First-Year Checklist

Deadline: ASAP

*Required

Create your Lewis & Clark account, which will establish your username for L&C email and systems including WebAdvisor (the website you’ll use to search for courses, locate your registration times, and register), Moodle, and wifi access points on campus. All communication from the college will be sent to your new L&C email address once you’ve set it up. During account creation, your L&C username is shown at the top of the page (e.g. lc22-1234@lclark.edu). You will also create an email alias (e.g. johnsmith@lclark.edu), but you won’t use that to log in anywhere. People can email you using your alias or username (they both route to the same inbox), but only your username will allow you access into L&C systems and email.

You will also need to set up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) with SecureAuthMFA as an added layer of security, protecting the community and helping safeguard college data.

This video tutorial will walk you through the entire process.

Deadline: ASAP

*Required

Once you have created your Lewis & Clark account and set up Multi-Factor Authentication, visit mail.google.com to get started. To log in, rather than using the @gmail.com extension, you will use your Lewis & Clark username (e.g. lc21-1234@lclark.edu) and password. The college will exclusively use this email address to communicate with you this summer and throughout your academic career. Please check your L&C email frequently.

Note: It may take a few minutes after creating your account for you to be able to log in with Gmail.

Deadline: ASAP

*Required

It is critical that we have a cell phone number and other contact information for you and your family in the event of an emergency. We recognize that you may have concerns about your privacy. The emergency contact information you provide will be held in a limited-access, password-protected portion of Lewis & Clark’s database and used only in compliance with the institution’s policies and procedures.

1. Log in to WebAdvisor.
2. Click on Students, then on Emergency Contact Information.
3. After entering the appropriate contact information, click Update/Verify to complete the entry.

Deadline: ASAP

If applicable

It is important to have your AP/IB exam scores sent to Lewis & Clark because these credits may affect your placement in some subjects. The Advanced Standing section of the Lewis & Clark College Catalog has a subject breakdown. The college typically receives and records these scores by mid-July.

Note: While we strongly encourage you to submit them as soon as possible, official advanced standing results must be received in the Office of the Registrar within one year from the date of initial matriculation to be eligible for credit.

Deadline: ASAP

If applicable

Lewis & Clark is committed to serving the needs of students with disabilities and learning differences. The Office of Student Accessibility ensures that students receive all of the benefits of a comprehensive selection of services. Reach out to Student Accessibility as an incoming student to begin facilitating accommodations.

Deadline: ASAP

Recommended

Check out the financial essentials webpage, which will help guide you through financial matters for the upcoming academic year, including details about settling your account, financial aid, the health insurance plan, and more.

Deadline: ASAP

Recommended

Moodle is our Learning Management System (LMS). Enroll in the Moodle Crash Course to get a quick overview and explore interactive samples of key tools in Moodle. Learn about assignments, forums, quizzes, and more! Go to the Moodle Crash Course page where you will be prompted to log into Moodle and then asked to enroll yourself in the course. Click Yes to get started.

Deadline: June 16

*Required

Your Lewis & Clark student ID card will be printed before your arrival to campus and available when you check in for orientation. Please follow instructions for submitting a photo.

Deadline: June 16

If applicable

The Office of Student Accessibility will work with new students on disability accommodations related to housing, service/emotional support animals, parking, and meal plans. Placement into accommodation housing for the fall 2025 semester cannot be guaranteed if the accommodation process is completed after June 16.

Opens: May 18
Deadline: June 16

*Required

You will receive an L&C Buzz email with details on the housing process on May 18, including how to submit the housing and roommate questionnaires in the housing portal.

Note: You will not be able to access the portal until 24 hours after creating your L&C account.

Opens: June 2
Deadline: June 23

If applicable

International students whose first language is not English and who have not submitted proof of English proficiency must complete an online English language placement exam. Information about the test will be sent to your L&C email during the week of June 2.

Deadline: June 27

*Required

Read the Wellness Welcome Letter, which will guide you through some important health-related requirements. You can access the form to input your immunization dates in the Health Information Portal 24 hours after you set up your L&C email account.

Opens: June 1
Deadline: June 29

*Required

Our innovative First-Year Seminar consists of two courses: Words and Numbers. All students will take one of these courses in each semester of their first year. Instead of registering for your fall semester Words or Numbers course yourself, you will submit a preference form indicating four preferences for each. On July 6, your placement will be sent to your L&C email.

Deadline: July 1

If applicable

We need to know if you plan to borrow any of the federal student loans on your financial aid offer. If you do plan to borrow part or all of these loans, you’ll need to follow these steps to secure your loan funding. The preferred deadline to do this is July 1 so we can be sure your loan funds are ready when you arrive in the fall.

Deadline: July 1

*Required

You must send the Office of Admissions an official copy of your high school transcript showing your date of graduation. Final transcripts must be sent directly from your high school.

Opens: July 7
Deadline: July 11

Recommended

Authorized Party enables a designated parent or guardian to remit payments, review account activity, retrieve PDF statements and discuss student account-related finances. The first billing statement will be available July 7. In order for Lewis & Clark to share this first billing statement with a designated user, it is highly recommended to enroll them in Authorized Party when the statement is made available. However, Authorized Party updates are open throughout your time at L&C.

Deadline: July 14

Recommended

One of the general education requirements is completing study of a language other than English through the 201 level (three semesters). Courses are offered in Arabic, Chinese, classical Greek, French, German, Japanese, Latin, Russian, and Spanish.

If you plan to study a new language, you can register directly for the 101 level and do not need to take this exam. If you have previously studied one of these languages and want to continue, you need to complete a language placement exam. The assessments for Chinese, French, German, Japanese, and Spanish can be accessed online, as can instructions and additional information about assessments in Arabic, classical Greek, Latin, and Russian.

