New Student Orientation

What is Orientation?
Attending New Student Orientation is your first-step to beginning your journey as a LAS student. It provides you with the opportunity to learn more about academic requirements, UIC's campus and culture, and much more. Meeting your dedicated LAS academic advisor, understanding new student expectations, and learning about available supports also will ease your transition to LAS and prepare you to make the most of your college experience.
New Student Orientation will be your first opportunity to meet with an LAS academic advisor; academic advisors are unable to assist you prior to your participation in a New Student Orientation program. Until then, all incoming students should direct their questions to lasinfo@uic.edu.
New Student Orientation offers:
- An introduction to your general LAS academic advisor who will support you throughout your time as an LAS student
- An opportunity to better understand placement test results and explore course options
- A chance to get to know more about the campus
- An opportunity to receive first semester course recommendations and register for your first semester classes!
First-Year Students Pre-Orientation Checklist Heading link
Incoming first-year students are required to participate in UIC’s Orientation Program in order to register for courses. Be sure to complete required placement tests and online orientation modules as soon as possible to be able to receive academic advising at orientation and register for courses.
-
1. Activate Your my.UIC.edu Portal Account and Log in
Prior to taking placement tests or registering for classes in my.UIC.edu, you are required to activate your portal account.
First Time Users:
- Visit my.uic.edu
- Select “Activate your NetID” under the “Instructions Login” portlet
Existing Users:
- Visit my.uic.edu
- Select “Login” under the “Instructions Login” portlet
-
2. Take Required Placement Tests
Placement tests are required in certain subjects. You will be unable to register for Orientation without first taking placement tests in English, Math, and for some students, Chemistry and Physics. The Chemistry placement test is only required if Chemistry is needed for your major or Educational Goal. The Physics placement test is only required for students who intend on taking calculus-based physics. Additional placement testing information is enclosed in the packet sent to you by the Office of Admissions.
To take tests:
- Log into my.uic.edu
- Select “UIC Connect” tab
- Review “Complete Placement Testing” portlet
- Select “Determine Required Placement Tests”
- Take time to accurately respond to questionnaire
- If required, take appropriate placement tests
To view test results, once available:
- Log into my.uic.edu
- Select “UIC Connect” tab
- Review “Complete Placement Testing” Portal
- Select the “View Available Test Results” button
- To understand your placement test results, visit here.
It is recommended that you take the necessary placement tests as soon as possible.
-
3. Complete Online Orientation Modules
To complete your Online Orientation Modules:
- Log into my.uic.edu
- Select “UIC Connect” tab
- Review “UIC Connect Progress to Enrollment” portlet
- Select “Online Orientation Modules”
-
4. Schedule Orientation
Only after your placement test results are available and you’ve completed the Online Orientation Modules through UIC Connect, may you sign up for an Orientation program.
To schedule your Orientation program:
- Log into my.UIC.edu
- Select “UIC Connect” tab
- Review “UIC Connect Progress to Enrollment” portlet
- Select “Sign Up for Orientation”
-
5. Review Online Resources to Help You Prepare for Course Registration
Preparing for Course Registration and Orientation: las.uic.edu/orientation – This page provides many additional resources, including: UIC Undergraduate Catalog, XE Registration, information about pre-professional requirements, how to access and read your degree audit, and much more!
Transferology: www.transferology.com – This online tool will help you view course equivalencies and tell you how college-level courses you have taken elsewhere will transfer to UIC.
iTransfer: www.itransfer.org/ – The Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) is a statewide agreement for participating colleges and universities in Illinois. It also provides information about how the courses you have taken elsewhere will transfer to UIC.
-
6. Send Final Transcripts from Previous Institutions and/or AP/IB scores, if applicable
Having record of final transcripts and/or exam scores will assist your academic advisor when reviewing your course selection at Orientation and help you to avoid accidental duplication of coursework.
Send official transcripts and score reports to UIC Admissions. For more information on the specifics of sending each specific type of record/credit, visit go.uic.edu/transcripts
This should include currently in-progress courses and final grades for all completed college-level work.
-
6. Learn More
Please consult the admissions packet for details on campus housing, tuition and fees, student health insurance, and financial aid.
Familiarize yourself with LAS by visiting las.uic.edu.
Transfer Students Pre-Orientation Checklist Heading link
Incoming transfer students are eligible to register for courses prior to participating in UIC’s Orientation Program, beginning on April 17, 2023. For the best course selection, it is strongly recommended that you register for courses as soon as possible. Please do not wait until orientation or until speaking with an academic advisor to register for classes. At orientation, your advisor will make recommendations based on your enrollments and ensure you are enrolled in the correct courses for your major, plan, and credits.
