Claim Your Spot as a First-Year Student
Start your OU journey here.
To claim your spot as a first-year student at OU, create your student account and sign up for orientation. You can get started right away, with no deposit due today. This unlocks:
COURSE PLANNING
Register for orientation where you will meet with an adviser and sign up for classes.
FINANCIAL AID OFFERS
You’ll be able to access any financial aid offers that apply to you.
HOUSING SELECTION
You can begin the housing contract process if you plan to live on campus.
Join over 2,000 admitted students who are claiming their place at OU.
Just follow the steps on this page — including signing up for orientation — to officially claim your spot.
First, create your OU account.
What this does: Your PIN will act as a temporary password for the next step (creating an OU email account so you can access university services).
What you’ll need: Have your Grizzly ID on hand. You can find that in your acceptance letter or email.
How you’ll do it:
- Click 'SET A PIN' below.
- Write down the PIN you set — you’ll need it in the next step!
Contact Orientation and New Student Programs at (248) 370-4653 or [email protected] with questions.
What this step does: Using the PIN you just set, you’ll now create an OU email account and password so you can access university services. (This account is also called your NetID.)
What you’ll need: Have your Grizzly ID and your new PIN on hand.
How you’ll do it:
- Click ‘CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT’ below.
- You’ll enter your Grizzly ID and the new PIN you set.
- Then you’ll set an email username and password.
Contact Orientation and New Student Programs at (248) 370-4653 or [email protected] with questions.
What this step does: Congratulations! You have an official OU email. Start checking this now — all university communications happen here: financial aid notices, instructor emails and more.
What you’ll need: Your new OU email address and password.
How you’ll do it:
- Click ‘CHECK YOUR EMAIL’ below.
- Enter the OU email and password you created.
- See the Help section below to learn how to forward your email or view your email on your mobile phone.
Contact Orientation and New Student Programs at (248) 370-4653 or [email protected] with questions.
Now officially claim your spot by signing up for orientation.
What this does: Your PIN will act as a temporary password for the next step (creating an OU email account so you can access university services).
What you’ll need: Have your Grizzly ID on hand. You can find that in your acceptance letter or email.
How you’ll do it:
- Click 'SET A PIN' below.
- Write down the PIN you set — you’ll need it in the next step!
Contact Orientation and New Student Programs at (248) 370-4653 or [email protected] with questions.
What this step does: Using the PIN you just set, you’ll now create an OU email account and password so you can access university services. (This account is also called your NetID.)
What you’ll need: Have your Grizzly ID and your new PIN on hand.
How you’ll do it:
- Click ‘CREATE YOUR ACCOUNT’ below.
- You’ll enter your Grizzly ID and the new PIN you set.
- Then you’ll set an email username and password.
Contact Orientation and New Student Programs at (248) 370-4653 or [email protected] with questions.
What this step does: Congratulations! You have an official OU email. Start checking this now — all university communications happen here: financial aid notices, instructor emails and more.
What you’ll need: Your new OU email address and password.
How you’ll do it:
- Click ‘CHECK YOUR EMAIL’ below.
- Enter the OU email and password you created.
- See the Help section below to learn how to forward your email or view your email on your mobile phone.
Contact Orientation and New Student Programs at (248) 370-4653 or [email protected] with questions.
You’ll need to wait until the day after you create your OU email account to do this step, since it takes a little time for our systems to synchronize.
What this does: You’ll choose a convenient orientation day — there are many days to choose from! Lunch will be provided for you and up to two guests (ages 16 and up).
What you’ll need: The email and password you used to apply to OU (not the new OU email you just created).
How you’ll do it:
- The day after you created your OU email account, click ‘GO TO THE ADMISSIONS PORTAL’ below.
- Follow the instructions on the login page. Again: you’ll need the email you used to apply to OU, not your new OU email.
- Choose Orientation from the portal navigation, and choose an orientation date that works for you.
Contact Orientation and New Student Programs at (248) 370-4653 or [email protected] with questions.
Reach out to Disability Support Services at least two weeks before your orientation if you need accommodations. They’re here to help: [email protected] or (248) 370-3266.
I can't find my Grizzly ID number.
Your Grizzly ID number can be found in your acceptance letter. You’ll need it to set up your OU email account (NetID). If you do not have your Grizzly ID number, contact Orientation and New Student Programs at (248) 370-4653.
I’m having trouble creating a PIN or an OU email account.
Contact Orientation and New Student Programs at (248) 370-4653 for help.
I created my OU email account, but I’m not sure where to check my mail.
Please go to https://webmail.oakland.edu/ and login with your OU email address and password.
How often should I check my OU email?
It is best practice to check your OU email a few times a week. All official university communications will be sent to your OU email address, including but not limited to information on:
- Billing (eBill)
- Financial aid offers and requirements
- Grades
- Course related information from faculty members, your academic adviser and other campus partners
- Campus events
Can I forward my OU email or get it on my phone?
Want to consolidate email accounts? Forward your OU email address! Please remember that when conducting University business through email, you must use your OU email address. This includes all correspondence with OU faculty, staff and departments.
- Log in to your OU email at webmail.oakland.edu
- Click the gear symbol and click "Settings"
- Select the "Forwarding and POP/IMAP" tab
- Select "Add a forwarding address" and follow the directions provided
Visit OU Help Desk and sync your cell phone to your OU email account so you can receive important messages about eBill, academics and special events on the go.
I’m having trouble logging into the Admissions Portal to schedule an orientation.
Contact Undergraduate Admissions at (248) 370-3360 for help.
What if I schedule an orientation date and need to change it?
Log in to your admitted student portal to select a new date. To update your current reservation or to reschedule, visit your admitted student portal. Please contact our office at [email protected] or call us at 248-370-GOLD with any questions or concerns you may have.
I need accommodations to participate in orientation.
Please contact Disability Support Services at least two weeks prior to your scheduled orientation date by phone at (248) 370-3266 or email [email protected].
Orientation & New Student Programs
318 Meadow Brook Road
Rochester, MI 48309-4454
(248) 370-4653
[email protected]
Office Hours:
Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Orientation & New Student Programs
318 Meadow Brook Road
Rochester, MI 48309-4454
(location map)
(248) 370-4653
[email protected]
Office Hours:
Mon-Fri: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.
