Welcome to Intensive Freshman Seminars

IFS is a fantastic way to get a head start on life at IU Bloomington before the fall semester begins. As an IFS student, you'll move into your dorm early, take a 3-credit course with leading faculty, build your first college friendships, and engage in unique programming designed to connect you with IU’s extensive resources—all while preparing for college life.

IFS 2025, in its final year, runs from August 3 to August 20, just before the fall semester starts. The program kicks off with a week of virtual classes beginning August 3. Students move to campus on August 10, and in-person classes start on August 11.

While IFS will conclude after 2025, a new program—the Transition to College Summer Program (TCSP)—is launching in its pilot year. Developed and overseen by the Office of School Partnerships and Precollege Programs, TCSP will provide students with an additional valuable opportunity to prepare for their IU Bloomington journey. Students can even register for both in 2025!

Your success at IU begins here

At IFS, you'll have the opportunity to:

  • Connect with a top professor
  • Participate in a small and rigorous college class
  • Learn alongside other incoming first-year students & create lasting friendships
  • Explore the IU Bloomington campus
  • Discover opportunities for leadership, service, and study

Connect with faculty

Learn from one of Indiana University's leading faculty members in a small classroom setting. Because IFS classes are small, students have the chance to work individually with their professor and make personal relationships with faculty. With classes in a variety of subjects and unique co-curricular opportunities, there's an IFS class for every type of student.

Create friendships

When you attend IFS, you aren't just academically successful, you're socially involved too. You will participate in a variety of activities and events while exploring campus and making friends with new and returning IU students. Meet other students before coming to campus at IFS virtual events and have a blast at our program-wide events. Experiences aren't limited to what happens in the classroom. At IFS, you'll never be bored.

Explore our courses

Check out the exciting topics you can study in IFS.

Courses

Reserve your spot

Complete the IFS application to register for IFS 2025.

Apply now