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First-Year Orientation

Indiana State University’s First-Year New Sycamore Orientation (NSO) is held in-person on Indiana State University's beautiful campus in Terre Haute, Indiana. During NSO, students meet with faculty and staff, learn about their academic major, register for classes, meet peers, and learn about campus resources.

Your New Sycamore Orientation Experience Starts Here 

Indiana State University’s First-Year New Sycamore Orientation (NSO) is held in-person on Indiana State University’s beautiful campus. All first-year students are required to attend NSO. During NSO, students will experience the following: 

  • Explore their major 
  • Learn about campus resources
  • Connect with faculty and staff from their academic college
  • Meet current and incoming Indiana State students
  • Register for courses
  • Meet with a financial aid counselor

Important Information About New Sycamore Orientation

1. Activate your Sycamore Login via the MyISU Student Portal.

  • Your University ID Number can be found on your Letter of Admission.
  • Forgot your password? Use the Reset Password option on the MyISU Portal login page.

2. Confirm your enrollment and Register for State Orientation in your New Student Dashboard.

Registration for spring programs opens in October and registration for summer/fall programs opens in December.

  • Confirmation and reminder emails will be sent only to your university email account and to registered family member emails. If you don't see a confirmation email right away, check your spam folder for emails from orientation@indstate.edu.
  • We encourage you to log into your New Student Dashboard on a regular basis. This is where you can view complete and incomplete items in your checklist of items to do before NSO.
  • All students will be charged a non-refundable New Student fee on their student bill. This fee will be assessed on your first tuition bill after you register for NSO. You do not need to pay it up front, but you are responsible for the fee once you make your NSO reservation. If you do not attend your registered program date and fail to cancel your reservation, prior to the start date, you will be responsible for paying the fee.

New Student First-Year Orientation fees:

- New undergraduate first-year student: $125
- New international undergraduate first-year student: $125

3. Set up your university email.

  • Your Sycamore email is the official form of communication at Indiana State. 
  • You can login to view it through your MyISU Portal. 
  • You can also add it to your smart device. 

Step 1: Take a Math Placement Test within seven days of registering for NSO. 
Please note: This is required for all new students and will not be offered during the program. Students who have not taken their Math Placement Test prior will be placed in the lowest math course.

Step 2: Confirm your Housing Intention in your MyISU Portal. This is required for ALL students.

  • Go to the ISU Housing Portal link in your MyISU Portal to finish your process.
    • Pick your housing community and select your roommate.
    • If you are not planning to live on campus, you will still need to complete the intention and inform the Office of Residential Life of your plans to live off campus. To do this, complete the Housing Exemption process. Please email ResLife@indstate.edu with any questions.
    • You will choose your meal plan when completing your Housing Intention. All on-campus students are required to have a meal plan. Commuter students can choose a commuter meal plan if desired.

Step 3: Complete the FAFSA.

Step 4: Arrange Accommodations by contacting the Accessibility and Advocacy Resource Office for academic and housing support.