New Student Checklist
Welcome to the Hokie community!
The start of your next chapter at Virginia Tech is beginning soon! This is an exciting time, but might also seem like a lot to handle. Below is a checklist of items for new students to complete before coming to campus. Pay close attention to your email and any of the dates/deadlines listed.
If you have any questions as you’re navigating this list, please reach out to the resources listed on this page or New Student and Family Programs.
January-May
Accept Your Offer
- Accept your offer of admission by the date noted on your offer letter. This will require submitting the $400 enrollment deposit by selecting a payment method through your Applicant Portal. Accepted methods are credit card, eCheck, check, or money order. Credit card and eCheck payments can be made in the Applicant Portal. Checks and money orders will be mailed following directions found in the Response to Offer of Admission form in your portal.
Create Your VT Username (PID)
- Create your VT Username (PID) and passphrase. Once your enrollment deposit is processed, you will receive an email from admissions@vt.edu with instructions for creating your VT Username and email. This will occur 24-48 hours after submitting a payment.
- Make a note of your major and student ID number as you may need to reference them throughout your onboarding process.
Start checking your VT email daily & Get to Know OneCampus
- Familiarize yourself with your vt.edu email account and begin checking daily. Important orientation & transition related information will be sent to you via email.
- Finding things you need to be a part of the community is a lot easier with OneCampus. See onecampus.vt.edu for forms, portal entries, and more.
Complete the FAFSA & Additional Financial Aid Requirements
- Complete the FAFSA and General Scholarship Application by January 22 for maximum aid consideration. More information can be found at finaid.vt.edu.
- Complete additional financial aid requirements as requested in HokieSPA.
- Watch for your scholarship and financial aid notification on your Applicant Portal.
Complete Mandatory Virtual Orientation
- Complete your mandatory Virtual Orientation modules. (These are required and must be completed by the student. Select "Student Login" and sign in using your PID/passphrase.) The modules will open on May 1 and must be completed by July 31. (Additionally, there are a set of family modules that your family is encouraged to complete as well. Select "Family Member Login".)
Consider if Virginia Tech Summer Start is right for you!
- Visit Summer Start for more information.
June
Complete Your Housing & Dining Contract & Roommate Selection
- Complete your Housing and Dining Contract by June 1. Search for “housing” in OneCampus. Select “Housing and Dining Contract (StarRez)” from the dropdown and follow the instructions. Please note that access to StarRez may take up to 72 hours after your deposit is processed and your VT Username is created.
- Consider applying for up to three living-learning programs at llp.vt.edu.
- We suggest you review the information for First Year Students before submitting your contract.
- Consider disability-related access needs. Students with disabilities, check out Services for Students with Disabilities.
- If you used a 504 plan, IEP, or accommodations at your previous school and are interested in using accommodations at Virginia Tech, submit your academic and/or housing accommodation request(s).
- Ensure you have updated medical documentation to help us determine your disability status and barriers.
Download Programs & Check out Computer Requirements
- Check computer requirements: compreq.vt.edu
- Enroll in 2-factor authentication with Duo Mobile. Download the Duo Mobile app on your personal device.
- Set up Zoom to prepare for Academic Advising.
Student Tech Tools
- View Student Tech Tools to learn about technology used at VT and to prepare for course registration.
Registrar Information
- Classes begin on August 26. Check out the ongoing dates and deadlines at registrar.vt.edu
Complete Course Registration & Academic Advising
- Course registration will open June 12 at 8 a.m. for new students to begin working on their schedules. You can make changes throughout the summer after meeting with an advisor.
- Make sure to check your VT email for information about Academic Advising. You’ll learn more about next steps for scheduling an advising appoint to discuss course registration via email.
Immunizations
- Submit your immunization forms by June 30. Search for “immunizations” in OneCampus. You should see, “Immunization Form” under tasks. Select that option to see more detailed instructions.
Consider FERPA & Family Access Levels
- Familiarize yourself with FERPA. This is a federal law that protects students’ rights to the access of their academic record. If you do want a third party (for example: a family member) to have access to your records, you must consent to this disclosure.
- You (the student) determine what access your family has to your student records. Authorized payer access permits them to see and pay your bill. Proxy access allows you to share with them your class schedule, registration holds, midterm and final grades (you can choose what to share). Completing a FERPA waiver allows them to reach out to Virginia Tech with questions about your academic record including your bill, schedule, grades, and conduct. A Medical Release gives them access to medical records you choose to share with them. Creation of a FERPA pass code in Hokie SPA allows you to approve disclosure of your academic record information. A pass code will remain valid until you remove the authorization.
- You may change their level of access to any of these things at any time.
July
Join Us for Admitted Student Visits
Room/Roommate Selection & Move-In Date Selection
- Watch your VT email for your room selection timeslot! This is when you will select the building/room you’ll live in and your roommate. This process begins in June.
