Orientation

Student Orientation

We’re excited to see you!

At orientation, you’ll have an opportunity to get to know campus, understand our community expectations and connect with other students. You’ll meet with an academic advisor via Zoom and finalize your first semester class schedule either prior to or following your orientation session. If you didn't get all the classes you thought you would or you aren't sure what you still need to do to complete your class schedule, you will have personalized assistance during your appointment. Continue to monitor your email and check orientation.appstate.edu for detailed information to help you plan.

Graduation rates exceed the national average by more than 10% First-year Students: June, August First-year orientation is a required, one-day program for first-year students. You will learn about academic requirements, general education courses and campus resources. You will also have time to learn more about your intended major or begin the process of exploring majors. Transfer Students: May, June, August Transfer orientation is a required, one-day program for transfer students. You will have the opportunity to meet with faculty members and learn the ins and outs of App State’s curriculum, policies and resources.

Transfer Tip: Have questions about transferring your credit, applying for financial aid or knowing what courses to take? Register for the Transfer Pre-Orientation Program (TPOP). Get your questions answered and meet other new transfer students during this fun (and free!) program. Register at orientation.appstate.edu/tpop

Early College Students: May Early College orientation is required for first-year students from a North Carolina Early College high school. If you cannot join us on our early college orientation date, please choose from any of our first-year or transfer student sessions, and email orientation@appstate.edu with your date preference.

Orientation Steps

1. Register for orientation in your MyMountaineer Portal. Make sure to have two or three date options available in case your first choice is full. The earlier you register, the more likely you will get your first choice date.

Bringing a parent or family member? Register them separately at parentorientation.appstate.edu. 2. Take the online Math, Calculus Readiness or Language placement tests (if needed). 3. Complete Early Registration Advising (ERA) course modules.

This 30-minute online video course will teach you how to use App

State’s class registration system. ERA is a required step prior to class registration. 4. Register for classes. After completing ERA, you will receive an email with your registration PIN that you will use to register for classes prior to attending orientation. If you have transfer credit, review your transcript evaluation using DegreeWorks. 5. Meet with your Advisor. You’ll meet with your academic advisor via Zoom to review and adjust your class schedule. If you didn’t get all the classes you thought you would or you aren’t sure what you still need to do to complete your class schedule, you will have personalized assistance. Find all of your orientation steps at orientation.appstate.edu/steps.

Disability Accommodations: If disability accommodations are needed during orientation, contact the Office of Disability Resources at least two weeks prior to your orientation date: 828-262-3056 or odr.appstate.edu.

Welcome to App State – August 16-21! You will have several days of programming leading up to the start of fall semester. This extension of your summer orientation gives you the opportunity to get more comfortable on campus, make new friends, have fun and start weaving yourself into the fabric of student life at App State.

Tip on being new in a community: You’ll have the opportunity to make friends during orientation and Welcome to App, when student leaders help you get to know other students. You’ll feel connected in no time!

Parent and Family Orientation

Parents and families are invited to attend a specialized one-day orientation that is tailored specifically for parents and families of new students. This program takes place at the same time as your student’s orientation. You will have the opportunity to meet faculty members and administrators, explore App State’s campus and attend sessions covering topics ranging from student success, to campus life, to current student experiences. Register for Parent and Family Orientation on parents.appstate.edu.

Parent and Family Services 828-262-7398 parents@appstate.edu parents.appstate.edu Stay Connected! Appalachian Connections: Receive monthly updates from Parent and Family Services by subscribing to our newsletter, Appalachian Connections. Visit parents.appstate.edu to subscribe. Family Weekend: Each year, parents and families are invited back to campus for a fun-filled weekend of events on campus with you, an App State student.

Get Credit Where Credit is Due

Registering for classes will be much easier if you know how your credits have transferred. Submit official transcripts as quickly as possible upon completion of coursework. It can take up to 2-3 weeks to receive official transcripts and update your record in DegreeWorks. At your advising appointment, you’ll have the opportunity to meet with an academic advisor to review your transcript and class schedule. 1. Log in to DegreeWorks (degreeworks.appstate.edu/transfercredit).

Review your credit evaluation and see how your transfer credits can be applied toward your degree. We call this the “degree audit.” 2. Petition for Equivalent Credit (if necessary).

Students may petition to have any course designated as elective credit equated to a specific App State course by initiating the

Transfer Coursework Petition process (transfer.appstate.edu/petition). 3. Learn more about Advanced Placement (AP),

International Baccalaureate (IB), College Level

Examination Program (CLEP) or Cambridge

International A-AS level scores (transfer. appstate.edu/credit).

Common Reading Program

Each year, the Common Reading Program selects a book that promotes and guides intellectual, interdisciplinary interactions and discussions between you and your incoming classmates. You will receive a copy of this year’s book at orientation. Make sure to read the book before Welcome to App events in August. At that time, you will participate in a small-group, faculty-student exchange and Common Reading book discussion. During your First Year Seminar class, you will study and discuss the book, whether you take the course in fall or spring semester. In addition, your other professors may also incorporate the Common Reading selection into their courses. Complementing the year-long Common Reading experience will be a variety of related activities, speakers and events. The selection for the 2022-2023 academic year is Junaluska: Oral Histories of a Black Appalachian Community.

Extended Transition Programs

Enhance your experience at App State through these optional programs.

The Trailhead Experience The Trailhead Experience is an extended orientation program that prepares incoming students for life at App State. Students will create connections with peers, build community on campus and in Boone and develop skills to be a leader on campus and beyond. • This program is open to any student who wants to deepen their connection to App State and is especially recommended for those who have been involved in leadership roles and want to continue developing leadership skills. • Trailhead takes place on campus the week before the fall semester begins, so participants have the opportunity to meet new friends, navigate campus and get a head start on life at App State. • Participants will be led by two undergraduate

Trailhead Guides and build a small support network within the larger Trailhead group of 200 students. • Trailhead is open to any first-year student, including those who live on campus or transfer students living off campus. • Scholarships are available to assist with costs and can be requested by any incoming student. • Registration opens in March and closes when all spots are filled.

The Trailhead Experience trailhead.appstate.edu

Community-Engaged Leadership (CEL) Strengthen your role in your community and develop your potential as a leader with CEL. Participate in service opportunities, interactive conferences, institutes, workshops, classes and retreats to serve your community, build your leadership skills and network with other students across campus. • Leadership in Action Residential Learning

Community: Designed for first-year students from all majors. You will live on the same floor in a residence hall, engage in year-long service learning courses and learn how to create positive, sustainable change in your community. • Leadership Studies minor: Study the theories, practice and application of leadership by taking a course or declaring a minor in Leadership

Studies. These dynamic and engaging courses focus on dialogue, experiential and collaborative learning and problem-solving. • AppVotes: Be a leader in your community through the civic process. Drop by the CEL office (PSU 134) to fill out a voter registration form with one of our nonpartisan volunteers, or check out vote.appstate.edu for helpful resources.

• Workshops and conferences: Year-round, you can engage in interactive and relevant programs, from one hour workshops to one-day conferences, designed to tap into your leadership potential.

• Volunteering and service: CEL can connect you with community partners for regular volunteering or you can sign up for short-term local service events such as the Homecoming Blood

Drive and MLK Day of Service. CEL also hosts

Alternative Service Experiences that travel across the southeastern United States during university breaks.

Community-Engaged Leadership 828-262-2545 cel.appstate.edu