Frequently Asked Questions

Why am I a part of Support Service Programs?

Students are generally coded as eligible for SSP through the admissions-application process if they:

Are the first person in their family to attend a four-year college institution or "first-generation" students.

Meet certain income guidelines.

Are members of an ethnic minority group.

Graduated from a United States high school.

Are a United States citizen or permanent resident.

Many SSP-affiliated students meet a combination of the aforementioned requirements, making them a part of a very diverse group.

Who may attend Support Service Programs events?

SSP workshops and programs are open to the public unless otherwise indicated.

Does it cost anything?

Being a part of Support Service Programs is free!

How many credits should I take?

The answer to this question depends on a variety of factors. Some students are able to manage a heavier course-load than others, depending on prior educational and life experiences. You must also weigh out-of-class responsibilities into your decision making process. If you're working 10-20 per week, you might consider taking fewer class hours. Furthermore, it may depend on your major or the level of difficulty of the courses you take. For instance, engineering majors are required to take a lot of "no-nonsense" math and science courses. The difference between 12 and 16 credits could mean the difference between holding it together and pulling their hair out!

12 semester hours is considered full-time at Iowa, but many students try to average around 15 hours to keep them on the path to graduating in 4 years. "Overloading" is not recommended, especially in the first year. 12 -16 credits is generally safe for most students.

How much do I need to study?

This would depend on the individual experience that each student brings to the college arena. Some students adjust to college level course work more easily than others. If you attended a competitive or challenging high school that required a great deal of studying, you may make a relatively smooth transition to college. Furthermore, if you selected high school courses with higher levels of difficulty (e.g. chemistry, physics, or calculus) as electives, you're likely to be better prepared for college level work. There are many such factors that make college study time vary from student to student. It is generally recommended that you study at least 2 hours for every 1 hour of class time. For instance, if you are in classes 12 hours a week, you should spend at least 24 hours per week studying. If this formula does not produce the results you're aiming for, you may want to study more.

What are some good ways to meet people?

If you're not originally from the Iowa City/Coralville area, you're faced with the task of making a lot of new friends. This is not an easy task for everyone, as it requires a great deal of initiative.

Luckily, there are many opportunities to meet people at Iowa. If you live in one of the residence halls, there will be activities for you to participate in. The University also has a large number of student organizations and extra-curricular activities to choose from, via the Office of Student Life and Recreation Services, for instance.

How should I decide what classes to take?

This will depend on which major you choose. For each major, there is a checklist which indicates what courses you are required to take. You may also use the College of Liberal Arts Bulletin for this purpose, if your major is in the College of Liberal Arts. Regardless of your major, there are general education requirements (G.E.R.s) to be fulfilled and many options from which to choose. The schedule of courses can be used to look for G.E.R options. Many of the classes you take in college are electives and you'll want to know what they're about before you choose to enroll. Course descriptions can be found in the Liberal Arts Guide to Courses. Lastly, all students are assigned to an Academic or Department Advisor who is familiar with the requirements of your major and General Education Program. It is recommended that you consult with your advisor each semester.