Answers to your questions.

Why are new students (freshmen and transfer) required to attend an orientation program before they can register for classes?
Nationally and at Washington State University, students who attend an orientation program are retained at higher rates than students who don’t attend. Requiring all new students to attend an orientation program provides Washington State University the opportunity to share with students and their parents/guests the University’s mission, goals, values, and academic expectations; discuss academic policies, procedures and programs; review costs, in terms of both dollars and personal commitment, and expose them to valuable resources and campus-support services aimed at student success, retention and graduation.

Ultimately, orientation/registration programs such as Alive! create an atmosphere that minimizes anxiety, promotes student action and responsibility, and prepares students to hit the ground running during their first days, weeks, and months.

What if I can't attend a summer Alive! session?

All new students (freshman and transfer) must attend an orientation/registration program in order to enroll at WSU in the fall. Fall Alive! (August 18-20) is your last chance to fulfill this requirement.

Do students need to confirm their admission and pay their advanced tuition deposit before attending the program?

Yes. In order to register for and attend an Alive! session, students need to confirm their enrollment for fall semester by paying their advanced tuition deposit of $200. If that poses a financial hardship, students should contact the Office of Admissions directly, toll free at 1-888-468-6978 and ask about deferring this payment until the beginning of the semester.

When do classes begin fall semester?
Classes begin Monday, August 25, 2008.

When is tuition due?
Tuition is due on the first day of class, Monday, August 25, 2008, and will automatically be billed to your student account.

When should students plan to move to Pullman for fall semester 2008?
Students attending summer Alive! should plan to move into their residence halls on Wednesday, August 20 by 3:00 p.m., and participate in the Week of Welcome activities scheduled for that evening. Students participating in fraternity or sorority recruitment should refer to their recruitment schedules for move-in dates.

When will I find out which residence hall I've been assigned?
Residence hall and room assignments are available to students beginning in mid-June through the WSU portal. Students can view this information by accessing their myWSU account at www.mywsu.edu.

What if I cannot afford to attend?
The Office of New Student Programs has limited funding available for those who demonstrate financial need. If you have a financial aid award that covers more than tuition and fees, the matriculation fee for Alive! can be paid using your financial aid. Please use the downloadable (pdf) form and indicate that you would like to use financial aid to pay for your orientation matriculation fee. You will need to sign a consent form upon check in at Alive! Please contact our office at 509-335-4242 for more information.

Can I choose my roommate for the summer Alive! program?
Parents and students are housed in separate residence halls during the program. Students will share double-occupancy rooms with roommates assigned according to their orientation counselors. Sorry, but we cannot accommodate student roommate requests.

Parents attending as a couple will be assigned a double occupancy room; all other parents will share a room with another parent of the same gender, unless they request a single occupancy room by checking the appropriate box on the reservation form.

Where do we go for the summer Alive! program? Where do we park when we get to campus?
Pick up your map and parking permit at the WSU Vistors Center located at 225 N. Grand Ave, 509-335-8633, http://www.wsu.edu/visitor/.  The Alive! Summer Orientation program is housed in the Gannon-Goldsworthy residence halls on campus. For driving directions to Pullman and to the Gannon-Goldsworthy residence halls, visit the campus map section of our Web site. Parking for Alive! participants will be available near the residence hall.

Do I have to take the placement exams?
As an undergraduate student at Washington State University, you must pass an approved mathematics course and an approved English composition course in order to graduate. The exams are designed to help you fulfill these requirements by placing you in the courses that best match your skills. With some exceptions, all entering students are required to take the mathematics placement exam.

All entering students who have not received equivalent credit for English 101 must take the writing placement exam. The exams are administered during all freshmen sessions of summer Alive! Visit the placement exams page to find out whether you should take the placement exams and to learn more about the exams and how to prepare for them.