Orientation for Freshman Students
Welcome to the Bobcat Family!
We are very excited for you to start your academic career at Montana State University! Orientation/Class Registration is your introduction to academic and non-academic life at Montana State University.
During Orientation, students will:
- Learn how to successfully transition to life at MSU
- Engage with University services and resources
- Connect with other incoming Bobcats
- Learn from Orientation Leaders
- Learn about MSU's services, resources, history, and traditions
- Connect with MSU staff, faculty, and Academic Advisors
- Learn how to use MSU's course planning and class registration systems
- Register for first semester courses
*Planning to start at MSU in Spring Semester (classes starting in January)? Learn more about our Spring Freshman Orientation program. Students starting in the Summer term (May/June/July) must register for and participate in a Summer/Fall Orientation program detailed on this page prior to starting summer classes.
**Are you an International Student OR a Veteran, active duty military member, National Guard member, or Reservist? Click here to learn more about our Orientation programs for International and Veteran students.
Program Overview
We hope you'll join our incoming Fall 2026 class! If you are ready to reserve your spot at MSU, make sure you register for Orientation/Class Registration. Orientation is required for all new students and is how you receive your Fall 2026 class schedule. Signing up for Orientation is viewed as a student's intent to enroll.
MSU’s Freshman Orientation/Class Registration program will consist of an online program and a two-and-a-half day in-person session on campus. Both components are mandatory.
Registering for Orientation/Class Registration program requires a $135 non-refundable program fee that directly covers your Orientation program.
Online pre-Orientation
Online pre-Orientation, which is hosted in the platform CatsConnect, walks you through meeting all prerequisite requirements for enrolling in courses at MSU. During online pre-Orientation, you will work through a series of online modules that help you submit required documentation, learn about MSU resources and services, complete math and writing placements, explore MSU technology, and make sure you are prepared for the in-person program and course registration.
Students may log in and complete online Orientation at their own pace. The online Orientation will take several hours in total.
In-Person Orientation
We offer four in-person programs throughout the summer; two in June and one in July, and one just before classes start in August. Incoming students must register for and attend one of these sessions.
The August Orientation session is slightly different from the other three, as it's right before classes start:
June & July Summer Orientation Sessions |
August Fall Orientation Session |
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Want to learn more? Check out our video: What to Expect at MSU's Orientation.
Sessions, Schedule Information, and Logistics
Registration for our Summer and Fall Orientation sessions will open February 18, 2026.
Dates and times of in-person sessions
Incoming Freshman students will register for one of the following sessions. Students are required to attend the entirety of the Orientation session for which they are registered. Please plan accordingly as you register for Orientation and make sure you are available for the duration of your program!
- Session 1: Monday, June 8 - Wednesday, June 10, 2026
Check in 8:30 - 10:30 AM Monday, June 8
Session ends 2:00 PM Wednesday, June 10- Online pre-Orientation is due Wednesday, June 3
- Session 2: Monday, June 22 - Wednesday, June 24, 2026
Check in 8:30 - 10:30 AM Monday, June 22
Session ends 2:00 PM Wednesday, June 24- Online pre-Orientation is due Wednesday, June 17
- Session 3: Monday, July 13 - Wednesday, July 15, 2026
Check in 8:30 - 10:30 AM Monday, July 13
Session ends 2:00 PM Wednesday, July 15- Online pre-Orientation is due Wednesday, July 8
- Session 4: Sunday, August 23 - Tuesday, August 25, 2026
- Online pre-Orientation is due Wednesday, July 8
- Students attending Session 4 are expected to move into their assigned residence hall Saturday, August 22
- Check in is 8:30 - 10:30 AM Sunday, August 23
Session ends after Freshman Convocation Tuesday, August 25 - Fall semester classes start Wednesday, August 26
Additional schedule information, including check-in location, will be available on your Orientation confirmation page, linked in your MyMSU Admissions Checklist, once your Orientation registration is processed. Already registered? Log into MyMSU to view your confirmation page.
