
8 residence hall must-haves
The college shopping list can seem endless. These must-have items will help you narrow it down.
Congratulations on being admitted as an incoming transfer student to Colorado State University, a community filled with people who are diverse in their backgrounds, but linked by their big ideas.
Being a CSU student means joining a community that always has your back, because Rams take care of Rams. It’s setting you up for a successful career, and – bonus! – gaining lifelong friendships and a place you can always, always call home.
You worked hard for this, so enjoy the moment! And, when you’re ready, it’s time to cross a few more things off your list so you can officially become a CSU student. If you are still deciding whether CSU is right for you, that’s OK. These steps are non-binding and will keep you on track if you decide to become a Ram.
If you have questions about any of these steps, your admissions counselor is ready to help!
When you applied for admission to CSU, you were emailed a NetID to the email account you used to apply for admission. You will need to activate your NetID to get access to create a CSU email account and set up many other systems at CSU.
Your NetID is a C, followed by your 9-digit CSU ID. For example: C899456789
Need help? Contact us.
RAMweb is the CSU student portal where you manage your student record, see your financial aid awards, register for classes, check your grades, pay your bill, and more.
Inside RAMweb is a link to your Ram Start Checklist, which helps admitted students view upcoming tasks and find personalized information about next steps.
Fall start: Complete by July 1.
Spring start: Complete by December 15.
Summer start: Complete by June 1 or sooner for best access to classes.
Reserve your spot in our incoming class by paying or deferring your $300 enrollment deposit. You’ll be able to access the housing application and orientation sign-up after you deposit. See all your options below.
By confirming and paying your $300 deposit you will reserve your spot in the incoming class and gain access to the on-campus housing application and orientation sign-up.
If the deposit presents a financial hardship or your cost of attendance will be paid by a third party, you may defer your $300 enrollment deposit. This will reserve your spot in the incoming class, and you will gain access to the on-campus housing application and orientation sign-up. The $300 deposit will be applied to your first semester bill.
To confirm or decline, log in to RAMweb with your NetID and follow the link to your Admissions Dashboard, where you’ll be prompted to accept your offer by paying or deferring your enrollment deposit.
The Admitted Rams Community is an online, private group that allows students admitted for the upcoming academic year to meet one another before the semester starts. You will receive your personalized invitation to join via email in mid-October when the community opens or within a few days of admission if you’re admitted after this date.
Can’t find your invitation? Email us.
We offer plenty of opportunities to attend an in-person or online event specifically designed for admitted students. Learning more about CSU and next steps can help you decide if we are the right university for you.
Fall start: The on-campus housing application opens in January. The on-campus apartment application is open year-round.
Spring start: The on-campus housing application opens mid-September. The on-campus apartment application is open year-round.
Summer start: The on-campus housing application opens in January. The on-campus application is open year-round.
Some transfer students are required to live in residence halls. If you have fewer than 15 post-high school transferable credits, are single, under 21, and not living with your parents in the Fort Collins area, you must live in a residence hall.
If you aren’t required to live on campus, you still are welcome to. CSU offers a wide selection of housing and dining options to ensure transfer students feel at home, including designated floors in our residence halls and on-campus apartments.
The on-campus housing application requires a $300 deposit and a $50 nonrefundable application fee (waived for students who qualify for a need-based enrollment deposit deferral).
Questions about living on campus, the housing application, or the housing deposit can be directed to Housing & Dining Services.
Off-Campus Life offers resources to help you make a successful transition to the Fort Collins community beyond finding a place to live. You are encouraged to start your search for off-campus housing early. Turnover is common at the beginning and end of each academic term, but leases may need to be secured several weeks in advance.
Fall start: Orientation registration opens in January. Orientation is held in June and July.
Spring start: Contact the Orientation office for dates at (970) 491-6011.
Summer start: Contact the Orientation office for dates at (970) 491-6011.
All incoming students must attend Ram Orientation to learn about our traditions, to get introduced to campus services, and to meet with an academic advisor before registering for classes. It’s an important time to connect with others in your class and to meet the current students, faculty, and staff who will help you be successful at CSU.
Orientation typically is offered in both online and in-person.
Fall start: The FAFSA opens in December and has a priority deadline of March 1. Many scholarship applications also have a March 1 deadline.
Spring start: The FAFSA opens in December.
Summer start: The FAFSA opens in December.
Complete the steps on CSU Health Network’s new student checklist to support our commitment to a safe, healthy campus. Steps include submitting required health and immunization records, completing online health or safety programs, and documenting insurance coverage.
Before you attend Ram Orientation, there may be placement steps to make sure you register for the most-advanced classes you will be most successful in. Your official transfer credit evaluation will determine your next steps, so log into RAMweb to review your results under the Academic Progress and Planning section.
When in doubt, complete the placement steps – your results do not bind you to a particular course of action, but they can help you keep your options open.
Placement steps are available for math, composition, and foreign language.
A minimum of three credits of quantitative reasoning (math or statistics) are required to graduate from CSU. If you are transferring 60 or more credits and have not completed the quantitative reasoning requirement, you must complete it in your first semester at CSU to continue taking classes or to graduate.
Log in to RAMweb to complete your Personalized Mathematics Plan to understand where you’re at in the math placement process. Your personalized plan will determine whether you are required to complete our Math Placement Tool before orientation.
A minimum of three credits of English composition are required to graduate from CSU. If you are transferring 60 or more credits and have not completed the composition graduation requirement, you will be required to complete it in your first semester at CSU to continue taking classes or to graduate.
You do not need to complete the Composition Directed Self-Placement Survey (DSP) if you meet one or more of the following:
The Foreign Language Placement Exam is required before you can register for a world language course if you have previously studied French, German, or Spanish. The department recommends completing the exam at least three days prior to orientation. Learn more about the Foreign Language Placement Exam.
Fall start: Complete by July 1
Spring start: Complete by January 2
Summer start: Complete as soon as possible before classes start.
The college shopping list can seem endless. These must-have items will help you narrow it down.
College is different than high school. Keep these things in mind while preparing to come to Colorado State University.
Applying to CSU is a simple and straight-forward process.
Learn more about why your enrollment deposit is important and how to submit it.