First Year Experience
How to be a Saluki - It's all here. Everything you need to know. So let’s get started.
Freshman
Core Curriculum:
Build your foundation. Choose your base classes.
You have plenty of choices for your general education classes. Get familiar with the requirements. And explore your options.
Did you take dual credit classes? Here is everything you need to know about transfer credits for freshmen.
Transfer Students
Plan on SIU from day one at your community college.
We are making it easier than ever to transfer credits. You can even transfer a whole associate degree! Here are some options.
You can live on campus! We have housing just for upper classmen, and even for families. You can use the Saluki Anytime Plan for a convenient dining option.
Monthly checklist
Get the most out of your first year. Below we have included a list for each month of to-do's and opportunities.
Click on the month below:
- Reserve your New Student Orientation date.
- Review the Orientation checklist.
- Advisement and registration begin for new students
- Once admitted, students should submit a General Scholarship Application to be considered for academic college and departmental scholarships.
- Watch your videos in MyCourses ( Phase 1)
- Attend Your New Student Orientation date ( Phase 2)
- Once admitted, you should submit a General Scholarship Application to be considered for academic college and departmental scholarships.
- Submit an official copy of your final highschool transcript to Undergraduate Admissions
- Review the Orientation checklist
- Transfer students -Submit an official copy of your college transcript to Articulation & Evaluation
- Spring Semester ends
- Intersession begins
- Summer session begins
- Watch your videos in MyCourses ( Phase 1)
- Attend Your New Student Orientation date ( Phase 2)
- Review the Orientation checklist
- Once admitted, students should submit a General Scholarship Application to be considered for academic college and departmental scholarships.
- Submit an official copy of your final highschool transcript to Undergraduate Admissions or your college transcripts to Articulation & Evaluation
- After July 1: Bringing a car? Purchase your parking decal through SIU’s Parking Division
- Mid-July: Student Health Insurance waiver becomes available (If applicable. Review deadlines and requirements)
- July 15: First bill of the Fall semester is posted to SalukiNet
- July 15-30: Enrollment period for the Fall Installment Payment Plan to divide your bill into 4 equal payments
- Watch your videos in MyCourses ( Phase 1)
- Attend Your New Student Orientation date ( Phase 2)
- Review the Orientation checklist
- Submit an official copy of your final highschool transcript to Undergraduate Admissions or your college transcripts to Articulation & Evaluation
- Download the Saluki Superfan App to keep up to date with events happening on campus!
- August 1 – Order course materials from University Bookstore
- Fall semester classes start
- First Thursday of the fall semester: Attend the Involvement Fair to see which student organization you want to join!
- 10 Days after the start of the fall semester: Immunization Compliance Form due
- End of Week 2: Deadline to withdraw or drop classes with full refund
- End of Week 2: Deadline to submit Student Health Insurance waiver for summer and fall semester start students (If applicable. Review deadlines and requirements)
- August 10: Fall Semester Bursar Bill Due (Payment of the Installment Payment Plan or entire bill)
- August 30: Enroll into the Installment Payment Plan by August 30 to divide your bill into 3 equal payments (with 25% down payment)
- Attend Dawg Days (if applicable)
- Attend Saluki Startup events to meet new friends and connect with SIU
- Attend Weeks of Welcome events
- September 1: Sign into the Scholarship Opportunity Manager and renew your General Scholarship Application to apply for departmental scholarships (Renew yearly between Sept. 1 – Feb. 1)
- September 10: Fall Semester Bursar Bill Due (Payment of the Installment Payment Plan)
- Week 5: Advisement begins for spring semester
- September 30: Enroll into the Installment Payment Plan by September 30 to divide your bill into 2 equal payments (with 50% down payment)
- Attend Weeks of Welcome events
- Participate in the Saluki Sprint
- Invite your family & supporters to attend Saluki Family Weekend
- October 1: Complete your FAFSA to optimize your financial aid award for the next academic year
- October 10: Fall Semester Bursar Bill Due (Payment of the Installment Payment Plan)
- Week 10: Deadline to withdraw or drop full semester courses (no refund & results in W grade)
- Week 11: Registration opens for spring semester
- Invite your family & supporters to attend SIU Homecoming
- Send a note of gratitude to a former teacher, coach, counselor, or mentor (via UNIV 101)
- November 10: Fall Semester Bursar Bill Due (Payment of the Installment Payment Plan)
- Thanksgiving break
- December 10: Fall Semester Bursar Bill Due (Payment of the Installment Payment Plan)
- December 15: First bill of the Spring term is posted to SalukiNet
- December 15-30: Enrollment period for the Spring Installment Payment Plan to divide your bill into 4 equal payments (Students must enroll in the installment payment plan each semester)
- Final Exam week
- Fall Semester ends
- Winter Intersession term begins
- Spring semester classes begin
- First Thursday of the spring semester: Attend the Involvement Fair to see which student organization you want to join!
- January 10: Spring Semester Bursar Bill Due (Payment of the Installment Payment Plan)
- 10 Days after the start of the spring semester: Immunization Compliance Form due for new students starting the spring semester
- End of Week 2: Deadline to withdraw/drop classes with a full refund
- End of Week 2: Deadline to submit Student Health Insurance waiver for spring semester start students (If applicable. Review deadlines and requirements)
- January 30: Enroll into the Installment Payment Plan by January 30 to divide your bill into 3 equal payments (with 25% down payment)
- Attend Winter Weeks of Welcome events
- February 1: Deadline for most campus-based scholarships.
- Week 5: Advisement begins for summer and fall semesters
- February 10: Spring Semester Bursar Bill Due (Payment of the Installment Payment Plan)
- February 28: Enroll into the Installment Payment Plan by February 28 to divide your bill into 2 equal payments (with 50% down payment)
- Attend Winter Weeks of Welcome events
- Week 10: Deadline to withdraw/drop full term classes (no refund & resulting in W grade)
- Week 11: Registration opens for summer and fall semesters
- March 10: Spring Semester Bursar Bill Due (Payment of the Installment Payment Plan)
- Spring Break
Your First Semester Starts Here
Our academic advisors will work collaboratively with you to meet your program needs.
View Exploratory Advisement if you are not quite sure what you want to study, talk to our Exploratory advisors to make sure you take the essential classes.
Other Essentials:
Resources
Academic Life
Student Life
