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.
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 October 14, incoming students for the SPRING semester may register for their orientation experience at the University of Iowa. Stay tuned for 2025 Fall Orientation information.
New Student Transition Timeline for Spring 2025 Admits
Reservation System Opens
October 14All students who have accepted admission and paid the $325 acceptance fee can sign up for their orientation experience.
SOAR Page Opens
November 18Students 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- JanuaryStudents sign up for their online advising appointment and register for classes during their advising meeting.
Success at Iowa Course Opens
January 7The 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 19-25On Iowa! welcome week for new transfer, first-year, and international students with a variety of events.
First Day of Spring Semester
January 21
# 34
Best public university in the country (U.S. News & World Report)
Top 3 %
of universities worldwide (U.S. News & World Report)
95 %
job/graduate school placement rate
