All incoming TIP Scholars must attend Freshman New Student Orientation the summer before the first Fall semester. During Freshman Orientation, you will attend a TIP Scholars program meeting, meet with your assigned TIP academic advisor for the first time, and register for your Fall classes alongside other TIP Scholars.
TIP Scholars Freshman Orientation Schedule - Mandatory
Day 1: College of Natural Sciences College Meeting - WEL 2.224
Day 1: TIP Scholars Program Meeting - introduction to TIP and your academic advisor - FAC 2.142
Day 1, 2, or 3: Scheduled Academic Advising Appointment - PAI 5.03
Consists of 3 Parts:
- Pre-Advising: introductory advising meeting with student advisor (15 minutes)
- Academic Advising Appointment: 1-on-1 meeting with assigned advisor to discuss degree plan and what classes to take in the Fall (30 minutes)
- Post-Advising: peer mentor covers how to register for classes and other campus resources (15 minutes)
Day 3: Register for Fall classes - with TIP staff assistance - FAC 2.142
You will need to bring your own laptop for registration. Loaner laptops may be available for use but are not guaranteed.
You will receive information on your assigned advising appointment a week leading up to your orientation session. Please make sure to check your UT email for correspondence (make sure to check your spam too).
Pre-Orientation Action Items
Step 1: Register for Freshman Orientation
Freshman New Student Orientation is mandatory for all incoming students at UT. At Orientation you can expect to:
- Receive introductory academic advising to help you navigate degree plans
- Learn how to sign up for classes
- Familiarize yourself with the college’s requirements and expectations
- Meet fellow Longhorns, CNS students, and TIP scholars
To attend Orientation, you will need to register here: https://orientation.utexas.edu/orientation/freshman/registration
It is best to register ASAP since the orientation dates tend to fill up quickly.
Step 2: Review Pre-Orientation Checklist
Once you are registered for orientation, carefully review the University Pre-Orientation Checklist. Ensure that all pre-orientation action items (including receiving required vaccines) are completed before you attend orientation. Failure to do so will result in significant class registration delays.
Step 3: Check Your UT Email for Orientation Materials & Schedule
Check your UT email: Orientation materials will be sent to you via your new UT email from Longhorn Orientation and TIP a week in advance of your scheduled orientation session.
Review the Orientation Schedule: TIP students receive a TIP-specific orientation schedule. Know when your mandatory advising appointment will take place.
Step 4: Complete TIP Core Sheet with your AP, IB, & Dual Credits
Your advisor will need to know what AP, IB, or Dual credit you may have in order to effectively assist you with your Fall schedule. They will need to know what tests you have taken for AP & IB, the scores you achieved, and the transcripts for any Dual Credit or additional college credit you may have. If you are still waiting on a test score, that is okay – your advisor will ask you what you think you earned on the exam.
Please download and complete this sheet BEFORE you arrive for orientation and bring it with you to your advising meeting: TIP Core Requirements Sheet
If you are unable to print or complete the sheet electronically beforehand, you can bring a general list of all your credits for your advisor to review.
Step 5: Complete UT Math Assessment (UTMA)
To be able to register at orientation, you will need to have a score on file for the UT Math Assessment (UTMA). If you are planning on taking Pre-Calculus or Calculus in the Fall, you need a UTMA score of at least 55 or 70 respectively. Even if you have Pre-Calculus/Calculus credit or do not need them for your degree, all new CNS students must take the UTMA with few exceptions.
Please review the math assessment page for details.
Step 6: Complete Chemistry Readiness Assessment
If you are planning to register for CH 301 in the Fall, you will need to complete the Chemistry Readiness Assessment. Depending on your score on this assessment, you may need to complete additional learning modules to remain in the CH 301 course.
If your major requires chemistry, you will need to complete this assessment to register at orientation.
Majors that require chemistry:
- Biology
- Biochemistry
- Chemistry
- Human Development and Family Science
- Neuroscience
- Nutrition
- Physics
- Public Health
Please review the Chemistry Readiness Assessment here.
Step 7: Determine areas where you may need support
If there are certain areas of your degree requirements or the university that you find confusing or unclear, please ask your advisor during orientation! We do not expect our students to be experts in all things related to college or UT Austin, so please ask for help when you need it. It may be helpful to create a list of questions you may have so you do not forget when you enter the meeting.
