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The Orientation Process

Select one week for your Student Online Advising & Registration (SOAR) appointment. Complete your SOAR page in MyUI at least 1 week prior to your selected week. Then, schedule a time to meet virtually with your academic advisor to plan for a successful first semester at Iowa and register for classes. Don't forget to select a date for your Becoming a Hawkeye program day!

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New Student Checklist

Being a new student can be overwhelming! We simplified your college transition into a checklist of to-do items. 

Get Started

Starting March 4, incoming students may register for their orientation experience at the University of Iowa. 

New Student Transition Timeline for Spring 2025 Admits

  • Reservation System Opens

    October 14

    All students who have accepted admission and paid the $325 acceptance fee can sign up for their orientation experience.

  • SOAR Page Opens

    November 18

    Students can start completing their required pre-advising materials, including placement tests on the soar page. The page must be completed one week prior to their Student Online Advising & Registration (SOAR) appointment.

  • Student Online Advising & Registration Appointments

    December- January

    Students sign up for their online advising appointment and register for classes during their advising meeting. 

  • Success at Iowa Course Opens

    January 7

    The Success at Iowa online course opens. All new students complete this transition course that wraps up halfway through the semester.

  • On Iowa! Spring Welcome Week

    January 19-25

    On Iowa! welcome week for new transfer, first-year, and international students with a variety of events.

  • First Day of Spring Semester

    January 21

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Best public university in the country (U.S. News & World Report)

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Top 3 %

of universities worldwide (U.S. News & World Report)

95 %

job/graduate school placement rate

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