Incoming Students

Incoming freshmen are assigned advisors based on their listed major to best assist students in their programs.

Each student will be assigned an advisor prior to Orientation. As part of the Orientation process, students will be contacted via email from their advisor to discuss course options prior to their Orientation date. 

1. Once you have been admitted to MSU, register for Orientation.
2. Verify your major in your Admissions Application Portal 
   • Need to change? Change via your admissions application portal.
   • Review majors at MSU via Major Maps.
3. Submit your official ACT or SAT test scores to be placed in math and/or English courses.
   • Did not take the ACT or SAT? Talk to your advisor to see if you need placements:
     • English Placement
     • Math Placement
4. Send Final High School Transcript
5. Send Documentation for College Credits
   • Dual enrollment college coursework may transfer, but students must submit official transcripts from the college or university that awarded the credit.
     • Ex: Starkville High School student who took Comp 1 at EMCC, needs to send final SHS transcript and dual credit transcript from EMCC
   • Credit may be earned from some examinations, so students should send official AP, CLEP, IB, and Cambridge scores.
6. Submit Immunization Records
7. Check Emails Regularly
   • Prior to Orientation, advisors contact students via email about their course schedule. Advisors preschedule students, and students finalize schedules at Orientation. 
8. Complete Maroon U in Canvas  

Incoming transfer students are assigned advisors based on their major and transfer credits. Advisor assignments will be made by the appropriate Center for Advising, Advising Lead in collaboration with the student’s department. As part of the Orientation process, students will be contacted via email from their assigned advisors to discuss course options prior to their Orientation date. 

1. Once you have been admitted to MSU, register for Orientation.
2. Verify your major in your Admissions Application Portal 
   • Need to change? Change via your admissions application portal.
   • Review majors at MSU via Major Maps.
3. Send Documentation for College Credits
   • Transfer/dual enrollment college coursework may transfer, but students must submit official transcripts from the college/university that awarded the credit. Make sure to send all transcripts and let your advisor know if you are currently enrolled in courses and waiting for final grades to post. Some coursework may need to be reviewed, so the earlier the information is submitted, the better.
   • Credit may be earned from some examinations, so students should send official AP, CLEP, IB, and Cambridge scores to MSU directly.
   • Questions about transfer articulation? See the articulation tool.
4. Submit official ACT or SAT Test Scores if requested by your advisor or if you are sending fewer than 15 transferable hours.
5. Send Final High School Transcript if fewer than 15 transferable hours.
6. Submit Immunization Records
7. Check Emails Regularly
   • Prior to Orientation, advisors contact students via email about their course schedule. Advisors preschedule students, and students finalize schedules at Orientation.
8. Complete Maroon U in Canvas