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 spring/summer and fall 2026 students

The first day of spring classes is on Friday, May 8, 2026. The first day of summer classes is on Wednesday, July 1, 2026! The first day of fall classes is on Monday, August 31, 2026! Attendance at New Student Orientation is mandatory for all new students to help ensure you are set to succeed in your first semester here.

Unless otherwise noted below, orientation is open for every major each orientation session. Orientation reservations are taken on a first-come, first-served basis and we are unable to take your reservation once a date is full. Please note that capacities are set based on the school/college that the major falls within.

Click to register for first-year student orientation

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, submit your major change request form 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 2026, 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.

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.

Incoming, first-year students will be able to register for placement exams as part of the orientation reservation process. Placement exams should be taken at least one week prior to your scheduled orientation date to ensure that we have the scores on file. Please contact testing@wayne.edu if you any questions related to scheduling or taking your placement exam.

English - College Writing

There are two introductory English course options - ENG 1010 and ENG 1020. Wayne State offers a directed self-placement survey to help you determine for which English course you should register.

Additional information

Item drive

As part of the orientation program, we will be hosting an item drive to support The W Food Pantry and Thrift Shop (The W). The W provides currently enrolled Wayne State Warriors in need of food assistance with supplemental food, gently used garments and additional resources to enhance student success. If you would like to support this effort, we are accepting these items: breakfast bars, canned meat (tuna, chicken, salmon), boxed cereal, pasta, period products, hygiene products (shampoo, body wash, moisturizer, etc.) toothpaste, peanut butter/nut butter, and jelly/jam. Any items to be donated will be collected at check-in and guests will receive a raffle ticket to win WSU swag at the end of the orientation day.

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 submit a special accommodations request form 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ドル 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. Contact the Office of New Student Orientation for any questions or assistance.