It's time to get ready for Rochester! Before we welcome you to campus and you begin your first semester in January, there are some tasks that you need to complete.
Add dates to your own calendar: Subscribe to our Spring 2025 New Student Checklist calendar to add the dates and deadlines beflow to your account with any major calendar service, including Google, Apple, Office 365, Outlook, and Yahoo.
Exchange students
You've got your own checklist! Make sure to review our page especially for exchange students, which includes required tasks, travel and arrival information, and details on a Welcome Week event just for you.
Below are tasks for students beginning their studies in January 2025. If you are beginning your studies in August 2025, this checklist will be updated with tasks relevant to you in May 2025.
Enrollment tasks
First things, first! Before completing any of the tasks on this checklist, set up your accounts and update your family's contact information.
Activate your student account
About two business days after you make your enrollment deposit, you will receive an email requesting that you activate your NetID and enroll in Duo.
NetID: your unique personal identifier for securely accessing a variety of online services, including your Rochester email address, UR Student, Blackboard, and the Virtual Private Network (VPN)
Duo: the University's two-factor authentication tool to protect your and the University's data
Instructions
Navigate to the University Account Initialization page (link below).
Enter your eight-digit University ID number (included in the email you received from Admissions), the CAPTCHA, and your date of birth.
Tap Continue.
Follow the directions to create your NetID password. You will also be asked to set up password recovery questions in case you forget your password, as well as connect your phone number or mobile device to your account to enable Duo two-factor authentication.
After activating your NetID and enrolling in Duo, you'll need to complete your onboarding tasks in UR Student, the University's student information system. UR Student is where you will register for your courses, manage your student financial account, and update your personal information.
Instructions
Navigate to UR Student (link below) and follow the prompts to:
Enable the WalkMe browser extension. This tool provides helpful guidance on key tasks within the UR Student system on your desktop or laptop, including tips during course registration.
Review your home contact information and update your address(es) and/or phone number(s) as needed.
Review your friend and family contacts listed and make any necessary updates, including their contact information. Make sure to have at least one contact labeled as your emergency contact.
Review your settings for AlertUR, the University's emergency notification system. As a new student, you are automatically enrolled in AlertUR with your Rochester email address. However, if you would like to receive alerts on your phone as well, make sure to update those settings during this step.
Review the Student Financial Responsibility Agreement and note that you consent to the agreement with your electronic signature.
Consent to receive your IRS Form 1098-T electronically. This is a tax form that the University generates each year for you, if you have qualifying financial activity on your student account.
As a student, you will be provided with a Gmail account to use during your time at Rochester (and beyond!). The format of your student email address is: netID@u.rochester.edu. Your email account is set up for you automatically—all you need to do is navigate to the login page and enter your NetID and password to access your account.
Add your parent/guardian(s)' email address(es) to UR Student
If you didn't update your parent and guardian's contact information when completing your onboarding tasks in UR Student (see Activate your student account and complete your onboarding tasks above), make sure to verify that all the information is correct. The University will be using the contact information provided in your UR Student account to send your parent(s) or guardian(s) important communications ahead of your arrival to campus.
Due January 17: Complete the Parents Program Information Form
This required form enables the Office of Alumni Relations and Constituent Engagement and the Parents Program to send them information on upcoming family events.
Instructions
Log into your MyROC account.
Click the Parents Program Information Form listed under Required Forms for Enrolling Students on your dashboard.
Complete all applicable sections of the form. You may need your parent or guardian to help in completing the parent/guardian information section(s).
As an incoming spring student, you will join the incoming first-year and transfer students to register for your classes ahead of your arrival to campus in January. You will be able to register for your University of Rochester classes in UR Student, the University's student information system after your advisor approves your class schedule. Complete the following tasks to make sure you're ready to register for classes:
Due January 6: Complete the writing self-placement survey
This placement exam is required for all incoming students and will help you discern which writing course best suits your experience. We strongly recommend that you complete the survey before you register for your spring classes, but you the final deadline is Friday, January 5.
Instructions
Log into your Blackboard account.
Navigate to the organization titled Rochester Ready: Spring 2025 under My Organizations.
Select Writing Self-Placement Survey in the menu.
Follow the prompts to read through the instructions and begin the survey.
Due January 6: Connect with your academic advisor(s)
Your academic advisor(s) will email you directly at your University of Rochester email address to begin your advising discussion. Depending on who your academic advisor(s) are, they may request that you set up a virtual face-to-face meeting, or they may communicate with you back and forth through email.
Your discussions with your academic advisor(s) will include your academic goals, first semester course options, course placement, and transfer credit (if applicable). After your course schedule has been approved, your College advisor will lift the Advisor Hold on your UR Student account so you can register for your spring classes.
