Pre-Orientation Checklist
Before you are able to participate in orientation and register for classes, you must accept your offer of admission.
Register for orientation using the web address provided in the communication received from New Student Programs, if you have not already done so. You will receive a confirmation and instructions for next steps via email. Some academic programs will include required steps you need to take prior to your arrival on campus for OnCyte Orientation or before your virtual advising appointment.
OnCyte Orientation is recommended for all Cyclones, but we know online orientation may be a better fit for some. The OnCyte event is designed for those who would like to experience campus, prepare for their Iowa State journey, and connect with other Cyclones in person.
There are many hotel options in Ames and the surrounding areas for you and your family to stay during your visit.
Orientation is required, but you do not have to attend OnCyte. Our online orientation works better for some students and families. You may work at your own pace. Plan to set aside at least 3-4 hours to invest in the program. During this time, you will learn essential information about completing course registration and transitioning to Iowa State.
Completion of orientation is required to register for classes. Therefore, we suggest you finish online orientation a week prior to your virtual advising appointment.
By downloading the Iowa State Guides App, you will find these resources in the Orientation Guide:
- Full schedule of events
- Customizable checklists
- Information about navigating campus
- So much more!
First-year students: Request your high school submit an official copy of your final transcript to the Office of Admissions. If you’ve attempted any college credits while in high school, you must also request that the college(s) send us an official transcript.
Transfer students: Request your previous college(s) submit an official copy of your final transcripts to the Office of Admissions.
All new students are required to complete the online ALEKS mathematics and statistics placement assessment through Access Plus. ALEKS assesses your abilities and places you in the appropriate course. You cannot be registered for a math or statistics course until you have completed ALEKS.
Begin ALEKS early and invest at least two hours into the assessment. Taking ALEKS early allows you time to review your first attempt if you are not satisfied with your results. The assessment may be completed up to five times. You should take the ALEKS math placement assessment at least five days prior to your academic advising appointment and bring your scores with you to your academic advising appointment.
If you want to continue studying a language at Iowa State you should take a placement assessment. This assessment helps determine at what level you should begin taking language courses at Iowa State.
Chinese, French, German, Russian, and Spanish
Take the assessment(s) prior to your orientation. Each assessment will take about 20 minutes to complete. Print a copy of your assessment results and bring it to your academic advising appointment during orientation. You do not need to take the placement test if you have no prior background in the language.
Students of Arabic and Latin backgrounds with prior experience in the language should contact the World Languages and Cultures Advising Office for in-person placement: 3220 Pearson Hall or 515-294-7570.
Credit by exam
If you do not plan to study a foreign language in college but would like to earn credit for prior language studied, you may take one of the following exams: Spanish, French, German, Latin, Russian, or Chinese. Please refer to information on the World Languages and Cultures website for details.
Set up your Net-ID (Iowa State email account).
You are encouraged to submit a photo for your ISUCard, your permanent university identification card, prior to coming to orientation. Visit the ISUCard Office website for more information.
AccessPlus is your secure and personalized online resource for accessing your important and confidential university information and web applications.
You will need to bring your AccessPlus password in order to register for classes during OnCyte Orientation or your virtual advising appointment.
Log in to TRANSIT to see how your college course credits will transfer to Iowa State.
Students who have a documented disability are strongly encouraged to set up an appointment to meet with a Student Accessibility Services staff member during your orientation visit to discuss reasonable accommodations for your needs. Students who would like to request accommodations for orientation should contact SAS (515-294-7220 or accessibility@iastate.edu) at least two weeks in advance.
There are many hotel options in Ames and the surrounding areas for you and your family to stay during your visit.
First-year students starting classes in May, June, or August who are attending the 1.5 day OnCyte Orientation experience in June and their families are invited to stay in Maple Residence Hall (no advanced registration is required). Discuss as a family which option is best for you.