Preview
During Preview, students will have the opportunity to meet other new students, current students, faculty, and staff. Students will also meet with an academic adviser within his or her course of study, as well as schedule classes for fall semester. Each Preview session is limited to 350 students, and spaces are reserved on a first-respond, first reserved basis.
At Preview, new students will:
- meet with an academic advisor
- register for classes
- learn how to register with SOAR, Southern Miss' online regristration system
- meet representatives from more than 75 campus departments
and student organizations - pre-order textbooks for classes
- have student identification card made
- set up a university email account
Attendance at a preview session is required for all new students. Students must be admitted to the university before attending preview.
2008 Preview Schedule
Preview 1 Thursday, June 5 Freshman
Preview 2 Tuesday, June 17 Freshman
Preview 3 Thursday, June 19 Transfer
Preview 4 Saturday, June 28 Freshman
Preview 5 Tuesday, July 1 Transfer
Preview 6 Tuesday, July 8 Freshman
Preview 7 Saturday, July 19 Transfer
Early Registration Deadlines for Preview 2008 |
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| Preview reservations made after the deadline will be subject to a $25 late fee. | |
| Preview 1: Thursday, June 5 | Deadline: Friday, May 30 |
| Preview 2: Tuesday, June 17 | Deadline: Tuesday, June 10 |
| Preview 3: Thursday, June 19 | Deadline: Friday, June 13 |
| Preview 4: Saturday, June 28 | Deadline: Monday, June 23 |
| Preview 5: Tuesday, July 1 | Deadline: Thursday, June 26 |
| Preview 6: Tuesday, July 8 | Deadline: Wednesday, July 2 |
| Preview 7: Saturday, July 19 | Deadline: Friday, July 11 |
Click Here to Register for Preview.
Reservation Information will be mailed to all students who have applied for admission. Contact the Admissions Office for any questions concerning your application for admission.
The following hotels have special rates for Southern Miss students attending Priority Preview.
- Comfort Inn: 601-264-1881
- Comfort Suites: 601-261-5555
- Holiday Inn: 601-296-0302
Driving Directions
From the Gulf Coast
North on US-49 for 69.3 miles, left onto Hardy Street, Southern Miss is on your right.
From Jackson
South on US-49 for 83.3. miles, right onto
Hardy Street, Southern Miss is your right.
From Mobile
West on US-98 for 87.5 miles,
take ramp right onto US-49 towards Hattiesburg, keep straight for about 4 miles, turn left on Hardy Street, Southern Miss is on your right.
From New Orleans
East on I-10 for 32.8 miles,
Take ramp right onto I-59 towards Hattiesburg for 76.6 miles, at exit 65A-B turn right onto ramp towards US-98/Hardy Street, take ramp right onto Hardy Street, keep straight for about 1.5 miles, Southern Miss is on your left.
Getting to the Thad Cochran Center
From Hardy Street, take the Championship Lane that parallels US-49 to Fourth Street. From Fourth Street
enter the campus at the Golden Eagle Avenue light and park next to Reed Green Coliseum. Follow the signs displayed on Preview day.
Preview FAQ
1. What is Preview?
Preview is new student orientation. During Preview, students will have the opportunity to meet other new students, current students, faculty, and staff. Students will also meet with an academic adviser within his or her course of study, as well as schedule classes for fall semester. Each Preview session is limited to 350 students, and spaces are reserved on a first-respond, first reserved basis.
2. Is Preview Mandatory for all new students?
All degree seeking students who are new to the University must attend a Preview session in order to register for their first semester
of classes. Please contact the Office of the First Year Experience in the event that you are unable to attend any of the available sessions.
3. What methods of payment are accepted for Preview registration?
Visa , Mastercard, and Debit Cards are acceptable forms of payment when making an online reservation. You may also make the payment with cash, check, or money order if you are making your reservation by mail or in person.
4. What does the registration fee include?
The registration fee includes lunch, your materials for the preview session, Golden Eagle Welcome Week registration, as well as programming fees for the remainder of your first year at Southern Miss.
5. What will I be expected to pay at Preview?
You are not expected to pay tuition or any of your other student fees during your Preview session. However, you will be given a statement with your balance during the check-out process. If you choose to you may pay your balance in the Business Services office which is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Be conscious of payment deadlines by checking the Business Services website at http://www.usm.edu/bizserv.
6. When can we tour the residence halls?
Residence hall tours are built into the Preview schedule and begin at 3:30 p.m. If you are unable to take a tour the day of your Preview session, or would like to set up a separate tour, you may contact the Office of Admissions at 601-266-5000.
7. When will students receive their housing assignments?
Students generally receive their housing assignments in July prior to school starting. For more details contact Residence Life at 601-266-4783.
8. I pre-ordered my textbooks at Preview. When I can pick them up from the bookstore?
You may pick up your pre-ordered text books when the University Bookstore, which is located in the Thad Cochran Center, resumes its regular semester hours.
9. I don’t know my SOAR or Webmail password. Where can I
set that up?
If you were unable to set up your USM e-mail account during Preview you may contact I-tech at
601-266-HELP to set up your user name and password.
10. Will I be able to meet with Financial Aid during my Preview session?
A representative from Financial Aid will be available to answer questions at each Preview session from 3:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
11. My parents will not be able to attend Preview. Can I bring a friend?
You may bring another relative in place of parents if they plan on attending the Parent Preview session. They too will be expected to pay the $20 registration fee for parents.
12. I have to drive more than a few hours to attend Preview. Are there hotels you can recommend?
A few hotels in the Hattiesburg area include:
Holiday Inn 601-296-0302
Comfort Suites 601-261-5555
Comfort Inn 601-264-1881
Courtyard Marriot 601-268-3050
14. What materials should I bring to Preview?
You will need your social security number to check into Preview, a photo ID, and confirmation of your Preview Reservation.
15. I have difficulty walking long distances. Will I be able to fully participate in Preview?
Yes! If you call our office ahead of time or let us know when you arrive at your Preview session we will make all of the necessary accommodations to ensure full participation in Preview with no inconvenience.
16. What if I need to change my major?
You may change your major during the check in process on Preview day. After you have done so you will meet with an academic advisor in your new major during advisement portion of your Preview session.
17. I have other plans on my orientation date. If I come early, can I register early?
Each preview session begins at 8:00 a.m. and ends at approximately 5:00 p.m. Each new student is expected to complete all portions of the program on his or her Preview day. We encourage you to register for a Preview session that you will be able to devote your entire day to as all students will be dismissed to their academic advisors at one time.
18. I have applied for admissions, but have not received my acceptance letter yet. Can I still register for Preview?
Yes, you may register for Preview before you receive your acceptance letter from the Office of Admissions. However, you need to make sure that you have been accepted to the University before attending preview. Only those students who have been accepted to the University will be able to register for classes.
19. My friend is coming to my Preview Session, can we be in the same group?
Each student is randomly assigned to a small group in order to ensure that you will meet new faces and make new friends.
20. Are parents allowed to accompany students to advisement?
Parents will have a separate informational session to attend during advisement and will not be a part of advisement dismissal and registration.
21. Is it possible to change my preview session? Will I have to pay an additional charge?
If you have already made your reservation for Preview and are unable to attend, you may change your Preview date provided another session is available. There is no additional charge for making this change. You must contact the FYE Office in order to make the change.