INDEX

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

• Welcome
• About the College
• Academics
• Alumni Resources
• Diversity
• Faculty Resources
• Fund Raising
• Current Students
• Discover LAS
• LAS News & Events

• Orientation

• Learning Communities

• Placement Assessments

• Placement Info
• Math
• English
• Foreign Language

• Additional Info

• Admissions
• LAS Admissions
• AP Program
• ISU Orientation
• Dept of Residence
• Maps
• Orientation Dates
• FAQ

Orientation FAQ

How do I sign up for an orientation program?

Once you have accepted your offer of admission and paid your $266 New Student Program Fee, you will receive an invitation to attend orientation from your college. Please note that you must accept your offer of admission and pay the orientation fee in order to receive your invitation to orientation.
Admissions Acceptance Form

Am I required to attend orientation?

Many important details concerning your enrollment are covered in the orientation program and this information will be beneficial to you. We strongly encourage all entering students to attend orientation.

What if I have decided to change my major?

If you have been offered admission to Iowa State, but have decided to change your major, you should first contact the Office of Admissions. An admissions counselor can change your major for you. If your new major is in a different college than your previous one, the admissions office will notify the colleges of the change. Your new college will then send you information regarding its orientation programs. It is highly important for you to attend an orientation program for the college in which your new major belongs.

What is the difference between orientation and a campus visit?

Orientation is one of the final steps in your enrollment at Iowa State. A campus visit is an earlier step that will help you decide if Iowa State is the right school for you. An official campus visit arranged through the admissions office will include an enrollment information session, a walking tour of campus, a residence hall tour and complimentary lunch (when classes are in session), and academic information in your major of interest. For more information regarding campus visits to Iowa State, see Visit the Campus.

Should my parents, spouse, or other family members attend orientation?

Yes! We welcome and encourage other family members to attend orientation with you. Special orientation sessions are offered for parents and spouses so they can learn about Iowa State and the college experiences you will encounter as a student here.

What if I cannot attend any of the scheduled orientation programs?

This situation arises occasionally, particularly with students serving in the military or traveling abroad. If you cannot attend an orientation program in the months prior to your enrollment, we encourage you to attend the one-day orientation session held just before classes begin for your term. Each college within the university handles class registration for its students. If you cannot attend orientation, you should contact your college.

How do I know if I have to take placement tests?

Placement tests help determine the appropriate level of English and math courses you will take at Iowa State. Results from placement tests, along with high school courses and ACT or SAT scores, provide academic advisers with information to help you register for the classes that best fit your level of preparation.

Placement tests in math and English are administered during orientation. Iowa State initially uses ACT and SAT scores to determine English and math course placement for most students, so you might not be required to take the tests.

However, you will be required to take placement tests if you are an entering freshman and have not sent your ACT or SAT scores to Iowa State. You may also be required to take the math placement test if you are a freshman student entering in a science major.

If you would like to attempt to receive a higher placement than the one indicated by your ACT or SAT scores, you may take the math and/or English placement tests when you attend orientation. Look for information concerning placement tests in the orientation mailing you receive from your college.

This chart will help you determine which Math Placement test to take.

How do I contact my college?

Specific questions concerning orientation and your academic program should be directed to your college. Iowa State is organized into nine different colleges, including seven undergraduate colleges, a College of Veterinary Medicine, and a Graduate College. For information on how to contact your college, see College Contacts.

Where can I find more information regarding credit for AP, CLEP, IB, and departmental test-out exams?

Iowa State offers credit for numerous types of exams. We recommend that you check with an academic adviser in your major of interest before registering to take these exams. An adviser can tell you if the credit awarded for particular tests will be accepted into your degree program. For more information, please see Credit by Exam.