
New Student Orientation Checklist and Resources
Log in to your MyState account, select Dashboard, then scroll to the Forms section and find the New Student Orientation registration form to select an available date.
Steps to Take Before New Student Orientation
Get Familiar with Your Online Accounts
- Start with , your storehouse for personal account and campus information (pro tip: keep your username and password close by).
Activate your account (check it often).
Note about : All Jacks email accounts will be secured with DUO, a multifactor authentication service meant to keep online accounts safe. Students will be prompted to set up DUO upon logging into their Jacks email.
- OPTIONAL: if you're experiencing trouble logging in. For further assistance, call 605-688-6776.
Prepare for Advising and Registration
- Complete the NSO Pre-Advising Form.
- Consider interests that may impact course registration, including Honors College, Air Force or Army ROTC, and Performing Arts.
Review your New Student Orientation Profile on . Find the NSO Profile button at the bottom of the My Current Profile section. Let us know if you notice anything inaccurate, particularly your planned major, test scores and contact information. Use "NSO Profile" as your subject line.
NOTE: Transfer credit, dual credit and/or postsecondary enrollment options credit will not be reflected on your New Student Orientation Profile. If you have earned any college credit already, make sure to let your advisor know during advising and registration.
- Send all final, official high school and college dual credit or postsecondary enrollment options transcripts to Admissions.
- Send all relevant, official test scores to Admissions (ACT/SAT, Advanced Placement, College Level Examination Program, transfer credit, Smarter Balanced, Accuplacer, DANTES, IB, etc.).
- Review course placement policies related to English, math, reading and modern languages.
- Review the academic advising guide sheet for your major(s) requirements.
- Review the SGR (aka general education requirements) in the .
- Use the to determine if and how your postsecondary credit transfers to SDState. Please note that this may not be a comprehensive list of all credit that may transfer. The final, official evaluation of transfer credit will be completed by the Registrar's Office.
Review Costs, Financial Aid and Scholarship Information
- Optional: Complete the privacy release form, which authorizes staff to discuss your financial aid with parents/family members.
- If you completed a Free Application for Federal Student Aid, access your award letter through your Financial Aid Self-Service portal in MyState.
- Visit Financial Aid for information about costs and financing your education.
- Visit our resource page for additional tips and deadlines.
- Review tuition and fees rates. More information about tuition, fees and billing will be provided at New Student Orientation.
Get Your Housing Assignment
Check your Jacks email for your housing assignment. If you haven’t yet applied for on-campus housing, learn more and apply today. Depending on the timing of your New Student Orientation session, you may not receive your housing assignment before attending your session.
Steps to Take During/After New Student Orientation
Attend New Student Orientation on Your Scheduled Date
All New Student Orientation sessions will begin in the University Student Union. See the session schedules on the main menu for details about each session. You will receive a hard-copy schedule as you check in for your session.
What to Bring
- WIFI-capable device such as a laptop or tablet for course registration. Registering for classes on a mobile phone is not recommended.
- Copies of transcripts for any college credit earned (if not already submitted to SDSU). These will be unofficial but will be helpful during advising conversations.
- Physical photo ID (e.g., driver's license).
- Umbrella, which can be helpful on rainy days, as travel between buildings is required.
Connect with Orientation Leaders
Wondering what it's like to be a Jackrabbit? Which meal plan to choose? What it's like living in the residence halls? Ask one of our Orientation Leaders during your session.
Meal Plans
Chances are you selected your meal plan when you applied for housing. To verify, change or sign up for a plan, open your housing application in
Visit to see meal plans, locations and menus and more.
Immunizations
We require proof of two measles, mumps and rubella vaccinations. Use your New Student Orientation Student Profile to verify that the Student Health Clinic has your immunization records. Your profile is available on . From the dashboard, scroll to "My Current Profile" and click the "View NSO Profile" button at the bottom. Find "Proof of Immunizations Needed" toward the top. If it states "Yes," click the link above to learn more. Immunization records can be sent via email to sdsu.shc@sdstate.edu or fax 605-688-6450.
Insurance
Submit your proof of insurance to the Student Health Clinic and learn about health insurance billing.
MyJacks Card
MyJacks Card online photo guidelines. To submit your photo, refer to the email from Card Services containing a photo submission link. This email will be sent about a week before your scheduled New Student Orientation session. You'll have the opportunity to take a photo at New Student Orientation if you didn't get it done prior to attending.
All new students will be issued a mobile ID only (unless student has an ineligible mobile phone).
Billing and Payment
View your account information and pay your bill through you Student Account Self Service portal in MyState.
Optional: Review available payment plan options.
Parking Permit
Purchase your campus parking permit via your MyState account. Permits are available in late July for purchase.
Textbooks
Purchase or rent your textbooks from . Textbooks will become available in late July.
Learn more about the , which allows students immediate access to their course materials, in digital format, by the first day of classes. Before choosing to opt out of First Day Access, check the course syllabus on D2L or attend the first day of class to learn if you'll be missing any digital content only available via First Day Access.


Save these dates and get ready to Meet State!
- Friday, Aug. 22: First-year students move in!
- Saturday, Aug. 23: Yellow, Blue and You – a program designed to help new students complete the onboarding process to SDSU. Attendance is required!
- Monday, Aug. 25: Classes begin
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