Where to go to college is a big decision for your student — and
for you too. You will have a lot of questions as you begin to explore
schools and consider your options. Following is a list of our answers to
the questions parents most frequently ask about IU.
If you don't find the information you're looking for here, try asking
our Virtual Advisor, or feel free to contact us directly.
Orientation
Academics
Adjustment
Atmosphere
Housing
Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Costs
Orientation
I understand that freshmen are required to attend New Student Orientation in order to register for classes. What is orientation, when is it, and why is it required?
IU’s two-day summer orientation program, which takes place during June and July, is required for new students because it’s the best way for your student to begin the transition to college life and to learn about support, expectations, and opportunities at IU. Planned by the Office of Orientation Programs (orientation.indiana.edu), the program brings together many people, services, and resources for you and your student, so that when your student returns in the fall, he or she is ready.
The summer orientation
program features both academic and transition-related components,
including:
- Academic advising, first-semester schedule planning, and course
registration
- Required placement tests in math and foreign languages, and optional
placement tests in calculus, biology, and chemistry
- CampusAccess Card (student ID) distribution
- Overviews of campus life, student support services, technology services,
and involvement opportunities
- Information sessions with current students, professors, and academic
advisors regarding expectations, opportunities, and resources at IU
- Opportunities to get to know the campus and see the libraries, classrooms, and other buildings
- An overnight stay in a residence hall with other new students and student orientation leaders
Orientation isn’t just for students. Parents and family members play an important role in student success, and the Office of Orientation Programs has special programs to help you learn about our resources, events, and support services. Designed especially for parents and guardians, these programs include sessions on housing, career services, advising preparation, financial information, and helping your student succeed. Parents and students are together for some of these sessions, but parents have their own sessions while students are taking exams, meeting with current students, and choosing classes during their individual advising appointments. By participating in orientation with your student, you will feel even more prepared to play a part in your student’s success at Indiana University.
<< Back to Top
How does IU help students adjust to college when they arrive in the fall?
Welcome Week, a comprehensive, five-day orientation program, begins on
August 27, the day that students move into their residence halls. Directed by professional staff and current undergraduate students, Welcome Week includes information sessions, tours, and open houses as well as academic, cultural, and social events.
Some events are required and some are optional, but all are designed to get students acquainted with IU. Welcome Week is a great way for your child to interact with other new students as they learn about IU. Family members are invited to the kick-off events: the Freshman Induction Ceremony and the Induction Picnic, where you’ll see your child off as he or she begins adjusting to the new world of college.
<< Back to Top
My student wants to get a jump on college. Does IU offer any optional opportunities for students to get to know IU and each other before moving to campus?
We sure do. Our Intensive Freshman Seminars (IFS) program takes place for three weeks just before the start of the fall semester. During this time, your student will live in a residence hall, earn college credit, study with top professors in small classes, and become familiar with campus life and college expectations before the fall semester even begins—while making friends with other students from across the country (and the world). More information about the IFS program is available at ifs.indiana.edu.
Another option is the IUBeginnings program, which gives students the chance to participate in an adventurous orientation experience just before Welcome
Week. Through IUBeginnings, students may choose from four tracks: Wilderness Adventure, Leadership, Community Service, or Arts & Culture Immersion. All include time for students to learn about each other and IU. These exciting journeys take place all over the country, in Canada, and right here in Bloomington. Students choose a track, come to campus early, and are back on campus in time for Welcome Week. You can learn more about IUBeginnings at www.indiana.edu/~orient/iubeginnings.
<< Back to Top
So far, all IU materials have been mailed directly to my child. How do I ensure that he or she has everything needed up to this point?
Although Indiana University communicates primarily with your student, we take the partnership between the parent, the university, and the student seriously. Students can grant their parents or guardians third-party access to academic records, schedules, and more through the online Self-Service tab
at onestart.iu.edu.
Now that your student is admitted, the mailings will increase, as will your student’s list of things to do.
- Admission packet. Your student should have already received this big envelope announcing his or her acceptance to IU. Congratulations!
-
Housing guide with instructions for completing the online contract. This is part of the admission packet. Because these contracts are processed in the order they are received, we urge your student to request his or her housing preferences early. A $300 housing deposit is required. However, all but $100 of the deposit is refundable through July 1.
-
Financial aid application. Now that your student is admitted, it’s time to submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). (You can find a link to this federal form on IU’s Office of Student Financial Assistance Web site at www.indiana.edu/~sfa.) For priority consideration, be sure to submit the form before March 1.
- Enrollment deposit. This must be paid by May 1 to guarantee a space in the freshman class. The deposit indicates your student’s intention to attend IU and will be credited to the first bursar bill.
