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First-Year Students

Congratulations on your student's admission to the University of Cincinnati! As your student prepares for their first semester on campus, they should be sure to follow these steps to ensure a successful start to their college career.

Step 1: Confirm their admission deadline: Confirming is an important step toward becoming a Bearcat. Completing their Confirmation Form enables your student to apply for housing and register for Bearcat Bound Orientation. Your student can confirm by logging into their applicant status page and submitting the online confirmation form and confirmation fees. 

If your student is applying to Cincinnati's main campus for either spring or summer semester, their confirmation deadline will vary. Please refer to our list of deadlines to ensure your student confirms their admission in time to begin classes.

Step 2: Apply for financial aid: The FAFSA will be made available on October 1 of your senior year and it is important to fill it out as soon as possible. If your student has not done so yet, this should be a priority. Because some aid programs are awarded on a first-come first-served basis, submission of your student's FAFSA by December 1 of their senior year ensures that they receive maximum consideration for need-based aid. Be sure to connect with the Office of Student Financial Aid if you have any questions.

Financial Aid Award Package notifications will be sent to admitted students by late February. Students should anticipate an email prompting them to log into their Catalyst Student Portal to view award.  

Step 3: Connect with your Bearcat Community: Your student can connect with other admitted students on social media. Use #BearcatsBound to share news of their admission with their family, friends, and the other Bearcats that will be joining them on campus in just a few short months!

Step 4: Apply for housing: The fall housing application will be available in January after admissions offers are made. The priority deadline is in early May. Students whose permanent residence is farther than 50 miles from Cincinnati's Uptown (Main) Campus are required to live on campus during their first year. If your student is required to live on campus or if they choose to live on campus, they will need to apply for housing by visiting the Housing and Food Services website. Please Note: Students must confirm their admission prior to applying for Housing.

Step 5: Register for orientation: Registration for Bearcats Bound Orientation will begin in April. Bearcats Bound is designed to assist your student in making a successful academic and social transition into the University of Cincinnati community. During Orientation, your student will also meet with an academic advisor and register for classes. Please Note: Students must confirm their admission prior to registering for Orientation.

Step 6: Submit a final high school transcript: Admission offers are contingent upon successful completion of high school coursework. Students must submit an official, final high school transcript to verify graduation.

Transfer Students

Congratulations on your admission to the University of Cincinnati! As you prepare for your first semester on campus, please follow these steps to ensure a successful start to your college career. 

Step 1: Confirm Your Admission: To secure your spot at the University of Cincinnati, you will need to confirm your admission by the appropriate confirmation deadline. You can confirm by logging into your applicant status page and submitting the online confirmation form and confirmation fee.

Step 2: Receive Advising and Enroll in Classes: The advising and course registration process can differ depending on which academic college you have been admitted to. Please view your admission decision letter in order to know which academic college your major falls within.

Staff within your academic college will assist you with your advising needs. It typically takes 1-2 weeks for colleges to reach out to students once they have confirmed. Learn more about what you can expect in the weeks after confirming your admission by visiting our next steps page. While you are awaiting the transition to your new academic college, the Transfer Center is happy to help. They offer an additional support for transfer students to navigate campus and begin making progress to their goals at the University of Cincinnati.