Below you will find some of our most frequently asked questions regarding summer orientation programs for new students to AU. If you cannot find an answer to your question, please call our office at 202-885-3303 or send us an email to orientation@american.edu.

» When can I register for New Student Orientation and Welcome Weeks programs like FSE or Discover DC?

» How do I register for New Student Orientation (NSO) and Welcome Weeks?

» What are the fees associated with NSO and what specifically do they cover?

» I don't want to register for New Student Orientation and the Freshman Service Experience using the my.american.edu portal. Is there another way I can register?

» What if I want to make changes to my registration for New Student Orientation or Welcome Weeks programs?

» What if I have to cancel my registration for New Student Orientation, Freshman Service Experience, or Discover DC?

» What's the New Student Checklist?

» What should I bring with me to New Student Orientation (NSO)?

» What time should I arrive on campus? What time will I be done?

» Where do I send the photo for my AU ID card?

» When will I know my housing assignment?

» How can I get more information about meal plans and EagleBuck$?

» When should I move into the residence halls in August?

» How do I make arrangements if I need accommodations for placement exams during NSO?

» How can I learn more about on-campus employment?

 

When can I register for New Student Orientation and Welcome Weeks programs like FSE or Discover DC?

Registration begins on the last Monday of March for New Student Orientation and Welcome Weeks programs.

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How do I register for New Student Orientation (NSO) and Welcome Weeks?

If you've already activated your my.american.edu portal account, simply log in using your user name and password and click on the button marked Activities and Events on the right side of the screen. Then click on Student Checklists and then New Student Checklist under Personalized Links. Then scroll down to Registration for NSO, FSE, and Discover DC. Follow the screen instructions to secure your space at one of this summer's orientation programs and a Welcome Weeks program.

If you have not yet activated your account, you'll need to visit https://my.american.edu/accounts. You'll be prompted to enter your seven-digit AU ID number, which you received with your admittance letter from the Admissions office. Follow the instructions to create your account. Once you've completed the account creation process, you'll be returned to the my.american.edu log-in screen, where you will key in your new user name and password. Then click on Student Checklists and then New Student Checklist under Personalized Links. Then scroll down to Registration for NSO, FSE, and Discover DC. Follow the screen instructions to secure your space at one of this summer's orientation programs and a Welcome Weeks program. If you're having trouble activating your account or logging on to the portal, call the Help Desk at 202-885-2550. A Help Desk staff member can also assist you if you've forgotten your password.

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What are the fees associated with New Student Orientation and what exactly do they cover?

The student orientation fee covers residence hall accommodations for one night, four meals, program materials, and activities. The fee for family members covers four meals, program materials, and activities.

New Student Orientation Fees

Student                                                                  $150.00
Student Early Arrival                                            $70.00
Late Registration  (after June 1, 2009)                  $20.00

       
Parent and Family Orientation Fees

Family Members (per person)                               $80.00
Family members (under 12)                                   $45.00
On-Campus accommodations                                $70.00

                       

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I don't want to register for New Student Orientation using the my.american.edu portal. Is there another way I can register?

It's very important that all new students activate their my.american.edu portal account and use it to register for orientation and Welcome Weeks programs. You will receive official information from AU at your AU e-mail address, and you'll use the portal to view your student accounts, pay tuition, add money to your EagleBuck$ account, and in the future, even register for classes. The only way to get used to using the portal is to use it!

If you're having trouble activating your account or logging on to the portal, call the AU Help Desk at 202-885-2550. The Help Desk can also assist you if you've forgotten your password. If you don't have access to the Internet, please contact our office and we'll be happy assist you over the phone.

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What if I want to make changes to my registration for New Student Orientation or Welcome Weeks programs?

You can make changes to your registration by sending an e-mail with your request to orientation@american.edu. Once we have processed the change to your registration, we will send an e-mail confirmation to your AU e-mail address along with information about payment adjustments. Any changes must be received at least 48 hours before the program for which you've been confirmed.

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What if I have to cancel my registration for New Student Orientation, Freshman Service Experience, or Discover DC?

All cancellations and refund requests must be made in writing or via e-mail at orientation@american.edu and must be received at least 48 hours prior to the program for which you've been confirmed.

FSE cancellations must be received in writing or via e-mail at fse@american.edu.
All refunds will be posted to the student’s American University student account. Requests for refunds are handled on a case-by-case basis, and cancellations made after the deadlines will not be entitled to a refund.

