
New Student & Transfer Orientation
So, you're officially a Cougar! You’ve worked hard to get here, and your academic career at the University of Houston is about to start.
Orientation is a mandatory one-day experience for freshman and transfer students where you'll get to meet fellow new Coogs, current student leaders, faculty and staff. During orientation, you’ll get connected with the UH community and learn about services that are here to help you succeed. You’ll also meet with your academic college advising staff to register for classes!
The orientation experience will inspire your Cougar Pride and set you up for success at the University of Houston. Go Coogs!
Registration for spring 2024 orientation is now open! As the deadline approaches for NSO registration, space in orientations will be very limited. Orientations are filled on a first-available basis. Orientation dates do not have waitlists. When you log in to register for a date, any and all dates which are available to you will appear on the screen.
Your Orientation Process
Step 1
Secure your spot at UH by registering for orientation through your my.uh.edu self-service portal. Review our step-by-step instructions and video.
Step 2
Complete your Pre-Orientation Modules before your orientation date. They will be available on your my.uh.edu self-service portal after you have registered for your orientation session.
Step 3
Attend your orientation date. The first half of the day will focus on transitioning to UH, and the second half will be spent with your advisor discussing your degree plan.
Step 4
Register for Courses!
Orientation Dates
December 19
December 20
January 8
January 10
To-Do List
Register for Orientation
Log in to your Access UH portal to register for New Student Orientation. Once you are registered for your date, visit the Family & Guest Orientation page to register any guests you want to bring with you.Pre-Orientation Modules
Log in to your myUH account. Click on the “Student Admissions” tab. Click the “Pre-Orientation Modules” tab. Click “Go to Pre-Orientation Modules.” Pre-Orientation Modules must be completed in order to enroll in classes on your orientation date.Immunization Records
TSI
Are you TSI compliant? Check the “Holds” section (under Student Service Center) in your myUH account to see if this requirement has or has not been met. Learn more online, and email tsi@uh.edu with questions.Send Final Transcripts
Did you take any dual-enrollment courses in high school or any other college level coursework? Don't forget to make sure that updated official transcripts are submitted to the Registrar's office once grades are finalized.Math Placement Test
Students who are enrolled in the following Academic Colleges may need to complete the math placement test: Natural Sciences & Mathematics and Engineering. If you don't have an account, create one by registering at the CASA Registration Page. Then log in to your account and choose "Math Placement" from the "Course Listing" section. Within the "Math Placement" section, you will have access to practice exams, as well as topic-by-topic videos and quizzes to help you prepare for the placement exams. When you’re ready to take the test, select "Online Placement Exams" and follow the instructions provided.Upload Cougar Card Photo
Prior to arriving at orientation, upload a photo through the Cougar Card Connect icon in your AccessUH portal. Learn more on the Cougar Card webpage.Set up AccessUH & DUO Mobile App
Make sure you have access set up for all of your important UH accounts, like your AccessUH portal and your CougarNet email. Be sure to install and set up the DUO Mobile authenticator app to ensure secure login on your devices. For more information and set up assistance please contact the UH IT Help Desk at 713-743-1411.Change of Major Requests
If you would like to change your major, please do so by submitting the Change of Major form. The deadline to submit your change of major request is five days prior to your registered orientation date.Download UH Go App
For quick access to orientation related information, campus maps, shuttle times and additional helpful information on campus, download UH Go on your mobile device.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the cost of orientation and how do I register?
At the time of registration, orientation is $75. Payment for orientation is due before you can view and select an orientation date through your myUH portal. Use these step-by-step instructions to register for orientation.
How do I cancel or reschedule an orientation?
Follow these step-by-step instructions to log in to your myUH self-service portal to manage your orientation schedule.
How do I remove the orientation holds on my account?
Incoming or Transfer Students:
- Pre-Orientation
- Orientation
- Orientation Advising
The pre-orientation hold will be removed when you complete the Pre-Orientation Modules. If you are already registered for orientation, use the instructions to access and complete your Pre-Orientation Modules. Make sure you have pop-up blockers disabled:
Step 1: Log in to your myUH Account.
Step 2: Click on the "Student Admissions" tab.
Step 3: Click the "Online Orientation" tab on your left.
Step 4: Click "Go to Online Orientation."The New Student/Transfer Orientation hold will be removed from a student’s account within 24 hours of completing the Self-Paced Online Orientation Modules through your AccessUH account.
The New Student/Transfer Orientation Advising hold will be removed at the discretion of your academic college. Specific advising information will be provided in the Pre-Orientation Modules and the academic college meeting of your orientation.
How do I change my major before attending orientation?
Follow the steps below to change your major before attending orientation:
- Review the admissions requirements for the major you want to switch into:
- Complete the Freshman Change of Major form or the Transfer Change of Major form two weeks prior to your orientation date.
- You will receive an email notification regarding the status of your major change before attending orientation.
Do you offer a fee waiver for orientation?
UH does not offer fee waivers for orientation, however, a fee deferment may be provided to students who demonstrate financial need prior to orientation. A fee deferment adds the $75 orientation fee to a student’s tuition and fee bill instead of requiring them to pay $75 prior to registering for orientation. To be eligible for a fee deferment, a student must meet BOTH of the following criteria. We reserve the right to deny a student’s request for a fee deferment without sufficient proof of need:
- Your Student Aid Index (SAI) (formerly Estimated Family Contribution (EFC)) according to your on-file financial aid package meets the requirement.
- You have an incoming PELL or TEXAS grant for the intended semester of enrollment.
