General Orientation Questions

Yes, visit the admission counselors’ website to determine the JMU representative in your area.

Log into MyMadison with your eID and password. Click on the "student" tab at the top of the screen, then select "student center" located in the middle of the screen. Your nine digit ID number will be listed at the top of the student center page.

All university financial accounts for first-year and transfer students will automatically be charged the $200 Orientation fee. The fee covers all Orientation programs, preparation and materials. You do not have to pay the Orientation fee at this time. However, if you have an installment payment plan through Madison Money Manager, you should make sure your annual budget includes this charge. All students are charged the Orientation fee whether or not you choose to attend Orientation programming.

Please refer to the Orientation homepage for specific program dates.

Log in to The One Book website to complete the Orientation Reservation & Declaring a Major step. During this step you will be given the option to declare your major and select a date based on your declared major. Your reservation is complete once you finish all sections within the step and select submit. Your status should update to complete and you will receive a confirmation email. Please print a copy for your records. Be sure to attend Orientation on your scheduled day to ensure you receive the best possible experience.

That's fine! The major you indicate on the Orientation Reservation & Declaring a Major step will be your JMU declared major.

You may edit the Orientation Reservation & Declaring a Major step to change your declared major through the One Book website until three-five business days prior to your scheduled orientation date.

At that time, change of major requests must be sent through the Send a Message tab at the top of the One Book website. In your request, include your full name, the major selected on your original reservation and the new major you would like to declare.

You may only declare one major at this time. Please inform your advisor during Orientation that you have an interest in pursuing two majors. Your advisor will help you determine the best time to add a second major.

Select your desired pre-professional or teacher education program in the pre-professional section on the Orientation Reservation & Declaring a Major step on the One Book website, under the Declare your Major task list item. If you are interested in the teaching professions, use your One Book to ensure you select the correct major.

Yes, families and/or guests are encouraged to attend our in person Orientation. We have specific programming for them throughout the day. For the virtual Orientation day all programs will be for students, and we will not have a family/guest schedule. 

If the student is unable to attend, families or guests are still welcome and encouraged to come to Orientation. However, families or guests will not be able to finalize class schedules for the student or meet with an advisor. Students must add these guests on the Orientation Reservation & Declaring a Major step on the One Book website, and should also send Orientation a message noting the day they will be attending. Use the Send a Message tab at the top of your One Book steps.

Visit the Transportation website for up to date information about getting around Harrisonburg, as well as information about nearby airports and train stations.

Questions from Transfer Students

All students are expected and encouraged to attend their orientation. Summer Orientation is full of opportunities for you, as well as your family and guests to discover everything that JMU offers. It's your opportunity to meet with your academic advisor, ask questions and complete your class enrollment! If you are unable to attend, please select Unable to Attend in the Orientation Reservation & Declaring a Major step.

Students who do not attend Orientation may not have another opportunity to meet with their academic advisor or complete their class enrollment. Please note that all incoming student accounts are billed the $200 Orientation fee, whether or not students attend Orientation.

Students will be assigned an advisor upon completion of the Orientation Reservation & Declaring a Major step on the Transfer One Book website. MyMadison Tutorial: Academic Advisor Information

You will be assigned an enrollment appointment that will be viewable in your MyMadison starting on May 24 if you have completed your Orientation Reservation & Declaring a Major step. Most enrollment appointments begin on May 26 and you should be ready to enroll at that time.

If you have over 30 transfer credits you must declare a major now. If you have questions about the major you are interested in, please refer to the website of the major you are interested and also review the Explore Majors page.

An unofficial transcript is acceptable for Orientation, however, you must send your final transcript to the JMU Office of Admissions.

JMU Office of Admissions 
Holland Yates Hall MSC 0101
100 E Grace Street
Harrisonburg, VA 22807

After you log in to complete your Transfer One Book steps, please refer to the Housing Search step. Visit the Residence Life website for additional information.

Roommate information will be sent out to students to their Dukes email address. The information will include their building location and room number, roommate information, and move-in date.

You are permitted to have a car on campus, but you must purchase a parking permit. For more information on parking policies, please visit their website. Students living off-campus must obtain a parking permit for commuter parking.

You will select an on-campus meal plan when you sign your housing application. Commuter students may purchase a meal plan each semester and do not have the ability to change their meal plan choice through MyMadison. Get more information from the Meal Plan Information step within your Transfer One Book.

Questions from First-Year Students

Yes. Summer Orientation is major-specific; therefore, date availability is based on your declared major submitted through the Orientation Reservation & Declaring a Major step. Once your reservation is complete, a confirmation email is sent to your JMU email account. It is important to attend Summer Orientation the date you reserved so we can provide you programming and advising for your major.

Students are expected to attend their Summer Orientation. It is your opportunity to meet with your advisor, ask questions and finalize your fall class enrollment. Orientation is full of opportunities for you and your family and guests to discover everything JMU offers. If you are unable to attend, please select Unable to Attend in the Orientation Reservation & Declaring a Major step.

Even if you are not able to attend Summer Orientation you should still go to the One Book website and complete all the steps by the stated deadlines. This information is crucial for enrollment at JMU and not completing the Orientation Reservation & Declaring a Major step could risk forfeiting your spot in the fall semester at JMU. 

Students who do not attend Summer Orientation may not have another opportunity during the summer to meet with their academic advisor or finalize their fall class enrollment. No changes may be made to class schedules until Weeks of Welcome.

Students who do not complete the Orientation Reservation & Declairng a Major step by July 20, risk forfeiting their spot in the fall semester at JMU.

You will receive an email from your advisor one week prior to scheduled enrollment appointments. The advisor will give students contact information so he or she can be of service during class enrollment. Students will then meet with their advisor at Summer Orientation to confirm class schedules. An advisor may be reassigned without notice to accommodate change of major requests. Students may confirm their current advisor in the Student Center of MyMadisonMyMadison Tutorial: Academic Advisor Information

No. Prior to attending Summer Orientation, you will enroll in your classes based on your printed 1st Semester Enrollment Worksheet. Refer to the One Book steps for further instructions and deadlines. Students should come to Summer Orientation already enrolled in 12-15 credit hours (4-5 classes).

It is important that you attend Summer Orientation to meet with your advisor for a group advising session and to make any necessary changes to your fall class schedule.

The One Book is full of information you need to know about Residence Life including completing your Housing Contract, Learning Communities, descriptions of each residential area on campus, shopping tips, and necessities for residential living.

You are not permitted to have a car on campus.

This depends on the particular sport. You will learn more from your coach.

You will receive information from the Marching Band office regarding move-in times.

You will select an on-campus meal plan when you sign their housing contract. Please follow instructions on the View or Change Your Meal Plan step if you need to make changes. Commuter students may purchase a meal plan each semester and do not have the ability to change their meal plan choice through MyMadison.

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