Contact the Office of Admissions if you need help with any of these steps!
Call: 304-876-5212 | Text: 304-716-4075 | Email: admission@shepherd.edu
After Admission | After Deposit | Before Orientation | After Orientation
After Admission
Activate your RAIL account and pay your enrollment deposit
RAIL is where you’ll register for classes, view your transcript, manage your financial aid, and pay your bill. Submitting your enrollment deposit confirms your spot at Shepherd and grants you access to your student email, the housing application, course registration, and more!
Sign up for an Accepted Student Day event and/or a campus visit
File your FAFSA
All eligible students should be sure to file the FAFSA by March 1st for priority consideration and list Shepherd’s school code: 003822. Need help? Call Financial Aid at 304-876-5470.
Apply for scholarships
Apply for Summer Start
Freshmen: Take charge of your education by starting college early! You’ll be able to take up to 7 credits, receive individualized advising, bond with other students through special activities, live on-campus, and more.
Connect with us!
After Submitting Your Enrollment Deposit
Set up your Shepherd email/network account
About 24 hours after you’ve paid your enrollment deposit, you can activate your student email/network account which will give you access to the housing application, campus computers, RamPulse, and more.
Apply for housing and a meal plan
After you’ve set up your student email, you can apply for on-campus housing and a meal plan through the Good Living Portal.
Review and accept your scholarships and financial aid
Sign up for Orientation: Advisement & Registration
Students who have taken care of their enrollment deposit are eligible to sign up for the Advisement & Registration portion of Orientation. During this program, you’ll meet with your advisor to choose and register for your classes.
Transfer Students: Before you schedule an appointment, please make sure you’ve received an email from Admissions notifying you that your official Shepherd transcript and degree evaluation are available. These items will help ensure you receive the most accurate advising possible.
Before Orientation
Send official ACT, SAT, AP, IB scores and final college transcripts
Official ACT/SAT scores are used to determine math + English placement. If you earned a passing AP/IB exam score, you can receive college credit. If you had college courses in progress, we’ll need an official college transcript with final grades and/or degrees posted in order to update your account. Be sure to send these items as soon as possible so we can make sure your record is accurate when you meet with your advisor.
Schedule an Accuplacer test
You can take the Accuplacer for math + English placement if you: a) don’t have ACT/SAT scores, b) have not yet taken college math + English, or c) believe your ACT/SAT scores don’t reflect your ability in these subjects.
Upload your Rambler photo
Your Rambler is your official student ID card and gives you access to the Wellness Center, the library’s 24-hr room, your residence hall + meal plan, and more.
After Orientation
Provide immunization records
Finalize your financial aid and pay your bill
Make sure you’re on track with the Financial Aid Checklist, tuition deadlines, and payment plans. You can pay your bill through RAIL, by check, or by calling the Business Office at (304) 876-5284.
Get your textbooks
The Shepherd bookstore makes it easy to look up and purchase your required course materials.
Purchase a parking pass
Send all final official transcripts
Freshmen should send their final high school transcript after graduation. If you had college courses in progress, we’ll need an official transcript with final grades and/or degrees posted in order to update your record.
Sign up for Rave alerts
Sign up for text alerts regarding delays, closures, and emergency notifications.
Connect with support services and student resources
Explore RamPulse
Get involved! Join a club or organization and view upcoming campus events.