IUPUI is Indiana's premier urban research university. The campus enrolls more than 30,000 students in 21 schools and academic units.
Orientation, Placement Testing and Advising
International Orientation Program
The International Student Orientation Program
Fall 2009 International Student Orientation Details
Fall 2009 Orientation Materials
For those of you who missed orientation, or for those who would like to review, please see some of our materials posted below.
Maintaining Your Status Power Point
Life in the U.S. Workshop Power Point
U.S. Education System Workshop Power Point
Employment Options Workshop Power Point
IUPUI Student Employment Power Point
General Information
The New International Student Orientation is a week-long program for F-1 and J-1 visa holders who are new to IUPUI. The orientation is filled with valuable information which will greatly help you as you begin your studies at IUPUI.
Day One
On the first day of the International Orientation the Office of International Affairs (OIA) staff will present information on a variety of topics including how to obtain a U.S. Social Security Number, employment options, and maintaining your immigration status. This session is mandatory for all F-1 and J-1 visa students who are new to IUPUI.
In connection to this session we will host a Services Fair where you will find representatives from local banks, cell phone providers, public services, campus offices, and other useful organizations. There will be someone from our Jag Tag office who can assist you in getting a university student identification card. You can also investigate housing options if you have not arranged this prior to your arrival.
Undergraduate students will have a chance to learn the procedure to transfer any credits they have earned at universities outside of the US.
Day Two
Everyone will take placement tests, if required. (Scheduling will take place on Day One.) The tests offered include the English for Academic Purpose (EAP) Placement Exam, Math Placement Test and Chemistry Placement Test. Not everyone is required to take all three tests. Please review your admission letter to see if this applies to you. These exams will take place on the second day of the International Orientation week.
Day Three
Undergraduate students will attend the Academic Orientation on the third day of the International Orientation week. This session is mandatory. This is a chance for you to receive academic advising and register for your classes. Graduate students should contact their departments directly to obtain academic advising.
Graduate students will have an Immigration Check-In Session on this day. OIA staff will be there to check your immigration documents to insure there are no problems. You will also have time to ask the advisors any questions you may have about your visa or about your transition to IUPUI. This appointment will take about 30 minutes of your time.
Day Four
Undergraduate students will be required to attend their immigration check-in session. OIA staff will be there to check your immigration documents to insure there are no problems. You will also have time to ask the advisors any questions you may have about your visa or about your transition to IUPUI. This appointment will take about 30 minutes of your time.
All students: The last two days of the International Orientation week we will hold a variety of workshops that are designed to help you set up your life in Indianapolis and get ready for your studies. Click here to see a description of our workshops.
Day Five
All students: Orientation Workshops continue throughout the day.
Additional Details about Orientation Week
If you will drive yourself to campus on the first day of orientation and would like to get a parking permit, please contact the OIA reception desk at 317-274-7000. The permit will be valid only for the first day of orientation. You will need to purchase your IUPUI permit and use it for all future days. You can do this by visiting the Parking Services office in the Vermont Street Garage, or you may purchase it online by visiting https://www.parking.iupui.edu/home.
If you have questions about the International Orientation please contact us at 317-274-7000 or oia@iupui.edu.
Placement Testing
Placement Testing is required of most students who are new to IUPUI. To find out what placement tests are required of you, check the second page of your Letter of Admission from the Office of International Affairs.
Placement testing is scheduled as part of your International Orientation, so it is not necessary to schedule your tests in advance. However, if you are tranferring from another institution in the U.S. and are already present in the U.S. prior to orientation, you may schedule your tests early if you wish. The Testing Center can be reached at 317-278-2281.
English Language Testing
IUPUI requires entering students whose native language is not English to take an English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Placement Examination upon arrival and prior to course registration, regardless of TOEFL score.
Exceptions are undergraduate transfer students with transfer credit granted for English W131 and graduate/professional students who have previously earned a bachelor’s degree or higher in an English-speaking country. Your admission letter will confirm your need to take this test.
The EAP Placement Examination is not one that is “passed” or “failed,” so don’t get nervous! It is designed to determine whether additional English language instruction may be necessary. If the results prescribe further language instruction, you are expected to enroll in and pay for these classes. EAP courses do not apply toward degree requirements but are important for academic purposes.
You can find out more here.
Native English-speaking undergraduates take the same IUPUI English Placement process required of U.S. students. Please visit the “Guided Self Placement” website offered by the IUPUI English Writing Center http://english.uc.iupui.edu/reflection.asp to learn how to select the appropriate English course requirements for your degree.
Academic Advising
Undergraduate students receive academic advising from their department or from advisors in University College. Your admission letter tells you which unit will provide your academic advising. You will receive academic advising during your orientation week.
Graduate students should contact their academic departments when they first arrive at IUPUI.
All students take an active part in designing their programs of study with their academic advisors within the guidelines of general degree requirements.
It is very important that you understand the policies and procedures for your field of study. This information is contained in the IUPUI Campus Bulletin http://bulletin.iupui.edu/.