- New Student Orientation Guide. In February, the Office of Orientation Programs sends out this guide, which explains the orientation process. It is sent to all admitted students regardless of whether they have paid the enrollment deposit.
- Invitation to New Student Orientation. Orientation invitations are mailed in early April only to students who have paid the enrollment deposit.
- New Student Orientation registration. Your student will follow the instructions inside the invitation to reserve his or her space in IU’s required New Student Orientation program. (Resist the temptation to do this yourself. Because your student will be setting passwords, it’s important that he or she completes the process.) A few days later, your student will receive an e-mail date confirmation—and can request that you are sent a copy as well.
- Orientation preparation packet. This packet will arrive a few weeks before your student’s scheduled New Student Orientation date and will contain complete orientation information.
- Attend New Student Orientation. Students unable to attend in the summer must request an exemption. Students who are granted exemptions will attend an abbreviated fall orientation and register for fall classes then.
<< Back to Top
Academics
Why should my son or daughter attend a major research institution like IU?
Research enriches the teaching-learning process and provides tremendous educational benefits to our students. At IU, undergraduate participation is a key component of many faculty research efforts. The various departments offer programs to encourage student involvement, while public and private grants help build and equip IU’s cutting-edge facilities, including a three-dimensional virtual reality environment, the state-of-the-art chemistry building complex, the new life sciences building, and the Jacobs School of Music’s digital library that provides access to thousands of digital audio recordings. Through abundant research opportunities, our faculty remains at the forefront of innovation and discovery.
We are proud of IU’s reputation as one of the nation’s leading educational institutions in research and undergraduate teaching. We attract top faculty and scholars and offer students personalized learning experiences, including Intensive Freshman Seminars, Freshman Interest Groups, overseas study, the Hutton Honors College, and many other outstanding academic programs. In fact, for five years in a row, U.S. News & World
Report has recognized IU Bloomington for our range of programs that help freshmen succeed.
<< Back to Top
What if a student is undecided on a major? Will this create a problem?
Absolutely not. In fact, one in five freshmen comes to IU as an exploratory student. Of those students who have chosen a major before enrolling, 50 to 60 percent change their majors at least once—and often two or three times—during their IU careers.
Most students have been exposed to only a few of the 186 undergraduate majors available at IU, and we encourage them to explore our diverse offerings. Most students start out in the University Division (UD), where expert advisors help them to either confirm their major choices or investigate their alternatives. The UD has a special service, Exploratory Student Resources, designed especially to help exploratory students. In addition, the Majors and Careers Web site provides students with academic and career information about all the majors available at IU. The Web site also allows students to search for majors by their interests.
Students can also get help exploring majors at IU’s Career Development Center. The center offers individualized career counseling, a resource library, and classes dealing with major exploration and career development.
<< Back to Top
Can freshmen be admitted directly into a major?
Yes. Several IU programs admit freshmen directly into their departments
or schools. All music majors who pass the required music audition, complete the application, and are academically admissible to IU are admitted directly to the Jacobs School of Music. The Kelley School of Business, the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Journalism, the School of Informatics, the School of Education, the School of Public and Environmental Affairs, and the School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation also have direct admission options. Still, most incoming freshmen choose to begin in the University Division and later apply to or move into the majors of their choice.
<< Back to Top
How large are the classes at IU?
Probably not as large as you imagine. The average number of students per class is 34, and fewer than 6 percent of the undergraduate classes at IU have more than 100 students. Many larger courses include small discussion groups and/or labs, which provide more personal attention.
Of course, every college, regardless of size, offers some large lectures. We strongly recommend that students sit close to the front of large lecture classes, ask questions, and utilize professors’ office hours and e-mail to discuss their understanding of the material and their progress in the course.
<< Back to Top
Who will be teaching freshman classes?
The overwhelming majority of IU lectures, classes, and presentations are conducted by full-time faculty. The remainder—generally courses with many small sections—may use graduate assistants, who are carefully trained under the supervision of full-time faculty. Typically, faculty give the lectures and graduate assistants lead the small discussion groups that accompany most lectures.
<< Back to Top
How much time will my son or daughter spend in class?
How much time will be spent studying outside the classroom?
Courses are measured in credit hours. Generally, students spend one hour in class per week for every credit hour they take. In other words, if your student is taking 15 credit hours during the fall semester, he or she can expect to spend about 15 hours per week in class.
Students should expect to average about three hours of studying (including time spent on library work, research papers, group projects, and so on) for each hour spent in the classroom. This is an appropriate and realistic guideline, though obviously there are exceptions. Factors that play into this equation include study skills, subject matter, time-management skills, academic background, and self-discipline. Still, many students will do well to plan for somewhat more than the three-to-one ratio.
