Prior to arrival, you will likely receive many communications from ISSO with information regarding your upcoming orientation program. If you have missed an email or would just like to review, you can find already sent communications below.
Orientation Program Updates
Hello New Cyclone!
The Spring 2026 semester is rapidly approaching and ISSO is here to provide you with some resources that will help you prepare for arrival.
When should you arrive?
ISSO recommends that you try to arrive on January 10 and 11 in order not to accrue too many early arrival costs. If you must arrive earlier, we strongly recommend not arriving prior to January 5.
When can you move in?
Since Spring semester arrival happens in the middle of Iowa State’s academic year, we unfortunately do not have any on campus options for temporary early arrival housing.
For students living off campus, you will want to contact your leasing agent or landlord to make move in arrangements.
For students living on campus, check-in will be available from 3pm to 5pm on January 11 and 12. This is when housing desks will be available for you to collect your keys. Once you have collected your keys, you can move into your room at any time. To let us know when you’re coming, please submit this form:
Early Move-In Request (email isorient@iastate.edu to request this link)
Official move-in begins on Thursday, January 15.
Need temporary housing?
ISSO recommends that students in need of temporary housing make reservations at the Gateway Hotel.
Make a Reservation (email isorient@iastate.edu to request this link)
Currently, the ISSO reduced rate for the Gateway Hotel is $109 per night. Reservations are dependent on hotel availability. The “International Students and Scholars Office” reduced rate does not apply during ISU home football games or graduation.
Alternative and independent arrangements can be made through Airbnb or hotels in Ames.
How to get to campus?
ISSO offers a complimentary shuttle to new international students through University Transportation Services. Shuttle Service begins on January 5, 2026.
Request Your Shuttle (email isorient@iastate.edu to request this link)
Please make sure to submit this request at least 3 business days before your planned arrival.
Where to eat during orientation?
Spring 2026 meal plans begin on Friday, January 16. As you will be arriving prior to the contract begin date, you will need to plan on making alternate arrangements until your contract begins. Please Note: ISU Dining is now cashless, payment by card is required.
Dining Dollars can be purchased through your ISU Dining account and are accepted at all ISU Dining locations. You can begin using any Dining Dollars on your account once you’ve collected your University ID Card.
Open Dining Locations can be found here.
If you have any questions, please email us at isorient@iastate.edu.
Safe travels and we look forward to meeting you soon!
Missed or misplaced a previous email? Review all sent emails on our website!
Hello New Cyclone!
Have You Reviewed Your New International Student Orientation Schedule?
If you haven’t, please make sure to review the schedule carefully, as there are required sessions on each day.
Required Orientation Sessions:
• Orientation Check-In and Welcome Fair
• Welcome to Iowa State
• Understanding Your Immigration Status
• U.S. Laws and Safety
• College Connections
Required Sessions with Additional Registration:
• English Placement Test
• Student Health Orientation
English Placement Test
Incoming international students who are not native speakers of English, not enrolled in distance-only programs, or who do not meet at least one of the exemption criteria for the English Requirement must take the English Placement Test (EPT). Please note that failure to take the EPT in your first semester may cause difficulties in planning your course of study and delays in your graduation.
Check the English Placement Test webpage and review the criteria listed under the Exemptions tab to determine whether you meet the English language requirement.
Registration for the EPT opens on December 29, 2025.
The EPT will be held on Tuesday, January 13, 2026 as part of New International Student Orientation.
Student Health Orientation
Your Student Health Orientation session is an opportunity to learn about the resources offered by Student Health and Wellness, connect with our Thielen Student Health Center Staff, and fulfil any needed health requirements.
Sessions for EPT Exempt students will be on Tuesday, January 13, 2026.
Register for EPT Exempt Sessions Here
Sessions for Non-Exempt student will be on Wednesday, January 14, 2026.
Register for EPT Non-Exempt Sessions Here
If you are uncertain which sessions to register for or have any questions, please email us at isorient@iastate.edu.
Missed or misplaced a previous email? Review all sent emails on our website!
Hello International Cyclone!
Have you completed the Online Orientation yet?
Completion of this course is required to meet with your academic adviser and register for classes.
To receive credit for completing this course, you must log in using your Iowa State NetID and Password.
We hope you are looking forward to starting your journey at Iowa State this spring! Everyone at ISSO is here to support you! If you have any questions, email us anytime at isorient@iastate.edu.
Hello International Cyclone!
Registration is now open for Spring 2026 New International Student Orientation!
You can register for our 4 day international orientation program by following this link or by accessing registration through your Admission MyAccount. International Orientation will take place from Monday, January 12 to Thursday, January 16, and is required for all new international undergraduate students.
More information about International Orientation, traveling to the U.S., preparing for arrival, and more can be found on our New Students website.
