Your Path to Mac

SET UP YOUR MACALESTER ACCOUNT ON MAY 20
It all kicks off with your Macalester account. Information Technology Services (ITS) will send an email to your personal email address with your official Macalester username on May 20 with the subject line: “Initialize your Macalester Account and set up 2-factor authentication.” Follow the steps to set your password and enroll in 2-factor authentication.

SET UP DUO MOBILE AND GOOGLE 2-STEP AUTHENTICATION
You’ll need two kinds of 2-factor authentication to maintain access to your acount: Google 2-Step for Google and Duo Mobile for the rest of Macalester’s online services. Right after you set the password for your Macalester account, a ‘Success!’ page will appear with instructions for setting up 2-factor authentication with DUO and Google. Students must enroll in 2-factor authentication within 90 days of receiving the Macalester account initialization email. Those who don’t enroll within this timeframe will eventually be locked out of their account. This information is also found in the Student Technology Checklist (listed next).

STUDENT TECHNOLOGY CHECKLIST
Information Technology Services (ITS) provides information and help with technology on campus. Follow the Student Technology Checklist to understand how to connect your devices to campus wifi, print, view tech items to bring to campus, see where to stream movies and music legally and for free, and know where to get tech help.

CHECK YOUR EMAIL ACCOUNT
As soon as you have set up your macalester.edu account, you’ll begin to receive messages from various departments at Macalester helping with your transition to college. Look for messages in your Macalester email account about class selection, campus housing deadlines, Orientation, and updates from departments across campus. 

CHECK YOUR NEW STUDENT PORTAL
Similar to when you applied, your New Student Portal is your checklist for all the required forms and information needed before college. You’ll receive an email prompt to set up your New Student Portal in your new Macalester email account.
New Student Portal

DOWNLOAD MACNAV APP
Download MacNav, Macalester’s official app for students, to track your progress on completing New Student Portal tasks and receive reminders about upcoming deadlines. Later this summer, MacNav will show you Orientation schedules and reminders as well.

APPLICATIONS FOR AMETRICA, LIVES OF COMMITMENT, AND MENTORUP
Three optional programs designed to engage around identity, develop leadership skills, and build connections will be open for application. These are not required, but have been successful in helping students find their sense of belonging and give back to communities around them. The level of commitment varies so be sure to review the details of each program.

FALL COURSE PLANNING
Available in mid-May, you can view classes in preparation for submitting your Fall 2025 Course Preference Form, which is found in your New Student Portal and due June 16. For advice about the Course Preference Form, you are welcome to join the optional Course Selection Advice panel (see below) which will offer tips about planning a balanced schedule and completing this form. You are also strongly encouraged to sign up for a group advising session with a faculty member (see below). These sessions, which will take place over zoom during early June, will provide an opportunity to ask questions about choosing your schedule in a smaller group setting. Along with the form, you will get detailed instructions about registration steps. You will receive your First-Year Course confirmation and advisor information in mid-July, and we will place you in a second course based on your Course Preference Form. In late July, on the date and time that corresponds to your registration group, you may register for your third and fourth courses online. You may also change your second course at this time if you wish; you cannot change your First Year Course. The registration period will be open through August 1st, and you may make additional changes to your non-First Year Courses until it closes. You will meet with your advisor at Orientation and if needed, you will be able to make additional changes to your course schedule at that time.
View Advice Panel Webinar

REGISTER FOR COURSE SELECTION ADVICE PANEL 
On May 30 staff and professors outline the steps for selecting courses as a new student. Panelists describe the registration process, suggest strategies for developing your list of course preferences, including your First-Year Course. This recorded event will also be available for viewing as you complete your Fall 2025 Course Selection Form, due on June 16.
View Course Selection Webinar

REGISTER FOR AN ADVISING SESSION
In early June, faculty will be available during pre-scheduled sessions to answer your questions about choosing courses and the course registration process. We recommend attending the Webinar and looking over available courses before your session to make the most of your time!
Register for an advising session

PLAN FOR ORIENTATION
Orientation happens at the end of August, with some virtual programs available for parents and families in mid-August. All students attend orientation August 25-29, with international students arriving earlier on August 19. Student athletes and special program participants will also have varied arrival dates. While orientation may seem far away, don’t wait to schedule travel and plan Move-In Day logistics.
View Orientation Info

FORMS DUE JUNE 16
Your New Student Portal will list a variety of required forms including the Fall 2025 Course Selection Form and program applications. Forms are available in your portal before the due date, so you can take a look at what is expected and needed. Watch for email reminders and be sure to view your checklist to know exactly what is due.
New Student Portal

For students with accommodation requests, please submit the Disability/Accessibility Request Form available in the New Student Portal.