IU has many support services to help students do well in their classes, including personal academic advising, an Academic Support Center location in every residential neighborhood, the Student Academic Center (which offers courses on study techniques and time management), and Writing Tutorial Services.
<< Back to Top
Are students able to get into the courses they want or need in order to graduate? Is it possible for a student to graduate in four years?
IU generally does not have a problem with course availability. Occasionally, class sections do close or fill up. But with 4,000 courses offered each semester, students can put together a viable schedule. For most programs, there are many ways to fulfill specific graduation requirements. For example, to meet a literature requirement, one student may enroll in a Shakespeare class, while another may choose a course in contemporary African American literature.
If a student must have a specific course that is no longer open, he or she can get on an automated course wait list that will send an e-mail notification of the status of the request. When possible, the university also adds extra class sections in order to give more students the opportunity to get into the classes they want.
Most students carrying a standard course load should have no problem completing their graduation requirements in four years. Of course, not all students find that the traditional four-year limit meets their needs. Decisions to carry a double major or to change majors late in a college career may entail extra time as an undergraduate. To make planning easier, advanced advising technology allows students to instantly calculate the effect different course choices will have on their timelines. Students are also encouraged to meet regularly with their academic advisors.
<< Back to Top
What if students get into classes where they are not comfortable?
Students have a couple of options. The best first step is to talk with the instructor to explore options. Using our continuous drop/add system, students may arrange for schedule changes even after classes have begun. Courses dropped during the first week of classes will not appear on final grade reports or on transcripts. Students can withdraw from a class without academic penalty up to a designated date eight weeks into the semester.
<< Back to Top
Does IU offer an honors program?
Approximately the top 10 percent of the freshman class will be invited to participate in the IU Hutton Honors College. In addition to being considered for scholarships, honors students can participate in extracurricular programs, seminars, the Honors Residential Community, research grants, internships, and the Hutton International Experiences Program grants. They can also enroll in honors classes, which generally have 20–22 students. Because of the intensity of these classes and the challenging nature of the IU curriculum, we recommend no more than one honors course per semester.
Some students choose to pursue honors degrees or the Honors notation on their diplomas, but most use the honors courses to enhance their academic experiences. Admission to the Hutton Honors College is by application. Students admitted to IU by January 25 will be selected to apply for admission based on a combination of academic performance indicators that include the SAT or ACT score, class rank, and GPA. No single factor is sufficient for selection. Admitted students who have been invited to apply to the Hutton Honors College received a letter and a Selective Scholarship Application in their initial acceptance packets from the IU Office of Admissions. The Selective Scholarship Application serves as an application for the Hutton Honors College and as an application for Hutton Honors College scholarships.
Honors freshmen typically rank in the top 5 percent of their high school classes, have a GPA of 3.9 or higher, have SAT scores of 1350 (Critical Reading and Math) or higher, and show promise of meeting the high academic standards of the Hutton Honors College. Please note that the SAT and ACT Writing Section test scores are not used in consideration for the invitation to the Hutton Honors College.
If a student doesn’t meet the initial criteria, he or she may be invited to enroll at the end of his or her first college semester if a GPA of 3.7 has been earned in at least 14 solid academic credit hours during that semester. For more information, visit the Hutton Honors College Web site at www.indiana.edu/~iubhonor.
<< Back to Top
Does IU give college credit to freshmen for high school courses?
Some high schools offer courses to their students for both high school and college credit. Students enrolled in these courses, or in courses at a nearby college, must have an official transcript sent by the college involved to the IU Office of Admissions for evaluation. Students may also take advanced-placement, achievement, or IU departmental tests to determine if they are eligible for college credit. Advanced credit is granted for national, external examinations (such as the British A-levels, completed after 13 years of primary-secondary schooling) and for higher-level International Baccalaureate examinations. Information about advanced placement/credit opportunities and procedures is available online at www.admit.indiana.edu/freshmen/as_ap.shtml.
<< Back to Top
Does IU offer any overseas study programs?
Studying abroad is a wonderful way to enhance the college experience,
and IU is a leader in this area. According to the Institute of International Education, IU Bloomington ranks ninth among national research institutions in the number of students who study abroad. More than 1,800 IU students study abroad each year through more than 90 overseas programs in 39 countries, in 17 languages (including English), and in nearly every field of study. Yearlong, semester, and summer programs include the study of Renaissance art in Florence, international marketing in Denmark, and Japanese in Nagoya, to name just a few. IU’s Office of Overseas Study is staffed by professionals who help students select the programs that best suit their needs. Students do not need to be foreign language majors to participate. IU awards direct credit so that students can continue to make normal academic progress toward a four-year degree. Financial aid can be applied to program costs.
