orientation leader

Prepare for Life as a Cardinal

At Orientation, new freshman and transfer students will register for classes, get their Ball State ID Card and prepare to be a Cardinal.

When Do You Start?

Tell us your enrollment term and we’ll walk you through how to prepare for Orientation.

Fall Enrollment
Starting this fall? You’ll attend Orientation this summer. Programs vary depending on your student type.

Two-Day Session

June 4—July 13

If you’ve confirmed your enrollment, we’ll send your Orientation invitation in April with instructions to register online for the two-day session of your choice.

Please note that a $100 student matriculation fee will be added to your first-semester bursar statement for Orientation.

Registration Tips

  • Register soon after your invitation arrives. Sessions fill up quickly.
  • You’ll need your Ball State username and password to register.
  • Register your family members, too. Don’t forget to reserve on-campus housing or local lodging.
  • Each registered student receives a $20 meal card to use at our dining facilities during Orientation.
  • Take placement exams before you attend to earn early college credit.

Register Today

Need to change your date? Call us at 765-285-8290.

 

Reserve Housing

Local Lodging

 

Schedule

The day begins at 7:30 a.m. (Eastern) in Woodworth Complex where you’ll check in, meet your leaders, and receive your orientation handbook with the complete two-day schedule. We’ll take you to Pruis Hall to start your day with an assortment of juice, coffee, bagels, and baked goods.

Day One

7:30 a.m.: Registration at Woodworth Complex

8–11:20 a.m.: Student and family sessions

11:20 a.m.–1 p.m.: Lunch

1–4 p.m.: Student and family sessions

4–6:30 p.m.: Dinner and hall/hotel check-in

6:30–8 p.m.: Student session and family tour

8–9:30 p.m.: Entertainment

Day Two

7:50 a.m.–12:15 p.m.: Students conduct campus business

8 a.m.–12:15 p.m.: Family member sessions

12:15–1:30 p.m.: Lunch and financial aid advising

1:30–3 p.m.: Student and family sessions

Please note: Non-Traditional students should follow the Transfer Orientation schedule shown below in the Transfer Orientation section.

One-Day Session (for all Transfer Students)

May 15, 17, 18, June 15, 22, or July 6

If you’ve confirmed your enrollment, we’ll send your Orientation invitation in April with instructions to register online for your desired date.

Please note that a $40 student matriculation fee will be added to your first-semester bursar statement for Orientation.

Registration Tips

  • Register soon after your invitation arrives. Sessions fill up quickly.
  • You’ll need your Ball State username and password to register.
  • Each registered student receives a $5 meal card to use at our dining facilities during Orientation.
  • Register family members, too. Don’t forget to reserve local lodging if you’re staying overnight.

A complete schedule will be provided to you upon check-in.

Schedule

8:30–9 a.m.: Registration

9–10 a.m.: Welcome/Campus Information

10–11 a.m.: Campus Community Break Out Sessions

11–11:45 a.m.: Lunch

Noon–3 p.m.: “Making It Official”  (Academic Advising, course registration, Ball State ID, tour)

Register Today

Local Lodging

Need to change your date? Call us at 765-285-8290.

Non-U.S. residents who are enrolling at Ball State for the first time will participate in orientation through the Rinker Center for International Programs.

International Student Orientation

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McKinley Avenue Closure

McKinley Avenue, the main road running north and south through campus, will be closed on the north side of campus – between Bethel Avenue and Neely Avenue/Petty Road – until August 10, 2018. Please see our map for an alternative route as you travel to campus.

Download Map (PDF)

Starting this spring? You'll attend Orientation this winter. Programs vary depending on your student type.

One-Day Session

DATES TBA

If you’ve confirmed your enrollment, we’ll send your Orientation invitation in early November with instructions to register online for your desired date. 

Please note that a $40 student matriculation fee will be added to your first-semester bursar statement for Orientation.

Registration Tips

  • Register soon after your invitation arrives. Sessions fill up quickly.
  • You’ll need your Ball State username and password to register.
  • Each registered student receives a $5 meal card to use at our dining facilities during Orientation.
  • Register your family members, too. Don’t forget to reserve local lodging if you’re staying overnight.
  • Take placement exams before you attend to earn early college credit.

