New Student Orientation
Program Schedule
Summer
Incoming Freshmen
Incoming Freshmen
Most students who enter IU in the fall semester come to summer orientation. This two-day program is designed to give you the best possible start to your IU experience.
Our largest orientation program, summer orientation takes place in June and July. If you absolutely can’t schedule your program during the six weeks we offer, you can request an exemption so you can attend the program in August, shortly before the start of the semester.
Planning and Making Your Reservation
If you’ve been admitted for the fall, we’ll send you information about New Student Orientation as early as February. After you receive your invitation to New Student Orientation and have paid your enrollment deposit, you can make your online reservation. We begin taking reservations in mid-March.
Choosing Your Schedule
When you make your reservation, you’ll be able to select your preferred date and schedule from all the options available to you. Your options are based on your intended area of study and advising appointment, so different students may see different availability.
We offer two general schedules. Schedule A typically starts early in the morning on the first day and ends by 2:30 p.m. of the second day. Schedule B typically starts late in the morning on the first day and ends by 6 p.m. the second day.
Sample Schedule A, Day 1
| Early morning | Check-in |
| Morning | Required placement exams, information sessions, and lunch |
| Afternoon | Information sessions and academic advising preparation |
| Evening | Dinner and final sessions |
| Late night | Activities with other students in and around the residence hall, including the popular Campus Legends Tour |
Sample Schedule A, Day 2
| Morning | Final sessions |
| Afternoon | Personalized schedule, including one-on-one academic advising, course registration, and student ID pick-up |
Information Sessions
The information sessions are designed to connect you with many of the resources, opportunities, and support services waiting for you at IU. These sessions include:
- “Professor’s Perspective,” in which an IU faculty member discusses expectations in the classroom
- An overview of IU advising by area of study
- Topical sessions on subjects like career services, finances and billing, technology, student services, and the CampusAccess Card (student ID)
Placement Exams
Your first day of orientation will include the required Math Skills Assessment. Prior to your New Student Orientation, you will receive information on how to take the required Foreign Language Placement Exam. If you’d like to take our optional placement exams in calculus and/or biology, they’re offered prior to the start of your program—either the evening before your program starts or early in the morning before check-in.
Start Exploring
Your second-day schedule may have some periods of free time. Our recommendation: start exploring your new home. Your options include touring your assigned residence hall, meeting with a financial aid counselor, and seeing more of campus or Bloomington.
We also suggest spending time in our Resource Center, where you can learn about dozens of offices, organizations, and services at IU and in Bloomington.
Transfer Students
Transfer Students
Most students who enter IU in the fall semester come to summer orientation. Our one-day program for transfer students—typically offered five times throughout June and July—will help you transition smoothly to IU.
If you absolutely can’t schedule your program during the summer, you can request an exemption so you can attend the program in August, shortly before the start of the semester.
Transfer students entering the Jacobs School of Music are required to attend the orientation for incoming freshmen.
Planning and Making Your Reservation
If you’ve been admitted for the fall, we’ll send you information about New Student Orientation as early as February. After you receive your invitation to New Student Orientation, you can make your online reservation. We begin taking reservations in mid-March.
When you make your reservation, you’ll be able to select your preferred date from all the dates that are available to you based on your intended area of study and advising appointment.
Sample Schedule
| Early morning | Check-in |
| Morning | Required testing, information sessions, and advising preparation |
| Afternoon | Lunch, academic advising, and course registration |
Your program will begin by 8 a.m. Afternoon schedules vary depending on your advising and registration appointments, so you should plan to be on campus as late as 6:30 p.m.
Sessions and Free Time
So that you can learn about the topics you’re most interested in, you’ll have some choice about which sessions you attend. Topics include:
- Academic success
- Careers and internships
- On-campus housing
- Billing and finances
As your afternoon schedule permits, you may also want to tour a residence hall or meet with a financial aid counselor. We also suggest spending time in our Resource Center, where you can learn about dozens of offices, organizations, and services at IU and in Bloomington.
Placement Exams
If required for you, our placement exams in math and a foreign language will be part of your agenda. If you’d like to take our optional placement exams in calculus and/or biology, they’re offered the evening before your program, or you can take them in the fall.
Parents
Parents
The program for parents and guests at summer New Student Orientation includes topical sessions, opportunities for discussion and questions, and a chance to be in some of the same IU buildings that will soon become a part of your student’s world.
Offered in June and July, this program is for parents whose students will enter IU in the fall. Your student will start to receive information from us about orientation as early as February.
General Schedule
If your student is an incoming freshman, the first day of your program will last through dinner. That evening, there will be an optional open house in a treasured IU location just for parents and guests. The second day will conclude around lunchtime.
If your student is transferring to IU, you’ll have sessions throughout the morning and into the early afternoon.
You’ll probably be done with your program well before your student, giving you time to relax or explore campus. Please note that parents and guests do not attend advising and registration with their student.
Sessions
Typical sessions cover topics such as:
- "Partnering with IU for Your Student’s Success"
- Academic success and expectations
- Career services
- Billing and finances
- Real-life student experiences and IU traditions
- Campus resources, support, and services
- Housing
- Academic advising
Optional Activities for You and Your Student
- Discuss your questions and concerns about your student’s housing assignment with Residential Programs and Services staff.
- Tour a residence hall.
- Meet with staff from the Office of Student Financial Assistance.
- Spend time in our Resource Center, where you can learn about dozens of offices, organizations, and services at IU and in Bloomington.