Lodging and other logistics
Early Arrival and Late Stay (June and July sessions)
For students attending the June and July sessions, the Orientation Office will arrange for your (the student's) lodging for Monday and Tuesday nights, but if you need additional accommodations for an early arrival or late stay (Sunday and/or Wednesday night), please visit the MSU Summer Orientation Housing website. If you have signed up for early arrival, once you arrive on campus, please check-in at the front desk of your assigned Residence Hall. Desk attendants will be staffed 24/7 to accommodate arrivals at any time. Basic bedding is provided.
Parents and family members are also welcome to stay on campus during the June and July sessions. Details are on the MSU Summer Orientation Housing website.
Students attending the August session will move into their residence hall for the academic year on Saturday, August 22.
Transportation from the airport to campus
For students who are flying into Bozeman for your Orientation session and who will not have access to a vehicle, we recommend you use Uber or another rideshare app to get from the airport to campus. Please email orientation@montana.edu if you have questions about transportation in Bozeman.
Bozeman's local Streamline Bus is a great way to get around town. Two lines, the Blue Line and the Gold Line, stop on campus. As of this time, however, the Streamline does not access the airport.
Additional Information and Resources
Registering for Orientation
Students ready to register for Orientation can log into their MyMSU account and navigate to their Admissions Checklist. If registration for Orientation is open and you are eligible to register, you will see a link to register in the Orientation/Class Registration item. Fall 2026 Orientation registration will open February 18.
Already registered?
Students already registered for Orientation are encouraged to access their Orientation Confirmation page for the most detailed and up-to-date information on their Orientation program. As long as you are registered for Orientation, your Confirmation page is linked in the first line of the Orientation/Class Registration item in your MyMSU Admissions Checklist.
Want to get a headstart, clarity on items in your MyMSU Admissions Checklist, and additional information about the enrollment process? Check out our Enrollment Roadmap.
Frequently Asked Questions
As long as you are registered for Orientation AND your registration has been processed by our office (which usually takes about two business days after you submit your Orientation registration), detailed instructions to access and complete your online Orientation are availabe on your Orientation confirmation page, which is linked in the Orientation/Class Registration item in your MyMSU Admissions Checklist.
If you registered for Orientation more than two business days ago and you don't see your Orientation path in CatsConnect under the Paths section, please email our team at orientation@montana.edu.
Please view our webpage about Placement for detailed information.
During June & July Orientation sessions, you will stay on campus, meet other incoming students, connect with MSU faculty and staff, register for classes, and complete all necessary enrollment items before the fall semester. It can be nice to have all of these items completed, your class schedule set, and get to know other students before arriving on campus!
If you attend a later Orientation, you'll still be able to register for all of your classes! Seats in classes are gradually released throughout the summer so that all incoming freshman students will have a selection of classes to choose from. All students will be able to register for a full schedule of classes regardless of which Orientation/Class Registration session you choose. We'll note, though, that by attending an earlier Orientation session, you may have a bit more flexibility in your schedule.
Because our final session takes place in August and coincides with the start of school, MSU works closely with August Orientation students to ensure that you are provided with a schedule prior to your in-person program.
During the online pre-Orientation, which is due July 8, you will complete an online survey to share critical information with Academic Advisors and collects information such as schedule needs, incoming credit, academic strengths and interests, and more. Academic Advisors will use this information to provide you with a course schedule that sets you up for success and fulfills major degree requirements. You will be notified of your fall semester schedule in mid-August.
You are required to attend the in-person Orientation session on August 23-25 to understand course selection and confirm your schedule, connect with an Academic Advisor in-person, and discuss possible schedule changes.
Incoming freshman students will meet with their academic advisor at Orientation. Advisors will not be taking appointments in advance of Orientation.
Please contact the Orientation Office at orientation@montana.edu. Please also note that we can only make some accommodations based on need, not preference. The Orientation office can work with you regarding your one-day program, but you are responsible for establishing accommodations for your semester. If you have not already been in contact with the Office of Disability Services in preparation for your start on campus, we encourage you to contact disabilityservices@montana.edu or 406-994-2824.
Our office may approve fee waiver requests based on financial need and/or students' individual circumstances. Please reach out to orientation@montana.edu if you would like to discuss requesting that your Orientation fee be waived.
Additional Resources
Questions? We're here to help.
If you have questions, please don't hesitate to reach out to us! You can email our
staff at orientation@montana.edu, or call us Monday - Friday, 8:00am-5:00pm MT at 1-888-MSU-CATS.