Thank you for registering for New Student Orientation at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. Attending Orientation is an important step in your journey to becoming a successful Ragin’ Cajun!
Below, you'll find everything you need to know and do before attending your registered Orientation session. Please review the details below carefully to ensure a smooth and enjoyable Orientation experience.
All incoming students must submit their completed Immunization Compliance Form (and/or the Request for Exemption from Immunizations Form) to Student Health Services before attending Orientation or registering for classes.
Visit the Office of Student Health Services website for information about accessing and submitting the required documentation.
If you have questions, speak to a nurse at 337-482-1293 or email immunizations@louisiana.edu.
There will not be an opportunity to take your ID photo during Orientation, so it is mandatory that students submit their Cajun Card ID photo online before attending Orientation. Visit the online photo submission site for photo requirements.
To ensure that your ID is printed in time, submit your photo no later than two business days before your scheduled Orientation session. Your photo is not considered submitted until you receive the approval email from the Cajun Card Office. You will receive your printed Cajun Card ID at Orientation check-out.
If you have questions about your Cajun Card or online photo submission, please contact the Cajun Card Office at cajuncard@louisiana.edu or 337-851-2273.
You will receive your Cajun Card ID during Orientation check-out.
If you already have a Cajun Card ID (from high school dual enrollment), there's no need to submit another photo. Your current Cajun Card ID is still valid.
You should now begin checking your University email daily. You will receive important information about academic advising, financial aid, tuition payment information, housing, and much more via University email.
To check your University email, visit webmail.louisiana.edu or download the Microsoft Outlook app. Log in with yourULID@louisiana.edu and password (the same credentials used to log into ULink).
At Orientation, you will meet with an academic advisor and register for classes. There are several steps you must take now to prepare for advising and course registration. Don’t delay! Some of these tasks may take additional time to complete. Advising and course registration preparations should be completed at least two weeks before your scheduled Orientation session.
See the next section below for more details.
UL Lafayette and the Office of Orientation are committed to accommodating individuals with disabilities. If you require accommodations, please contact the Office of Orientation at 337-482-1391 or orientation@louisiana.edu at least two weeks prior to your session.
Your ULID (C00######) and password will be needed for course registration and many aspects of campus life. Be sure to have your login credentials on hand for Orientation.
Unsure of your ULID? Look it up on our IT Service Desk's Forgotten User Name page.
Forgot your password? Reset your password online.
Questions about ULink and other technologies should be directed to ithelp@louisiana.edu or 337-482-4357.
Check your Student Profile (located on the “My Academics” card in ULink) to verify your intended major at UL Lafayette. If you want to change your intended major, submit a New Student Change of Major form.
The University’s Academic Catalog includes a detailed explanation of all degree programs and course requirements for each major. Find your major listed in the “Programs of Study” tab and review the requirements for your major. Here, you can also review course descriptions and prerequisites.
Ensure that the University has your highest ACT/SAT scores on file, as well as any AP or CLEP credit. To do so, access your Student Profile (located on the “My Academics” card in ULink) and click “Prior Education and Testing.” Test scores currently on file with UL Lafayette will be posted here. If any of your test scores are not on file, be sure to submit them as soon as possible.
You must verify that all your college-level credits are on file with UL Lafayette. An official transcript from each college/university attended is required.
To check credits on file, access your unofficial transcript from the “My Academics” card in ULink. If any of your credits are missing, be sure to contact the college or university that awarded the credit (NOT your high school) and request that official transcripts be sent to the University of Louisiana at Lafayette (admissions@louisiana.edu if an email is requested). This may take 1-2 weeks to complete, so it is important to submit requests well in advance of your scheduled Orientation session.
If you are currently enrolled in a college-level course, be sure to resubmit your college transcripts to UL Lafayette after your final grades have been posted. Any credit earned through UL Lafayette will be automatically posted to your transcript.
Depending on your major and ACT/SAT scores, you may benefit from taking a Math or English placement exam.
If you do not qualify you for the first mathematics class for your major, you should take a math placement test. To determine whether or not you qualify for your major’s first math class, follow these steps:
If you do not qualify for English 101, you should take the English placement exam. To qualify for English 101, you must have an ACT English subscore of at least 18, an SAT ERW of at least 500, or a 3.0 overall final high school GPA. If you do not meet one of these requirements, you should schedule the English placement exam (ACCUPLACER Writing Exam).
Advance Credit Exams offer students who meet certain eligibility requirements the opportunity to earn credit for courses at UL Lafayette. Students can take select Advance Credit Exams before the start of the Spring, Summer, and Fall terms. Visit the Advance Credit Exams website for a full list of exams offered.
Transfer Students can be advised and register for classes before attending Orientation. Please see the Transfer Welcome Email, sent to you from the Academic Success Center, for those instructions. Access the Transfer Advisor Directory to find your advisor's contact information. If you are unable to get advised and register for classes before Orientation, you can do so at Orientation as there is dedicated time built into the program.
Freshman Students will meet with an academic advisor to discuss course placement and registration during their Orientation session. First-time freshmen cannot register for classes before attending Orientation.
Don't forget to submit your housing application today! All first-year, full-time students are required to live in campus housing operated by The Office of University Housing for the entirety of their first academic year, unless they meet specific criteria and are approved for an exemption. Learn more about the Live-On Requirement here: https://louisiana.edu/housing/get-started/housing-requirement.
First-year housing assignments are made in the order contracts are signed and payments are received, so the sooner you complete your application, the better your chances of securing your preferred space and roommate!
Want to learn more about life on campus? Visit louisiana.edu/housing to explore your options and see why living on campus is the best way to start your college journey.
Roommate Group Deadline: May 1, 2026
Priority Application Deadline: May 1, 2026
Submit your 2026-2027 FAFSA at studentaid.gov and request that your information be sent to UL Lafayette (school code: 002031). The FAFSA is required for all students planning to receive financial aid, including Louisiana TOPS.
Priority Deadline: May 1, 2026
If you have a 3.5 GPA and ACT composite or superscore of 23 or higher (SAT 1130 or higher), you will be invited to join the Honors Program to enrich your educational experience. You will have the opportunity to sign up for the Honors Program during Orientation. Learn more at louisiana.edu/honors.
An audition is required for acceptance into all Bachelor of Music concentrations and for Music Education. For more information on requirements and to schedule your audition, visit the School of Music's website.
About one week before your registered Orientation session, you’ll receive an email from the Orientation Office that includes finalized details about the schedule of events, parking, check-in, and more. Continue to monitor your personal and University email for important updates and information.
More about Student Orientation