement and registration portion of orientation with the students?

No, parents and family members will have a different agenda than their student during this session.  Students will be assisted by professional advisors and orientation staff during the advisement and registration session.  These individuals are trained to facilitate registration for students.  Parents should feel free to discuss academic plans at home prior to their student's orientation.

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Do I need to buy my books the day of orientation?

No you don't need to, in fact, the bookstore's supply may not be available depending on the date of your orientation program.  Most students come back in late August with a copy of their schedule or wait until the first week of classes to purchase their books.  Please feel free to check out the YSU Bookstore on-line for more information.

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I've registered for orientation, now what?

You will be mailed a confirmation packet with a confirmation letter and additional information about the program you registered for.  If you do not receive a packet, please notify the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs at 330-941-2103 or e-mail us.

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