MONEY MATTERS – PAYMENT & FINANCIAL AID
Before fall semester account statements are sent in July, students should set up authorized users, others who also need access to account statements, through 1600grand (What is 1600grand?). Students with a financial aid package may also have a few additional steps to put financial aid in place.
See required steps

HOUSING FORMS DUE JUNE 27
The Housing Contract and Preferences Form will be available on June 2, 2025. First-year students must complete and submit it by Friday, June 27.

To access the form, log in to your housing and dining portal at 1600grand.macalester.edu. Navigate to My Housing and Dining, then select Housing and Dining Self-Service. Under Select Apps & Forms, you’ll find the Housing Contract and Preferences Form. Residential Life will send notifications about your roommate(s), residence hall, and meal plan on July 17. More details, including deadlines, will be sent to your Macalester email.

Learn more about Residential Life

FINAL TRANSCRIPT DUE ON JULY 1
Macalester’s offer of admission is contingent upon your successful completion of all secondary school coursework at a level similar to your previous work. You will need to submit a final copy of your secondary school transcript for approval by July 1. If there are circumstances that have caused any limitations on your ability to complete your coursework or produce a final transcript email [email protected] and we will assist you.

DEFER REQUESTS DUE ON JULY 1
Considering a gap year? Students who want to defer their enrollment to Fall 2025 have until July 1 to submit a Request to Defer form. The form is available in your Applicant Portal. For some students a gap year is the best way to transition from high school to college.
More about Requests to Defer

REGISTER FOR CLASSES JULY 21 – AUGUST 1
Check your registration group’s day and time, and login to register for your fall courses. If you need a refresher on the registration system, check out these written instructions, or a short video.

SUMMER SEND-OFFS IN MULTIPLE U.S. CITIES
Beginning in July, Macalester hosts Summer Send-Off events across the U.S. These casual events are designed especially for new students and their families to foster a sense of community, connect with alumni, and ask questions before the college journey begins. Watch for your Summer-Send-Off email invitation in June.
Learn more about Summer Send-Offs.

Note: We know not all students and families can join us at a Summer Send-Off. These events are optional and if you are unable to attend, be assured there will be many opportunities to meet other students at Orientation, and to connect with alumni through college and beyond.

PREPARE TO MOVE TO MAC
As Move-In Day on August 25 gets closer, you’ll be thinking about what to pack. Current students and Residential Life have a list to help you prioritize what you want to bring, both the must-haves and the nice-to-haves.
See Move to Mac Packing List

YOUR FALL 2025 COURSE SCHEDULE
During August your remaining course schedule will be put together by the Registrar based on your course preferences submitted in June, and your already assigned First-Year Course. There is nothing needed from you in this time (unless you hear directly from the Registrar’s office), but you may see tentative course registration activity in 1600grand. That is part of the ongoing schedule construction process and may change throughout the month as all student schedules are arranged. You will receive your schedule when you attend Orientation and you will have the opportunity to make changes when you meet with your advisor. The only course that cannot be changed is your First-Year Course.

HEALTH INSURANCE
All students are required to have health insurance. All international students will be automatically enrolled in the Macalester-offered United Healthcare Student Resources (UHCSR) health insurance plan. All other students must meet the requirement by purchasing the UHCSR health plan, or by providing documentation of health insurance that fulfills the requirements. This is a waiver form open from June 4 to August 13, 2025. The $3,329 cost of the UHCSR health plan is billed with the first tuition statement. Please note your UHCSR health insurance information will come from Gallagher.

SEND MACPASS PHOTO
MacPass is your campus ID card used for accessing buildings, tracking your meal plan, loading/spending Mac Money, and using library services. Sending in your photo by the due date means your MacPass will be ready and waiting for you on move-in day.
See Photo Requirements

FORMS DUE AUGUST 13
Similar to the June 16 deadline, August brings a set of forms due on August 13 before coming to Macalester.
New Student Portal

MAC BOOKS – COURSE MATERIALS
The Highlander (Macalester’s campus bookstore, operated by Barnes and Noble College) will prepare course materials for registered students near the beginning of each semester. Students will be notified when physical materials are ready for pickup. Electronic materials will be delivered to students within Moodle. There is no separate charge for Mac Books; the cost of course materials is included in tuition.
More about Mac Books