First-Year Frequently Asked Questions
Pre-Orientation Questions:
I am considering changing my major. Should I change my major before Orientation?
What do I need to do before starting at NC State in the fall?
What is my student ID number?
What email address does the University use to communicate with me?
Orientation Registration Questions:
Is Orientation mandatory?
Is there a fee for Orientation?
When am I supposed to come to Orientation?
How do I register for Orientation?
Do I get a confirmation that I registered for Orientation?
Can I change my Orientation session after I have registered?
I recently changed my major, how do I change my Orientation session?
Which First Year Orientation session should an international student attend?
What happens if I can not attend my Orientation session?
What if I need to leave early or miss part of the program?
If I need special accommodations during Orientation, what office should I contact?
Can I bring my parents or a friend to Orientation?
I am about to start taking classes in the Non-Degree Studies (formerly Life Long Education) program. What Orientation do I attend?
Orientation Program Questions:
What should I bring to Orientation?
What time and where will Orientation begin?
Where is Lee Residence Hall?
What will the schedule be like at Orientation?
How will I know which courses to register for?
Will I register for classes at Orientation?
Are accomodations available for the night before Orientation?
Will I receive my AllCampus card (Student ID) at Orientation?
Will I be able to see my residence hall room for next year?
I am considering changing my major. Should I change my major before Orientation?
Orientation Sessions at NC State are college-specific (i.e. College of Engineering, College of Education, etc.). If you wish to change to a major that is outside of the college in which you are currently enrolled, you will need to get approval for this change by emailing your request to undergrad_admissions@ncsu.edu by June 1 (make sure to provide your complete name and date of birth). Once you have received official notification from the Office of Admissions that your college has changed, go to your WOLFPAW account and sign up for the Orientation session that corresponds to your new college. You cannot change your college after June 1 or during Orientation. Contact New Student Orientation at 919.515.1234 or email us at orientation@ncsu.edu with any questions.
What do I need to do before starting at NC State in the fall?
A comprehensive checklist of items to complete before starting at NC State can be found on the New Student Website, along with other resources to assist with your transition.
What is my student ID number?
Your student ID number is a number that is assigned to you upon receipt of your application for admission to NC State. You can view your student ID number on your WOLFPAW Application Status Screen.
What email address does the University use to communicate with me?
Be aware that your email is going to your personal address (the one you included on your application to NC State) until early August. After that, all incoming email will automatically be sent to your Unity or campus-based email address. To check your Unity mail, access the university Gmail system at http://gmail.ncsu.edu and log in with your Unity ID and password.
Orientation Registration Questions:
Is Orientation mandatory?
Orientation is a very important element of the transition into college and the majority of the Orientation program has mandatory attendance. If you have a time conflict, contact the Office of New Student Orientation at 919.515.1234 or email us at orientation@ncsu.edu.
Is there a fee for Orientation?
Yes. The New Student Orientation fee for first year-students entering in the fall semester is $150. This fee covers the costs of Orientation and is included in the Tuition and Fees Statement you will receive by email from the University’s Cashier’s Office. This is a mandatory fee charged to all first-year students whether or not the student attends Orientation.
When am I supposed to come to Orientation?
At NC State, Orientation sessions are college specific and you should attend the session corresponding to your college. For a complete list of dates for Orientation visit http://www.ncsu.edu/orientation/firstyear/when.php.
How do I register for Orientation?
There are two ways to register for Orientation:
- You can register online from your WOLFPAW account at http://wolfpaw.ncsu.edu
- You can call our office at 919.515.1234
Note: Your Advanced Enrollment Deposit of $200 must be processed before you can register for an Orientation session. Instructions for submitting the deposit can be found on your WolfPAW Application status screen.
Do I get a confirmation that I registered for Orientation?
Yes. An email will be sent to your personal address (the one you included on your application to NC State) and to your WOLFPAW account.
Can I change my Orientation session after I have registered?
You may change the Orientation session you have registered for if your college offers another session and space is available. Check your WOLFPAW account at http://wolfpaw.ncsu.edu.
I recently changed my major, how do I change my Orientation session?
Once you have received official notification from the Office of Admissions that your college has changed, go to your WOLFPAW account and sign up for the Orientation session that corresponds to your new college. Contact New Student Orientation at 919.515.1234 or email us at orientation@ncsu.edu with any questions.
Which First Year Orientation session should an international student attend?
The Office of International Services offers a separate orientation for international students. Therefore, you are not required to attend an orientation session in July. For more information visit http://ncsu.edu/ois/orientation/.
What happens if I can not attend my Orientation session?