After connecting with your advisor(s): Register for your spring classes
You'll register for your classes in UR Student, the University's student information system. Once you've met with a College advisor, had your first-semester schedule approved, and had the Advising Hold removed from your UR Student account, you'll be able to log in and register for your spring glasses. View tips and tutorials on registration, including registering from a saved schedule, on Advising Timeline page, under the FAQs section.
You'll need to submit a final transcript from your previous institution (high school for first-year students and a college or university for transfer students) before you begin your studies at Rochester.
Admissions will send you a reminder email if you have not yet submitted the final transcript from your secondary school or previous higher education institution to the University. If you have questions about how to submit your transcript, contact Admissions at admit@admissions.rochester.edu.
Please note: if you are unable to submit your final transcript by the deadline listed, please do so as soon as possible. Failure to submit a final transcript will prohibit you from registering for classes for your second semester.
Due January 12: Submit your AP and/or IB exam scores (if needed)
The College allows you to use Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) Program examination scores for placement in more advanced courses in a subject area. The College allows you to use Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) Program exam scores for placement in more advanced courses in a subject area. If you're interested in submitting your scores to the University, contact your secondary school's counselor or IB program coordinator. You can also use the buttons below to view the processes for submitting these scores through the official organizations.
Please note: if you are unable to submit your scores by the deadline listed, please do so as soon as possible.
Financial tasks
View and pay your tuition bill and learn how to set up your finances while you are studying at Rochester. Visit the Finances page to view billing and payment FAQ, financial resources, and campus banking services.
View your tuition bill
You will be billed each semester and charges are due on the tenth of the month unless otherwise specified. Spring 2025 semester tuition bills will begin posting to your account shortly after you officially enroll at the University. You (and your authorized family or friends) will receive an email notification to view your bill in your UR Student account before it is due.
Due December 10: Pay your tuition bill (U.S. students only)
You will be billed each semester and charges are due on the tenth of the month unless otherwise specified. If you are a student from the U.S., your first tuition bill will be due on Tuesday, December 10. You (and your authorized family or friends) will receive an email notification to view your bill in your UR Student account before it is due.
Due January 10: Pay your tuition bill (international students only)
You will be billed each semester and charges are due on the tenth of the month unless otherwise specified. If you are an international student, your first tuition bill will be due on Friday, January 10. You (and your authorized family or friends) will receive an email notification to view your bill in your UR Student account before it is due.
Health and wellbeing tasks
Submit your required health forms and complete the online health insurance process.
Due December 15: Register for UHSConnect
UHSConnect is a secure web portal that gives you easy access to your University health records and allows you to securely message your healthcare team at the University Health Service and University Counseling Center.
Enter your personal information and create a security question and answer as prompted.
In the field for UHSConnect ID, enter your eight-digit University ID number (different from your NetID).
In the field for email address, enter your Rochester email address (netid@u.rochester.edu) in all lowercase characters.
The security question answer must be at least 6 characters long.
An email containing a link to set your password and set up your account will be emailed to your Rochester email address. The link in the email is valid for 20 minutes upon receipt.
Click the link in the email and enter the answer to your security question.
Set your account password.
Once successfully created, a Password Confirmation Successful message will be displayed.
Click on the prompt to log into your UHSConnect account.
Due December 31: Complete your required health forms
You are required to complete the Health History & Immunization Form and Allergy & Medication Form as part of the University's health requirements for all full-time students. You will complete and submit these forms to the University Health Service via your UHSConnect account.
IMPORTANT: Submitting your required health forms after December 31 may result in a late fee of $50 USD applied to your student account.
Due January 16: Review the policy against discrimination and harassment
Review this important information on the polices and reporting procedures for discrimination and harassment at the University, compiled by the Office of Equity and Inclusion Civil Rights Compliance Team.
Due January 31: Complete the online health insurance process
Every year you are enrolled at the University, you must document your health insurance coverage during the appropriate open enrollment period by either enrolling in the UR Student Health Insurance Plan or waiving the plan if you are already enrolled in a qualifying healthcare plan. You will need to complete this process between Thursday, November 14, 2024 and Friday, January 31, 2025 using the button below.
Please note: If you are planning to waive the UR Student Health Insurance Plan because you are already enrolled in a qualifying healthcare plan, we encourage you to complete this process as soon as you submit your enrollment deposit to avoid having the health insurance plan fee added to your tuition bill. If you do not waive the plan, the fee will show on your spring tuition billing statement until you complete the waiver process.
Get ready to make the River Campus your home away from home.
Due December 15: Submit your housing and dining contract form
This form is required for all new students (including those living in off-campus housing, as you will need to make your required dining meal plan selections).
Instructions
Use the button below to view the instructions on Residential Life and Housing Services website to complete your contract form in the StarRez portal. Please note that there are separate instructions for first-year students and transfer and exchange students. You will need your Active Directory credentials (which you should have set up during your enrollment tasks) in order to complete the contract form.