Students with results that suggest placement into courses above the required three semesters will be required to confirm this placement either during the summer via Zoom (Chinese, Japanese, German, and French) or during New Student Orientation (Spanish). Students studying Arabic, classical Greek, Latin, and Russian will be asked to contact their respective professors for their assessment process. We highly recommend you complete your exam by July 14 for registration purposes.

Deadline: July 14

Recommended

One of the general education requirements is completing at least one natural science course, most of which have an algebraic proficiency prerequisite. Prior to course
registration, we recommend that incoming students take the ALEKS in order to meet this prerequisite, unless one of the following applies:

• You have an AP Calculus AB or BC score of 4 or 5.
• You have an IB Mathematics Higher Level score of 5, 6, or 7.
• You have college-level transfer credit that the Registrar’s Office has deemed equivalent.

The Registrar’s Office records ALEKS scores, and you can see them in WebAdvisor by clicking on Students, then on Test Summary.

Set aside some time for this task, and don’t wait until the last minute! Most students take the ALEKS twice, and students often score significantly higher the second time, so waiting until late July to take the placement for the first time could impact your ability to register for desired courses. Before retaking the exam, students must complete at least 8 hours of study with the relevant learning modules, and 12 hours are recommended. Questions about the ALEKS exam can be sent to aleks@lclark.edu.

Deadline: July 28

If applicable

You should take the music theory placement assessment if you think you may choose to major or minor in music. This assessment will test your music theory and aural skills and help determine which music theory course you should take first.

Deadline: July 28

*Required

Lewis & Clark believes that each member of the community is responsible for the integrity of their individual academic performance. It is important for all students to understand what constitutes academic dishonesty. The Academic Integrity Tutorial will be available 24 hours after you set up your L&C email account.

Deadline: July 30

*Required

The College Advising Center’s How to Register page explains class selection and the registration process. Review this guide before registering for classes on July 30 and August 1. You will only register for one top priority course today. Remember that you are already registered for your fall semster First-Year Seminar (Words or Numbers) course.

Deadline: August 1

*Required

You will register for the remainder of your fall semester courses today.

Opens: June 13
Recommended Deadline: August 1

If applicable

All undergraduate students are automatically enrolled in and charged for the Lewis & Clark student health insurance plan. Students with comparable health insurance are eligible to opt out for the academic year through the online waiver. It is recommended that you submit the waiver by August 1 for the costs to be deducted before the August 8 payment deadline. The final date to waive is September 16 for the 2025-26 year.

Opens: July 13
Deadline: August 3

*Required

You will receive details about the Center for Social Change and Community Involvement’s New Student Orientation Service Day in the L&C Buzz email on July 13, including how to log into GivePulse and submit your Service Day forms. This portal is where you will be able to find opportunities to make an impact in your community as well as track and report your engagement hours.

Note: Minors (under 18 by August 24) will require parent/guardian permission to participate in the service day. These forms are also due by August 3.

Opens: July 7
Deadline: August 8

*Required

Fall semester e-bills are released in mid-July. Log in to WebAdvisor and go to Student Finance to access the Student Account Center portal to review account details and retrieve your billing statement. There is more than one way to settle your student account at Lewis & Clark; full details of accepted methods of payment and options are available online.

Opens: August 1
Deadline: August 18

Recommended

The survey will be sent to your L&C email on August 1. It should take about ten minutes to complete, but the impact is much longer lasting! This survey asks you to reflect on your goals, imagine life after college, and think about how L&C can help move you toward achieving that vision. You’ll have the chance to hear from some current students about what it’s like on campus, and staff will be able to direct you to resources based on your answers to the questions.

Note: this survey will come from LC_FYE@hedsconsortium.org.

Opens: June 8
Deadline: August 28

*Required

The common reading assignment will be sent in the L&C Buzz email on June 8. You will meet with other new students and L&C faculty during NSO to discuss and interact with this text.

Opens: ??
Deadline: August 31

*Required

The wellness courses will help you navigate potentially risky situations that might arise in the course of your time with us, and will provide you with tips on how you can better take care of yourself, establish healthy relationships, and support others who may need help. You will receive an email invitation to start the courses during the week of July 15.

You will need to complete two modules: one on substance use (such as alcohol and other drugs), one on hazing awareness, and one on consent. This is a mandatory program for all first-year and transfer students.

If you have experienced trauma regarding sexual and interpersonal violence, contact the Office of Health Promotion and Wellness at healthed@lclark.edu for information on exemptions.

Opens: June 13
Deadline: September 16

If applicable

All undergraduate students are automatically enrolled in and charged for the Lewis & Clark student health insurance plan. Students with comparable health insurance are eligible to opt out for the academic year through the online waiver. It is recommended that you submit the waiver by August 1 for the costs to be deducted before the August 8 payment deadline. The final date to waive is September 16 for the 2025-26 year. 

June 11

The Parents and Family Preview invitation will be sent to the parent or guardian email on file.

July 6

Your fall semester Words or Numbers course placement will be sent in the L&C Buzz email.

Late July

Your housing assignment will be sent to your L&C email at the end of July.

August 20–22

New Student Trips begin on August 20, 21, and 22. Visit the New Student Trip options page to see the details and start date for each individual trip, and the NST Logistics page for pre- and post-trip information. All trips return to L&C on August 27.

August 28

During the week before classes start in the fall, New Student Orientation (NSO) helps our incoming first-year and transfer students get acquainted with campus, student life, resources, and peers. This event will introduce you to the broad range of curricular and cocurricular offerings that will engage and prepare you for success at Lewis & Clark and beyond.

September 2

The time has arrived—you are officially a student at Lewis & Clark! Enjoy your first day of classes.