NSO Resource Center

New Student Orientation

The NSO Resource Center

Before you get on campus to experience orientation, there are a series of tasks, both required and useful, that will help prepare you for your first days on campus.

Although it seems like the list of required tasks never seems to get any shorter for new students, the NSO Resource Center is here to help! This page has a variety of NSO related resources as well as general admission information to help you get orientated before stepping foot on campus.

Explore the NSO Resource center to find what your next steps are before becoming a buff!

New Student To Do List

From submitting transcripts to applying for housing, the New Student To Do List has it all!

Pre-Orientation Testing

Prior to the start of Orientation, new students must complete both the TSI Pre-Assessment Activity (PAA) and the TSI Assesment.
- The Texas Success Initiative (TSI) is a program designed to ensure that all students enrolled in public colleges and universities possess the academic skills needed to be successful in college-level course work. Students who do not meet the minimum standard in one or more areas will be advised regarding TSI compliance and enrolled in the appropriate developmental program.

A student may be exempt from completeing the TSI Assesment by meeting one of the following standards:

ACT	Composite score of 23 or higher with at least a 19 on both English and Math sections. Scores must be no older than 5 years.
SAT (After March 2016)	Minimum score of 530 on the mathematics test is exempt for the mathematics section of the TSI Assessment. Minimum score of 480 on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) test is exempt for both reading and writing sections of the TSI Assessment. There is no combined score.
TAKS	Minimum score of 2200 on both the English and/or math sections with at least a 3 on the writing component of Grade 11 TAKS (for period of 5 years from the date of testing).
STAAR End-of-Course	Minimum score of Level 2 (4000) on the English III and minimum score of Level II (4000) of the Algebra II. Scores must be no older than 5 years.
Military	Veterans who have been honorably discharged or active duty personnel who has been serving for at least 3 years preceding enrollment.
Transfer	Transfer form a private or independent institution or an accredited out-of-state institution and has satisfactory completed college-level-coursework as determined by the receiving institution.

For more information regarding the TSI, as well as information pertaining to waivers for Dual Credit, Transient, and Active Military Students, please contact:
- Testing Services
  806-651-2341
- Admissions Office
  806-651-2020
  1-800-99-WTAMU (98268)
  admissions@wtamu.edu

Admissions Documents

Immunization Records

West Texas A&M University requires proof of Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination prior to registering for classes

Evidence of vaccination must be submitted in one of the following four formats:
- A complete Meningitis Immunization Record Form.
- A document bearing the signature or stamp of the physician or his/her designee, or public health personnel (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered).
- An official immunization record generated from a state or local health authority (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered).
- An official record received from school officials, including a record from another state (must include the month, day, and year the vaccination was administered).

Evidence to Decline Vaccination must be submitted in one of the following formats:
- An affidavit or a certificate signed by a physician who is duly registered and licensed to practice medicine in the United States, in which it is stated that, in the physician's opinion, the vaccination required would be injurious to the health and well-being of the student. Or submission of the completed Meningitis Medical Exemption Form.
- An affidavit signed by the student stating that the student declines the vaccination for bacterial meningitis for reasons of conscience, including a religious belief.
- Students living on campus: A conscientious exemption form from the Texas Department of State Health Services must be used and can be requested here - Affidavit Request for Exemption from Immunizations for Reasons of Conscience.
- Students NOT living on campus: May complete the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board Affidavit and submit the original notarized document to the Office of Admissions.
- Students who intend to enroll in Distance Education courses (or online only) must submit the petition for a waiver available here - Petition to Waive Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination.

Students age 22 or over are not required to receive the meningitis vaccine or submit documentation.

All documents should be mailed, faxed, emailed or hand-delivered to the Office of Admissions.
- Mail: Office of Admissions, WTAMU Box 60907, Canyon, TX 79016
- Phone: (806)651-2020
- Fax: (806)651-5285
- E-mail: admissions@wtamu.edu
- Hand Delivery: Office of Admissions, Old Main room 124

New Student Orientation

Family Sessions

New Student Orientations offer a companion experience for guests and family members of new students attending orientation. These sessions give parents useful information, opportunites to ask questions, and guideance pertaining to having a student in college. Family sessions are designed to help you better understand the services that WT has to offer as well as ways to help and encourage your student during this exciting time.

For questions about the Family Orientation Sessions, you may contact Sami Thompson at sthompson@wtamu.edu.

For the 2021 orientation season, we will have to limit the number of family members and guests to one per student. Please check back for updates.

Join Our Family Network Page on Facebook

Travel and Lodging

During NSO, we provide housing for all students for the 1 night of orientation.

For the first time, we are offering an early orientation on April 30-May 1. Since Spring classes will still be in session, we are unable to offer housing for this NSO.

We are working to provide optional housing for family members at an additional cost. Any family members wishing to stay on campus will be placed in a seperate Residence Hall from the students. The surrounding cities of Canyon and Amarillo also offer a variety of hotels and accommodations to help make your stay during NSO as comfortable as possible.