Need to change your date? Call us at 765-285-8290.

Register Today

Local Lodging

Schedule

A complete schedule will be provided to you upon check-in.

8:30–9 a.m.: Registration

9–11:45 a.m.: Student and family sessions

11:45 a.m.–12:40 p.m.: Lunch

12:45–3 p.m.: “Making It Official” (Academic Advising, course registration, Ball State ID Card, tour)

One-Day Session (for all Transfer Students)

DATES TBA

If you’ve confirmed your enrollment, we’ll send your Orientation invitation in April with instructions to register online for your desired date.

Please note that a $40 student matriculation fee will be added to your first-semester bursar statement for Orientation.

Registration Tips

  • Register soon after your invitation arrives. Sessions fill up quickly.
  • You’ll need your Ball State username and password to register.
  • Each registered student receives a $5 meal card to use at our dining facilities during Orientation.
  • Register family members, too. Don’t forget to reserve local lodging if you’re staying overnight.

A complete schedule will be provided to you upon check-in.

Schedule

8:30–9 a.m.: Registration

9–10 a.m.: Welcome/Campus Information

10–11 a.m.: Campus Community Break Out Sessions

11–11:45 a.m.: Lunch

Noon–3 p.m.: “Making It Official”  (Academic Advising, course registration, Cardinal Card, tour)

 

REGISTER TODAY

LOCAL LODGING

 

Need to change your date? Call us at 765-285-8290.

Non-U.S. residents who are enrolling at Ball State for the first time will participate in orientation through the Rinker Center for International Programs.

International Student Orientation

Starting this summer? You’ll attend Orientation in May. Programs vary depending on your student type.

One-Day Session

May 4

If you’ve confirmed your enrollment, we’ll send your Orientation invitation in mid-March with instructions to register online. 

Please note that a $40 student matriculation fee will be added to your first-semester bursar statement for Orientation.

Registration Tips

  • Register soon after your invitation arrives.
  • You’ll need your Ball State username and password to register.
  • Each registered student receives a $5 meal card to use at our dining facilities during Orientation.
  • Register your family members, too. Don’t forget to reserve on-campus housing or local lodging.
  • Take placement exams before you attend to earn early college credit.

Need to change your date? Call us at 765-285-8290.

Register Today

Local Lodging

A complete schedule will be provided to you upon check-in.

Schedule

8:30–9 a.m.: Registration

9 a.m.–Noon: Student and family sessions

Noon–1 p.m.: Lunch

1–3 p.m.: “Making It Official” (class scheduling, Ball State ID Card, tour, etc.)

One-Day Session (for Transfer Students with fewer than 30 credit hours) or Half-Day Session (for Transfer Students with 30 or more credit hours)

May 4

If you’ve confirmed your enrollment, we’ll send your Orientation invitation in mid-March with instructions to register online. 

Please note that a $40 student matriculation fee will be added to your first-semester bursar statement for Orientation, whether you attend or not. 

Registration Tips

  • Register soon after your invitation arrives.
  • You’ll need your Ball State username and password to register.
  • Register family members, too. Don’t forget to reserve local lodging if you’re staying overnight.
  • Transfer students with 30 or more credits hours will schedule an advising appointment, separate from orientation, to register for classes at their convenience. Contact the Upper Division Advising Center for assistance at 765-285-5490.

Need to change your date? Call us at 765-285-8290.

Register Today

Local Lodging

A complete schedule will be provided to you upon check-in.

Schedule (Transfer students with fewer than 30 credit hours)

8:30–9 a.m.: Registration

9–10 a.m.: Welcome/Campus Information

10–11 a.m.: Campus Community Panel

11–11:45 a.m.: Lunch

Noon–3 p.m.: “Making It Official”  (Academic Advising, course registration, Ball State ID Card, tour)

 

Schedule (Transfer students with 30 or more credit hours)

8:30–9 a.m.: Registration

9–10 a.m.: Welcome/Campus Information

10–11 a.m.: Campus Community Panel

11–11:45 a.m.: Receive Cardinal Card

Noon–1 p.m.: Optional campus tour

Non-U.S. residents who are enrolling at Ball State for the first time will participate in orientation through the Rinker Center for International Programs.

International Student Orientation