Preparing for Your First Semester

For graduate students, course registration is handled internally within your academic department. If you are uncertain where to start, please reach out to your department coordinator for assistance.

Iowa State has a variety of on campus housing options for students.

Signing up to live on campus is easy! Your housing assignment is based off the date you submit your housing contract, not the date you accept your offer of admission. There’s no reason to wait! 

You can make adjustments to your contract later, for example, adding a roommate or learning community. Follow the steps below and submit your housing contract!

• Accept your offer of admission to Iowa State.
• Log in to the Housing Portal to submit your contract. As part of this process, you will choose preferences (aka: places you’d want to live). Check out housing options here.
  • Not sure where you want to live? It’s okay! You can adjust your preferences, add roommates, or choose learning communities later.
• Submit your contract and you’re set!

Remember, on campus housing fills up quickly, especially as enrollment continues to rise. Make sure to submit your contract as soon as possible if you want to secure on campus housing.

Ames has a variety of rental properties that exist off campus. If you are renting off campus only use reputable rental sites and avoid establishing rentals through sites like Facebook Marketplace.

The City of Ames website offers a Rent Smart Guide for individuals renting in Ames. It offers an overview of what renting in the city looks like and city policies regarding rentals.

ISU Dining offers a variety of meal plan options for students living both on and off campus. Availablity and requirements vary based on your housing situation.

For more information Dining Plans, please visit the Meal Plans & Rates website.

Your ISUCard is your permanent university identification card, which includes your picture and university ID number. You will use your ISUCard for most campus services including:

• Door Access to the Residence Halls
• Meals on Campus
• Testing Centers
• Recreation Centers
• Riding CyRide
• The University Library

Submit Your Photo

Visit the photo submission webpage and follow the guidelines listed to submit a photo for your ISUCard. It is very important that you only submit a photo that meets our requirements. Your photo will be rejected if it doesn’t meet the requirements.

Photos must be submitted online at least two full business days prior to picking up your card, or you will need to have your photo taken when you stop in the ISUCard Office instead.

Be sure to stop at the ISUCard Office in 0530 Beardshear Hall when you arrive on campus to pick up your ISUCard. Check the ISUCard website for hours of operation. The ISUCard Office, like most business offices on campus, is not open on weekends.

Have Your Photo Taken on Campus

You also have the option to stop into the ISUCard Office after you arrive on campus to have your photo taken and walk out with your ISUCard. Check the ISUCard website for office hours and further information.

The process generally takes about 30 minutes but could be longer if there is a line. 

Be sure to bring:

• your University ID number
• your passport

Compliance with Iowa State University’s immunization policy is an important first step for all incoming students and helps ensure a safe and healthy campus and community.

Please visit the Cyclone Health website for more information.

Iowa is a temperate state, meaning we experience four distinct seasons. On average, someone moving to Iowa can expect hot, humid summers and cold winters with snowy and/or icy conditions. In Ames, Iowa, the average temperatures range from an average high of 85°F/30°C in July to and average low of 12°F/-11°C in January. In Ames, Iowa, is rains the most during the month of May and snows the most during the month of February. In all seasons, Iowa can experience strong winds.

For those arriving to Iowa for the first time, especially for a Spring Entry period (December/January), we strongly recommend making the purchase of a winter coat a priority. Iowa can experience extremely low temperatures during winter and the presence of wind chill frequently makes it feel colder than it actually is. A sturdy, warm, and waterproof coat is necessary to combat both cold and wet conditions. 

Iowa has a number of different severe weather phenomena that may make the in-town emergency sirens go off. Common examples of severe weather in Iowa that may make the sirens go off include tornados, severe wind, and/or severe hail. If you hear the sirens going off, it is best to seek shelter immediately. Storm shelters on campus are marked.

Weather alerts may also come directly through your phone’s emergency alerts system.

On the first Wednesday of the month, at 10am, the emergency sirens are tested. When the sirens are tested, a message will play noting that a test is occurring.

ISSO recommends students new to Iowa or to their current housing determine where their residence directs them to go to seek shelter during a weather emergency.