Orientation

STEP 3: Register for Your Orientation Session

Before registering for an orientation session, talk with the up to four guests who can come with you, and discuss the dates that works best for everyone. Once you begin the registration process, we will ask you to select an orientation session. You can make changes in the reservation system up to two weeks prior to your assigned session. Within two weeks, you will need to contact the orientation office for any changes.

Refund Policy

Meals, staffing and needed materials are ordered in advance. A 72-hour cancellation notice BEFORE the assigned Orientation session begins is required for a refund. No refunds can be issued within 72 hours of your scheduled session.

Please review the remainder of this website for important information on the following:

• Required math and optional World Language and Cultures assessments (Step 4 below)
• Bradley’s Health Form which can be turned in during Orientation (Step 5 below)
• Sample schedules from 2022 at the top of the page. The 2023 schedules will not be exactly the same but are similar
• Programmatic Details which has information on orientation roommates, programmatic start and finish times and more.
• What To Bring for overnight bedding you should bring, forms of ID needed and additional information.
• Hotel Accommodations for parents/supporters
Register for your Orientation session

STEP 4: Accessing Math and World Language Assessments

Math Assessment and retake attempts

All students are required to take the math assessment, even those with AP, Dual or IB credit ASAP. The sooner this is completed, the sooner you and your advisor will know if your score allows you to register for major required math and science courses. Please visit the ALEKS Math Placement Assessment website for general test information and scroll down to item #5 for a breakdown of course placement test scores. Within 48 hours of registering for a session you will be eligible to take the math assessment.

Students are able to retake the math test up to three times but the first attempt must be completed as soon as possible. Even if you are taking a math course currently that would boost your score later, you are encouraged to complete the math assessment ASAP. This will allow you to view your placement and determine if you should test again, which will likely result in an improved score and the most accurate placement in required math and science classes if needed. Students will need to complete a prep-and-learning module before they can test again, the total time required here is approximately 10 hours and should be completed in 2-3 hour blocks per day.

If you were to change your major into a program of study that requires higher than Bradley Core Curriculum math, we need to have a score on file for you.

Accessing and Taking the Math Assessment

The assessment is housed in our Canvas course called “Starting Off”. The instructions with screenshots to access "Starting Off" are below. Please check your computer's setup and installation for Lockdown Browser. If you are having difficulty with the Lockdown Browser, please shut down and restart your computer to make sure no other programs are running besides the Lockdown Browser. It is recommended to take this assessment on a computer or tablet versus your phone. Additionally, some students have run into past issues using a Chromebook. If these or other issues are preventing you from taking the assessment, please email the Academic Success Center at success@fsmail.bradley.edu for assistance.

Language Placement Test

Bradley currently offers an online language assessment in French, Spanish, and Chinese. Students who have taken Arabic previously and wish to continue in the language should contact the Department Chair. Please review this section to determine whether or not a language placement test is right for you:

• Students who studied a foreign language in high school or at another college or university and who wish to continue studying the same language at Bradley University must take a placement test before enrolling in a language course. Unlike the math assessment, students only take the world language placement one time.
• While language coursework is required for the Bachelor of Arts degree, not all students are required to complete language coursework. Consult with your advisor to determine how it fits with your program.
• If language courses are not required in your major, you may still want to consider developing your language skills or pursuing a language minor. Even as elective credits, time spent in language coursework will improve your marketability after graduation. Students who place at the 102 (second semester level) or higher can also earn extra retroactive credit. A student who places in Spanish 201 (Spanish 3) for example, can earn 8 extra Bradley credits. For more information go to their website.
• If you are interested in language courses it is best to take them sooner rather than later. If you wait you will have forgotten words and your language skills will be rusty.
• If you are unsure whether or not to take the language placement exam, we generally recommend you complete it and have the score on file. There is no cost to you for the test, and having the score may increase your options for course offerings in the future.

The World Language Placement Exam is now available and needs to be completed by one to two weeks prior to your orientation session. Unlike the math assessment, students only take the language placement exam once.