Payment is due by the tuition and fee bill deadline. Any student who attends orientation will be required to pay the orientation fee whether the fee was deferred or the student attended a previous orientation from another term. Additionally, the orientation fee payment is still required if the student does not enroll in the University after attending orientation. If payment is not made, a financial delinquency hold will be placed on the student’s account.
If you meet the criteria listed above, you will automatically receive the option to defer your fee while registering for orientation.
What happens to my in-person orientation if it cannot be conducted in person?
In the event that an orientation session cannot be conducted in person, the session will occur on the same date in a virtual capacity.
Where can I park?
In order to receive complimentary event parking for New Student/Transfer Orientation, you are required to park in the University Gateway Garage. Check out these directions to campus or type "4725 Martin Luther King Blvd. Houston, TX 77004" into your preferred navigation app. The easiest way to get here is through Entrance #1 on Martin Luther King Blvd.
There are many other parking garages on campus. Your parking fee will not be validated if you park in a garage that is not the University Gateway Garage.
What if I need special accommodations?
Email orientation@uh.edu at least one week prior to your orientation date if you need assistance during your orientation.
Can my family or guests attend orientation and how do I add them?
Yes! If you have family or guests who want to support you in your transition to UH, encourage them to register for Family & Guest Orientation. For New Student/Transfer Orientation, each guest will pay a $40 fee. They can attend a live orientation session on the same date as your orientation session. Some portions of orientation programming are planned for you and your guest to experience together while other sessions are just for you and will separate you from your guest.
Can I bring my friend/sibling/family member with me to orientation?
Parents and guardians are welcome at all orientations and, if attending, will follow a separate schedule of events. Because of the nature of the program, it is not appropriate for anyone except parents/guardians or spouses to attend as a guest. Friends or siblings are not allowed to accompany you. Guests under 18 will not be able to attend Family & Guest Orientation without a parent or guardian. The exception would be an older sibling who is acting in a guardian capacity; however, in this case, the sibling would attend the Family & Guest Orientation and would not be with you during any time parents and students are not ordinarily together.
Policies
Exemptions from Completing Orientation
All incoming students to the University of Houston are required to attend a live orientation session. However, if a student meets one of the criteria below, they will be exempt from completing orientation:
- Student has paid and attended a New Student Orientation within the last 12 months.
- Student will be non-degree seeking AND is not planning to transition to a degree seeking student.
- Student has been admitted as a post-baccalaureate student in the College of Education.
Students who meet any of the above criteria can complete an exemption form. Staff will verify the exemption and, if criteria is met, remove both holds within 24 – 48 business hours. If exemption criteria is not met, the student will be notified within 24 – 48 business hours.
Accommodation to attend Virtual Orientation
All incoming students to the University of Houston are required to attend an in-person orientation session. However, if you meet one of the criteria below, you can receive an accommodation to attend a synchronous Virtual Orientation:
- Student will be completing the Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.) - UH Extend online-only degree program.
- Student has a documented medical condition spanning the entirety of the offered orientation dates, which prevents them from attending any in-person orientation dates.
- Student’s permanent address is more than 300+ miles from the University of Houston main campus.
- Student will be traveling during the entirety of the offered orientation dates, which prevents them from attending any in-person orientation date. Examples may include a mission trip or studying abroad.
- Acceptable forms of documentation include: a confirmed airline ticket, train ticket,
road trip documentation information etc. spanning the dates of all orientation sessions.
- Acceptable forms of documentation include: a confirmed airline ticket, train ticket,
- Student is or will be serving military orders during the entirety of the offered orientation dates, which prevents them from attending any in-person orientation date.
Students who meet any of the above criteria can complete a Virtual Orientation Accommodation form to attend orientation on either January 5. UH reserves the right to deny a student’s request for Virtual Orientation without sufficient documentation of need.
Fee Deferment
UH does not offer fee waivers for orientation, however, a fee deferment may be provided to students who demonstrate financial need prior to orientation. A fee deferment adds the $75 orientation fee to a student’s tuition and fee bill instead of requiring them to pay $75 prior to registering for orientation. To be eligible for a fee deferment, a student must meet BOTH of the following criteria. We reserve the right to deny a student’s request for a fee deferment without sufficient proof of need:
- Your Student Aid Index (SAI) (formerly Estimated Family Contribution (EFC)) according to your on-file financial aid package meets the requirement.
- You have an incoming PELL or TEXAS grant for the intended semester of enrollment.
Payment is due by the tuition and fee bill deadline. Any student who attends orientation will be required to pay the orientation fee whether the fee was deferred or the student attended a previous orientation from another term. Additionally, the orientation fee payment is still required if the student does not enroll in the university after attending orientation. If payment is not made, a financial delinquency hold will be placed on the student’s account.
If you meet the criteria listed above, you will automatically receive the option to defer your fee while registering for orientation.
Orientation Fees and Refunds
At the time of registration, orientation is $75. Payment for orientation is due before you can view and select an orientation date through your myUH portal. Use these step-by-step instructions to register for orientation.
For in-person Orientation sessions, the Family & Guest Orientation fee is $40.
All orientation fees for both students and family and guests are non-refundable.
Accessibility
All videos are closed captioned for students with accessibility needs. If you need further assistance or have questions about the orientation experience, don’t hesitate to contact us at orientation@uh.edu.
Meet O-Team
The Orientation Team (O-Team for short) are your new best friends. Think of them as a family made up of a diverse and unique group of current UH students who serve as leaders across campus. They'll work with you and your family to introduce you to the University of Houston, and all the academic, social and cultural aspects of becoming a Cougar.