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Fall 2010 Freshman Checklist

Welcome to California State University, Northridge

This checklist will help guide you through the first stage of your academic career at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). Planning for your freshman year is an exciting time! Advisement and registration activities for Fall 2010 freshmen begin April 12, 2010.

Important! You must complete tasks 1-3 below by their deadlines in order to enroll in CSUN classes for the Fall 2010 semester:

  1. Confirm your Intent to Register no later than 11:59 p.m. on May 1, 2010. If you do not file your intent in time, you will not be able to enroll in Fall 2010 classes. To file, log into myNorthridge from the CSUN homepage at www.csun.edu. In the center column under Status, click the Intent to Register link to accept or decline your offer of admission to CSUN. Print the page confirming your intent and save for your records. For help, see Freshmen – Intent to Register.
  2. Satisfy the English Placement Test (EPT) and Entry Level Math (ELM) placement test requirements, or be exempt. The scores you earn on these tests determine some of the courses you are permitted or required to take during your first semester at CSUN.  You may take EPT/ELM at CSUN or a CSU campus near you. For dates, registration and locations see the CSUN Testing Center website. Online registration is available.

    YOU MUST TAKE EPT AND ELM ON OR BEFORE THE JUNE 19, 2010 TEST DATE OR YOU WILL FORFEIT YOUR OPPORTUNITY TO ENROLL AT CSUN AS A FIRST-TIME FRESHMAN. Because of heavy demand and limited seating, you should sign up for the tests much earlier than the June deadline.

    To learn about EPT/ELM exemptions, visit the CSUN Testing Center. If your SAT/ACT/APT or EAP scores or courses exempt you from the EPT/ELM tests, make sure copies of your test scores are sent to Admissions and Records at CSUN.
  3. Send your preliminary high school transcript showing completion of your first semester senior year to the Office of 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.
  4. Find out if you need an additional department exam. 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. 
  5. Activate your CSUN User ID and Initial Password. Locate the “Activate CSUN User ID and Password” letter you received from the Office of Admissions and Records, then go to www.csun.edu and log in by clicking the myNorthridge Portal button located under the banner.  Read and accept the Use of Computing Resources policy. Follow the prompts to change your password.  If you need help, go to the Information Technology Help Desk
    E-mail is the University’s official means of 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 www.csun.edu/it/services/studentemailfaq.html
  6. Make an appointment for freshman advisement.  Advising sessions begin April 12, 2010. 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 Advising Resource Center/EOP in the College of your major starting Monday, March 23, 2010 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.

    Before your appointment, you may want to prepare a tentative class schedule to review with your advisor. But remember, the schedule you create is just for practice. Download a Schedule Planning Worksheet. You should also make a list of questions about your major, General Education, Financial Aid and Scholarships, Housing, etc., to ask your advisor during your appointment. , to ask your advisor during your appointment. Bring your CSUN User ID and Password to your advising appointment so that you can log into myNorthridge and the Student Center (SOLAR). Use your CSUN User ID and Password each time you log into myNorthridge and the Student Center (SOLAR).
  7. 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 Student Services Center. Download freeway directions and a campus map.
  8. Purchase a 2010-2012 University Catalog from the Matador Bookstore and bring it to your advising appointment. The Catalog describes every major and course CSUN offers and provides vital information about academic policies and University regulations. The Catalog is also online at www.csun.edu/catalog.
  9. Browse the Schedule of Classes using the SOLAR Class Search. From www.csun.edu from the “QuickLinks” pull-down menu (under the weather report), select Class Search, and click “Go”.  Learn more about enrollment in classes with the online Semester Bulletin and Registration Guide, including calendars, registration FAQs, and SOLAR How To Guides.
  10. Pay your fees.  Fees are 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 your fees on time, you will be dropped from your classes. For fees, deadlines and other money matters, go to the University Cash Services website.
  11. Send your official high school transcripts showing completion of your senior year’s final semester and verifying graduation date at the conclusion of your senior year.
  12. Make sure you have met 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 requirements.  If not, complete the measles and rubella immunization requirement before enrolling in the second semester of classes and the hepatitis B requirement before enrolling in the third semester. For more information, see the Klotz Student Health Center website Immunization Requirements
  13. Review your My Next Step Checklist for incomplete tasks such as missing transcripts or test scores. Log into myNorthridge at www.csun.edu. In the My Next Step student checklist (center column), review your Incomplete Tasks and complete those items as soon as possible.
  14. Sign up for 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 20, 2010 if possible.
  15. Fall 2010 classes begin Monday, August 23, 2010. Saturday classes begin August 21.
  16. Mark your calendar for Freshman Convocation during the second week of instruction. This is the University’s official welcome and introduction to the excitement of university learning.