Thank you for considering the Intensive
English and Orientation Program (IEOP) at Iowa State University. This campus
is the "home away from home" for approximately 2,500 international
students from all over the world.
Our small classes, professional instructors and a large university community
in a small, friendly setting combine to give you a complete educational experience.
The faculty and staff of the Intensive English and Orientation Program invite
you to join us at Iowa State University. Let us help you become your best!
Included in this section is some basic information about the program. You
may also use the links on the left to go to a specific section of our site
or use the site index to search for a topic. As always,
contact IEOP if you have any questions.
During any given semester IEOP may include full-time students preparing to
enter an undergraduate or graduate program at Iowa State University, professionals
within the community or even spouses of a university student. All have the
same goal: to improve their English.
We require that all applicants provide documentation of having completed
at least a high school education level, or its equivalent, as well as a basic
level of English ability. Documentation of financial responsibility, to cover
all expenses while in IEOP, must also be provided. Applicants eligible for
financial aid must have proof of support in place at time of application.
The Intensive English and Orientation Program is unable to provide any financial
aid or scholarship support at this time.
Since students come to the Intensive English and Orientation Program for different
reasons and with different abilities, there is no exact timeline that students
study here. How much students put IN the program is a big determination in
how much they will get OUT of the program.
Our basic guide is that a student who begins in the low level of instruction
should be proficient enough to enroll in university academic program after
three (3) consecutive terms in IEOP. Intermediate students require two (2)
terms and advanced usually require one (1) term. Again, this is only a guide.
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To ensure enrollment during your requested term, and if you are applying from
outside the United States, we suggest your completed application be received
by IEOP at least eight (8) weeks before the term begins.
Click
here to link to the application page.
Applicants wishing to transfer to IEOP must first submit a completed application
form. You must have your current visa status verified by your current school
by having them complete the Transfer I-20 Request Form. This form should not
be completed until you have accepted your offer of admission to IEOP.
All IEOP students are required to pay the program fee upon check-in (cash or
check payable to IEOP). Registration will not be complete and classes may not
begin until full payment or payment arrangements have been made.
Click
here to view the fees page.
Students are notified, by their ISU E-mail account, when their university
fees (mandatory, insurance, room and meals) are added to their University
Bill (U-bill). Students may pay their U-bill in full by the 10th day of class.
Students who do not pay their first payment in full by the due date will automatically
select the deferred option, and will be charged a $20 deferred billing fee.
You will then have the opportunity to pay your bill in 3 installments throughout
the semester.
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Once you have your visa, you may begin making your travel arrangements. Please
do so early, as airline flights are filled quickly during the student travel
season. It's important to remember that visa regulations prohibit students
from arriving more than 30 days in advance of the date of arrival on their
Form I-20.
The Des
Moines International Airport (DSM) is located in Iowa's capitol city, approximately an hour's drive from Ames and the ISU campus. Taxi service is available, or you may contact your country's student organization at Iowa State University to ask about travel arrangements.
Within Ames, and on the ISU campus,
the public transportation system is called CyRide.
Current, registered IEOP/ISU students are able to take advantage of this public
transportation as a free service. Since parking is limited on and around campus,
most students find CyRide the ideal way
to get around campus and town.
Students have many options regarding where they live while enrolled in IEOP.
As a registered student you may apply for on-campus housing, which include residence
hall rooms and suites for to apartments for both single students and student
families. Housing information is included with your enrollment packet from IEOP
and Iowa State University or you may
click
here to visit the ISU Department of Residence web site. Students may also
arrange their own off-campus housing.
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Registered IEOP students are required to hold medical insurance provided through
Iowa State University Student and Scholar Health Insurance Plan. These fees
are automatically added to students university bill.
Click here
for the fees section of the web site or
contact IEOP
for current costs.
Tuberculosis (TB) skin testing and measles immunizations are required of international
(non-U.S. citizens) students and will be part of new student orientation.
The IEOP instructors are all highly qualified and trained in Teaching English
as a Second Language (TESL) as well as teaching in an intensive English program.
All hold at least a Masters Degree in TESL or Linguistics, in addition to experience
in living and/or teaching overseas.
Click here to read more
about our full time instructors.
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We offer a multi-level approach to our English instruction so that we may
best serve the individual needs of students to meet their academic, professional
and/or personal goals. To determine which placement level(s) are most suitable,
IEOP requires all students to do proficiency testing during New Student Orientation.
Each level has regularly scheduled class time devoted to acquiring and refining
skills in grammar, composition, reading and communication
skills. We also offer a TOEFL preparation class. Although IEOP can help
students reach their desired TOEFL score, we emphasize total language development
as a measure of success.
Our program is designed for students to attend every class into which they
are placed: attendance is mandatory for everyone regardless of visa status
or reason for enrolling. Placements are continually reviewed to ensure continued
success of each student. Click here
to view a sample class schedule.
IEOP students are given a list of required textbooks and supplies during new
student orientation. These items are estimated at $200 per semester. All materials
are available through the University Book Store located at the Memorial Union.
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Students in IEOP have opportunity at mid-term to have a private conference
with an instructor. This gives student and instructor a private time to discuss
questions or concerns they may have as well as review the progress being made
in IEOP. Students are also welcome to visit with instructors during their
open office hours any time throughout the semester.
The Intensive English and Orientation Program provides a Certification of
Completion letter at the end of each term to those students who have met the
required academic and attendance requirements.
Students may also open a "credential file" which holds mid-term and final
grades, reports from instructors as well as enrollment/attendance information.
Students, at any time, can request this information be sent to college/university
admission offices or to anyone requesting this information from them. Please
send a request to have information
sent.
Orientation for our fall, spring and summer sessions take place over three days.
Students who start IEOP at mid-term in the spring, will have a one-day orientation
before starting class with additional information sessions, held after class,
during their first week.
Click here to view
each semester's orientation schedule.
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As our name indicates, we not only provide English instruction but also orientation
to our students. This does not end with new student orientation. History,
traditions and customs of the United States are integrated through cultural
and social experiences each semester.
Students in IEOP, whether part time or full time, participate in a cultural
adjustment session each semester. This includes a panel discussion by former
IEOP students who share their personal experiences on how IEOP prepared them
to become their best. Students also have the opportunity to be involved in
fun and educational activities on campus as well as in the Iowa community.
Providing many options for involvement is just as important as the classroom
instruction.
Since IEOP students are registered through the Iowa State University system
and receive an identification card, they have access to all university services
and facilities. Click here to view the semester
calendar.
Each week current news and events are announced both in the classroom and through
the IEOP web site. This keeps students current on required events as well as
optional activities within the program or throughout campus and the community.
Students are encouraged to submit items of interest to share with classmates.
Click here for current news.
Orientation to IEOP, campus and the community does not end with new student
orientation. History, traditions and customs of the United States are integrated
through cultural and social experiences each semester.
Students also have the opportunity to be involved in fun and educational
activities on campus as well as in the Iowa community. Providing many options
for involvement is just as important as the classroom instruction.
Since IEOP students are registered through the Iowa State University system
and receive an identification card, they have access to all university services
and facilities. Click here to view Activities and Events
from previous semesters.
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