First-year students

New Student Orientation is all about your success. During this program, you'll learn about campus resources, discover what it takes to excel academically, connect with your academic advisor, and register for your first semester of classes.

Orientation sessions for winter 2025 students

The first day of winter classes is on Monday, January 6, 2025! We offer a variety of orientation program options including both on-campus and virtual orientation sessions. While we have multiple program formats for you to fulfill your orientation requirement, you only need to attend one orientation program. Due to the small number of first-year students who join for the winter term, first-year and transfer students will attend the same orientation sessions.  

Orientation sessions for spring/summer and fall 2025 students

The first day of spring classes is on Friday, May 2, 2025! The first day of summer classes is on Wednesday, June 25, 2025! The first day of fall classes is on Monday, August 25, 2025! Orientation sessions for students starting in the spring/summer or fall 2025 terms will be offered both on-campus and virtually from May-August. Registration for these orientation sessions will open in late-January. 

What can I expect from orientation?

Orientation serves as an introduction to Wayne State. During this program, you'll learn about campus resources, discover what it takes to excel academically, connect with academic advising, and register for your first semester of classes. You will hear from a variety of campus partners about student life and campus involvement, parking, registering for classes, safety and wellness, and so much more. If attending orientation on-campus, you will also enjoy complimentary lunch.

Orientation Leaders are a group of current Wayne State students who work both First-Year and Transfer Student Orientation. They will be available throughout the day to help guide you through the program, answer your questions, and talk about their experiences as a Wayne State Warrior. They have been in your shoes recently, so please ask them for any tips or advice about how to best prepare for your first semester here!

As part of the orientation program, students will be divided into groups to meet with their Academic Advising team that corresponds to their major. Therefore, it is important that if you intend to change your major, that you do so at least 1 week prior to orientation so we can ensure that you’re put into the correct group for advising purposes. Advisors are available to help students through the registration process during orientation and are also available for individual appointments either on-campus or virtually for students who may have additional questions.

For students joining in spring/summer or fall 2025, a separate program will be offered for any guests, including parents and other family members, during the on-campus first-year orientation program. While the Parent and Family Orientation is offered at the same day and time as Student Orientation, guests will enjoy their own presentations, panels, and meals throughout the day and then reunite with their student in the afternoon after the student has completed their advising session. 

We are here to support your transition to becoming a Wayne State Warrior! If you ever need anything, please reach out to our office at orientation@wayne.edu, call the Orientation Office at 313-577-9019. 

Student orientation expectations

• We expect you to read, understand and respond to all information from Wayne State University.
• We expect you to set up and check your new Wayne State email account on a regular basis.
• We expect you to fully engage in your orientation experience, which means showing up and participating in the orientation programs and all activities associated with the programs.
• We expect you to respect your peers, faculty and staff of the university.

Placement Exams

Math, biology, and chemistry

Wayne State offers placement exams in math, biology, and chemistry. Before you are able to register for courses in these subject areas, you must meet placement requirements into those courses. All incoming students are able to take these three exams for free.

Select programs, including STEM majors and pre-health students, are required to take select placement exams. You can review this chart to find out which placement exams are required based on your major. If you have any questions about which placement exams you should take, please contact your academic advisor. 

Placement exam registration is completed online via ASTRO. Students must log in using their AccessID and password. We recommend taking your placement exams at least two weeks prior to your orientation session. Please contact testing@wayne.edu if you any questions related to scheduling or taking your placement exam. 

English - College Writing

There are two introductory courses that meet general education requirements for most students - ENG 1010 and ENG 1020. Complete your directed self-placement survey to determine for which English course you should register.

Additional information

Special accommodations

Please note that online orientation activities include extensive computer use. If you have a mobility limitation, hearing impairment, or disability that limits your ability to read information or register for classes online, please write to us at orientation@wayne.edu at least 10 days prior to your orientation date so that we can make arrangements with our Student Disability Services. With advance notification, we can ensure that appropriate accommodations are in place for you.

Matriculation fee

All incoming students are billed a $250 matriculation fee at the time tuition and fees are assessed, regardless of orientation program attendance. This fee covers the costs associated with orientation, graduation and commencement. 

Let us know if you have any questions about getting started at Wayne State. Email orientation@wayne.edu for answers.