Orientation

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A young woman looking at a laptop, sitting outside on Cowgill Plaza.

Welcome to CNRE! Ready to get started?

We are looking forward to welcoming you to the College of Natural Resources and Environment for the spring 2023 semester!

This year, Virginia Tech will be offering a hybrid orientation program that combines virtual and in-person activities and events. During the month of December, you’ll complete virtual orientation modules, so make sure you check your Virginia Tech email regularly for more information.

All new students are also required to attend a virtual meeting with a CNRE advisor. At this meeting, you’ll discuss your schedule, CNRE’s advising and registration processes, and some key take-aways about New Student Orientation.

These are separate events, so it is likely that your advising session will not be the same day as your orientation session. Make sure you register for your orientation session as soon as possible and, again, keep checking your Virginia Tech email for important updates and announcements, including information about preparing for and scheduling your advising session.

The CNRE Advising Team is looking forward to meeting with you and helping you make a smooth transition to Virginia Tech! Questions? Email CNRE_students@vt.edu.

Plan your next steps using the University Advising Checklist

You’ve applied, been accepted, and are preparing to begin your transition to life at Virginia Tech! What should you be doing to ensure your first semester goes well? You can find out using the University Advising Checklist. It will guide you through everything from creating your username and password to completing your dining contract.

Although you definitely want to access the complete list, here are some key items to complete prior to your virtual advising session.

View the University Advising Checklist

University Advising Checklist

CREATE A NEW PID at accounts.it.vt.edu. (Allow 24 hours before completing the remainder of this checklist.)
ENROLL in the 2-Factor Authentication with Duo at tech.it.vt.edu/2factor.
DOWNLOAD the DUO Mobile App on your personal smartphone and enroll the device via tech.it.vt.edu/2factor.
ACCESS, READ, and USE your Virginia Tech Google Apps email daily. Your Virginia Tech email is how the college and your advisor will communicate with you.
ADD your Virginia Tech email to the personal smartphone that you will be bringing to orientation. See how here.
SIGN UP for Orientation. Spaces do fill up, so the earlier you register the more dates you’ll have to choose from. Go to hokiespa.vt.edu:
- Click “Hokie Spa”
- Click “Information for New Students”
- Click “New Student Orientation” and then “Sign Up for Orientation”
COMPLETE the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) if you wish to apply for financial aid via finaid.vt.edu.
COMPLETE and SUBMIT the immunization history form via healthcenter.vt.edu/new_student/required_immunizations.html.
COMPLETE the housing/dining contract (required for first-year students) at housing.vt.edu/contracts/apply/first_year_students.html. Review living-learning program options.
SEND your official transcripts (high school) to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions once you have final grades (Office of Undergraduate Admissions, 925 Prices Fork Road, Blacksburg, VA 24061).
SEND all AP, IB, CLEP, and Cambridge scores to Virginia Tech’s Office of the University Registrar. AP and CLEP results must be sent to Virginia Tech from the College Board (they will not process copies of scores). Send to Virginia Tech Registrar, Student Services Bldg., Suite 250, 800 Washington Street, Blacksburg, VA 24061. Use School Code #5859.
SEND official transcripts for dual enrollment courses or courses taken at other universities to Virginia Tech’s Office of the University Registrar (Virginia Tech Registrar, Student Services Bldg, Suite 250, 800 Washington Street, Blacksburg, VA 24061).
LOOK UP how courses may transfer to Virginia Tech:
- AP, IB, CLEP, Cambridge: registrar.vt.edu/Advanced-Standing-Transferable-Credit.html
- Transfer or dual enrollment from other colleges: banweb.banner.vt.edu/ssb/prod/hzsktgid.P_DispTranGuide
VERIFY receipt of AP, IB, CLEP, Cambridge, transfer credits on Hokie Spa at hokiespa.vt.edu:
- Click “Hokie Spa”
- Click “Grades Menu”
- Click “Transfer and Other Additional Credits”

Your CNRE advising experience

As a CNRE student, there are a few important things you need to know to get the most out of your advising experience. Check out the information below for suggestions on what you should be doing before, during, and after your advising session.

Before your advising session

Please note that all communications listed below will be sent to your Virginia Tech email, so make sure you check your email regularly.
On Dec. 5, transfer students will receive an invitation to schedule an advising session. Transfer students will also receive an invitation to the Advising Center’s Orientation Canvas site. This site will contain important information about the advising process in CNRE and what to expect at your advising session.
When you attend your virtual advising session, an advisor will discuss course recommendations with you and answer any questions you may have about registration and degree requirements.

During your advising session

As part of the orientation process, you will attend a virtual advising session with an academic advisor.
Once you have met with an advisor, you will be able to add courses to your schedule.
Make sure you have all these items available when you meet with your academic advisor:
- A charged cell phone for Virginia Tech two-factor authentication.
- Your Virginia Tech username and password.
- A list of all sources of anticipated credits (AP, IB, dual enrollment, etc.).
- Copies of credit information (transcripts, AP/IB scores, etc.).

After your advising session

After your virtual advising session, you will be able to make changes to your schedule. However, it is highly recommended that you do NOT make changes to first-year classes such as ENGL 1105, ENGL 1106, COMM 1015, CHEM 1035/1045, BIOL 1105/1115, MATH 1025, or MATH 1225. These classes are in high demand and if you drop one of them, even accidentally, you may not get back in and will then risk falling behind in your program of study. If you have questions and feel a change to your schedule is needed, please contact your advisor.

After virtual orientation and by 5 p.m. on Jan. 20, you need to complete the New Student Launch modules. You’ll receive the instructions for this last action item in the final email you receive from your CNRE advisor before the start of the semester.

Before you come to campus for move-in, make sure you review all information about where to go and where to check in, as well as how to access campus maps.

Finally, start making plans for how you’ll get involved in your college and/or major outside the classroom. You can learn more about CNRE clubs and organizations and connect with groups that interest you.

Sign up for your orientation session

In addition to attending an advising session, attending orientation is important for your success at Virginia Tech and in CNRE. Therefore, we require students to attend both events. Orientation sessions are available on a first-come, first-served basis, so register as soon as you can. More information about all things orientation is available through the Office of Student Affairs.