Our Top Scholar Visit Day features many different choices of sessions you can choose from. Use the tables below to learn more about each and build your ideal schedule for the day!
You must choose lunch during either Block 2 (11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.) or Block 3 (12:30 - 1:30 p.m.)
- Block 1 - 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
- Block 2 - 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
- Block 3 - 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
- Block 4 - 1:45 - 2:45 p.m.
Block 1 - 10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
| Session Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Campus Walking Tour | Go on a guided tour across our beautiful campus, guided by one of our student ambassadors! See academic buildings, downtown Iowa City, and more from the beautiful campus you might call home one day! |
| Iowa Overview | Dive into the vibrant world of the University of Iowa with our "Iowa Overview" session! Discover the opportunities available both inside and outside the classroom, from top-notch academics and career preparation to hands-on learning experiences and dynamic student life. We'll guide you through the application and admission process, ensuring you have all the information you need to join our Hawkeye family. |
| Becoming a Criminologist: Designing Your Own Criminal Justice Research Project | This session will introduce participants to the fundamentals of crime theory and research. They will then have the chance to design their own study and discuss its theoretical and policy implications. |
| Gen Z's Views on US Foreign Policy | This session will present current and original research on the opinions, beliefs, and attitudes of Gen Z compared to other generations and analyze differences and explanations for those differences. |
| The Risk Biz | This class will introduce high school students to the concept of risk, highlighting its relevance in various aspects of life, from financial decisions to career choices and even personal safety. |
| Pathway to Counseling and Behavioral Health Careers | Students will learn how to expand beyond the major to best prepare for the populations of individuals they want to serve. Then hear from a panel of faculty from our graduate programs about the various pathways to licensure. |
| Literary Passports | Take a trip through your literary past, present, and future with this generative writing session. Explore the world of writing opportunities available at the University of Iowa and begin your journey through Iowa City's rich literary landscape. |
| Research at Iowa | The Office of Undergraduate Research staff and student ambassadors will discuss undergraduate research experience. Students will share what working in a lab looks like on a day-to-day basis, what they have learned, and how they use what they learned for courses. |
| Public Health: Where Students Are Changing the World | Future doctors, start here: Public Health is the silent force behind the safety and wellness of our communities, shaping everything from the water you drink to the policies that keep you safe on the road. For aspiring medical professionals, understanding public health is essential to seeing the bigger picture of patient care and prevention. Join us for an inspiring session where current students share how they’re making a real-world impact. Whether you're passionate about global health, rural medicine, or health equity, this is your chance to see how public health connects to your future in medicine. |
| An Overview of the University Honors Program | This overview will detail what students can expect from the Honors Program and the many beneficial aspects it offers. |
| Drugs and American Pop Culture | Humans have used and misused drugs for thousands of years. Drugs have played a role in religious, cultural, and social experiences throughout time. We also will explore drugs use and culture in decades from 1880s through present day including war on drugs and the social programs to combat addictions in America. Example topics may include psychedelic drugs and the CIA and the counterculture movement, marijuana and jazz music, and the exploration of stoner cinema. The War on Drugs and other social programs to combat substance use will also be discussed as well is the impact on American Culture. |
| Drones at the Edge of the Prairie: Using Technology to Solve Grand Environmental Challenges | This immersive experience offers participants an opportunity to see how researchers at the University are utilizing technology to address environmental and sustainability challenges. |
| Voxman Music Building Tour and Q&A with School of Music Admissions | A tour of the Voxman music building followed by a Q&A with music admissions. |
| Autonomous Systems and Robotics | Tour the Cooperative Autonomous Systems lab with an interactive demonstration of drones being used to research the safe execution of multiple autonomous vehicles deployed in real-world environments. Then get a closer look at the modern robotics being utilized for hands-on learning and research by students at Iowa. |
| Hands-On Hawkeyes: Learning That Takes You Places | Curious about taking your learning outside the classroom? Join us for a fun and interactive session where you'll learn about exciting opportunities like internships, hands-on research, studying abroad, community service trips, and more. Whether you're passionate about making a difference, exploring the world, or jumpstarting your career, the University of Iowa has something for you. Come see how you can turn your interests into action and make your college experience unforgettable! |
Block 2 - 11:15 a.m. - 12:15 p.m.
