Preparing for Ram Orientation

Ram Orientation can be exciting, but we know that you may also be nervous about what to expect. Completing the tasks on this page will help ensure that you have the best possible Ram Orientation experience.

Check Your CSU Email

Now that you are a CSU Ram, it is vital that you check your CSU email account regularly. You will receive important Ram Orientation updates and information from our office as well as from other offices on campus. For information on how to check your CSU email, visit https://www.acns.colostate.edu/check-my-email/ or click the button below:

Note: If you have a Microsoft Office 365 email account already (from another institution, for example), you will need to ensure that you completely sign out of your current email account and sign in to your CSU email account in a completely different window.

Complete Your Required Orientation Modules

The required Orientation Modules provide you with information and resources that will help prepare you to arrive at CSU. Completing these modules will also give you important context and information that will help when you are meeting with your Academic Advisor or Academic Success Coordinator (ASC) for academic advising and course registration. We will send an email to your CSU email account when we launch the Orientation Modules on Monday, April 22, 2024. Instructions on how to log in will also be available on this webpage.

Submit all Transcripts and Test Scores

College Transcripts

If you took Dual Enrollment courses or are transferring credit from another institution, please ensure all transcripts are submitted. The Degree and Transfer Unit in the Office of the Registrar will complete an evaluation of your official transcripts within 30 business days of being received. For information about how to submit transcripts, please visit https://admissions.colostate.edu/submitting-documents/

Test Scores

If you took any Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses in high school, please log back in to the Orientation Reservation system and enter all scores onto “Page 7 – Advising” prior to your scheduled academic advising and course registration appointment. This ensures that your advisor has the most accurate information when advising you.

Complete All Placement Processes

All incoming students are expected to learn about and complete the placement procedures for Mathematics, Composition, and Foreign Language (French, German, Spanish) classes prior to their Ram Orientation experience. CSU placement procedures are designed to place students into courses consistent with their preparation; they are not a condition for admission to Colorado State University.  However, if you have not completed the appropriate placement procedures before meeting with your Ram Orientation advisor, you may be unable to register for the appropriate classes in a timely manner.

Please use the links and contact information below for general information about placement procedures for Mathematics, Composition, and Foreign Languages.

NOTE: There are charges for placement procedures.  These charges are not included in the orientation program charge. Charges are automatically assessed to the student’s account with the University.

Please visit the Department of Mathematics’ website for information concerning Mathematics Placement: https://placement.math.colostate.edu/welcome/.

Confused about whether or not you need to go through the Math Placement Process? Visit https://placement.math.colostate.edu/doineedthempe/ for help. Also check out the math requirements for each major as shown on that website.

Should you have additional questions concerning math placement, you may contact the Precalculus Center (Weber 137; 970-491-5761) or send a detailed email to precalc_math@colostate.edu.  Please be sure to include your full name and CSU ID in any email correspondence.

Summer 2024 hours

May 13-August 2

10:00am – 2:00pm Monday through Friday

Gather your SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE test scores, and visit the CSU Composition Placement Program website at http://composition.colostate.edu/students/placement.  There you will find information about whether you should enroll in CO150: College Composition, complete the Directed Self-Placement Survey, enroll in CO130: Academic Writing, or write the Composition Placement Challenge and Re-evaluation Essay.

Students who plan to enroll in a Spanish course must take the placement test IF they have experience in the language–or if they transfer in foreign language “wildcards” (L 1**, L 2**, etc.). Please consider taking the Foreign Language Placement Exam if you have prior experience in French or German or if you have transfer credit that doesn’t exactly match CSU course numbers. For more information, please visit https://languages.colostate.edu/placement-exam-2/.

Accommodations for Completing Placement Processes

The Student Disability Center (SDC) can offer prospective and newly admitted students accommodations throughout the orientation process. They can provided additional time on exams, accessible format exams, and more – you just need to connect with the Student Disability Center before you take your exam or after you have taken your first exam and realize you need the support. All you need to do is contact sdc@colostate.edu or 970-491-6385 and the SDC is happy to meet with you (with or without documentation!).

First-Year On Campus Orientation

To make sure you are fully prepared for your orientation experience, please read the information below carefully. 

If you have questions, please contact our office.  

CHECK-IN & PARKING

Check-in will take place in the Braiden Hall lobby from 7:45 a.m. – 8:30 a.m.

Additional parking information for First-Year On Campus Orientation sessions will be added here mid-May.

You should prepare to be on campus until 12:00 p.m. on the second day of Ram Orientation. Please make your travel plans accordingly.

Students will be housed in Braiden Hall for the evening of orientation. Braiden Hall is a suit style hall. Students will have one roommate and two suitmates. Suitmates are in an adjoining room with a shared bathroom. 

Below is a list of things that will be provided for students in each room. 

  • Bed linens (bed sheets, pillow cases, and blanket)
  • Pillow
  • Towels 

Below is a list of things students should bring with them to orientation.

  • a change of clothes for the second day of orientation 
  • clothes to sleep in overnight 
  • any toiletries needed for overnight 
  • a water bottle 
  • any medications needed for the time you are at orientation 

Click here for off-campus accommodation options for parents/family members.