NatSci Orientation Homework
The NatSci Orientation Homework Form gives your advisor critical information regarding your academic progress prior to attending MSU. This form will require you to fill in information that will help your academic advisor identify key topics to discuss with you during your orientation appointment. It is important that you complete all parts accurately, so be sure to have academic records handy before you begin. You will want to have the following information available:
- Advanced Standing Exams you have taken and your scores (i.e. AP exams, International
Baccalaureate, International A-Levels, CLEP, and or DANTES exams)
- All colleges or universities you will be transferring credits from (including dual enrollment credits taken during high school). In some cases, you will need to identify the specific subject and course number for the classes you have taken (i.e. PSYC 101 or ENG 102).
You will also be identifying university requirements and elective courses that interest you. You will find your choices for these here: https://natsci.msu.edu/academics/undergraduate/natsci-orientation/index.aspx.
You can access the NatSci Orientation Homework form through the link at the bottom of the page. You will have to log in with your MSU netid and password before you can access the form and complete it.
Before you begin the NatSci Orientation Homework, please ensure that you have completed the following tasks:
- Take the MSU Math Placement Test.
The MSU Math Placement Test is required for all NatSci majors and delaying it can impact your ability to enroll in courses for your major efficiently on your orientation date. The test will not supersede any higher-level math credits being transferred to MSU, but a score is required for the MSU pre-enrollment system to work, which enrolls students in critical courses required for their majors before their orientation date to ensure they have the courses they need to progress towards graduation. Your enrollment time during orientation is limited, so we want to ensure that it and your transition to MSU go as smoothly as possible.
- Take the Foreign Langauge Placement Test if you are planning to continue with a language you had in high school.
If you're planning to continue learning a language, it is important to take the placement test so that you are able to take the appropriate course. These courses often require prerequisites or special permission, so taking the test before your orientation will ensure that you can enroll in the correct courses on your orientation date.
- Review the Frequently Asked Questions on the NatSci Orientation website.
Being new to MSU, there are a lot of details, programs, processes, and acronyms to learn as you transition to the Spartan culture, and we understand how overwhelming that can be. We also understand that being able to access pertinent information quickly is essential for a successful transition, so we have created a FAQ page with you in mind.
- Locate the department or program webpage for your specific major and review the information on it.
Knowing where to find the information and resources for your major is a critical part of orienting to MSU. Information about clubs, awards, research, and advising specific to your major is located on the departmental websites. You may also find schedule guides that list the courses you need to take in each semester in order to graduate.