Orientation

Kick Off Your Kirkwood Journey

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

Spring 2023 Orientation - Now Open!

For more information on next steps, see the checklist below. Orientation helps set you up for success and is mandatory for all students planning to get a degree from Kirkwood.

Pursuing an online degree program?

Before 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
The ALEKS math placement assessment is 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 Enrollment office.

Kirkwood Community College
Enrollment Office
6301 Kirkwood Blvd. SW
Cedar Rapids, Iowa 52404

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

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 Enrollment 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.

“It's been a long time since I've been in school, but my instructors have made the transition easy. There are many resources available to help and I'm reminded all the time that I can do this!”

Marian Carter,
Cedar Rapids, Iowa

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)
Business Administration (online)
Paralegal (online)
Water Environmental Technology (online)
Accounting (online)
Technical Accounting (online)

Register Now

If you have any questions, please contact our Academic Innovation, Strategy and Design department 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: 3rd Floor Iowa Hall