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What's the New Student Checklist?

The New Student Checklist is a Web-based tool on your my.american.edu portal that you can use to keep track of all the tasks you need to accomplish before you begin classes in the fall, such as selecting a meal plan or completing your health insurance waiver. You can access the checklist by signing into the my.american.edu portal and then clicking on Activities and Events in the gray bar on the right side of your screen. Under Personalized Links you'll see a link to Student Checklists. When you click on New Student Checklist, you'll be directed to your own personalized information and will be able to complete tasks directly through the portal. Once you've completed a task, you can place a check mark next to it to indicate that it's been completed.

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What should I bring with me to New Student Orientation (NSO)?

Please bring:

1. Your NSO Folder (mailed to you)

2. Your Freshman Guide to Academic Programs and Registration (mailed or emailed to students in mid-May)

3. Photo ID-you'll need to show a valid photo ID to get your AU ID card

4. Alarm clock-alarm clocks are not provided in the residence halls

5. Comfortable walking shoes

6.Casual and warm-weather attire, as well as a sweatshirt or light sweater for air-conditioned rooms

7. Umbrella

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What time should I arrive on campus? What time will I be done?

Registration begins at 7:15am on Day 1, and sessions will conclude around 5:00pm on Day 2

 

Where do I send the photo for my AU ID card?

You can submit your own electronic photo for your student ID card using the New Student Checklist on the my.american.edu portal. In order for us to have your ID card ready at New Student Orientation, we must receive your photo at least three business days before your orientation session. To send us your photo, log on to the my.american.edu student portal, click on Activities and Events, then click on "Student Checklists" under Personalized Links. Click on New Student Checklist and then on Submit a photo electronically for your AU Student ID card and follow the instructions. If you do not submit your photo prior to New Student Orientation, we still encourage you to do so. Even though you won't get your ID card at Orientation, we will have it ready for you in August when you move in. Submitting your picture electronically will save you the time and inconvenience of standing in line to get your picture taken on campus. Please contact Housing and Dining Programs at 202 885 3370 with any questions.

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When will I know my housing assignment?

Housing assignments will be sent to each student's AU e-mail address in late June. The name of your roommate will be included in that correspondence. You can reach Housing and Dining Programs by phone at 202-885-3370 or by e-mail at housinganddiningprograms@american.edu. You can also look up your housing assignment on the my.american.edu portal by logging in and clicking on Life @ AU and then on University Housing Assignment under the personalized links.

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How can I get more information about meal plans and EagleBuck$?

If you are a first-year student living in the residence halls, you will be automatically enrolled in the 150-block plan unless you select one of the other plans available to new students. You'll find out how to select or change your plan during orientation. Information regarding all available plans is on the Housing and Dining Programs Web site at www.american.edu/ocl/housing. You may change your meal plan in person within 15 days of the start of the semester. If you have further questions about Dining Services at AU, check out the Web site at www.american.edu/ocl/housing or call 202-885-3370.

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When should I move into the residence halls in August?

AU's residence halls open for the fall semester at 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2009. Please note that AU does not have an "official" move in day for new students. You may choose to move in anytime after 9:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 15. We strongly suggest that you be moved in and settled prior to the Welcome Week program you will be participating in. For example:

If you will be participating in First Year Fundamentals or FSE, please move in by the evening of Sunday, August 16.

If you are participating in Discover DC, please move in by the evening of Monday, August 17.

If you are not participating in any Welcome Week program, you must be on campus by 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, August 20 for a mandatory floor meeting in your Residence Hall. There are also required programs you must attend on Friday, August 21.

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How do I make arrangements if I need accommodations for placement exams during NSO?

If you need accommodations for taking the math or foreign language placement exam during orientation, contact one of the following offices prior to your arrival on campus:

If you have a learning disability, contact the Academic Support Center at 202-885-3360.

If you have a physical, medical, or psychological disability, contact Disability Support Services at 202-885-3315.


Disability Support Services | 202.885.3315
Academic Support Center| 202.885.3360
TTY relay service | 202.885.1234

You may request:

- interpreters and note takers for your classes

- materials in alternate format before the semester begins

- testing accommodations ahead of time

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 How can learn more about on-campus employment?

If you have questions about campus employment or college work-study programs that you would like answered prior to arriving in the fall, please contact Human Resources.
Human Resources | 202.885.2591

 

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