First Year Success 

Missy Wikle, MA—Assistant Vice President, Transition and Retention

Campus Address and Phone

• Address: 321 Student Union and 436A General Academic Building, Stillwater, OK 74078 
• Phone: New Student Orientation & Enrollment Programs: 405-744-3636, Financial Planning Coaches and Campus Connection Coaches: 405-744-5601
• Website: fys.okstate.edu
• Email: newstudents@okstate.edu or fys@okstate.edu

Orientation and Enrollment

New Student Orientation & Enrollment is a required program for all incoming freshman and transfer students. Developed to assist in the transition to Oklahoma State University, the program introduces campus resources, offices and information, and familiarizes incoming students and families with OSU procedures, environment, and the support areas of campus. Incoming students receive pre-orientation and enrollment information through emails, call, online modules, and print communications. The Undergraduate Admissions application portal includes a checklist students should use to be sure they have completed the paperwork and placement testing required prior to enrollment. During orientation and enrollment, concurrent orientation sessions are also held for family members who wish to know more about OSU's resources and support systems for new students. Visit fys.okstate.edu for detailed information for new students and families.

During orientation & enrollment, students:

• meet with academic advisors to learn about degree choices and initial tools for success at OSU.
• enroll in classes.
• prepare for academic transition from high school or another institution to OSU.
• learn about life outside of the classroom and what is expected of OSU students.
• define potential majors, careers, minors, and secondary areas of study.
• work with peer leaders who mentor and provide information from a student perspective.

New Freshmen

For freshman beginning fall semesters, orientation & enrollment occurs during the months of May, June and July. The standard summer orientation is an overnight session where students meet with academic advisors in multiple settings and have time to consider course options prior to enrollment. An alternate one day option is available for students who have attended multiple academic campus events, are certain of their degree choice and can make decisions quickly. For those beginning enrollment in the spring semester, orientation and enrollment occurs in December and January during one day programs. 

Pride in OSU is a huge part of being a student and campus traditions are what connect you to the campus and to students and alumni across the world. Your transition to OSU includes two additional parts, Camp Cowboy and Cowboy Welcome Week.

Transfer Students

Transfer students have several options for enrollment. For transfers beginning with a fall semester, enrollment takes place in April, May, June, and July and for those attending the spring, enrollment is November and December. Enrollment dates for transfer students are based on the number of hours completed and posted to transcript(s) prior to any current course enrollment. The Transfer Student Success office works closely with First Year Success to plan these enrollment days and the support that follows.

International Students

International students will work closely with both First Year Success and the Office of International Students and Scholars throughout the enrollment process. For students first attending OSU in the fall, orientation and enrollment takes place in August right before the semester begins. For those beginning at OSU in the spring semester, orientation and enrollment is held in early January. Enrollment programs for international students include immigration paperwork and documentation, immunization records, advisement and enrollment.

Camp Cowboy

Camp Cowboy is an exciting three-day program that gives students a glimpse at life as a Cowboy at Oklahoma State University. Students will engage in team-building activities and small group discussions with counselors and fellow campers, experiences that will help build personal growth, and learn the traditions of OSU. The Camp Cowboy experience provides an opportunity to meet other incoming students, current OSU students, faculty and staff - all leading to an easier transition into college life, creating a sense of belonging, and building a support network within the Cowboy community. Visit campcowboy.okstate.edu for more information.

Cowboy Welcome 

First Year Success, working in collaboration with numerous campus departments and volunteers, brings you Cowboy Welcome each fall. These events and sessions provide opportunities to learn more about the OSU campus before classes begin. Students connect with peers, upperclassmen, faculty and staff to learn about OSU traditions, expectations and student success resources. Some of Cowboy Welcome's  signature events include, but are not limited to, The President’s Convocation, Freshman Class Photo, Traditions Night, College Welcome Sessions, Student Organization Fair, Residential Life events, Colvin Center and Library House Parties, and many other campus and living group social activities. Visit welcomeweek.okstate.edu for details.

Financial Planning and Campus Connection Coaches

First Year Success Campus Connection and Financial Planning Coaches, along with First Year Peer Leaders, help freshmen identify, connect, and utilize services across campus. We focus on helping you thrive in areas of academic success, campus connections, and healthy financial habits. Your Financial Planning and Campus Connection Coaches will help you engage and navigate campus student service offices geared to help reach your potential. 

Campus Connection Coaches partner with campus academic and student affairs units to provide:

• Professional and Peer Mentoring - new freshmen may request a peer mentor and continuing students may apply to be a mentor on the Mentor Collective information page. 
• Individual Success Planning
• Campus Involvement Connections
• First Generation Student Programming - Specialized first generation programming (living/learning options, mentoring, etc.) is outlined here.  
• Stronger Connections to Academic Success Resources

Financial Planning Coaches help students learn healthy financial habits by using a variety of financial resource tools to provide:

• Strategies for Funding Education
• Understanding Financial Options
• Navigation of Scholarships and Financial Aid
• Financial Knowledge and FAFSA Workshops
• Budgeting and Resource Management

myOKSTATE Portal

The my.okstate.edu portal provides a gateway to important applications and communication tools. Self-Service allows access to view and update academic and personal information, and access admission, registration and financial aid records. Students utilize Self-Service to register for classes, request transcripts, and access student employee services.  

Additional links in your portal connect to the Canvas Online Learning Environment utilized in classes, your personal email and O-Key accounts, STAR System for setting academic advising appointments, and Degree Works where students may monitor progress toward degree completion. Additional links to the Academic Calendar, Bursar Account, and other frequently used sites are also included in the portal "Quick Links."

Orange Key Account (O-KEY)

Every OSU student creates a personal O-Key account they will use to choose an okstate.edu e-mail account and access campus network and computing resources. It is very important to access and set up the O-Key account after applying for admission. To activate visit okey.okstate.edu.

ID Services

The OSU ID card is the official identification card for Oklahoma State University. It is used for photo identification, access to campus buildings and facilities, charges to the OSU Bursar, and tickets to a variety of campus events and services. OSU ID photos are uploaded by students and printed during the New Student Orientation and Enrollment programs or when students first arrive for classes. See https://id.okstate.edu/web for instructions and additional information. For Student ID replacement or other questions, ID Services is located in 421 Classroom Building. for more information regarding IT services for students, visit: https://it.okstate.edu/services/student-services.

Placement Exams

Assessment and Testing can save both money and time by allowing students to test out or receive credit for courses in which they already know the material or for placement in a course level. Residual ACT and SAT, CLEP and Placement credit exams are administered by University Testing and Evaluation Services, located on the corner of Walnut St. and Admiral Ave. Exams are given by appointment. Visit uat.okstate.edu or call 405-744-5958 to set up an appointment.

Math Placement

All incoming OSU students must complete the OSU Math Placement Exam before enrollment in OSU mathematics courses if they have not completed a prerequisite course. The OSU Math Placement exam is an online instrument. For testing instructions and additional information, visit mathplacement.okstate.edu or contact New Student Orientation and Enrollment Programs at 405-744-3636.

Foreign Language Placement

Students who wish to continue in a foreign language for which they have taken two or more years in high school may take a free placement test through the Office of Foreign Languages and Literature. This exam identifies the best college-level starting point. If the student completes the identified course with a minimum grade of "B," additional credits may be awarded for up to six hours in the language. Contact the Arts and Sciences Student Success Center at 405-744-5658 for additional information.

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate

Students requesting college credit through Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate programs should have test scores sent directly to OSU Undergraduate Admissions from the testing agency in order to apply credits earned to their program of study. Scoring guidelines are located here.