Contact New Student Orientation as soon as possible by phone at 919.515.1234 or via email at orientation@ncsu.edu to discuss your conflict.
What if I need to leave early or miss part of the program?
Orientation is a very important element of the transition into college and the majority of the Orientation program has mandatory attendance. If you have a time conflict, contact the Office of New Student Orientation at 919.515.1234 or email us at orientation@ncsu.edu.
If I need special accommodations during Orientation, what office should I contact?
Students needing assistive services or special accommodations at Orientation must contact Lori Wilson at 919.515.1234 or via email at lori_wilson@ncsu.edu at least 10 (ten) business days before your Orientation session.
Parents needing assistive services or special accommodations must contact Parents & Families Services at ncsuparents@ncsu.edu or 877.568.5733.
Can I bring my parents or a friend to Orientation?
Friends and family members are invited to attend Parents’ Orientation if they choose. However, they are not permitted to attend New Student Orientation or stay with the students in the residence hall. To learn more about Parents’ Orientation visit http://www.ncsu.edu/for_parents/Orientation/.
I am about to start taking classes in the Non-Degree Studies (formerly Life Long Education) program. What Orientation do I attend?
The Orientation program offered by New Student Orientation is for degree seeking students. Students in the Non-Degree Studies (NDS) program should attend the orientation session offered by the Department of Registration and Records. Newly admitted non-degree students will be invited to this orientation session via email. Visit the Non-Degree Studies website at http://www.ncsu.edu/nds or call 919.515.2572.
Orientation Program
What should I bring to Orientation?
It is suggested that first year students bring the following items:
- Orientation Parking Permit
- Comfortable clothes/sneakers-you will be doing A LOT OF WALKING!
- Alarm clock
- Cell phone charger
- Pen and paper
- Pillow
- Sleeping bag or long twin sheets & blanket
- Towel, washcloth, toiletries (soap, shampoo, etc.), and shower shoes
- Valid driver’s license or other government-issued photo ID (to have your AllCampus ID made)
- Copies of your AP/IB/SAT II scores if available
- Sweater or light jacket as some buildings can be chilly
- Umbrella
- Make sure you know your Unity ID and password and have answered your three security questions
What time and where will Orientation begin?
Check-in for Orientation is between 8:00a.m.-9:00a.m. at Lee Residence Hall located on Sullivan Drive. At Check-in, students will receive overnight room assignments, keys, and Orientation materials. Orientation ends at approximately 1:00p.m. on the second day.
Where is Lee Residence Hall?
Lee Residence Hall is located at 2530 Sullivan Dr., Raleigh, NC 27607. Signs pointing to Orientation Check-In and Lee Residence Hall will be visible when you arrive on campus for Check-in. Directions to NC State are located at http://www.ncsu.edu/orientation/firstyear/directions.php.
What will the schedule be like at Orientation?
The New Student Orientation website available at http://www.ncsu.edu/orientation/firstyear/activities.php provides you with an overview of Orientation. Specific program details will vary from college to college. You will receive your college's program schedule when you check-in at Orientation.
How will I know which courses to register for?
During Orientation you will have an opportunity to meet with an advisor from your college to discuss course selections.
Will I register for classes at Orientation?
On the first day of your Orientation session, you will receive a partial schedule of classes for which you have been preregistered. At Orientation you will meet with your academic department to discuss your class selection. Once you have discussed your class options, you will be able to register and make adjustments to complete your schedule for the fall semester.
Are accomodations available for the night before Orientation?
University Housing Conference Services will accomodate students who need to arrive on campus the night before their scheduled orientation session. Beginning in mid-May, you may submit a request through the conference services website, at http://www.ncsu.edu/housing/conferences/newstudentorientation.php, and click on New Student Orientation Early Arrival Reservation. Requests must be made at least 5 business days in advance of your scheduled orientation session, and pre-payment is required. Early arrival housing is $20.00 per person per night.
Will I receive my AllCampus card (Student ID) at Orientation?
Yes. Students will have the opportunity to get their picture taken for their AllCampus card at Orientation, as well as during the first few days of classes. Students must have a valid drivers license or other government-issued photo ID with them in order to get their card.
Will I be able to see my residence hall room for next year?
Unfortunately, during Orientation you will not be able to see the room you have been assigned. However, University Housing will create model rooms in Lee Residence Hall during Orientation sessions for first year students to give you an ideal of items you may put in your room. In order to help you plan for your room, you can see 360˚ pictures of actual rooms in each building and 3D layouts and dimensions at http://ncsu.edu/housing/halls/. Click on your residence hall for information specific to that building.