Prepare for advising | Indiana University Bloomington

Prepare for advising

Set yourself up for a strong start

Once you have an orientation reservation, you’ll need to complete several required orientation steps before you can meet with your academic advisor and register for classes. These steps help your advisor understand your academic background, your interests, and any placement information they need to build your first‑semester schedule.

Make your orientation reservation

Before you complete the steps on this page, make sure you have already made your orientation reservation. If you've reserved your spot, you should receive confirmation from Orientation & Enrollment Programs (OEP) in your Orientation Portal.

When you are eligible to make a reservation, you will be able to log into the Orientation Portal; you will also receive an invitation via email alerting you to the availability.

You should not take placement tests, nor will you have access to Canvas or your Academic Advising Pass until you have made your orientation reservation.

Placement testing

You are required to complete placement testing before academic advising and course registration. Your school/major determines which exams you need and completing them helps ensure you register for the right courses.

Placement exams for all incoming �㽶��Ƶs are administered by the College of Arts + Sciences, regardless of your major.

Orientation Canvas modules

After you reserve an orientation date and have set up your IU email account, you’ll be invited to the Orientation Canvas course. You will have two modules to complete prior to your academic advising appointment, two modules to complete prior to your Foundations of Orientation program, and self-paced modules with resources available to you as a Hoosier.

To make sure the invite reaches you:

Set up your IU
Turn on on the device you'll use for orientation
Check your for the Canvas invitation. This is where you’ll receive the course link.

Academic Advising Pass

Your Academic Advising Pass will be available after you reserve an orientation date and set up your IU email account. Submit your Academic Advising Pass so your advisor can prepare for your appointment and guide you through course registration. Students should not complete this any sooner than two weeks prior to their New Student Orientation scheduled advising appointment.

Authenticate your IU Zoom account

Some �㽶��Ƶs will attend a virtual academic advising appointment. To ensure that you are ready to log in to Zoom for your virtual appointment, authenticate your IU Zoom account.

Additional requirements for international �㽶��Ƶs

International �㽶��Ƶs are not required to take the Foreign Language Placement Exam but may be asked to take an .

Make sure to finish all tasks in your Atlas checklist. You cannot make a reservation for New Student Orientation or register for classes until you do.

Go to Atlas

Vaccination and TB test requirements

In addition to submitting proof of vaccination against various diseases, all international �㽶��Ƶs are required by Indiana law to take a TB test with the Student Health Center. You should submit your compliance form before you begin classes. You will not be able to register for your second semester until you have done so.

Learn about vaccination requirements

Online orientation courses for international undergraduate �㽶��Ƶs

In addition to the Orientation Canvas course, international undergraduate �㽶��Ƶs will be required to complete an OIS orientation for international �㽶��Ƶs. This course provides details on living and studying in the U.S., immigration regulations and U.S. laws, health care and insurance, and more. After completing both of these courses, you’ll be well prepared to successfully transition to IU.

IU Bloomington

Office of Orientation & Enrollment Programs

1514 E. Third Street Bloomington, IN 47401