When can I start the new student enrollment process?
The timeline for new student enrollment depends on student type (transfer or first-year) and admit term. The $250 enrollment deposit fee must be paid or deferred before you can begin the process.
Spring Term (January start):
- Open in mid-October for transfer and first-year students.
Summer Term (May/June start) and Fall Term (August start):
- Transfer: Open in early April.
- First-Year: Open in early May.
What is orientation and is it required?
Orientation is required for all new undergraduate students, including transfers. When and how you complete orientation depends on your student type (domestic vs. international, transfer vs. first-year) and start term. The orientation experience supports your transition to the university by introducing you to resources, connecting you with peers and staff members and preparing you to be a student at Nebraska.
Summer/Fall Term:
Domestic first-year students are required to attend In-Person Orientation on campus in the summer, unless you live more than 300 miles from campus or have extenuating circumstances (like military service). Domestic first-year students who meet the criteria for an exception due to distance or circumstances must complete Online Orientation.
Domestic transfer students are required to complete Online Orientation, and In-Person Orientation is optional.
International first-year and transfer students are required to complete Online Orientation and attend International In-Person Orientation that takes place before the semester begins.
Spring Term:
Domestic first-year and transfer students are required to complete Online Orientation and can also attend an optional In-Person Orientation.
International first-year and transfer students are required to complete Online Orientation and International In-Person Orientation before the semester begins.
Does the University of Nebraska–Lincoln require any placement exams?
Not all new students are required to take placement exams. The Math Placement Exam (MPE), offered online via MyRED, is required for students in certain majors, regardless of previous math experience or transfer credit.
The Modern Language Placement Exam (MLPE) is also offered online via MyRED. It’s available in Spanish, German and French and can only be taken one time per language. The exam is required for students admitted to certain majors. The Modern Language Placement Exam is not an English test. No English placement test is required for degree-seeking international or domestic students who have been admitted to the university.
How do I enroll in courses?
Before you can enroll in first-semester courses, you must submit an orientation reservation and complete all required pre-advising tasks in MyRED—the Advising Inventory, Math Placement Exam (if applicable) and the Modern Language Placement Exam (if applicable). Once your pre-advising tasks are completed, the academic advising appointment reservation opens in MyRED, where you can select an appointment type (in-person or online), date and time. You will enroll in first-semester courses during your advising appointment.
Is there a deadline to complete New Student Enrollment?
The sooner, the better! Orientation dates, advising dates and course seats fill quickly and are subject to availability. Those who complete steps shortly after they open have the most choices for orientation and advising dates.
You don’t need to wait until after you graduate high school or complete your current term to begin new student enrollment steps. We recommend working through the steps as they become available while finishing coursework in high school or at your transfer institution.
We strongly encourage you to take the Math Placement Exam as soon as possible after submitting your orientation reservation and then use the initial results to determine if and how you should further prepare for subsequent attempts.
How can parents and family members be included in New Student Enrollment?
Students are expected to complete all reservations and pre-advising tasks themselves, but we encourage parents and family members to attend In-Person Orientation with their students. The student’s orientation reservation includes the option to register up to three parents or family members at a cost of $15/guest.
Students and parents or family members spend part of the orientation day together. During student-only portions, parents or family members attend informational sessions to learn about university support, visit key locations on campus and hear about the student experience from an orientation leader.
We also offer a free, publicly available Parent/Family Online Orientation, which includes four modules covering academic success, student life, paying for college and next steps. Parents and families can view recordings of all information sessions from In-Person Orientation.