| Session Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Campus Walking Tour | Go on a guided tour across our beautiful campus, guided by one of our student ambassadors! See academic buildings, downtown Iowa City, and more from the beautiful campus you might call home one day! |
| Iowa Overview | Dive into the vibrant world of the University of Iowa with our "Iowa Overview" session! Discover the opportunities available both inside and outside the classroom, from top-notch academics and career preparation to hands-on learning experiences and dynamic student life. We'll guide you through the application and admission process, ensuring you have all the information you need to join our Hawkeye family. |
| Literary Passports | Take a trip through your literary past, present, and future with this generative writing session. Explore the world of writing opportunities available at the University of Iowa and begin your journey through Iowa City's rich literary landscape. |
| Research at Iowa | The Office of Undergraduate Research staff and student ambassadors will discuss undergraduate research experience. Students will share what working in a lab looks like on a day-to-day basis, what they have learned, and how they use what they learned for courses. |
| Public Health: Where Students Are Changing the World | Future doctors, start here: Public Health is the silent force behind the safety and wellness of our communities, shaping everything from the water you drink to the policies that keep you safe on the road. For aspiring medical professionals, understanding public health is essential to seeing the bigger picture of patient care and prevention. Join us for an inspiring session where current students share how they’re making a real-world impact. Whether you're passionate about global health, rural medicine, or health equity, this is your chance to see how public health connects to your future in medicine. |
| Habits: The Secret Ingredient to Crushing College and Life | In this talk, we will discuss how to harness the extraordinary power of habits. You'll learn a proven system for forming good habits, breaking bad ones, and how the smallest of changes can lead to remarkable results in college and beyond. |
| Recreational Services Preview | Operating out of four facilities, including the award-winning Campus Recreation and Wellness Center (CRWC) and several satellite locations, students can participate in programming related to adventure recreation, aquatics, fitness, rowing, sport programs, tennis, and more. Join us for a short presentation and a tour of the CRWC. |
| An Overview of the University Honors Program | This overview will detail what students can expect from the Honors Program and the many beneficial aspects it offers. |
| Experiential Learning in the Sport and Recreation Management Program | What if you could combine your passion for sports, recreation or fitness with what you do for a living for the rest of your life? This session will explore the pathways to that goal at the University of Iowa through the Sport and Recreation Management (SRM) degree program and give students a taste of experiential learning SRM-style. Professors and current students will explain the SRM program, answer questions and walk participants through a sport management activity that simulates the active learning environments in our classrooms. Learn what's possible in a program that places an emphasis on experiential learning with organizations such as the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center, NASCAR, FOX Sports, the San Diego Padres, the Iowa Hawkeyes and many other industry partners. |
| Testing the Future of Flight Technologies | Tour the Operator Performance Laboratory. OPL is a world-renowned flight test laboratory that conducts research on human-in-the-loop and intelligent autonomous systems. OPL has 14 instrumented aircraft including fighter jets and helicopters that are utilized to test flight decks, airborne sensor systems, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) systems, user interface systems, and more. |
| Hands-On Hawkeyes: Learning That Takes You Places | Curious about taking your learning outside the classroom? Join us for a fun and interactive session where you'll learn about exciting opportunities like internships, hands-on research, studying abroad, community service trips, and more. Whether you're passionate about making a difference, exploring the world, or jumpstarting your career, the University of Iowa has something for you. Come see how you can turn your interests into action and make your college experience unforgettable! |
| Storytelling with Data | Data is today’s hottest commodity: abundant and never boring. During this interactive session participants will learn how to tell compelling stories using principals of data visualization, logic, and context. |
Block 3 - 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.