-
1. Activate Your my.UIC.edu Portal Account and Log in
Prior to taking placement tests or registering for classes in my.UIC.edu, you are required to activate your portal account.
First Time Users:
- Visit my.uic.edu
- Select “Activate your NetID” under the “Instructions Login” portlet
Existing Users:
- Visit my.uic.edu
- Select “Login” under the “Instructions Login” portlet
-
2. Take Required Placement Tests
Placement tests are required in certain subjects. Testing information was enclosed in the packet sent to you by the Office of Admissions.
Having test results will assist you and your LAS academic advisor in planning your first semester course schedule. If you fail to take required placement tests, you will find yourself unable to register for courses you may need in your first semester.
To take tests:
- Log into my.uic.edu
- Select “UIC Connect” tab
- Review “Complete Placement Testing” portlet
- Select “Determine Required Placement Tests”
- Take time to accurately respond to questionnaire
- If required, take appropriate placement tests
To view test results, once available:
- Log into my.uic.edu
- Select “UIC Connect” tab
- Review “Complete Placement Testing” Portal
- Select the “View Available Test Results” button
- To understand your placement test results, visit here for transfer students and here for readmit students.
-
3. Review Online Resources to Help You with Course Registration
Preparing for Course Registration and Orientation: las.uic.edu/orientation/preparing-for-course-registration – This page provides many additional resources, including: UIC Undergraduate Catalog, XE Registration, information about pre-professional requirements, how to access and read your degree audit, and much more!
UIC’s Transfer Assistance Center: registrar.uic.edu/transfer-assistance –This resource center provides assistance, counseling and helpful information to newly admitted transfer students that we hope will be helpful in making a successful transition to UIC.
Transferology: www.transferology.com – This online tool will help you view course equivalencies and tell you how the courses you have taken transfer to UIC.
iTransfer: www.itransfer.org/ – The Illinois Articulation Initiative (IAI) is a statewide agreement for participating colleges and universities in Illinois. It also provides information about how the courses you have taken transfer to UIC.
LAS: las.uic.edu – Familiarize yourself with LAS and the many opportunities that are available to you.
-
4. Send Final Transcripts from Previous Institutions and/or AP/IB scores, if applicable
Having record of final transcripts and/or exam scores will assist your academic advisor when reviewing your course selection at Orientation and help you to avoid accidental duplication of coursework.
Send official transcripts and score reports to UIC Admissions. For more information on the specifics of sending each specific type of record/credit, visit go.uic.edu/transcripts
This should include currently in-progress courses and final grades for all completed college-level work.
-
5. Review your Degree Audit
Your degree audit will provide you with an assessment of the coursework that you are bringing in to UIC. This report will aid you in determining how your credit has transferred to UIC and how it applies toward your area of study.
To access your Degree Audit:
- Log into my.uic.edu
- Select “Student” tab
- Select “Degree Audit”
- Select “Request Audit”
- Choose the audit you want to run
- If you want to run your currently declared major, select “Run Declared Programs”
- If you do not have a declared major or want to see the requirements for another major, choose “Select a Different Program,” and enter the information in the drop-down menus
- Select “Run Different Program”
- On the next page, wait a few seconds (up to thirty) and an audit will appear. Select the “View Audit” button when it appears. You may need to click on “Update” to load the audit before opening it.
A red X indicates that a category still needs to be fulfilled. These are categories you should focus on as you register for courses for the upcoming term.
A blue IP indicates that a category is being completed with in progress coursework.
A green check mark indicates that a category has been completed.
-
6. Register for Classes in Advance of Completing the Online Orientation Modules
After activating your portal account, you should begin registering for classes.
It is important to understand that when you register for classes, you are responsible for your choices and the financial obligation to pay all assessed tuition and fees.
To Register for Courses:
- Log into my.uic.edu
- Review “Welcome” tab
- Select “XE Registration/View Classes”
- Select “Register for Classes”
- Select “Term” and select “Continue”
- Complete Registration Agreement
For additional step-by-step instructions on how to register: http://registrar.uic.edu/registration/registration_instructions
Please register in advance of Orientation. For assistance with the registration process, e-mail the Registration Help Line at registration@uic.edu.
-
7. Complete Online Orientation Modules
To complete your Online Orientation Modules:
- Log into my.uic.edu
- Select “UIC Connect” tab
- Review “UIC Connect Progress to Enrollment” portlet
- Select “Online Orientation Modules”
-
8. Sign up for Orientation
Choose the earliest possible date to attend Orientation. Please be sure to make arrangements to attend the entire program.
To schedule your Orientation program:
- Log into my.uic.edu
- Select “UIC Connect” tab
- Review “UIC Connect Progress to Enrollment” portlet
- Select “Sign Up for Orientation”