Admitted Student Guide
preparing to join the ODU community
Your commitment to learning has been rewarded with admission into Old Dominion University. Now is the time to start planning and making arrangements for an exciting experience.
Learn your UIN
The first thing you should do is become familiar with your University Identification Number (UIN).
It is important to know this number because you will use it often for enrollment, class registration, payments and other student activities.
Memorizing this number will make your transition to college much easier.
1. ACCEPT OFFER OF ADMISSION
Please note, this does not apply to international or non-degree students.Reminder: In order to access the on-campus housing application and Orientation/Preview registration, the non-refundable $200 Admission Deposit must be successfully processed.
You have two options to respond to your offer of admission to Old Dominion University and submit your $200 Admission Deposit. The Admission Deposit will be applied towards your tuition charges.
Prepare by locating your UIN (University Identifiation Number) as it appears on your offer of admission letter. Your UIN is used in place of your Social Security number for all University related identification and transactions.
Option 1: Pay the $200 Admission Deposit electronically by following the instructions listed below and the 
Step-by-step instruction guide (2.3 MB).
- User ID is your Social Security Number or University Identification Number
- First time users - PIN is set to your six-digit date of birth (MMDDYY). You will be prompted to create a new six-digit PIN for future log-ins.
Please note: You cannot pay the Admission Deposit from the "Student Records" menu using the option "Make credit card payments" as this selection is for use with tuition payments and other bills once you are an enrolled student.
Option 2: Pay the $200 Admission Deposit by check or money order (allow seven business days for processing) and submit with the Offer of Admissions Form.
5. COMPLETE APPLICATION PROCESS FOR ON-CAMPUS HOUSING (optional)
Reminder: In order to access the on-campus housing application, the non-refundable $200 Admission Deposit must be successfully processed. Note: Students entering in Spring or Summer 2012 are not required to pay the Admission Deposit but must accept their offer of admission.
Instructions with full details about the application process (including access to the online application) can be found at the Housing & Residence Life website.
Learn more about the various housing options available to first-year students and be prepared to rank your choices on the application.
Once you have accepted your offer of admission to ODU, you will have access to the on-campus housing application. Visit the Housing FAQ for more information.
On-campus housing is in high demand so remember to apply early!
4. ORIENTATION/PREVIEW
Reminder: In order to access Orientation/Preview registration, the non-refundable $200 Admission Deposit must be successfully processed. Note: Students entering in Spring or Summer 2012 are not required to pay the Admission Deposit but must accept their offer of admission.
- Freshman - Attending Preview required. To register, visit the Preview website and click on "Freshman". After reading the information, follow the instructions to make your reservation.
- Transfer - Online orientation is required and attending Preview is strongly encouraged. When completing the online orientation, students will have an option to register to attend an on-campus Orientation/Preview session.
- Distance Learning & Higher Education Centers - Students are offered an online orientation, on-site advising and placement tests.
Orientation/Preview dates are available online and updated as dates reach maximum capacity.
Please note: All new undergraduate students intending to major within the College of Business Public Administration(CBPA) must attend Preview.
3. ACTIVATE ODU MIDAS ID AND ODU EMAIL ACCOUNT
Now that you have been admitted, you need to activate your ODU MIDAS ID and your ODU email account. Your ODU MIDAS ID account coordinates identity and password management for the entire university and important communication will only be sent to your ODU email account.
Watch a tutorial video to assist you with activating your ODU MIDAS ID.- Go to https://midas.odu.edu/ and Click Create MIDAS ID.
- Proceed as instructed using your University Identification Number (UIN) for your User ID. This process also activates your email.
- Make sure to write down your ODU MIDAS ID.
- Once your email is activated, visit http://monarchs.odu.edu.
- Enter your newly created ODU MIDAS ID and password
- You can access your student email through the myODU portal using your ODU MIDAS ID and password.
9. SUBMIT HEALTH HISTORY FORM
Complete and submit the required student health forms to Student Health Services by August 1 for the fall semester and January 2 for the spring semester.
5. REVIEW LEO ONLINE
If you have submitted official transcripts for course equivalency consideration, visit LEO Online to view the completed evaluation. Please allow 4-6 weeks for processing and posting of credit.
Be sure to submit your official transcripts from all institutions and official test scores for which you are seeking credit.
Additionally, Monarch TRANSFERmation is available to see how credits will transfer from other institutions.
Course abbreviations used on the credit evaluation are defined in the University Catalog. Catalogs can be obtained in several ways:
- Online: University Catalog
- At Orientation/PREVIEW
2. SUBMIT THE FAFSA
In order to be considered for federal financial aid and scholarships, you must complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid. The priority deadline for the FAFSA is February 15.
Old Dominion University's FAFSA code is 003728
Notify the Financial Aid Office if you are receiving any outside agency scholarships, grants or loans.
Honors College (Optional)
With an emphasis on innovative teaching and small classes, the Honors College offers the experience of a small liberal arts college within a large university setting for students in any major. The Honors College is a four-year program in which select incoming freshmen, current sophomores and transfer students enjoy low-enrollment general education courses designed exclusively for them.
Submit your Honors College application online. An additional essay is required to apply for the program and is submitted with the online application.
Purchasing Books
If you are a main campus student, books can be purchased from the University Bookstore.
If you are a student at an ODU Higher Education Center, your books will be available for purchase at the Center several weeks before classes begin.
If you are a distance student, you will order your books from ODU Express.
Parking
Freshman residential students are no longer permitted to bring cars to campus. This policy does not apply to non-traditional freshmen (freshmen who have been out of high school for two years or more) or freshman students who will be commuting to campus. Waivers will be granted to those residential students who can demonstrate a need to bring a vehicle with them to campus.
Information on waivers can be obtained from the Office of Housing and Residence Life at freshmanparkingwaiver@odu.edu.
Current rates and online permit purchase are available from the Office of Parking and Transportation Services10. SUBMIT FINAL OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT
Make sure to submit your final official transcript(s) which reflects your completed academic term(s). Missing final transcripts may result in a withdrawl of the offer of admission. If you have submitted official transcripts for course equivalency consideration, visit LEO Online to view the completed evaluation. Please allow 2-3 weeks for processing and posting of credit.
