The information below is for Exchange Students wishing to study at Iowa State.  Exchange students (undergraduate and graduate) are nominated by one of Iowa State University’s partner universities to study abroad at Iowa State for one or two semesters.

International Exchange Student Application Process

Application Deadlines:

Fall Semester (August – December)April 1
Spring semester (January – May)October 1

Before Applying to Iowa State University, please complete the nomination process at your home university.

If you have questions that your home Exchange Program Coordinator cannot answer, feel free to contact Engineering International Engagement (eip@iastate.edu).

Apply online at:ISU Incoming Exchange Student ApplicationIf you have questions that your home Exchange Program Coordinator cannot answer, feel free to contact Engineering International Engagement (eip@iastate.edu).

After you have received acceptance to ISU:

Visa Application Process:

  • After a student has been accepted at ISU, she/he will receive a DS-2019 (for J-1 Visa) form from ISU to be used for Visa application.
  • The student submits copies of Admission’s Acceptance Letter, Financial Statement and DS-2019 forms to U.S. Consulate in own country. (Can take up to 3 months!)

Housing Process:

  • Housing assignments are made after the exchange application due-date.  Assignments for applications received after the due date will be reviewed at a later time and will be based on availability.  To ensure housing, it is important that applications are received by the deadline.

Orientation:

  • Students are required to participate in a weeklong Orientation that begins the Friday or Saturday one week before classes start. Computer access, how to buy books, and assimilation to campus and the Ames Community are a sample of the topics covered in this Orientation.

Transportation: