Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to frequently asked questions about Ole Miss orientation, including details on registration, fees, course enrollment, and what to expect during your session.
What is Orientation?
Orientation is a required program for students (optional for parents) that helps them get ready for the start of school. At orientation, we will cover the topics that will help you prepare for and successfully navigate your first year at Ole Miss. You will also register for classes at the orientation session.
More importantly, orientation is when you first get to experience what it’s like to be an Ole Miss student. You will meet other incoming and returning students, meet faculty and staff from across campus, take a campus tour, and register for your first semester of classes.
General Questions
Yes, orientation registration will open in March, and the housing room selection will begin later in the Spring semester. In order for a student to participate in housing selection, they will have had to first register for an orientation session.
We strongly encourage guests to attend orientation, although the only person required to attend is the student. We offer several sessions throughout day one just for family members and guests and it can be helpful to have family members there to discuss what you learn.
Yes, students attending freshman orientation will have the opportunity to stay in a residence hall the first night of their session for no cost. Note that this is only for the first night, so anyone traveling the day before their session would need other accommodations for at least that night. Overnight accommodations only apply to freshman sessions, since transfer sessions are only one day.
Yes, if you leave you will miss something important! It is mandatory that students attend their session in its entirety. It’s in your best interest to attend all presentations.
Yes, students attending freshman orientation will have the opportunity to stay in a residence hall the first night of their session for no cost. Note that this is only for the first night, so anyone traveling the day before their session would need other accommodations. Overnight accommodations only apply to freshman sessions, since transfer sessions are only one day.
You would need to provide your own toiletries, linens, bedding, etc. The room that you will receive, should you opt into this, will be a vacant residence hall room with 2 twin size beds and a private bathroom.
Yes, if a student has another student in mind to room with during orientation, we can grant this request. If a student does not have a roommate in mind and wants to stay on campus during night one of their orientation, a roommate will be randomly assigned.
You will not need to use the Microsoft Authenticator to just log into myOleMiss, but you will need it for completing the Housing Application or uploading immunization records. If you are having trouble accessing this code, please refer to IT's Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) Setup instructions. If issues persist, you can reach out to IT directly at 662-915-5222 or helpdesk@olemiss.edu.
Orientation Registration
ou MUST complete and turn in both your housing application and housing application fee, AND submit your health records to the Student Health Center on campus before you can register for orientation.
- Questions about the housing application/fee? Call Student Housing at 662-915-7328.
- Questions about your health records? Call the Student Health Center at 662-915-7274.
Once you’ve turned in both your housing application and housing application fee and submitted your health records to the Student Health Center, follow this link to the myOleMiss portal and select the New Student tab. Then find the Orientation window and select the Sign Up for Orientation link from the left-hand side. Once you fill out the form and submit your payment, you will be registered. Please note that orientation registration for in-person sessions cannot be completed over the phone.
All orientation fees are nonrefundable. Deciding not to attend the University of Mississippi or having your admission rescinded due to poor academic performance does not qualify you to receive a refund of orientation fees. If you decide not to attend Ole Miss, you are responsible for notifying the Office of Admissions.
No, just as with student fees, all family fees are nonrefundable.
Check your ID and password, and make sure they are correct. If you think they are the problem, contact our IT Helpdesk at helpdesk@olemiss.edu or 662-915-5222. If the problem is something else (credit card, etc.), call us at 662-915-7226 or email us at orientation@olemiss.edu.
Session Changes & Guests
If your plans change after you have registered for an orientation session, please log in to the registration system to change to another session. You will still have to select “Sign Up for Orientation,” but then your current registration details will show and you will have the option to modify.
Please log in to the original registration portal to add a parent or guest to your session. You will still have to select “Sign Up for Orientation,” but then you will see an option to add a guest.
Students and family members who do not attend their reserved orientation session will be reached out to to schedule a new session, but it is best if you do this ahead of time.
Payment Questions
The orientation fee covers all expenses for the program, including food, all printed materials, a student t-shirt, etc.
No. The bursar’s office sends out bills for all new students who have attended an orientation session and registered for classes. Your semester fees for tuition, meal plans, housing, and parking decal will be included on the bill. Students pay for books separately (usually when picking them up at the beginning of the semester), though many reserve them while at orientation.
Visa or MasterCard, debit or credit cards, and bank drafts can all be processed online at the time of registration. We are unable to apply orientation charges to the bursar bill at this time.
Course Registration
No. While you can visit with an advisor prior to your session, you cannot register for classes at that time. You must register for your first semester of classes at an orientation session.
We will do our best to make sure you get the classes you need. We are always able to make sure that students get the classes they need by the first few days of the semester, even if those classes are not available at your specific orientation session. You might need to visit a few professors, an advisor or a dean’s office, but you will be able to build a schedule that works for you.
Other Offices
Of course! You will be hearing from many offices from across campus during your orientation session, but you may make individual appointments with any offices you see fit before or after your session. If you need help contacting offices, please call us at 662-915-7226 and we will be happy to assist.
You can have your Ole Miss ID card made ahead of time and mailed back to you before your orientation session. An advantage of getting your ID made ahead of time is that you won’t stand in line waiting to take your picture at orientation, and you can choose the picture that will be on the ID instead of taking the picture here.
Mail the following items to the address below to have your ID made before orientation:
- A photo of yourself (Simple head shots are best, color is preferred. Please, no full-body shots, hats, head coverings or sunglasses; this will cause the ID Center to reject your photo.)
- Your full name
- Your Ole Miss ID number or Social Security number
Send to:
Ole Miss ID Center
P.O. Box 1848
University, MS 38677-1848
The ID Center staff will make your ID card and mail it back to you, saving you valuable time while at orientation. For more information, call the ID Center at 662-915-7423, or go to the ID Center’s website.