<< Back to Top
What sort of internship and career resources does IU offer?
There are 15 Career Services Offices on campus, one for each academic school at IU. Each office has professional staff members who work with students on an individual basis to locate internships and employment opportunities. The Career Development Center (CDC) is the university’s primary resource for career-related information and assistance. The CDC offers individual career counseling; workshops; and seminars on resume writing, interviewing, and internship and job placement assistance to all students. It also houses the Career Resource Library, the most comprehensive collection of resources and tools related to career exploration on campus. IU hosts more than 10 career fairs each year, ranging from the Biology/Chemistry Career Day to the Internship Fair. Many students choose to take advantage of placement offices beyond the ones that serve their majors. Any student can, for example, use the Kelley School of Business Undergraduate Career Services Office by enrolling in a 1-credit-hour course that gives general information as well as instructions on resume writing and job interviews.
<< Back to Top
Can students bring personal computers?
Absolutely. More than 95 percent of IU students have their own computers. Every room in the residence hall system is fitted with one high-speed Ethernet connection per person, allowing fast and free access to campus resources. If your student chooses to bring a computer to campus, IU provides recommendations and computer specifications online at computerguide.indiana.edu. University Information Technology Services (UITS) offers additional support and resources at uits.iu.edu.
There are approximately 3,000 Windows, Macintosh, and Unix student workstations in Student Technology Centers, Residential Technology Centers, and various departmental computing labs around campus. In addition, InfoStations provide quick and easy access to e-mail. Use of most campus information technology resources is covered by the student technology fee, which also covers student computing accounts, workshops, 24-hour help desks, publications, tutorials, consulting, and classes. In addition, students can receive special educational pricing from companies such as Apple and Dell. Likewise, IU offers free or low-cost Windows and Macintosh software such as Microsoft Office Professional, Symantec Antivirus, Lavasoft AdAware, Spybot, Visual Studio Professional, and more.
To help ensure success in this new environment right from the start, all new students are strongly encouraged to attend the “Student Technology at Indiana University” workshop offered during New Student Orientation.
<< Back to Top
Adjustment
Is IU too large? Would my son or daughter be better off at a small
school?
Size is often a consideration in choosing a college. Obviously, a student should feel comfortable about gaining the most from the college experience. There are true advantages to attending a large institution. For example, IU offers 186 undergraduate majors; 336 degree programs; 18 libraries, which hold more than 6 million books; thousands of courses; hundreds of clubs, sports, and special activities; and 1,200 music events annually. The science laboratories, music and art studios, and technology at IU are all state-of-the-art. Students can create their own communities and experiences. Many of our students have noted that it’s easier to make a large school small than to make a small school large.
<< Back to Top
But aren't individuals lost at such a big university?
Not if we can help it. We do everything we can to help students feel at
home and learn their way around the campus. Starting with New Student Orientation and Welcome Week just before fall classes begin,
your child will meet other new students and start to become familiar with
IU's people, places, and resources.
Classrooms and laboratory facilities are centrally located and students
can walk from any academic building to another in no more than 15 to 20
minutes. Most are only a few minutes apart.
Personal attention, which most students desire, is more a matter of
institutional philosophy than of size. That philosophy is an IU tradition
that students discover as they get to know our faculty and advisors. If
students take some initiative, adjustment is easy at IU. Our undergraduate
residence halls are staffed with University
Division academic advisors, and others to help new students adjust to
life in and out of the classroom. Our instructors are very accessible and
offer weekly office hours to provide extra help, if needed.
<< Back to Top
What does IU do to help students adjust?
The first step is New Student
Orientation, which takes place in the summer before your student
starts at IU. Students will begin to meet current and other new students
as well as staff, faculty, and advisors. In the fall, as students move
into the residence halls, they immediately begin Welcome Week, which helps them become even more familiar
with their new world. This familiarity is one thing that helps "shrink"
the campus for students, getting involved helps them feel at home
quickly!
The student’s resident assistant (RA) is also an excellent source for
help adjusting to college life. Each floor in the residence halls is
assigned an RA — a sophomore, junior, senior, or graduate
student — who lives on the floor and serves as a "big brother" or
"big sister" to the residents. These are just a few of the ways we help
students take full advantage of the many opportunities at IU. After all,
we too want your son or daughter to be successful.
<< Back to Top
What does IU do to help freshmen succeed?
We do a lot. Student adjustment and retention are important to
us!
One program we offer is Intensive Freshman Seminars (IFS). Incoming freshmen
can choose to enroll in one of 20 courses that begin three weeks before
the start of the fall semester. The classes, limited to 20 students each,
meet for three hours a day, and students earn 3 credit hours toward their
graduation requirements. Classes are taught by some of IU's best faculty
and are a way for new students to begin to adjust to campus and
college-level work. Many students in IFS choose the Extended Learning
Community option, which continues the IFS experience through the entire
freshman year. These students become part of a dynamic residential
community, living, learning, and serving the community together.
