First-Year Orientation Registration

We are excited to welcome you to Northeastern’s family! First-Year Orientation is your first step to familiarizing yourself with Northeastern, meeting our students, staff and faculty, and getting used to college life.

All freshmen must attend First-Year Orientation. It’s important that you attend Orientation after taking your placement tests, as you will need your scores to register for your first semester of classes when you meet with an advisor.

First-Year Orientation is a full day of activities. Be sure to check out the schedule on the next tab. Remember to come prepared to enjoy the whole day – there’s a lot to learn!

Registering for Orientation

Once you complete your placement test, you will receive a link to register for orientation. If you did not register for your Orientation date during Placement Testing or need to reschedule, please contact New Student and Family Programs, (773) 442-5373 or orientation@neiu.edu.

As a reminder, there is a non-refundable $70 orientation fee that will be charged to your NEIU account.

We look forward to seeing you at First-Year Orientation. Congratulations, Golden Eagle, you’re on your way to academic success!

Sample Schedule of Activities for First-Year Orientation

The schedule of activities below is for students entering in Fall 2018 at the Main Campus.

All activities begin with check-in held in the Student Union, Alumni Hall.

Time and Activity

9 a.m.    
Check-in and Pre-event Activities
(Please arrive on time in order to have your Northeastern ID photo taken)

10 a.m. 
Welcome and Opening Activities

11 a.m.
Campus Tour

11:45 a.m.
Lunch

12:15 p.m.
College Q & A

1 p.m.
Advising, Financial Aid, Freshman Meetup

4 p.m.
Wrap Up

5 p.m.
Orientation Ends

First-Year Orientation is held on the Main Campus, the Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies and El Centro. Please see the locations and dates below.

VIEW OUR PARKING LOCATIONS AND MAPS

Main Campus

First-Year Orientation is held from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. at Northeastern's Main Campus in the Student Union, Alumni Hall.

The Orientation dates below are for Spring 2019 admitted students:
  • Friday, December 7, 2018
  • Friday, January 4, 2019
Please note: Orientation dates for Fall 2019 admitted students will be posted in February.

Jacob H. Carruthers Center for Inner City Studies

First-Year Orientation at the Carruthers Center is only for students enrolled at the Carruthers Center.

El Centro

First-Year Orientation at El Centro is only for students enrolled at El Centro.

Before you attend Orientation

  • Have your Financial Aid items completed. During the placement test, you may have received a letter detailing any missing items. There will be a Financial Aid workshop at Orientation to answer any further questions.

​​Activate your NEIUport account

  • After being admitted to Northeastern, you were sent a letter with instructions on how to activate your account. The letter also contained your NetID. By following the instructions in the letter, you should be able to activate your account. 
  • If you have misplaced the letter that was sent to you, then click here to download the NEIUport Activation instructions.
  • If you have any problems activating your NEIUport account, please contact the HELP desk at (773) 442-4357 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, before coming to Orientation.
  • Check your calendar to make sure you do not have other appointments or activities scheduled on your Orientation date. You will be expected to participate in the entire program from 9 a.m.-5 p.m.

Plan your travel route

Please allow extra time for traffic and unforeseen circumstances, etc. Campus maps and directions are below:

On Orientation Day

Have a healthy breakfast before you arrive!

You will need to bring

  • A valid photo ID (such as a driver's license, state ID, high school ID or passport)
  • NEIU student ID number. You will find your student ID number on the acceptance letter you received from NEIU
  • NetID and password

Attire

The Orientation day will include ice breaker activities and tours. Please wear comfortable clothing and shoes. Part of the tour will be outdoors, make sure you are prepared for the weather with sunscreen, umbrella, etc.

Be prepared to meet and speak to new people.

After Orientation

Here are some items that will help you prepare for the upcoming semester:

  • Facebook (NEIUlife), Instagram (@NEIUlife) and Twitter (@NEIUlife)
    Follow our social media sites to connect with your new friends from Orientation, see pictures from your orientation day and to receive updates on upcoming events for new students. 
  • Upcoming Events
    Save the date for the following events:
    Additional details will soon be sent to you via Nmail.
    • KickStart College, Monday, August 20 to Friday, August 24, 2018
    • Golden Eagle Welcome Day, Saturday, August 25, 2018
  • NEIUPort and Nmail
    Make sure you check your Nmail and NEIUport accounts at least once a week until classes begin.  Communication from the University regarding upcoming events, financial aid and payment requirements, registration updates are sent through Nmail and/or updates to your NEIUport account. If you have any problems with your account, please contact the HELP desk at (773) 442-4357 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
  • Class Schedule & Advising
    If you have questions about your classes please contact your advisor in the Advising Center by calling (773) 442-5470. If you are advised by the College of Business and Management, please contact that office at (773) 442-6111. If you are a Project Success student, contact your advisor at (773) 442-4980. If you are a Proyecto Pa'Lante student, contact your advisor at (773) 442-5460.
  • Parking Information
    If you need to register your vehicle for a virtual parking permit or need to fill out the waiver please visit the Parking website at neiu.edu/parking. If you have additional parking questions, you may also call the office at (773) 442-4117 or email park@neiu.edu.