You've applied to the University of Montana, and you've been admitted. Now what?! A few steps between now and the first day of classes will help you set yourself up for success. This includes applying for housing and starting to build your class schedule. Don't worry, though, the list of things to do is short and manageable, and to help you work through it, we have laid out everything you need to do to get ready for your first day on campus:
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact the Admissions Office by phone or email.
Hot Tip: If you’re not sure if you’re completing these tasks at the right time or in the right way, check your email. Students and their families will get frequent emails about preparing for registration from the admissions office. So, when in doubt, check your email, even your junk folder.
This is the place to start once you've been admitted. You'll have received log-in information with your admission decision, which you can use to access your personalized Admitted Student Checklist. This handy online tool lays out all the steps you'll need to complete before the first day of school and updates as you make progress.
One of the first steps on the Admitted Student Checklist is telling us whether you plan to attend - AKA you're ready to start your Griz era. While we think this decision is obvious, it's crucial for us to know to start planning your life as a Griz.
After confirming your plans to become a Griz, the next step is applying for housing. This step will take you to the housing portal, where you can start filling out your application. Your application includes your building preference, your room-style preference (single, double, triple and quad rooms), as well as any roommate preferences if you want to live with someone specifically, or a roommate preference questionnaire to match you with a compatible roommate.
Getting into a residence hall that you like, with a community you connect with, is vital. Residence hall room choices and roommate preferences are awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis, so the earlier you apply, the better your chances of getting your first preference. Your housing application requires a prepayment, which is the only firm financial commitment before the first day of classes. For more information on dates, including priority deadlines for application, please visit the Housing Selection Process webpage.
Read More: Your Guide to UM's Residence Halls
Read More: My Experience in UM Residence Halls
The first step in receiving valuable financial aid is filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). It's not required before the first day of school, but it is highly recommended and can result in major savings through scholarships, grants and work-study eligibility. Parents and students fill out the FAFSA together, with aid provided based on last year's tax returns.
Read More: UM's Top Five Tips for Filling out the FAFSA
The second step in receiving valuable financial aid is visiting UM’s scholarship portal. This convenient portal allows you to fill out a single application for hundreds of financial aid opportunities. Scholarships are typically awarded on a need basis, but are limited in most cases, so applying early is the best way to secure the most financial aid.
Additionally, be sure to check out the long list of External Scholarships available through UM's External Scholarship Office. These financial aid opportunities are not affiliated with the university and come from sources like charities, businesses and foundations, ranging from prestigious internationally recognized scholarships to locally based resources,
Read More: How Do I Pay for College?
Read More: UM's External Scholarship Office (and scholarships to apply for)
Complete the Academic Interest Questionnaire to help us plan your first-semester classes around your interests and goals. This will open up the opportunity to meet your academic advisor, who will pre-register you in fall semester courses required for your major and other courses based on your responses to course registration-related forms within the Admitted Student Checklist. We call this process Core Course Registration.
Your first-semester class schedule will be based on meeting your intended major and completing general education requirements. If you don't have an intended major (don't worry, most students do not), you'll be placed in one of seven desired exploratory tracks through the Exploratory Studies Program. This allows students to collectively explore multiple majors in an area of interest, while still making progress towards their graduation requirements.
Read More: Do You Need a Major to Start College?
There are a few more small steps some students must complete on their Admitted Student Checklist. This includes submitting required health information, selecting your health insurance, and completing the Office of Disability Equity form, if applicable. The University of Montana strives to be the most accessible university in Montana, and we are excited to support your individual learning needs.
Learn More: UM's Office for Disability Equity
Once your final grades are in, have your high school or educational institution send your final transcripts to UM's undergraduate Admissions Office. Then do a little dance to celebrate because you are all set for the first day of school.
Right before classes start, students will complete online orientation and a Big Sky Experience. The Big Sky Experience, AKA orientation, is a week-long welcome to campus filled with celebrations, service-learning projects and so many ways to make new friends. You can take part in several Big Sky Experiences, including Breakfast Cookie Basics with the Missoula College culinary arts program, KGBA College Radio with the student radio station, and more!
The Big Sky Experience is a great way for students to meet others with similar interests. It also helps you get used to campus and learn where buildings are, which can be helpful, like the University Commons, the Lodge, or the Library.
Learn More: Big Sky Experience at UM
After all this preparation, your college education begins! The first day of classes can be both exciting and stressful, with meeting new professors and students and trying to find the correct classrooms around campus. This is one of the most exciting days on campus, and you'll feel the energy and spirit of your new life beginning.
With the Navigate app, you have quick, easy access to your schedule, making this hunt for classes a bit easier. In addition to your class schedule, you can schedule appointments with your advisor through Navigate, meet with fellow students to study for a class, and access other useful resources to make the beginning and duration of your college experience easier.
Hot Tip: To make sure you know where your classes are, take a bit of time before the first day of classes to find the classrooms your classes will be in. This will help alleviate some stress about the unknown of the first day.
Read More: Get to Know the Buildings on Campus
Read More: What to Expect Your First Year on Campus