Moving to college... in less than three months!!

Image from smile4meonline2.blogspost.com/2011/06/i-m-moving-again.html 

As summer kicks off, I hope many of you soon-to-be college students are excited about moving to campus in the next few months. To help with the moving process, here is a suggested checklist of what you need to bring when you move in.   Move In Check List  

Additionally, here is a great link to learn more about each of the housing options at UIU. http://uiu.edu/studentlife/reslife/

  

                                                                                                                                         

Our Students see the World

Today we have a guest blogger, Elizabeth Kaluzinski. She is an Upper Iowa Student currently studying in Austria!

Hallo from Salzburg, Austria!

I’ve been in Europe now for about two and a half months, and unfortunately only have a month left! Time is flying by so fast! Salzburg is such a beautiful city, and no picture will ever serve it justice. It seems like my life has become a real-life fairytale. There is nothing else like waking up to a gorgeous view of the Alps, a castle, and the Salzach river! This experience has opened my eyes to various cultures all over Europe. While here, I have been able to explore England, Scotland, Germany, Spain, Italy, the Czech Republic, and Hungary! It’s safe to say I’ve caught the bug…the travel bug! I hope it is contagious because I believe everyone should have the experience to travel the world like I am. I never want to stop traveling… the world is such a fascinating place and there is still so much to explore. Life is a total blast abroad (: I recommend that everyone should fully take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad! 

I would not be studying abroad if it was not for UIU. I knew I always wanted to travel the world, but it would’ve never become reality if it weren’t for one professor gave me that little push to make that dream a reality. Thank you for everything Summer Zwanziger Elisinger! Also, I would like to extend a big thank you to my soccer coaches for allowing me to go abroad for an entire semester, and miss our spring training season.

Being thrown into a new country, culture, and language is really exciting. All of it makes you appreciate everything you have in life, from stores being open 24/7, to your family, and everything in between. I sit here without a doubt in my mind that this experience has been a life-changing one and I will cherish this experience for the rest of my life.

Upper Iowa University has allowed me to make the most of my college career. I am able to play Division II soccer, study abroad, have a job, and excel in my studies. That’s the great thing about Upper Iowa… they allow their students to get involved in just about anything to find what best suits them. I love the tight-knit family-like atmosphere that UIU offers. Everyone in the community genuinely cares about you, and will go out of their way to help you, as they did for me! I wish you all the best in your college selection and future endeavors.

Tschüss,

Elizabeth Kaluzinski

Rising costs weigh heavily on students deciding where to attend college

This post will be short and sweet because I want to encourage you to read an article written by Dr. Alan Walker, President of Upper Iowa Univeristy. See link below.

http://hechingerreport.org/content/rising-costs-weigh-heavily-on-students-deciding-where-to-attend-college_8119/

Show Me the Money!!

         Now is the time of year where High School Seniors across America are able to fully gather the information to understand the investment that will be needed to attend college. In order to receive the best help possible, students should take the time to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form allows families to discover their Expected Family Contribution (EFC), which will be used by colleges to formulate financial aid packages.

What is Needed:

• Guardian’s 2011 Tax Information
• Student’s 2011 Tax Information
• PIN for Both the Guardian and Student (http://www.pin.ed.gov/ )
• School Codes for College Choices  (UIU Code: 001893)

Complete FAFSA Here: FAFSA WEBSITE

         Once a student completes the FAFSA, the information will be sent the colleges of their choice. Each college will then process the information and create an award package for the student. At Upper Iowa University, we send out the award information with detailed directions on how to accept the different levels of financial aid available.

         If you submit your FAFSFA to Upper Iowa University, you can expect your admission counselor to contact you and set up a time to discuss the details of your scholarships and awards with both you and your guardians.

If you have more questions on the specific types of aid available, a copy of our financial aid brochure can be view here: Financial Aid Brochure

Please feel free to contact me with questions.

Thomas Reburn

Assistant Director of Admissions

Upper Iowa University

563.380.6388

reburnt@uiu.edu

The Professor Connection

Connecting with Professors is an important step in any student's college career. This connection allows students to develop a network of professionals in their field of study. The best relationships are formed when students see their professors in the classroom and have easy access to the professors' office hours. This level of personalized education creates strong lasting relationships between students and their education.

Upper Iowa University students have the great opportunity to experience that relationship based teaching with professors who are in the classrooms everyday delivering a high level of education. Teaching Assistants or Graduate Assistants are never used to give a lecture, or lead a class discussion. This high level of education allows our students the opportunity to build true connections with their professors which, in-turn, become strong recommendations into the workforce.

            One of our great Professors, Dr. Steve Stein, stated it best in his blog earlier this week, “UIU is in the business of inspiring!”

I encourage you to follow the link above and read more from Dr. Stein.

Go Peacocks!

Thomas A. Reburn

Holidays around the world

       We often refer to this time of year as a time of giving. We give toys to children and younger siblings and give time and togetherness to our extended families, and hopefully we find time to give ourselves a break! Students at Upper Iowa University are quite excited for their holiday break as I can imagine all of you are as well. Many of our international students are excited for the American experience, and some of them took time to share their home-country experiences here: http://www.uiu.edu/ocm/digitalview.html

       If you know that you want to experience a community where students from 21 different countries come together and celebrate their experiences, then make sure you complete your admission process at Upper Iowa University.

Click here for our digital Holiday Card!

It's the Acceptance Time of Year!

Upper Iowa University is buzzing with the holiday season. Student organizations are busy creating ornaments to sell for fundraisers and decorating the campus with lighted peacocks, christmas trees, and menorahs. I even saw a horse-drawn carriage giving rides through campus last night!

As the holidays quickly approach, many high school seniors are finishing up the college application process and visiting their top choices for next fall. Being accepted to a school does not commit a student to attending that university, so I encourage students to go through the acceptance process with at least their top three favorite schools, and visit those campuses. This will give the tools necessary to make a good decision for the fall.

We have had some awesome students visit our campus this fall and can’t wait to see the rest of our applicants on campus soon! To set up your individual visit to Upper Iowa University, check out this link: Visit Campus

Students who still need to go through the application process, can complete their online application for free at this site: Free Application

Once the application is submitted, students should have their transcripts sent to UIU by using this form: Transcript Request Form

Have fun on your winter breaks, and don’t hesitate to contact me with your admissions questions!

-Tom