New Student Orientation & Transfer Student Orientation
You Did It! You're a Penn Stater!
Congratulations and welcome to Penn State Hazleton. This is an exciting milestone and something to be proud of. Now that you've been accepted, we know you may have a lot of questions. We're here to guide you through the next steps.
We're looking forward to working with you during New Student Orientation (NSO) or Transfer Student Orientation (TSO) to help you become acquainted with the Penn State Hazleton community. New Student Orientation or Transfer Student Orientation will help get you familiar with campus life and lay the foundation for your education.
New Student Orientation
New Student Orientation (NSO) is the first stage of a three-step process that assists first-year students with their transition to college by introducing them to academic culture and campus resources. NSO helps students understand how their scholastic preparation and academic ability intersect with their educational and professional interests, academic structure, and degree programs of the University.
NSO will also provide you with the chance to participate in programs designed to introduce you to the in- and out-of-the-classroom opportunities available at Penn State, meet with an academic adviser to review educational plans, and register in advance for classes.
In preparation for NSO, you may be required to complete the ALEKS Math Assessment to evaluate readiness to enroll in some college-level math and science courses. Since these courses are demanding, it is important to begin in the course mostly likely to lead to success. A demonstrated level of readiness – either through the completion of the ALEKS Math Assessment or by completing high school calculus – will appropriately place you into the applicable Math or Chemistry courses. The NSO Tasklist will provide a personalized message stating whether ALEKS is required.
Transfer Student Orientation
Transfer Student Orientation (TSO) is aimed at providing you with the same type of introductions to the academic culture and campus resources provided to first-year students. Once you pay your acceptance fee, you will receive an email invitation to make a reservation for your TSO program.
Registration
Registration for an NSO or TSO date begins in November. Within the registration system, you will be able to choose an orientation date, add guests to bring to NSO or TSO, and complete required modules and paperwork before attending Penn State Hazleton in the spring.
To prepare for a successful transition to Penn State, the University developed an NSO/TSO Tasklist to help you navigate your next steps. There are some things that you must complete before your orientation, others that you complete during your orientation, and even more that will be completed after your orientation. Please sign up for text message reminders about your orientation experience. For additional information please visit https://orientation.psu.edu/.
We’ve compiled a list of items that you should complete prior to starting your career as a Penn State student in the spring. You’ll find this list where you made your reservation for NSO. Be sure to review the list and complete each item before your NSO as appropriate. All must be completed by the posted due dates. Items you must complete before meeting with your advisor and attending NSO are:
- Completion of the Pre-Registration Activity Guide and Major Preferences Guide in LionPATH
- Read instructions on how to submit proof of your immunization to University Health Services
- Download the Transact eAccounts app - https://idcard.psu.edu/mobile-id-card - and submit your photo and a picture of your valid government-issued photo ID through your mobile device to create your Mobile id+ Card
Transfer Students ONLY - The Undergraduate Admissions Office has already sent you an Evaluation of Transferable Credits letter. If you have not done so, please remember to take action on any course in that letter titled “TRN – Transfer Pending Review”. To take action, you are required to submit a course syllabus for evaluation along with course descriptions to [email protected].
If you cannot attend or miss your scheduled NSO or TSO date, please contact the Advising & Career Center at 570-450-3194 to select a new date. For additional advising information, please visit the Advising and Career Center online or contact us at 570-450-3194.
Welcome Week
On Monday, January 13, 2025, your first day of classes, we will also host a Welcome Reception at 12:15 p.m. in the Center for Multi-Cultural Engagement – Lower Level, Butler Teaching and Learning Center to introduce you to faculty, staff and students to help you get through your first week as a new PSU student. We have other events scheduled throughout Welcome Week to assist in your transition to the PSU Hazleton community! Here is the agenda so you can plan ahead to attend all of them:
Monday, January 13
- New Student Reception* – Center for Multi-Cultural Engagement – Lower Level, Butler Teaching and Learning Center
*First-Year students - this is your first PSU 8 class.- Chancellor/Chief Academic Office Welcome
- Faculty & Staff Introductions
- Student Panel including Lion Guidez, Lion Ambassadors, and SGA representatives to help you get connected to Penn State Hazleton and its community
- Welcome Back Bingo, High Acres 7:30 p.m.
Tuesday, January 14
- Nittany Lion Stuff-a-Plush, 11-1 p.m. Lower Butler, Multicultural Center for Engagement
- Get Connected to Tech Session for New Students – Butler 202, 12:15 p.m. - This session introduces all new students to Penn State systems including Email, LionPATH, Canvas, etc. to help be academically successful.
- Women's Basketball vs. PSU York 6 p.m., Gymnasium
- Men's Basketball vs. PSU York 8 p.m., Gymnasium
Wednesday, January 15
- Club Involvement Fair, 11-1 p.m., Lower Butler, Multicultural Center for Engagement
Thursday, January 16
- Crazy Bob, High Acres 7:30 p.m.
Friday, January 17
- Game-A-Palooza, 11-1 p.m., Chestnut Cottage
- Women's Basketball vs. PSU DuBois 6 p.m., Gymnasium
- Men's Basketball vs. PSU DuBois 8 p.m., Gymnasium