Welcome to California State University, Northridge
Download and print First-time Freshman Checklist
This checklist will help you get started on your academic career at Cal State Northridge. Planning for your freshman year is an exciting time! Advisement and registration activities for Fall 2011 freshmen begin April 12, 2011.
Important! You must complete tasks 1-3 below by their deadlines in order to enroll in classes at Cal State Northridge (CSUN) for the Fall 2011 semester:
- Confirm your Intent to Register no later than 11:59 p.m. on May 2, 2011. If you do not file your intent in time, you will not be able to enroll in Fall 2011 classes. To file, log into “myNorthridge’ from the CSUN homepage at www.csun.edu. Locate My Checklist and click the Intent to Register link to accept or decline your offer of admission. Print the page confirming your intent and save for your records. For help, see Freshmen and Transfer Students – Intent to Register.
- Satisfy the English Placement Test (EPT) and Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) requirements. You should have already taken the EPT and/or ELM unless your SAT/ACT/AP/EAP scores exempt you from these exams. If you are exempt from the EPT/ELM, make sure you have submitted this information to Admissions and Records. NOTE: Your EPT/ELM scores or exemption must be recorded in the CSUN’s Admissions and Records system in order for us to register you for Fall 2011 courses during your advisement and registration session.
NOTE: If you are required to take the EPT and/or ELM, you must do so on or before May 7, 2011, test date or you will forfeit your opportunity to enroll at CSUN as a first-time freshman for the Fall 2011 term. Because of heavy demand and limited seating, you should sign up for the tests much earlier than the May deadline.
You may take EPT/ELM at CSUN or a CSU campus near you. To view test dates, register online and learn about exemptions, visit the
CSUN Testing Center - Send your preliminary high school transcript showing completion of your first semester senior year to Admissions and Records as soon as the semester ends. If you have taken college and/or Advanced Placement (AP) courses, bring unofficial transcripts along with any AP test scores to your first advisement meeting. Your advisor needs to know if you have additional college credits that may transfer to CSUN.
- Find out if you need additional department exams. The Math Placement Test (MPT) is required for enrollment in Math 103, 104, 105, 150A or 255. The Chemistry Placement Test (CPT) is required to enroll in Chemistry 101/101L. However, students cannot take MPT or CPT until they pass the ELM or are exempt. For more information, see Department Exams.
- Activate your CSUN Account. Locate the “Activate CSUN User ID and Password” letter you received from Admissions and Records and
log into “myNorthridge” Portal at www.csun.edu. Read and accept the campus information technology
policy. Follow the instructions to set up your account and enter any other information as prompted. For help, visit the Information Technology Help Center.Your CSUN Gmail is an official means of University communication. Check your CSUN Gmail account often for important notices by logging into
http://my.csun.edu with your CSUN User ID and Password. Learn more at Student E-mail. - Make an appointment for freshman advisement. Advising sessions begin as early as April 12, 2011. Freshmen must see an advisor in order to register for classes. If you have received your EPT/ELM scores or your exemption, you may contact the Student Services Center/EOP in the College of your major starting Monday, March 21, 2011, to schedule an advising appointment. If your major is undecided, schedule an appointment with the Advising Resource Center/EOP. Bring a copy of any Advanced Placement exam scores to your advising appointment. Your advisor will need access to all your test scores to place you in appropriate classes.
At your advising appointment, ask your advisor to explain your course options, including summer options that will give you a head start toward college success. Check out CHAMPS Online, and Early Start.
Before your appointment, you may want to prepare a tentative class schedule to review with your advisor. However, remember that the schedule you create is just for practice. Download a Schedule Planning Worksheet, www.csun.edu/anr/soc/pdf/worksheet.doc. You should also make a list of questions about your major, General Education, Financial Aid and Scholarships, Housing, etc., to ask during your appointment. Bring your CSUN User ID and Password so that you can log into “myNorthridge” SOLAR Student Center with your advisor. Use your User ID and Password each time you log in.
- Allow two to three hours for your appointment. Purchase a one-day campus parking permit for $6.00. Arrive on campus early to locate your advisement Student Services Center/EOP Satellite. Download freeway directions and a campus map.
- Purchase a 2010-2012 University Catalog from the Matador Bookstore. The Catalog describes every major, all courses CSUN offers, and provides
vital information about academic policies and university regulations. Bring the Catalog to your advising appointment. The Catalog is also available online at www.csun.edu/catalog. - Browse the Schedule of Classes using the SOLAR Class Search. From www.csun.edu locate the “QuickLinks” pull-down menu (under the weather report), select Class Search, and click “Go.” Learn about Class Search and the SOLAR Student Center with the
How To Guides. For registration calendars and more, see the Semester Bulletin. - Pay your tuition and other fees on time. Payment is due when you register in classes, but no later than the deadlines published in the Fee
Payment Schedule. Due dates vary by registration date. If you do not pay on time, you will be disenrolled from courses. NOTE:
It is the sole responsibility of the student to withdraw from classes. Failure to follow formal withdrawal procedures will result in an
obligation to pay fees. Get details on tuition and fees, payment due dates, installment plans and more at University Cash Services. - Send Admissions and Records your final, official high school transcripts showing completion of your final semester and verifying graduation date at the conclusion of your senior year by August 19, 2011.
- Be sure to meet the CSU immunization requirement for measles, rubella and hepatitis B. If you attended a California public middle or high
school, you have probably met the requirement. If not, complete the measles and rubella immunization requirement before enrolling in the second semester of
classes. Complete the hepatitis B requirement before enrolling in the third semester. For more information, see the Klotz Student Health Center website Immunization Requirements. - Check the status of your application for missing documents or test scores. Log into “myNorthridge” at www.csun.edu. Locate My Checklist, review your Incomplete Tasks, and complete those items as soon as possible. For help, see My Admissions Checklist.
- Sign up for the mandatory New Student Orientation, held right before classes start. This all-day program will introduce you to the University, provide useful information, and enable you to meet other members of the freshman class. To register, call (818) 677-2393 or go to www.csun.edu/nso by July 22, 2011 if possible.
- Fall 2011 classes begin Monday, August 29, 2011. Saturday classes begin August 27.
- Mark your calendar for the Freshman Convocation during the second week of instruction. This is the University’s official welcome and introduction to the excitement of university learning.