Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

Q: What is orientation? 
A: 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.

Q: What if I am having trouble with the Microsoft Authenticator?
A: 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 see the following link to help with troubleshooting: https://itsecurity.olemiss.edu/mfa. If issues persist, you can reach out to IT directly at 662-915-5222 or helpdesk@olemiss.edu.

Q: Do my parents have to come to orientation?
A: 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.

Q: Do I have to stay for the entire session?
A: 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.

Q: Can I stay on campus for orientation?
A: Yes, students attending freshman orientation will have the opportunity to stay in a residence hall the first night of their session for no cost. Any guests that also wish to do this will be charged $35 per person. 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.

Q: If I stay on campus for orientation, what should I bring?
A: 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.

Q: If I stay on campus for orientation, can I pick my roommate?
A: Yes, if a student has another student in mind to room with during orientation, we can grant this request. Additionally, a student would have the ability to stay with the family or guest member they come with on campus if everyone has signed up to do so. 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.

Orientation Registration Questions

Q: What do I need to do before registering for orientation?
A: You 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.

Q: How do I register for orientation?
A: 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.

Q: How do I know that my registration is complete and that my spot is reserved?
A: After you sign up and pay for a session, an email confirming your reservation and payment of orientation fees will be mailed to your Ole Miss email account unless you specify that you want it sent to another email address. In that case, it will be sent to both accounts.

Q: If I register for orientation and decide to cancel my admission to Ole Miss, can I get a refund? 
A: 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.

Q: If my family member registers and decides not to attend orientation, can I get a refund?
A: No, just as with student fees, all family fees are nonrefundable.

Q: If I’ve been accepted into Ole Miss’ honors program, do I register for a specific orientation session? 
A: Yes, we do have an orientation session for honors students, but if you are unable to attend, you can register for any other session available. We will have an honors-specific presentation for those unable to attend the honors orientation.

Q: I am having trouble registering for orientation. What do I do?
A: 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.

Payment Questions

Q: What does the orientation fee cover?
A: The orientation fee covers all expenses for the program, including food, all printed materials, a student t shirt, etc.

Q: Do I need to bring my checkbook to pay for tuition and fees?
A: 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.

Q: What forms of payment do you accept for orientation?
A: 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 Questions

Q: Can I just see an advisor on my own and not go to orientation?
A: 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.

Q: Will I be able to get the classes I need at orientation?
A: 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

Q: Can I meet individually with faculty and staff in certain offices if I need to?
A: 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.

Q: Can I get my ID made before orientation?
A: 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.