If you have any questions, please email us at isorient@iastate.edu.
We look forward to meeting you soon!
Missed or misplaced a previous email? Review all sent emails on our website!
Hello International Cyclone!
Have you reviewed your required tasks listed in your Pre-Arrival Guide? Please review the guide carefully, as missing a step could delay your enrollment at Iowa State!
It is recommended that you complete all the following steps that are listed in the next steps packet by Friday, December 27, but it is in your best interest to work through the listed steps as soon as possible to ensure you have enough time to get registered for classes and have a successful first semester on campus!
To help you keep track of your progress, we have created an interactive checklist in Cystart. Log in with your NetID and password and use the International Student Orientation Checklist to track important items and register for orientation.
A few reminders:
- You must arrive in Ames, Iowa, by Sunday, January 11, which is listed on your I-20 form. If you have an emergency and are unable to arrive in Ames by January 11, or you would like to defer your admission to a future semester, you must contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@iastate.edu to receive a late arrival letter or an updated I-20. Please note that arriving late will impact your course availability and academic success.
- ISSO New International Student Orientation will take place from Monday, January 12 to Thursday, January 15 and is mandatory for all incoming international students. You must plan to attend all required orientation activities starting January 12 as there are required tasks you must complete.
- More information about ISSO New International Student Orientation, such as the complete schedule of events, will be sent to your email in December and also made available on the New International Student Orientation page of the International Students and Scholars website.
- You will likely need to plan for temporary housing accommodation once you arrive in Ames. Options are as follows:
- Make reservations at the Gateway Hotel with the reduced ISSO rate of $109 (plus tax) per night. To make a reservation at the Gateway Hotel, please use this reservation link.
- Alternative and independent arrangements can be made through Airbnb or hotels in Ames.
We hope you are looking forward to starting your journey at Iowa State this spring! Everyone at ISSO is here to support you! If you have any questions, email us anytime at isorient@iastate.edu.
Hello International Cyclone!
Online Orientation is Available Now!
Online Orientation is required for all incoming international students. In online orientation you will learn about Iowa State’s campus, student resources, information specific to your college and major, and once complete, you will gain access to course registration. It is important to complete this course as soon as possible, as completion is required to meet with your academic adviser and register for classes.
To receive credit for completing this course, you must log in with your Iowa State NetID and Password.
We hope you are looking forward to starting your journey at Iowa State this spring! Everyone at ISSO is here to support you! If you have any questions, email us anytime at isorient@iastate.edu.
Hello International Cyclone,
On behalf of the International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO), we are pleased to welcome you to the Iowa State community! We are so excited to have you start your journey at Iowa State and look forward to meeting you!
International Undergraduate Pre-Arrival Guide
The International Undergraduate Pre-Arrival Guide is a comprehensive manual that ISSO has compiled to help you get started on your journey to Iowa State. Inside you will find all the items you need to complete to finalize your enrollment at Iowa State and plan your arrival in the United States, including:
• What to do after receiving your I-20
• Getting started on your visa application process
• Making travel arrangements both to the U.S. and to campus
• Making permanent housing arrangements
• Housing and dining arrangements for orientation
• Steps for completing online orientation and student onboarding
• How to register for classes
• Information regarding placement exams
• Immunization records and health screenings
• Information about ISSO’s New International Student Orientation
Please review your Pre-Arrival Guide carefully, as missing a step could delay your enrollment at Iowa State. It is recommended that you complete all the following steps that are listed in the Pre-Arrival Guide by Friday, December 27 but it is in your best interest to work through the listed steps as soon as possible to ensure you have enough time to get registered for classes and have a successful first semester on campus.
To help you keep track of your progress, we have created an interactive checklist in Cystart. Log in with your NetID and password and use the International Student Orientation Checklist to track important items and register for orientation
Online Orientation – Available October 22
Online Orientation is required for all incoming international students. In online orientation you will learn about Iowa State’s campus, student resources, information specific to your college and major, and once complete, you will gain access to course registration. It is important to complete this course as soon as possible, as completion is required to meet with your academic adviser and register for classes.
This course will launch on October 22. You can access the course through your Admissions MyAccount or by the link we will email out on launch day.
Lastly, mark your calendars!
• You must arrive in Ames, Iowa, by Sunday, January 11. If you have an emergency and are unable to arrive in Ames by January 11, or you would like to defer your admission to a future semester, you must contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@iastate.edu.
• ISSO New International Student Orientation will take place from Monday, January 12 to Thursday, January 15. During orientation, you will complete your required immigration processing, connect with various campus resources, meet other international and U.S. students, participate in fun activities, and learn important information about transitioning into life at Iowa State University. You are required to attend orientation in January, so plan your travel accordingly.
If you have any questions, please email us at isorient@iastate.edu.
Thank you!