International Students
Welcome! We're so glad you're here and are excited for you to join OSU. The Office of New Student Onboarding works closely with the Office of International Services and INTO OSU to support international students starting at OSU’s Corvallis campus!
The Office of New Student Onboarding has a sequence of steps for you to follow to orient you to Oregon State. In addition, you may have additional tasks through:
The Office of International Services (OIS)
Orientation to OSU through OIS includes a pre-arrival checklist. If you haven't received a Welcome Email from the Office of International Services (OIS), please email [email protected] with your OSU ID number.
If you're a visa holder other than F-1 or J-1, please contact OIS at [email protected] with your OSU ID number to inquire about the process to register for your courses.
INTO OSU
All international students who receive support services from INTO OSU, including first-year undergraduate students with International Direct services (ID), should work directly with INTO OSU or contact [email protected] for any questions about your registration process.
Please visit New Student Steps on the INTO OSU webpage.
Questions? Connect with [email protected].
How to move through the New Student Onboarding Sequence
This process can take at least one week - start now!
Pre-Orientation Tasks
Time needed: 24-48 hours. These must be completed before beginning your onboarding sequence.
Complete your required pre-orientation tasks to begin your sequence!
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Activate your ONID (Oregon State student account)
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Sign up for DUO (OSU's 2-step authentication)
In addition to your required pre-orientation tasks, the following tasks will support you in your onboarding process, too:
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Housing application (if applicable)
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Financial self-assessment (recommended)
Completing the required tasks allows you to begin the onboarding sequence, starting with the Prepare phase.
STOP: You will have access to the next step in 24-48 hours. After that time has passed, move onto Prepare.
Step 1: Prepare
Begins on January 20
These modules will take at least 3-5 hours to complete
Complete Prepare online learning modules through Canvas to learn key information for advising, registration, and navigating OSU resources like advising, finances, technology, and support services.
You will complete the ALEKS Math Placement during Prepare.
- The math placement assessment is used to gain an accurate measure of your current math skills, so your academic advisor can help you register for the appropriate courses.
- You are allowed a total of 5 attempts on the ALEKS assessment, including partially completed assessments. Your highest score is used for placement.
Completion of Prepare will allow you to move onto Step 2: Activate and Step 3: Launch. You will be registered for Virtual Launch orientation within 48 hours of completing Prepare.
Step 2: Activate
Begins on February 16 for Veterans & Presidential Scholars and February 23 for all students
Time needed: 1-3 hours
Complete all Success Plan tasks within Beaver Hub (Note: Beaver Hub is different from Beaver Basecamp). These tasks will introduce you to your academic college requirements. Once all tasks are complete, make an advising appointment to register for your first term of classes.
If you complete the Prepare modules after February 23, you’ll get access to Beaver Hub within 48 hours of submitting your final quiz.
Advising and registration windows vary by academic college but will only take place between March 4 and March 27.
Your advising appointment should be scheduled and completed by March 27, or as soon as possible, to secure the best course options.
Step 3: Launch
All students are expected to attend either an in-person or virtual Launch session.
Launch is your orientation to Oregon State. You'll meet other students, explore resources and opportunities, and build connections to get ready for your first term.
After completing Prepare, you’ll be automatically registered for Virtual Launch and will receive a confirmation email with more details.
Time needed: 10 minutes to register; 6-8 hours to participate.
Visit our Launch page for session information and details.
Pre-Term Reminders
Throughout the term: Get in the habit of checking your Oregon State email address frequently for reminders and updates. Watch for invites from the office of New Student Onboarding to attend online events that will help you get ready for the school year!
Required International Orientation: Plan your travel so that you can attend the undergraduate International Student Orientation: March 24, 2026 through March 27, 2026. These are mandatory sessions for all new students, including transfer students.
Step 4: Connect
After you complete your International Student Orientation, you’ll join the rest of campus for Connect: programming that begins your first term at Oregon State. During this multi-day pre-term event, you’ll deepen relationships you formed at Launch, take part in longstanding OSU traditions, and attend sessions to hone your academic skills before the term begins.
This is your chance to settle in, make memories, and get to know your new community at OSU.
If you’re living on campus, you’ll move-in during International Student Orientation (March 30 through April 4, 2026; INTO OSU students move in March 23, 2026)
Visit the Connect page to see a sampling of the events that welcome all new students to Beaver Nation.
Step 5: Engage
Onboarding doesn’t end when the term begins – support continues in the Engage phase throughout your first year at Oregon State.
Your first term, you'll take a Transitions course that builds on what you’ve learned in previous phases of onboarding.
We’ll keep reaching out with info. Watch for The Student Success Weekly, an email with deadline reminders, helpful study tips, and more.
You’ll meet with academic advisors each term to plan your classes and check on your progress.
Stay connected, ask for help when you need it, and remember: you don’t have to do this alone.
