Next Steps for New Students

This step must be completed before all other steps. Check the email you used when you applied for admission for instructions to activate Arcadia’s single sign on site, PortalGuard. Once activated, PortalGuard will allow you to access your Arcadia email and other activities required during onboarding. For more information, please contact helpdesk@arcadia.edu.

Submit your Housing Application – Use the MCR Housing tile in your PortalGuard account (you must activate PortalGuard to submit a housing application). Assignments will be sent to students new to the University via Arcadia email. Students who submit the housing application after the application deadline of June 3 may be placed on a housing waitlist.

Complete First-year Pre-registration course in Canvas (placement tests)-Use the Canvas tile in PortalGuard. This course contains information needed to register for your courses, including placement exams and other forms. Please review the course to better understand the time needed to complete each section. The course can be completed in multiple sessions. Transferring from a 2- or 4-year institution? You will be contacted if placement tests are needed.

Register for a Summer Welcome Day - Orientation is required for all new students. Click here to register for Orientation. 

Review your financial aid offer and required forms in the Financial Aid Portal.

Use your Self Service tile in PortalGuard to view your bill and add an authorized payer (if applicable)  From Self Service, click on ‘Finances’ and then ‘EBILL/EPAY.

Use the GET tile in PortalGuard to submit your photo for your KnightCard.

Your KnightCard is your student identification. Click here to learn more about the GET app.

Use in your Patient Portal tile in PortalGuard to upload your health information and immunization documentation.  Health physicals need to have been completed after August 2024 to be valid.

Use your Patient Portal tile in PortalGuard. Please note: this is not available until Mid-July. In addition to uploading to your Patient Portal, please also visit www.arcadia.edu/insurancewaiver to upload.

Use your Contact Info tile in PortalGuard to sign up for OnSolve (formerly Send Word Now).

Arcadia University uses OnSolve (formerly Send Word Now) as its emergency notification system for urgent alerts like weather or safety threats, sending texts, emails, and voicemails to students, faculty, and staff who register through the PortalGuard login page, where you can update your contact info and add family members to receive alerts for a comprehensive campus alert system. For more info, visit the Emergency Communications page.

Transcripts should be sent directly from your high school to Arcadia University. To send transcripts, use electronic/mail for general admissions (admiss@arcadia.edu) or specific portals like SOPHAS, CASPA, PTCAS for health programs. Current/past students can use National Student Clearinghouse/Parchment for their own orders, or direct to registrar@arcadia.edu for unofficial transcripts. High schools send via Parchment, Naviance, etc., or directly to the Registrar's Office.