Advising meetings are only about 30 minutes so we may not cover everything, however, your advisor will be available by email for any additional questions.
If you applied to FRI, please let your advisor know so that they can add you to the program.
Orientation FAQs
Do I need to attend the TIP Scholars meeting on Day 1?
Yes, the TIP Scholars meeting is mandatory. This meeting covers the program, our offerings, and important introductory course information for the Fall.
When do I receive my -99 number?
TIP students receive their -99 cluster numbers during their 1:1 academic advising appointments (scheduled on either day 1, 2, or 3 of orientation). This allows your advisor to select a cluster that meets your academic and personal scheduling needs.
More information on TIP clusters can be found here: https://tip.cns.utexas.edu/linked-restricted-reserved-courses
What happens if I do not complete my UTMA and/or CH assessment before orientation?
A hold will be placed on your file and you will not be able to register for classes during orientation if you have any outstanding assessments. Please ensure all necessary assessments are completed before you register on Day 3.
More information on College Readiness Assessments: https://cns.utexas.edu/info-admitted-students/college-readiness
How do I check if I have any registration holds?
Step 1: View your Registration Information Sheet and select the desired semester.
Step 2: Review what holds, if any, are on your record.
Step 3: If there is a hold, take care of it with the provided link or contact information
How do I resolve my registration hold?
Here are the most common holds for incoming freshman:
University Health Services/Medical: typically applied when required medical documents are missing. Call UHS for assistance: 512-475-7735
Emergency Contact: You are required to update your emergency contact once a year using the online update form in UT Direct. The hold should be removed once your emergency contact has been added.
Financial Responsibility Statement (FRS): The FRS is a semesterly financial acknowledgement students are required to sign regarding obligations to pay tuition and fees. This hold will be removed once you acknowledge the FRS.
Advising Hold: This hold will be cleared once you meet with your advisor for the first time. If you have NOT taken your UTMA and/or Chemistry assessment before meeting with you advisor, your advisor will not clear the hold until you do so.
If you have taken all necessary assessments and have met with your advisor but still have an advising hold, please email us at tipdesk@austin.utexas.edu ASAP so we can clear it.
Admissions: Applied if you are missing any transcripts. This hold is waived until the Fall semester and will not prevent you from registering for Fall classes.
For more information on registration holds visit: https://onestop.utexas.edu/registration-and-degree-planning/registering-for-classes/resolving-holds/
Post-Orientation Action Items
1. Pay Your Tuition
How do you pay for classes? Visit the registrar's Paying Tuition and Fees web page. Tuition is due by 5PM on August 14th to confirm your class registration
If you intend to utilize your Federal Financial Aid package, you must confirm your enrollment. Please make sure that you complete this step to avoid registration issues.
2. Review University Post-Orientation Checklist
Carefully review and complete the tasks on the University's Post-Orientation Checklist.
3. Get to Know Campus
Familiarize yourself with the Campus Layout and Building Abbreviations. We recommend using the UT Campus Map App.
In addition to downloading the campus map app, you can practice getting to know your way around from anywhere with a virtual tour of campus.
4. Quest and Canvas
Familiarize yourself with Quest and Canvas. These online platforms will introduce you to your instructors, teach you how to navigate your courses and provide support when you have questions. You will access Quest this summer for your College Readiness packages and Canvas will be used for CNS/TIP Orientation.
5. Look out for additional communication from TIP!
Check your university email and Canvas for information about your assigned peer mentor, the Fall CSS schedule, and the TIP Welcome Event.
CNS/TIP Scholars Freshman Orientation Schedule 2025
To attend Freshman Orientation, please remember to register for an Orientation session as soon as possible.
Orientation materials will be sent to you via your UT email from Longhorn Orientation and TIP Scholars around a week in advance of your scheduled orientation session.
| Session | Dates | Class Registration Time |
| Session 1 | May 27-29 | May 29th at 1PM |
| Session 2 | June 2-4 | June 4th at 1PM |
| Session 3 | June 9-11 | June 11th at 1PM |
| Session 4 | June 16-18 | June 18th at 1PM |
| Session 5 | June 23-25 | June 25th at 1PM |
| Session 6 | July 7-9 | July 9th at 1PM |
| Session 7 | July 14-16 | July 16th at 1PM |