Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
General Questions
Orientation is a launch program that prepares you for the successful start to your academic career and the exciting new experiences that await you at Nova Southeastern University.
At orientation, you will learn about requirements and services available to you when you join the NSU family. This is a time to meet other new students as well as current students, faculty members, and administrators. Find out what it's really like at NSU and what you need to succeed!
Parents and Guests
Parents and family members are important resources for our new students. We have designed our Parent and Family Orientation as a separate session from the Student Orientation, conveniently held on the first day of each Freshman Orientation session and simultaneously during other orientation sessions. This event is designed for a new student's parents, legal guardians, spouses, or family members.
Parents and families are not required to attend orientation on the same date as their students, but it is highly recommended. Parent sessions start at 9:00 am and end at 5:30 pm. Parents and family members are advised to wear comfortable clothing and shoes due to warm temperatures and movement among buildings on campus. This is a full-day program. Please plan to spend the entire day on campus to receive the full benefit of this program.
All students and parents should bring spending money for snacks, drinks, and items from our campus bookstore. Dress comfortably, as all orientation sessions require walking around campus during the day. Consider bringing a light jacket in case the temperature changes indoors and outdoors. Cell phones may not be activated during workshops and sessions. Remember to bring your vehicle registration information in order to register your vehicle and obtain a parking pass. Also, if you are interested in waiving NSU's student health insurance, please bring your current health insurance card.
For overnight programs, be sure your student brings:
- bed pillows
- bed linens (single/extra long) or sleeping bag
- towels and washcloths
- toiletries
- an alarm clock
- an umbrella
- sunglasses
- sunscreen
- wardrobe suitable for outdoor activities, competitive games, and a casual evening indoor social.
Academic Advising
Contact the appropriate academic advising office that corresponds to the School or College for which you intend to major:
Challenge exams are only administered to students who have been referred by an academic advisor to take a challenge exam. These exams are administered in the Office of Academic Services, located on the first floor of the Parker Building.
To see if you are eligible to take a challenge exam, speak to your advisor and then contact Office of Academic Services to set up a time to take the exam.
Parking, Costs and Accommodations
The only over-night program is the Freshmen Orientation during the Summer programs. All students attending this program will reside in the Leo Goodwin Sr. Residence Hall between day one and day two.
Parking for the Freshman Orientation is at the Leo Goodwin Sr. Residence Hall (same location as check-in). Transfer Orientations and Evening Orientations parking is in the parking garage on the north end of campus. For orientations of the Health Professions Division parking will be available in the parking garage to the east of the Terry Building. And finally parking for orientations at one of the NSU's Student Educational Centers is available at the Student Educational Center. For more details, visit the campus map. Instructions for parking will also be provided when you register for Orientation.
Campus Maps and Transportation
International Students
International students are an important part of the NSU community. You are welcome to attend the orientation session most convenient for your summer schedule. Please identify yourself as an international student when you place your orientation reservation.
In addition to new student orientation, a special workshop for international students will be held, which is required for new international students.
For information regarding this workshop, please contact the Office of International Students at 800-338-4723, ext 27242 or at intl@nsu.nova.edu.
Student Identification
Retrieve your NSU e-mail account credentials by visiting My NSU Identity.
Retrieve your SharkLink ID (E-mail account, NSU ID, & PIN) by visiting My NSU Identity.
The Campus Card Office is located on the first floor of the new Don Taft University Center. Students will be able to receive their Sharkcard ID during their orientation session if they attend during normal business hours.