Activate: Advising & Registration

During the Activate phase, you’ll connect with academic advisors who will help you understand academic requirements and select courses for your first term. You’ll continue to work with an academic advisor each term moving forward — they're part of your success team at Oregon State.

The Activate stage happens in Beaver Hub and you'll receive guidance on using that platform via email when the time comes. By the end of the Activate phase, you should be registered for your first term of classes at OSU.

Course registration is different for every student and can be impacted by a number of factors, including prior or concurrent attendance at another institution, requirements for credit load based on student type or status, and participation in specific OSU programs. If any of the following apply to you, review the corresponding guidance below:

 

FAQs

Once you complete the Prepare: Online Modules, and connect with your academic advisor to discuss which classes you should take your first term, you will use OSU’s Sscheduler software to register for your classes. Our goal is that you are registered for classes before you attend Launch!

For students beginning classes in fall 2025, you’ll have a few weeks to wait before the “Activate” stage opens if you complete the Prepare: Online Modules in early May. Academic advisors are still advising current students during this time and we’re busy getting your success plans set up in Beaver Hub. We recommend finishing your modules in May so you’re ready for the Activate stage when it becomes available.

When you go through the Activate: Advising & Registration phase, you’ll receive contact information for your advisor or advising office and details on how to follow up if you have additional registration related questions.

It depends on where you are in the onboarding process:

  • Any time before or during the Prepare: Online Modules phase, you can change your major in Beaver Basecamp. Just follow these instructions
    • Log into Beaver Basecamp
    • Click on Application Details on the black toolbar
    • Click on Change Major from the list  
    • Select your desired major or follow the instructions
    • Click Submit
  • Here is a helpful website to learn more about your major options at OSU.
    • If you aren't certain about your major, you can start with the University Exploratory Studies Program (UESP) and take some time to explore options before you commit to a specific major.
    • If you applied to OSU as a College of Engineering major but were admitted to University Exploratory Studies Program (UESP) because of the College of Engineering admissions requirements, don’t fret! UESP can help you get all the classes you need while working towards admission to the College of Engineering. 
  • Once you complete the Prepare: Online Modules, we encourage you to stick with your major through Activate: Advising & Registration. If you realize that you want to change your major after that experience, you’ll have support during Launch to help you.

Activate: Advising & Registration connects students with advising representatives, and we recommend that students attend solo. We know that some students want a parent, guardian or family member in on the conversation. Because information in your academic record is protected under a privacy act, you would need to complete a Consent for Release of Records form to grant permission for them to be present. 

Degree Partnership Program (DPP) Students

You may already be admitted to our exciting DPP program, which allows you to be dual enrolled with one of our many partner community colleges in Oregon and Hawaii. If not, admitted OSU students who want to set up dual enrollment can sign up for DPP following the steps outlined on the DPP application process site. To read more about the benefits of DPP and for additional information about how the program works, visit the DPP website. While students may enroll in DPP at various points in their onboarding process, setting up DPP prior to Activate: Advising & Registration can help you work more effectively with both institutions in building an effective schedule for your first term at OSU.  

Students with Veteran or Military Benefits

Students receiving military education benefits have additional considerations to make when registering for their courses. If students are using or intend to use VA education benefits, they can review the videos and information on the VA Education Benefits: Registration page. Students who plan to use veteran and military education benefits should also visit the VA and Military Education Benefit Certification page to understand how to start their benefits. 

Students Working with Disability Access Services (DAS)

Students who had an IEP or 504 in high school, or who received accommodations for a disability at a prior institution and believe they may be eligible for accommodations through Disability Access Services (DAS), are encouraged to apply with the DAS office, as accommodations do not transfer between schools. If you would like to consult with a DAS advisor prior to meeting with your academic advisor, or if you require access to accommodations during the academic advising appointment, please contact DAS at 541-737-4098 or [email protected].

Honors College (HC)

New OSU students who have also been admitted to the Honors College (HC) have specific course requirements and opportunities that they will start as soon as their first term. The HC will provide helpful information about HC requirements to students during an early step in Activate; then, HC students will register with their primary advisor. Honors College students should also expect to attend an HC group information session and to receive communication and outreach from their HC advisor during the Activate phase.

International Students

International Students on F-1 and J-1 visas must be enrolled as full-time students in order to maintain their active visa status. Review the enrollment and registration requirements for international students prior to your academic advising. For academic advising and registration, please work directly with your academic advisor.

If you are an international student who is receiving INTO OSU services, please reach out to INTO OSU for additional guidance as needed for your academic advising.

NCAA Student-Athletes

NCAA student-athletes at Oregon State University have a strong team supporting your academic success. You'll receive academic advising from an advisor in your major, and academic support and counseling through the Academics for Student-Athletes (ASA) office.

During Activate, you'll meet with your major advisor to plan and register for classes. They understand the general demands of student-athlete schedules. In addition, your ASA academic counselor will review your schedule, help you manage your time, and ensure you stay on track with NCAA academic eligibility requirements.

ASA is here to support your overall success. To learn more about what ASA offers, visit our website: studentathlete.oregonstate.edu. If you need assistance, please connect with your team academic counselor.

 

Educational Opportunities Program (EOP)

Student Success and Belonging (SSB)

EOP/SSB is an targeted academic support program for students who have historically been denied equal access in higher education. Students in EOP/SSB have academic advising support in their major and academic counseling support through EOP/SSB. During Activate, EOP/SSB students will go through advising and registration with an advisor in their major. However, your EOP/SSB academic counselor will need to engage with you before you go through this advising and registration process as they will direct you to specific class sections affiliated with the program. You’ll get guidance on how to connect with your EOP/SSB academic counselor as you work through specific onboarding tasks associated with Activate.

TRIO Student Support Services (TRIO SSS)

TRIO SSS is an academic support program for first-generation students, Pell eligible students, and/or students with documented disabilities. Students who apply and are accepted get services and access to free events, scholarships, conference opportunities, 1:1 tutoring, and much more to aid in student success. Students in TRIO SSS have academic advising support in their major and academic counseling support through TRIO SSS. During Activate, TRIO SSS students will go through advising and registration with an advisor in their major. However, your TRIO SSS academic counselor will engage with you before or after you go through this advising and registration process and direct you towards specific coursework affiliated with the program.

College Assistance Migrant Program (CAMP)

CAMP is a targeted academic support program for migrant and seasonal farm workers and their children. Students in CAMP have academic advising support in their major and academic counseling support in CAMP. During Activate, CAMP students will go through advising and registration with an advisor in their major. However, your CAMP academic counselor will engage with you before you go through this advising and registration process.

Louis Stokes Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP)

LSAMP is a program at Oregon State University dedicated to increasing the number of  traditionally underrepresented students successfully completing science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) baccalaureate degree programs through academic and community support!