IS THERE ANYTHING I NEED TO DO BEFORE I CAN MEET WITH MY ADVISOR? 

Please follow these steps:

• STEP 1: Sign up for a Leatherneck Launch Summer Orientation program. 
  Go to STARS/Next Steps to sign up for Leatherneck Launch. It may take 1-2 business days for your New Student Registration Prep class to show up in Western Online. You MUST complete this step to be enrolled in the New Student Registration Prep class.
  
  
• STEP 2: Send your College Credits (AP credit/IB credit/Dual Credit)
  If you are bringing dual credit, AP credit, IB credit, etc to WIU, make sure to contact the accrediting College or University and request official transcripts be sent to WIU's Admission Office. High school transcripts do not include this information. 
  
  How To Send:
  
  • Dual Credit: Contact Registrar's Office at accrediting College/University
  • AP Credit: Enter WIU as a location for test scores to be sent https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/view-scores
    • Find out how your AP classes transfer to WIU: https://www.wiu.edu/student_success/undergraduate_admissions/prospective/ap.php
  • IB Credit: Enter WIU as a location for test scores to be sent https://candidates.ibo.org/
    • Find out how your IB classes transfer to WIU: https://www.wiu.edu/student_success/undergraduate_admissions/prospective/ib.php
      
      
• STEP 3: Activate your WIU email account
  All University communications including contacting your academic advisor must be through your official WIU email. Your New Student Registration Prep course instructions will be sent to this address.
• STEP 4: Log onto STARS and make sure your major is correct.
  If you would like to change your major, you will need to email wiu-FirstYearAdvising@wiu.edu. We will confirm your major change or may ask you some questions first. Advisors are assigned by major and your advisor may change depending on your change of major.

HOW DO I REGISTER FOR CLASSES?

1. Complete the New Student Registration Prep online class in Western Online. 
   (You will be automatically enrolled in this class once you have signed up for Leatherneck Launch).
   
   * New Student Registration Prep will not be considered complete until after we receive ALL the forms.
   
   * Please do not delay in completing New Student Registration Prep and setting up your registration appointment. You'll have a better selection of classes the earlier you complete the course and sign up for your registraton meeting with your advisor.
   
   
2. Schedule an appointment on your academic advisor's calendar.
   Upon completion of this course, you will be getting an email from your academic advisor with instructions on how to schedule your registration appointment.  
   
   Here are some tips in preparation for the appointment:
   
   - We recommend you have a desktop, laptop, or tablet available for your appointment.  You can use a smartphone, but it is a bit cumbersome to navigate.
   
    - Make sure you are in a quiet location without distractions and have a stable internet connection (please DO NOT schedule your meeting when you will be traveling, oftentimes you will freeze up or drop the call due to inconsistance and unstable internet). 
   
   
3. During your registration appointment
   You will be meeting with your assigned academic advisor  to go over the class registration process and what next steps you will need to take before coming to campus in August.
   
   * Please do not be late for the appointment or you may miss critial information and will have to reschedule.  If you miss the meeting you scheduled, you will NOT be registered for classes and will have to schedule a new appointment.  
   
   
4. AFTER your registation meeting with your advisor, do not make any changes to your schedule without first consulting with your academic advisor.

WHO IS MY ADVISOR?

To find the name of your academic advisor, follow these steps:

1. Sign into your STARS account at wiu.edu/stars
2. Choose the “Academic” menu 
3. Click on “Major/Advisor Information”
4. You will see your advisor and your major listed.

Note: If your desired major is differnt  than what is indicated in your STARS account, your major advisor will change. That is why completing your New Student Registration Prep is important so that we can ensure you have the correct advisor.

If you are an undeclared student (University Advising) your reflected advisor is not your final advisor. You will be reasigned to a First Year Advisor based on your potential majors of interest and career aspirations. If you are uncertain, do not worry, as any of our First Year advisors will be able to support you in the exploration part of your major selection.

WHAT OTHER IMPORTANT INFORMATION SHOULD I KNOW:

• You probably have lots of questions about college life and we want to get you those answers. Academic advisors are a great resource and connection for you at Western Illinois University but there are some areas where they may not be able to answer your questions.
  
  
  • Housing and Dining: If you have any questions about housing, such as the roommate placement process, where you might be living in the fall, or what to bring to campus, please contact University Housing and Dining Services (UHDS) at 309-298-3000, housing@wiu.edu, or wiu.edu/uhds
    
    
  • Financial Aid: If you have any questions about financial aid, such as details regarding your financial aid package, student loans, or the FAFSA, please contact the Financial Aid Office at 309-298-2446, financial-aid@wiu.edu, or wiu.edu/financialaid
    
    
  • Immunization Requirements: If you have any questions about immunization requirements, please contact Beu Health Center at 309-298-1888, or email beuhealthcenter@wiu.edu, or wiu.edu/student_success/beu_health_center.php
    
    
  • WIU Health Insurance Waiver: If you have any questions about student health insurance waivers, call 309-298-1882. Please be aware the earliest you can submit the insurance waiver is 48 hours AFTER you've been registered for your classes. You can find the insurance waiver form on STARS Next Steps.
    
    
  • Scholarship Opportunities: If you have any questions about scholarships, please contact the Scholarship Office at 309-298-2001, sc-office@wiu.edu, or wiu.edu/scholarships
    
    
  • Disability Resource Center: If you have any questions about accommodations, please contact the Disability Resource Center housed in the Student Development and Success Center at 309-298-1884, sdsc@wiu.edu, or wiu.edu/drc