Here are a few resources that will be helpful as you make complete the contract form:
Please note: on-campus housing is not guaranteed for incoming transfer students. If you are an incoming transfer student and you are interested in living on-campus, please submit your form as soon as possible. Learn more about housing for transfer students on Residential Life's website.
By December 15: Apply for housing accommodations (if needed)
If you need to apply for housing accommodations due to a disability, you will need to complete the following steps by the date listed above.
Instructions
Navigate to the Office of Disability Resources' website to find instructions for requesting residential accommodations.
If you would like to request a housing accommodation, follow the link listed under Complete an Application to fill out a request form.
Please note: you must have a housing application and/or contract on file with the Office of Residential Life and Housing Services in order to request accommodations.
If you would like to submit documentation of a disability, but are not requesting accommodations at this time, follow the instructions for submission listed under To Request Disability Accommodations.
Your University of Rochester campus ID card is not just your official student identification! It also offers you access to your on-campus residence hall (and other campus buildings) and links to your online accounts at a variety of different campus locations including libraries, dining centers, the bookstore, laundries, copiers, and vending machines.
In order to have your campus ID card available for pickup on your assigned arrival day, you will need to upload a photo of yourself to be printed on your card by the date listed above. If you do not submit a photo, you will need to visit the ID Office on your assigned arrival day to have your photo taken and your ID card printed on-site.
Please note: not uploading a photo by the deadline above may result in long wait times at the ID Office on your assigned arrival day.
Instructions
Log into your Blackboard account.
Expand the sidebar navigation menu and select Organizations.
Find and select Rochester Ready: Spring 2025 in the list.
Select Campus ID Photo Submission.
Read through all of the guidelines to make sure the photo you upload will be acceptable for printing.
Follow the prompts to upload an image and submit for approval.
You can begin having packages delivered to the University on the date listed above. To send a package to campus ahead of your arrival, simply put your name above the University's mailing address to ensure that the Campus Mail Center can correctly identify your package:
Student Name 500 Joseph C Wilson Blvd Rochester, NY 14627
View your housing assignment
Residential Life and Housing Services will notify you directly that you have received on-campus housing on a rolling basis. Make sure to check your Rochester email address regularly after submitting your housing and dining contract forms for this communication.
You will receive your on-campus housing assignment and information on your assigned roommate(s) in a separate communication, following the original email. Questions? Contact Residential Life and Housing Services at housing@reslife.rochester.edu.
Review residential policies and information
If you are living on campus, make sure to review your residential hall's policies, room information, and what items are not and not allowed to in your on-campus living space.
If you are a first-year student living at home in the Rochester area or an upperclass transfer student, you are eligible to purchase a student parking permit.
Use the button below to view the River Campus parking map and locate the commuter student parking lots in polka-dot purple and lime green and the residential student parking lots in purple and lime green.
These resource videos and modules will introduce you to University life and academics ahead of your arrival on campus. Topics include: academic honesty, campus and community safety, health and wellbeing, information security, sexual misconduct prevention and Title IX, and student conduct.
Learn how to complete these required items by Thursday, January 16 on the Rochester Ready page.
Please note: You'll need to watch the academic advising and registration resource videos before registering for your spring classes.
Registration for Welcome Week is required for all incoming students. If you are arriving to campus from a location outside of the U.S., you'll also be able to indicate your interest in purchasing a dorm pack on this form. Use the button below to complete the registration form to help us best prepare for your arrival to campus.
If you are an incoming international student (including those who have previously studied in the U.S.), there are a few additional tasks you'll need to complete before arriving on campus, including requesting your required immigration documentation and reviewing important information before you arrive in Rochester.
If you're a first-year student living with family in Rochester or an incoming sophomore, junior, or senior transfer student living off-campus, there are a few additional tasks you may need to complete.
By December 15: Submit a residency requirement petition (if eligible)
All incoming first-year students are required to live on campus for both their first and sophomore years. If you are planning to live at home with family in the Rochester area and commute to campus, you must indicate so on your housing and dining contract form by the date listed above.
Instructions
Use the button below to view the instructions on Residential Life and Housing Services website to complete your contract form in the StarRez portal. Please note that there are separate instructions for first-year students and transfer and exchange students. You will need your Active Directory credentials (which you should have set up during your enrollment tasks) in order to complete the contract form.
Here are a few resources that will be helpful as you make complete the contract form:
Apply for a commuter student parking permit (if eligible)
If you are a first-year student living at home in the Rochester area or an upperclass transfer student living off campus, you are eligible to purchase a student parking permit.
Use the button below to view the River Campus parking map and locate the commuter student parking lots in polka-dot purple and lime green.
While the following tasks are not required, here are a few more ways to connect with your fellow classmates and the University before you arrive on campus.