Schedule & Activities

At IFS, you’ll be more involved than ever. You won't have unused time. In addition to classwork and prep for class, you'll experience the rich cultural opportunities at IU Bloomington and learn about faculty expectations for college students like you. You'll have the chance to join a variety of activities: sports, movie nights, art events, performances, and programs that highlight the full spectrum of IU and community services. Part of the experience of IFS is learning to balance your time, have fun, and work hard toward becoming a successful IU student.

Before you get started, read this!

Note: The IFS course placement and enrollment processes happen on a rolling basis concluding when capacity is reached. For questions about your application status, please contact us.

After you apply and are accepted into IFS, you can expect the following communications:

Early April - Welcome Email from IFS: Initial acceptances are sent in early April. If accepted into IFS, you will receive a welcome email notification.
Early June - Course enrollment & advising communications: In early June, accepted applicants will receive an email from ifs@indiana.edu with course enrollment & advising information.
Early July - IFS Professor & TA Communications: In early July, you will receive communications from your IFS Professor and Teaching Assistant Intern that includes a welcome, course meeting times, locations, expectations, and textbook information.

Your first week of IFS will be virtual. Be available for an intensive experience! IFS virtual instruction will be very different from high school online coursework. You will have a series of online lectures, tours, events, and experiences requiring your full attention. Students holding part-time jobs, or maintaining busy non-academic calendars report finding balancing the workload very difficult.

Tips from IFS students:

"Say goodbyes to relatives and friends before you start IFS. Even though it is virtual, it is your first week with Indiana University!"

"Plan to finish any outside activities including work and volunteering before virtual week with IFS begins."

Your attendance and participation during virtual week (August 4 – August 10, 2024) is an essential component of the IFS program. New Student Orientation advising should be scheduled outside of IFS dates (August 4 – August 21, 2024) to avoid conflicts with required class activities.

IFS 2024 Timeline

August 4th - August 10th

Virtual Week

Your seminar professor will hold an introductory virtual class, where you'll meet your professor and fellow classmates and receive a deeper look at your course experience. Virtual aspects of IFS will begin on August 4th, and these will be extended to and blended with in-person instruction. IFS students will receive detailed instructions to their IU email address.

August 11th

Student Move-in

IFS move-in day is Sunday August 11th. IFS Check-in will take place the same day. Move-in times and check-in locations will be announced in July. Check your IU email! After checking in, you may be getting settled into your room and saying goodbye to your family. We recommend enjoying a meal together before they leave Bloomington. Here you will find local dining establishments, including options within walking distance.

August 11th

IFS Welcome Festival

It's your first evening on campus! IFS Welcome Festival is a great time to meet and greet your classmates and fellow students after your family has left campus. Music, games, and snacks are part of this traditional welcoming event. There will be activities to help you mingle and get to know other IFS students.

August 12th

First Day of In-Person Class

student writing in classroom Students will receive IFS class meeting details and plans from their professors. IFS teaching assistants will guide and assist you in finding your classroom on campus. Courses will continue with daily instruction and activities through August 21st.

August 14th

Open Mic Night

Open Mic Night is your chance for to show off your talents! Talents of all kinds are welcome: singers, musicians, dancers, group acts, poets, comedians, puppeteers, yodelers, jugglers, jesters and more! The range of acts spans from polished and professional to acts that threw something together in their dorm the night before. You never know what will happen at open mic night!

August 15th

Faculty Panel

During the Faculty Panel, a handful of IFS faculty members discuss a chosen theme from the perspective of their academic disciplines. Faculty Panel is a series of engaging presentations from IFS faculty, a lively panel discussion, and a chance for you to ask questions.

August 20th

Academic Forum

During the Academic Forum, students present projects, analysis, and research from their IFS studies and engage with other students and classes.

August 20th

Closing Celebration

Directly following the Academic Forum, IFS students, staff, and faculty attend a Closing Celebration complete with presentations, a slideshow, and light snacks. IFS coursework will conclude by noon on August 21st.

August 21st

FYE Welcome Week

The Office of First Year Experience offers exciting Welcome Week programming for students as they arrive to campus. From CultureFest, which is your opportunity to start finding your people, to Traditions and Spirit of IU, where you will get to see first-hand what Big Ten athletics are like and get a feel for what it is like to be a Hoosier, Welcome Week has something for everyone. FYE programs will continue through your freshman year.

August 26th

Fall Semester Begins

IU Bloomington fall semester courses begin. Plan your semester by visiting Student Central where you can find official IU calendars, steps to managing your class schedule, and financial planning resources.

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 2024.

Apply now

Schedule & Activities