Freshman Interest Groups (FIGs) are designed to help incoming freshmen
make an easier adjustment from high school to their new academic and
social environment in college. Students in groups of 20, linked by common
interests, live near each other in the residence hall neighborhoods. They
attend two or three classes together during their first semester and
participate in group study sessions and activities. Examples of these interest
groups include "Marketing and Managing Sport", "Exploring Medical
Sciences", "The Lively Art of Acting", and "Teaching Young Children".
Academic Support Centers are available in each
residence hall neighborhood, providing free tutoring each Sunday through
Thursday from 7–11 p.m. Writing
Tutorial Services offers assistance to students who need help with
writing assignments. In addition, University Division academic advisors have offices in
the residence halls and faculty members hold office hours every week.
As you can see, IU strives to help connect students with each other as well
as to the many academic, social, and cultural opportunities available on
campus. From academic support to leadership experience to part-time jobs,
we can help your student find a niche. It's our belief that the more
connected students feel, the better their college experience will be!
<< Back to Top
What if my student has a disability?
Does IU have services to assist her or him?
IU has a wide variety of support services, accommodations, and equipment to enable students with learning or physical disabilities to participate in all the university’s programs and activities. This includes accessible van transportation, tutoring, interpreters for the deaf, mobility training, test accommodations, and adaptive computer technology. For more information, contact the Office of Disability Services for Students at (812) 855-7578 or visit their Web site at www.indiana.edu/~iubdss.
<< Back to Top
Atmosphere
What is campus like?
Our students describe the Bloomington campus as being what they imagine a college should look and feel like. IU’s tradition began more than 180 years ago, and our campus features historic limestone buildings, open spaces, woods, flowers, and greenery. Your student will feel comfortable here. One student compared IU and the surrounding Bloomington community to “a large city with a small-town heart.”
Visitors, especially those from outside the Midwest, tell us that we are very friendly, helpful, and eager to share information about the university community we know and love. We are fortunate to have an enthusiastic and positive student body and a large and loyal group of more than 500,000 living graduates. IU is special to many, and we invite you to visit and make your own judgment.
If you haven’t already visited campus, we recommend it. In fact, we hope you will consider attending a Freshman Forum this spring. Offered Monday through Friday, March 3 through April 30, 2008, these daylong programs are designed just for admitted students and their families and provide comprehensive information about the campus. Please read about Freshman Forums as well as our other spring visit options at the IU Office of Admissions Web site, www.admit.indiana.edu. To make a reservation for a Freshman Forum, call our scheduling department at (812) 855-3512.
<< Back to Top
How big is the campus?
The IU campus covers 1,931 acres. The heart of campus is composed of the academic buildings, where students spend the majority of their time during the day. Surrounding the academic center are the residence halls and athletic facilities. Students find it easy to get around campus and can walk from one end to the other in 15 or 20 minutes. Students and families visiting IU often tell us that the campus has the feel of a smaller college.
<< Back to Top
Is the student population diverse?
What does IU do to promote diversity?
We are proud that students from all 50 states and more than 130 countries attend IU. There are many different religions, ethnic backgrounds, and political persuasions represented in our student body. In the fall of 2007, nearly 12 percent of our students were African American, American Indian, Asian, or Latino. In addition, 39 percent of our students are from outside Indiana.
Whatever your student’s values and ideals, he or she will find others who share them. One of the strengths of a large university is its diversity. Our students represent many different interests and viewpoints, and there are few pressures to conform to a single attitude or lifestyle.
Several offices on campus promote diversity and inform students about other cultures through lectures, films, seminars, festivals, and music. These offices include the Office of Academic Support and Diversity and the International Center. The Office of Academic Support and Diversity oversees a number of cultural centers and support programs, including the Neal-Marshall Black Culture Center, the Latino Cultural Center (La Casa), the First Nations Educational and Cultural Center, the Asian Culture Center, and the office of the director of Diversity Education. The Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, Transgender (GLBT) Student Support Services and nearly 50 international student associations work to provide support and education, to promote diversity, and to encourage understanding of other cultures and people.
<< Back to Top
What are the sporting and recreational opportunities like on
campus?
IU is a great campus for playing and watching sports. In fact, Sports Illustrated On Campus ranked Bloomington sixth on its list of best college sports towns. In addition to our 24 varsity teams that boast 24 national titles among them, IU has one of the best student recreational sports programs in the country. The Division of Recreational Sports has something for everyone, with offerings in aquatics, club sports, fitness and wellness, informal sports, and intramural sports.