- In July, you'll pick your move-in appointment. This is the exact date / time you'll be moving in to your room. You'll get information about how to do this in your VT email.
- In July, begin to have conversations with your new roommate! Make sure you are discussing “Who’s Bringing What”
High School Transcripts, Test Scores, & Placement Assessments
- Submit final official high school transcripts and update your Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) if you previously filled it out. Submit final official college transcripts and official test scores by July 15th.
- For information about AP, IB, and CLEP tests, visit onecampus.vt.edu, search for “transcripts.”
- Complete any placement assessments if applicable for your major, such as ALEKS, prior to being advised for coursework. Information, including deadlines for completion, will be sent to you through your VT email.
Hokie Passport ID Card
- Submit your Hokie Passport ID Card photo by July 18. Your Hokie Passport will be your “everything card” on campus! Explore the functions of your ID Card at www.hokiepassport.vt.edu.
Plan Your Transportation to, from, and around Blacksburg
- Learn more about how to travel to and from Blacksburg
- Learn more about traveling around campus and throughout the Blacksburg area.
- If you plan on bringing a car to campus, purchase a parking permit and learn more about parking on campus by visiting parking.vt.edu
- If you plan on bringing a bike to campus, make sure to register it first. Please note that e-scooters and hoverboards are NOT allowed in any Virginia Tech building.
Learn About Safety & Security on Campus
- Learn about how to stay safe on campus and sign up for alerts.
Fall Family Weekend
- Register for Fall Family Weekend in the Hokie Family Hub.
August
Complete Mandatory Online Modules
- An email will be sent for you to complete required online programs such as AlcoholEDU, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging, and Sexual Assault Prevention. (These are due in August so stay tuned to your email for more information.)
ExperienceVT
- Gallup CliftonStrengths: Complete your Gallup CliftonStrengths Assessment by visiting experience.vt.edu/strengths and clicking “Take the CliftonStrengths Assessment.” Virginia Tech is a Strengths campus! We suggest you take it seriously and set aside about 20 minutes for the assessment.
- GobblerConnect: Check out GobblerConnect to learn all about the thousands of opportunities on campus including events and student organizations. This is a fantastic tool to explore how you will get engaged with others once on campus!
Tuition Bill
- Check your email throughout the summer for your tuition bill notification.
- Make your fall tuition payment in August. Learn more by visiting bursar.vt.edu. Students should use Hokie SPA to view eBills, authorize payers, etc. The Hokie Wallet is the financial hub for families of Virginia Tech students.
Information Technology
- Become more familiar with IT services at Virginia Tech.
- Learn more about accessing your account, Wi-Fi, and software.
Get Ready to Move-In
- Move-In begins August 20-22 for new and transfer students, and August 23-25 for returning students.
Check Out Weeks of Welcome
- Weeks of Welcome is part of our orientation and transition experience and the official start of the Virginia Tech academic and co-curricular experience for new Hokies.
- Download the Hokies on Track App to learn all about the important (and fun!) events happening across campus.
Before the First Day of Class on 8/26
- Double check your fall class schedule on HokieSPA to see if there were any class location changes.
- Walk your schedule! We suggest that all students take time before classes begin to go from building to building and take note of where the bus stops are!
Families as Partners
Get and Stay Connected with Us
- Family members can connect to news, resources, and other families on the Hokie Family Hub. The Hokie Family Hub is our all-in-one family engagement platform that provides personalized, timely content including dates and deadlines, ways to support you, and upcoming events like Family Weekend.
- Your family can subscribe to the Hokie Family eNews, a monthly newsletter produced by Student Affairs to help them stay connected to your Virginia Tech experience.
- Encourage your family members join and engage with our Hokie Families Facebook page and our fun-and-friendly Hokies-on-Track Instagram feed.
Stay Engaged, Educated, and Empowered
- Families are encouraged to participate in our Families as Partners webinars that take place over the summer and throughout the year.
- Involve your family! Encourage them to explore our Families as Partners website. Help your family connect to the Virginia Tech community by planning a fun and meaningful visit during Fall and Spring Family Weekends. Encourage them to connect to other like-minded families in the Hokie Family Hub.
FERPA & Family Access
- Familiarize yourself with FERPA. This is a federal law that protects students’ rights to the access of their academic record. If you do want a third party (for example: a family member) to have access to your records, you must consent to this disclosure.
- You (the student) determine what access your family has to your student records. Authorized payer access permits them to see and pay your bill. Proxy access allows you to share with them your class schedule, registration holds, midterm and final grades (you can choose what to share). Completing a FERPA waiver allows them to reach out to Virginia Tech with questions about your academic record including your bill, schedule, grades, and conduct. A Medical Release gives them access to medical records you choose to share with them. Creation of a FERPA pass code in Hokie SPA allows you to approve disclosure of your academic record information. A pass code will remain valid until you remove the authorization.
- You may change their level of access to any of these things at any time.
