Orientation and
First-Year Program

New Student Orientation

Orientation is for students who have accepted admission to Iowa State and plan to enroll in an upcoming term. During orientation you will be provided the opportunity to:

• Meet with an academic advisor
• Register for classes
• Obtain your ISU card
• Become familiar with the campus
• Increase knowledge of important policies and procedures

After students complete orientation, they will be assigned an academic advisor to assist in class registration for their first semester.

Placement Information

All engineering students need to complete the online ALEKS math placement assessment before attending orientation. Score of 76+ places into Calculus I and engineering course prerequisites. Online math placement assessment

Students wishing to continue in a world language at ISU need to take the online world language placement assessment. Have your scores available during orientation. Online world language assessment

Credit by Examination

• AP – Advanced Placement
• IB – International Baccalaureate

Transfer Classes

Look up how a class transfers to Iowa State University through the TRANSIT course transferability tool.

See college transfer plans and view answers to frequently asked questions regarding transferring your classes to Iowa State on our Engineering Transfer Student website

Orientation Checklist

What to do before your academic advising appointment

• Complete the ALEKS Math Placement and any desired retakes for higher placement
• Submit official college transcripts if these are not already listed under Transfer Credits Granted in MyAccount. This allows the registration system to consider these for course prerequisites for an accurate class schedule
• Submit official high school transcript if coming to Iowa State the first semester after finishing high school
• Complete Workday onboarding tasks in your Workday inbox
• Have a list of any Advanced Placement (AP)/International Baccalaureate (IB) classes taken and scores
• Complete optional World Language placement if continuing a world language at Iowa State
• Students who have selected online orientation must complete the online Engineering Pre-Advising Appointment Questionnaire