Incoming Freshmen (First-Year Students)
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Your Next Steps
Resources, links, online forms, deadlines and FAQs
Watch Your Mail
Watch your mail—both postal and e-mail—for a Welcome to Arcadia newsletter, invitations to Countdown and other events, a New Student Orientation newsletter, Health Information, and more! There are many things you can do to help ease your transition to college. Most of your preparations will take place in the spring and summer.
Make Your Deposit
- Housing Priority. Preference of residence halls for housing assignments is based upon the date of receipt of your deposit to the University.
- Check out Residence Life at Arcadia. Once you deposit, you can submit your housing preference forms on MyArcadia.
Log in to MyArcadia
- You’ve got mail! Access your Arcadia e-mail on our campus portal, MyArcadia (http://my.arcadia.edu).
- Your username and instructions will be sent with your “Welcome to Arcadia” newsletter in early 2009 (or after you deposit). You’ll set your password when you log in for the first time. If you need help, contact helpdesk@arcadia.edu (available 24/7) or call the Office of Enrollment Management at 215-572-2910.
- Find all of the online forms you’ll need to submit on MyArcadia.
- Check out the discussion board with Student Ambassadors and Orientation Leaders
- Find links to campus information—including the weekly Bulletin with news and events.
Submit Your First-Year Seminar Choices
- Get ready for the journey of your life! Find out more about your Undergraduate Curriculum—your opportunity to explore the world, design your own path, and make intellectual connections.
- Your First-Year Experience will include a First-Year Seminar. Topics are posted in mid-February, and placement is determined on a priority basis by date of deposit to the University.
- Submit your preferences for First-Year Seminars using the online form on MyArcadia. (New First-Year Student Forms box.)
- Preferences for students who submit the online form after June 10, regardless of deposit date, may not be accommodated, depending upon availability.
Plan for Summer Orientation
Get ready to explore Arcadia. You will receive an Orientation Packet in the mail containing information and forms. If your summer schedule is filling up already, take a peek at the Summer Orientation Dates. When you receive the Orientation Packet, register on MyArcadia for a Summer Orientation date that fits your schedule. Note: Summer Orientation is when you will submit your course preferences and take placement exams (see below).
Watch for Health Information Mailing
The third mailing you will receive is a Health Packet containing information about Student Health Services and some forms you will need to complete. All students need a physical from a physician and vaccinations, including the meningitis vaccination for resident students. You can get a head start by calling your doctor’s office now. Health forms are available online through MyArcadia or at www.arcadia.edu/newstudent.
Save the Date for Fall Orientation
New students come to campus several days before classes start. Join other first-year (freshman) and transfer students in getting to know each other, current students, the campus, and all the things you’ll need to know for a successful transition to Arcadia. Save the Date for Friday, Aug. 28, 2009, Arcadia’s New Student Opening. Parents and family members are encouraged to participate in activities on that Friday, so mark it on their calendars, too. This is a day of activities and fun for everyone. Students should plan to participate in all of the events scheduled for Fall Orientation, Aug. 28 to Sept. 1. Classes start Sept. 2. Note: It is our tradition to ask new students to read a book during the summer, with the expectation that you will be part of a small discussion group during August orientation. This year's new student reading is Three Cups of Tea (see below).
Placement Exams and Fall Course Selection
There are three academic tasks that new students need to complete before arriving for Summer Orientation:
The first task is reviewing the practice placement inventories. Part of a summer orientation day is taking placement inventories. Everyone will take a writing inventory and a math placement inventory during a summer orientation day and students interested in a science major or a pre-professional program that requires chemistry will also take the physical science placement. Practice math and practice physical science placement inventories are available to you online. Log in to MyArcadia and go to the “New Student Placement Exam” box. You are also able to access the practice inventories at: www.arcadia.edu/mathplacement and www.arcadia.edu/mathsciplacement.
The second task is to complete the modern language placement inventory online (Spanish, French, German, and Italian) before arriving for your summer orientation day. If you are unable to complete this inventory online, you will be able to take it during the summer orientation day. Here are the directions to take the exam online:
1. Log onto MyArcadia (https://My.Arcadia.edu/):
2. After logging in, click on the "Courses" tab at the top of the page.
3. Locate the link "Language Placement Exams" and click on it.
4. This page contains the instructions needed to take your exam.
The last task is reviewing the fall 2009 course options in order to prepare for advising during the summer orientation day. Identify five courses that you would possibly like to take this fall. From those five courses most students will enroll in two of them in addition to the required first-year English composition course and a First-Year Seminar in the fall. The list of course options is available at www.arcadia.edu/firstyearcourses.
Summer Reading for Fall Orientation
Orientation to the Arcadia University consists of many facets, not the least of which is an orientation to academic life. As a way of helping you to become an active member of our academic community, it is our tradition to ask new students to read a book during the summer, with the expectation that you will be part of a small discussion group during August orientation. The group discussions will be just like many of your classroom experiences at Arcadia. For first-year students, this also will be the first time that you will meet with the members of your Learning Community. Students transferring to Arcadia will be in their own groups.
This year's new student reading is Three Cups of Tea. You will learn more about this summer reading program at your Summer Orientation day, so stay tuned for more details. View Summer Reading Brochure.
Questions?
Contact Tamara Lapman, Senior Assistant Director of Enrollment Management at lapmant@arcadia.edu.
