Kick Off Your Kirkwood Journey

During orientation, you’ll work with academic advisors, current students, and staff to get ready to attend Kirkwood.

As a result of COVID-19, orientation is currently online. Orientation helps set you up for success and is mandatory for all students planning to get a degree from Kirkwood.

Spring 2021

Orientation for classes starting Jan. 25 is now closed. Please contact your academic department directly to discuss the next opportunity to get started with classes.

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Fall 2021

Orientation reservations will open in late March.

Orientation Checklist

✔ 1. Set up your Kirkwood account

If you haven’t already, set up your Kirkwood account. To do so you’ll need your Kirkwood identification number (k-number), which can be found in your online welcome letter. It will be a lowercase “k” followed by seven numbers. Your k-number will let you access MyHub, Kirkwood’s student portal, and get registered for orientation.

✔ 2. Fulfill the placement process

To be placed in the right classes for you, you’ll need to fulfill the math, reading, and writing placement process. Please do that in one of the following ways:

• For math, take a free ALEKS math placement assessment online on MyHub (see more info below) 
  ◦ OR submit qualifying ACT/SAT test score (scores are valid for 2 years)
  ◦ OR provide qualifying college transcripts 

• For reading and writing, provide qualifying high school GPA 

  ◦ OR submit qualifying ACT/SAT test score (scores are valid for 3 years)
  ◦ OR provide qualifying college transcripts

Information about ALEKS
Due to COVID-19, the ALEKS math placement assessment is now online and available through MyHub. ALEKS is a required math assessment used to map a student’s strengths and weaknesses and determine the most appropriate courses for each student. Note: the ALEKS assessment must be taken through Kirkwood.

✔ 3: Transcripts

Please provide your high school transcript, as well as a college or university transcript if you have completed college-level courses, to Kirkwood’s One Stop office.

Please note, to fulfill the placement process, high school transcript must be within 10 years of graduation (to use GPA for reading and writing placement) and college transcript must show a passing-level grade (to use for writing and math placement).

✔ 4: Confirm your information in MyHub

Log in to MyHub here using your k-number and the password you established when setting up your account. 

• Verify that you’ve been placed in the correct program. See the current program we have on file for you here.
• Review and update your personal information. Manage your information here.
• Verify that your test scores were received. View the placement scores we have on file for you here. If you have not submitted your scores, contact ACT or the College Board directly to have your scores sent to the One Stop office.
• Check your Kirkwood email. Your student email is the official method of communication between you and Kirkwood and it is how we will connect with you regarding orientation and getting registered for classes. Check your email often to get important campus and student information. Access your Kirkwood email here.

If you have trouble accessing MyHub, call the Kirkwood Student Help Desk at 319-398-7624 or 800-634-6581.

✔ 5: Apply for financial aid

Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). If you’re applying for financial aid, you might need your:

• FSA ID and password for yourself and your parents
• Tax and personal information, such as your driver’s license and social security card
• Tax and personal information, such as date of birth, social security number, and marital status, for your parent or parents.

After you’ve submitted your FAFSA, keep an eye on your student email for updates on your financial aid offer. You can also check the status of your financial aid in MyHub here.

We strongly encourage you to complete direct deposit information. You can do that in MyHub here.

Pursuing an online degree program?

There’s an orientation for that!

If you’re planning to take all of your classes online for one of the following programs, you’ll need to register for online degree program orientation here. It’s a program that’s tailored specifically to online students to help you be successful.

• Liberal Arts (online)
• Business Administration Management (online)
• Paralegal (online)
• Water Environmental Technology (online)
  
  Register Now

If you have any questions, please contact Distance Learning at 319-398-4958 or distancelearning@kirkwood.edu.

What to Expect at Orientation

During orientation, you’ll get the opportunity to:

• Get connected to campus resources and services.
• Learn from Kirkwood faculty members about academic expectations.
• Engage with current Kirkwood students and other new students.
• Explore information about student involvement, financial aid, campus technology, community expectations, and other aspects of the social and academic environment at Kirkwood.
• Access academic advising and register for classes.

Remember: Orientation is mandatory, if you’re in a degree-seeking program. Knowing where to go and what to do when you need help means you’re more likely to succeed in college and beyond.

Questions?

Dean of Students Office

Phone: 319-398-4906
Email: orientation@kirkwood.edu
On campus: 2nd Floor Kirkwood Hall