Activities are split between the School of Health, Physical Education, and Recreation (HPER) building and the state-of-the-art Student Recreational Sports Center (SRSC). The SRSC features a natatorium, five all-purpose courts, an elevated jogging track, three gymnasiums, more than 500 pieces of strength and conditioning equipment, squash and racquetball courts, and locker rooms. Access to both facilities is covered in the student activity fee. There are also 50 club sports on campus, and more than 20,000 students participate in intramural sports each year.
<< Back to Top
Do a lot of students join sororities and fraternities?
Many IU undergraduates choose to join one of the 62 fraternities and sororities on campus. There is no pressure to do so, because students have many ways to meet their philanthropic, academic, athletic, social, leadership, and housing needs. Approximately 18 percent of the student body participates in the IU Greek system.
A formal recruitment program is required for students interested in joining a Greek-letter organization. Sorority recruitment begins in mid-November and concludes the week before classes start in January after winter break. New members can move into chapter housing the following semester. Fraternities conduct fall recruitment soon after students arrive on campus. It’s possible for men to move into chapter housing directly upon joining, though most wait until their sophomore year. Multicultural Greek organizations recruit members through a process called “membership intake,” which is individually announced each semester.
<< Back to Top
What is Bloomington like? Is there anything to do? And what's the
weather like?
Regarded as one of the top college towns in the nation, this small community of 70,000 offers more to do than you might imagine. For instance, recent programs and activities have included a show by comedian David Sedaris and the musical Evita at the IU Auditorium; a concert by Bob Dylan and Elvis Costello; the opera La Bohème at the Musical Arts Center; lectures by journalist Bob Woodward and the Dalai Lama of Tibet; and Hoosier Hysteria, the kick-off event for the men’s and women’s basketball seasons
Throughout the year, students are able to attend Broadway plays and contemporary music concerts at the IU Auditorium; operas, concerts, and ballets at the Musical Arts Center; and student theatre productions at our Theatre and Drama Center. In addition to these campus activities, students become involved in the cultural, religious, and social service activities in our dynamic community. More than 40 religious denominations are represented in Bloomington. There are dozens of Protestant churches and three Catholic churches in town. A mosque serves the Muslim community, and the flourishing Jewish population has access to a campus Hillel organization, a community synagogue, and a strong program in Jewish Studies at the university. There is a shopping mall with more than 90 specialty stores, eateries just a few blocks from the southwest edge of campus, and a charming downtown square. Many fine restaurants present a wide array of choices. Bloomington is home to a variety of ethnic restaurants in addition to the usual assortment of fast food establishments and national chains.
For those who love the outdoors, Lake Monroe, the largest lake in Indiana, is just a few miles south of campus and one of three lakes in Bloomington. The picturesque Brown County State Park and Hoosier National Forest, also in the immediate vicinity, are popular sites for hiking and horseback riding. There are four golf courses in town, including the IU public course and the PGA-ranked Eagle Pointe Golf Course. In addition, biking, camping, and downhill skiing are available in the surrounding area.
The weather is mild. Extreme cold is rare, snowfall is limited, and we generally have long, beautiful autumns and early springs, which are particularly pleasant because there are more than 100 types of flowering trees and bushes on campus.
<< Back to Top
Should my son or daughter bring a car to campus?
Indiana University has made a commitment to maintaining green space on campus; therefore, parking is limited. Because the campus is conveniently arranged, most students walk or ride bikes during their daily activities. A university bus service provides four routes on campus. Each year, students are assessed a transportation fee, which gives them access to the university bus routes as well as the Bloomington Transit System, which offers an additional nine routes throughout the city.
Most students manage very well without a car; in fact, with parking at a premium, having a car is more often a hindrance than a help. And because IU is a residential campus, most students decide to spend their weekends here because of the wide variety of activities available, as well as the frequent need for some library time.
Some freshmen and sophomores choose to bring their cars to campus. These students are able to purchase a special parking permit that allows them to park their cars in a lot near their residence halls. Parking spaces are limited, however. Permits are issued using a priority system based on seniority. Overflow student parking is available in the lot next to IU’s athletic complex, located north of campus.
<< Back to Top
How will my son or daughter arrange to come home during semester breaks?
By car, Bloomington is about an hour from Indianapolis, two hours from Louisville, three hours from Cincinnati, and four hours from St. Louis and Chicago. In fact, Bloomington is located within a day’s drive for more than half of the U.S. population.
IU students come from a wide variety of places. The Indiana Memorial Union features an extensive ride board that lists opportunities for students to share cars and associated travel costs. Some residence halls have ride boards as well. It is usually easy to get a ride home, especially during holiday periods.
