Penn State Abington New Student Orientation Spring 2025

New Student Orientation Graphic

Welcome to Penn State Abington!

New Student Orientation and Welcome Days are MANDATORY for all first-year students

Incoming first-year students: 

New Student Orientation is mandatory for all incoming first-year students. See the orientation dates below. Students will schedule a meeting with an adviser to happen after NSO.  (Register for ONE orientation date) Times are listed in Eastern Standard Time.  

Virtual (Zoom) Orientation Dates
(9:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.)  

  • Thursday, December 5, 2024, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m. Eastern Standard Time
  • Monday, January 6, 2025, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m. Eastern Standard Time

Students will first participate in a University-wide Zoom meeting.  The last hour will be spent via Zoom with the Abington Campus.  Topics include information on campus resources, financial aid, and advising.

Incoming International Students (first year and transfer): 

New Student Orientation (NSO) is mandatory for all incoming international students (first-year and transfer). See the virtual orientation dates below. International student sessions will cover a combination of information related to maintaining student visa status, getting acclimated to the US education system, and meeting other incoming international students.   

Once first-year international students complete their virtual orientation, they will have access to schedule a virtual advising appointment to discuss their academic goals and recommendations for fall classes.  International transfer students receive emails from their adviser with instructions on how to schedule an advising appointment.  (Register for ONE virtual orientation date) Times are listed in Eastern Standard Time. 

Moreover, to complete their mandatory orientation programming, international students, both first-year and transfer, must attend the required in-person International Student Welcome (ISW) at the Abington campus on August 21-23 to connect with the campus resources and complete mandatory immigration check-in.

Transfer students (non-international): 

Transfer students (non-international) are invited to attend our virtual transfer orientation to learn about campus resources and get advising updates.  Transfer student orientation will be held virtually for Spring 2025 admitted transfer students. (Register for ONE virtual orientation date) Times are listed in Eastern Standard Time. 

Virtual (Zoom) Orientation Dates

  • Thursday, December 5, 2024, 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.  
  • Monday, January 6, 2025, 9 a.m. – 12 p.m.
mom and the Lion

Preparing for New Student Orientation

Please follow the steps

  1. Make your Reservation to Attend.
  2. Take your ALEKS Math Assessment
  3. Fill out Your Educational Planning Survey
  4. Upload Immunization Records
  5. Complete Your Pre-NSO Homework

All instructions for the 5 steps above will be sent to your Penn State email and the personal email you provided on your Penn State application.

Please log in here to access your Penn State email by using your Access Account user ID and password.

Make a Reservation

You will not be eligible to access our Penn State Orientation Reservation System until you receive this email with the subject "Make Your Reservation for NSO".  This email will come directly to you at your PSU email and the personal email you provided on your application to Penn State. You will need your Penn State Access Account to make a reservation for NSO.

Review your reservation

Be sure to click "Submit" at the top or bottom of the page to reserve your seat at NSO. Your reservation is not guaranteed until you click "Submit".

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Take Your ALEKS Math Assessment

Completing the ALEKS Math Assessment is required for all first-year students who HAVE NOT completed Calculus in high school. All majors at the University require courses in quantification. You may not take certain courses in mathematics, statistics, or chemistry without demonstrating readiness through this assessment. There is no additional cost associated with completing the ALEKS Math Assessment.

Click here for additional information and to take your ALEKS Math Assessment.

Steps within LionPath to access your Educational Planning Survey:

  • Log into LionPath with your Penn State Access Account
  • From the Main Menu, click on Self-Service
  • Click on Student Center
  • Under Academics on the Student Center webpage, click on Educational Planning Survey 

Upload Immunization Records

All incoming undergraduate students must submit proof of immunizations before their arrival on campus.  If you do not submit your record registration hold will be placed on your account which can prevent class registration. 

Please use this link to complete the two-step process to submit your records. 

If you have any questions about immunization records, please contact Michele Scott, Campus Nurse 215-881-7350 or [email protected].

Do Your Pre-NSO Homework

Visit orientation.psu.edu and search for “NSO Tasklist”. Complete all before attending Orientation. All modules have important information to assist you in your transition to Penn State.

Transfer Credit Worksheet 

Complete this assignment if you took Advanced Placement (AP) exams, International Baccalaureate (IB) exams, or courses for college credit at another institution. Being aware of potential course credits you may be bringing with you will help you make better decisions when scheduling courses for your first semester.

If you need to complete this assignment, download it by clicking here.

Course Registration Overview - REQUIRED

These modules will help you understand factors affecting your course selection, how to use the Schedule Builder, Shopping Cart, and LionPATH to schedule those classes, and some ways to fine-tune your schedule. Reviewing these modules in advance of NSO will help prepare you for advising and course scheduling during NSO.

 Troubleshooting

If you are having issues viewing the assignments above, please make sure that you have the proper software. To view the interactive modules, you must have the latest version of Adobe Flash Player installed.

Masks are optional to be worn when in any Penn State buildings.

Any questions? Contact [email protected] or 215-881-7879 for assistance!

We’re excited to see you at Orientation!