Students from a greater distance can fly home from the Indianapolis International Airport, located 50 miles north of Bloomington. The Bloomington Shuttle Service makes nine daily runs to the airport, seven days a week, from several pickup points around town and campus. The cost per person is $25 each way. Door-to-door, 24-hour airport service, which is somewhat more costly, is available from various limousine companies.
Students living in and around Chicago should check out Hoosier Bus at hoosierbus.com and Catch a Ride at www.catcharide.com for information about transportation between Bloomington and Chicago on select weekends and university breaks.
<< Back to Top
Personal safety is an increasing concern in our society.
How safe is the campus?
IU provides many programs to ensure our students’ safety, such as educational discussion groups and safety seminars, emergency communications, free safety escort and nightly transportation services, emergency telephones at dozens of campus locations, and continuous maintenance and upgrading of lighting on main campus pathways and streets. In addition, the IU Police Department assists with all functions of public safety at IU.
<< Back to Top
Housing
Are freshmen required to live on campus? What are the advantages of doing so?
All beginning first-year students are required to live on campus during the first year, with some exceptions. Studies have shown us that students who begin their college careers in the residence halls make higher grades and have an easier time making the social and academic transition from high school to college. Our residence halls provide academic support, leadership opportunities, and programs specifically designed for undergraduate students.
Each residence hall floor is staffed by an RA (resident assistant) who plans programs to help students meet other students and get involved. RAs receive extensive training that enables them to provide useful information to students dealing with emotional or adjustment issues.
Academic advisors have offices in the undergraduate residence halls, making it very convenient for students to receive academic counseling. Residence halls also contain classrooms, Academic Support Center locations, and Community Library and Resource Centers. Other standard amenities include study lounges, high-speed Ethernet connections in each room, computer clusters, laundry facilities, cable television, recreation areas, and dining facilities.
<< Back to Top
How do students apply for housing?
Students who are admitted to IU receive a housing guide with instructions to complete a contract in their acceptance packets. A $300 housing deposit is required. All but $100 of the deposit is refundable through July 1 to students who decide not to attend IU. Our residence hall system, widely regarded as one of the nation’s finest, is also one of the nation’s largest, with a housing capacity of almost 11,000. Students should complete the online housing form as soon as possible, especially if there is a preference for a particular neighborhood, roommate, or room type. Assignments are made after May 1 in the order in which the contracts are received and only to students who have paid the $100 enrollment deposit. Students who apply for housing early are in the best position to receive their housing preferences. Visit www.rps.indiana.edu for more information on housing, including costs, dining, learning communities, and Freshman Interest Groups (FIGs).
<< Back to Top
What is the best residence hall?
“Best” is a relative term. Specific facilities or special academic programs described in the housing guide may make a particular residence hall “best” for students desiring such amenities. For example, students with an interest in music may want to select a residence hall with a music practice room, while students with an interest in international affairs may prefer the Global Village Living-Learning Center.
Because freshmen will have classes throughout campus, proximity is not a factor. Our undergraduate residence halls are coed, with men and women sharing common areas (libraries, workout rooms, laundry facilities, etc.) in each center. Chances are, no matter which residence hall your student chooses, in a matter of months your son or daughter will think it’s the best place to live on campus.
<< Back to Top
How are roommates assigned?
All assignments are made according to the date of application, preferences, and space availability. Assignment requests based on religion, race, culture, lifestyle, ethnic background, or sexual orientation will not be considered. Students who would like to room together should request each other as roommates and list their housing preferences in identical order. If the preference lists are not identical and/or the applications are submitted on different dates, the Office of Residential Programs and Services honors the date of the first housing form received when making housing assignments.
<< Back to Top
What if roommates don't get along?
This happens less frequently than people imagine. Most roommate conflicts can be resolved with discussion and compromise, just like most sibling conflicts. Here, the RA can be helpful. If all else fails, after the second week of classes, students can request a room change.
<< Back to Top
How is IU's meal plan arranged?
Unlike the traditional meals-per-week plan offered by many universities, IU features an all-inclusive food service program in which students purchase meal points for food. This allows us to offer a wide variety of foods, dining styles, and service options without students forfeiting the cost for “missed” meals.
Students living in the residence halls for the first time have several meal plans from which to choose. Dining Services operates food courts, traditional dining rooms, salad and yogurt bars, coffee shops, kiosks, and convenience stores at 20 locations throughout the residential neighborhoods. Current hours, menus, and prices are available online at www.rps.indiana.edu/dininglocations.cfml.
<< Back to Top
Financial Aid, Scholarships, and Costs
What are the costs of attending IU for one year?
With all it offers, an IU education is a great value.
Students pay a flat tuition fee each semester. The fee entitles
students to register for 12 to 17 credit hours per semester. (Most degree
programs require students to average 15.5 credit hours each semester in
order to graduate in the traditional eight semesters.) This is the only
fixed cost. Discretionary costs (those over which you have some control)
include room and board, books and supplies, personal and transportation
expenses, and course-related fees for select programs. These costs can
vary, depending on individual circumstances and spending habits.
Official Costs for 2007-2008
| For new full-time undergraduates |
In-state |
Out-of-state |
| Tuition and fees |
$7,837 |
$22,316 |
| Room and board * |
$6,138–$7,860 |
$6,138–$7,860 |
| Total for Academic Year |
$13,975–$15,627 |
$28,454–$30,176 |
| * Based on a double room with a full meal plan. |
Other Personal Costs for an Academic Year
| For new full-time undergraduates |
In-state |
Out-of-state |
| Books and supplies |
$650–$740 |
$650–$740 |
| Personal expenses and transportation |
$2,400–$2,950 |
$2,400–$2,950 |
Students who will need a nonimmigrant visa for the 2008–09 academic year must add approximately $4,500 to the nonresident figure above, due to estimated cost increases, mandatory health insurance, and living expenses during holiday breaks and summer. For detailed tuition and fee information, visit the Office of the Bursar Web site, bursar.indiana.edu. For detailed housing and dining expenses, visit the Residential Programs and Services Web site, www.rps.indiana.edu.
<< Back to Top
Why does IU include personal expenses in citing costs?
College expenses include fixed expenses and personal expenses. Fixed expenses such as tuition, mandatory fees, and room and board are clearly outlined in all of our cost information.
Personal expenses include books, laundry, snacks, entertainment, telephone use, and transportation. Many of these expenses would also arise at home, but we feel that it’s important to include these estimates to give a more accurate picture of what attending college might cost.
<< Back to Top
When do we pay the bill?
The Office of the Bursar has a monthly, all-electronic billing cycle. Students who register during New Student Orientation in mid-June to mid-July will receive an e-mail notification (at their IU e-mail accounts, which are created during orientation) in late July alerting them that an electronic bill is ready for viewing. Payment is due August 10, 2008, using electronic payment or payment by check. Students unable to attend summer New Student Orientation and who register at the end of August will receive an e-mail notification in September, and payment is due in October. Details about the electronic billing process (QuikPAY®), including how to give parents or other authorized payers access to students’ bills and account information, are available on the Office of the Bursar Web site at bursar.indiana.edu.
Families who wish to defer a portion of the billed amount may do so for a service charge. Details regarding the deferment option are available on the Office of the Bursar Web site as well. Room and board charges will also appear on the bursar bill and will be billed in two installments (semester billing) or in eight installments for the academic year, according to the option selected on the housing contract.
<< Back to Top
What kind of financial aid is available?
Many IU students receive financial assistance in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and income from jobs. Aid comes in two basic categories: the kind you have to pay back and the kind you don’t. You don’t have to pay back scholarships and grants. Loans, of course, you do have to pay back, but they’re not all alike. The best loans are federal loans, as many offer delayed payback or delayed interest payments. But the bottom line is that aid is available.
For more information, contact the Office of Student Financial Assistance at (812) 855-0321 or visit their Web site at www.indiana.edu/~sfa.
<< Back to Top
Do you offer any freshman scholarships not based on family income?
Yes. Indiana University recognizes top scholars for their outstanding academic achievements and offers a variety of scholarships to incoming freshmen. Some scholarships are based solely on academic merit and others take additional factors into consideration. Some are awarded based on automatic evaluation of the application for admission, and some require additional application materials. Some are specifically for Indiana residents or nonresident students. The priority date for merit scholarship consideration was November 1 of this academic year. Most scholarships are renewable for four years of study at IU, and the award amounts vary. More information about scholarships is available on the IU scholarships Web site at scholarships.indiana.edu.
<< Back to Top
What forms do we need to file to be considered for all government and
IU financial aid?
You need to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) before the priority date of March 1. (You may use estimated tax figures to meet this deadline.) The FAFSA can be completed online at www.fafsa.ed.gov. If you have filed all your forms on time, you should receive an answer to your aid application before May 1. Note that only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to apply for federal and state financial aid.
<< Back to Top
Are there part-time job opportunities at IU?
Yes. Thousands of undergraduates currently have part-time jobs, both on and off campus. Our Student Employment Office (SEO) assists students in locating jobs throughout the year.
In the fall and spring, the SEO sponsors student job fairs that offer work-study and non-work-study positions. All U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible to participate, regardless of financial need. Students on nonimmigrant visas must consult with the Office of International Services before work can be accepted.
<< Back to Top