| Session Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Campus Walking Tour | Go on a guided tour across our beautiful campus, guided by one of our student ambassadors! See academic buildings, downtown Iowa City, and more from the beautiful campus you might call home one day! |
| Iowa Overview | Dive into the vibrant world of the University of Iowa with our "Iowa Overview" session! Discover the opportunities available both inside and outside the classroom, from top-notch academics and career preparation to hands-on learning experiences and dynamic student life. We'll guide you through the application and admission process, ensuring you have all the information you need to join our Hawkeye family. |
| Economics and the World Around You | N/A |
| How International Conflict Influences Domestic Politics | In this session, we will look at how conflict influences domestic politics in the US and other countries. Conflict can promote support for a country's leaders but over time can greatly make them unpopular. This session will explore these dynamics through some group activities aimed at highlighting research in this area. |
| College 101 | Join the College 101 session, where students and their families can learn important tips about college life. We'll cover academic, financial, and social aspects, including common terms, key programs, and helpful resources at colleges and universities. |
| College Credit While in High School | Join us for an insightful session on "College Credit in High School" where we'll explore how your hard-earned dual credit and Advanced Placement credits can seamlessly transfer to the University of Iowa. Discover the advantages of getting a head start on your college journey, from saving on tuition costs to lightening your courseload. Learn how these credits can open doors to advanced coursework and unique opportunities on campus. |
| Understanding Financial Aid | Presenters from the Office of Admissions and the Office of Student Financial Aid will give families a deeper understanding of our cost of attendance and how to maximize your opportunities for financial aid and scholarships. Topics will include merit scholarships through Office of Admissions, need-based aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, competitive scholarships through the Iowa Scholarship Portal, and various options for student loans. |
| Maximizing Your Learning with the Three Ms: Leveraging Mindset, Metacognition, and Memory in College | In this session, we will explore how Learning at Iowa's Three Ms for Effective Learning can help you achieve your academic goals efficiently and effectively. You will be introduced to evidence-based strategies from cognitive science and leave with actionable recommendations that will allow you to excel in your future college courses. |
| Come Discover International Internships and Study Abroad Opportunities at the University of Iowa | Come for a tour of our offices and hear a brief summary of the options that await you during your adventure at the University of Iowa. We'll share information on internships and traditional study abroad programs, as well as scholarships, timing considerations, and tips to make this process as smooth and easy as possible for you. |
| Voxman Music Building Tour and Q&A with School of Music Admissions | A tour of the Voxman music building followed by a Q&A with music admissions. |
Block 4 - 1:45 - 2:45 p.m.
| Session Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Campus Walking Tour | Go on a guided tour across our beautiful campus, guided by one of our student ambassadors! See academic buildings, downtown Iowa City, and more from the beautiful campus you might call home one day! |
| Iowa Overview | Dive into the vibrant world of the University of Iowa with our "Iowa Overview" session! Discover the opportunities available both inside and outside the classroom, from top-notch academics and career preparation to hands-on learning experiences and dynamic student life. We'll guide you through the application and admission process, ensuring you have all the information you need to join our Hawkeye family. |
| Public Health: Where Students Are Changing the World | Future doctors, start here: Public Health is the silent force behind the safety and wellness of our communities—shaping everything from the water you drink to the policies that keep you safe on the road. For aspiring medical professionals, understanding public health is essential to seeing the bigger picture of patient care and prevention. Join us for an inspiring session where current students share how they’re making a real-world impact—improving lives, influencing policy, and preparing for careers in medicine with a strong foundation in public health. Whether you're passionate about global health, rural medicine, or health equity, this is your chance to see how public health connects to your future in medicine. |
| College 101 | Join the College 101 session, where students and their families can learn important tips about college life. We'll cover academic, financial, and social aspects, including common terms, key programs, and helpful resources at colleges and universities. |
| College Credit While in High School | Join us for an insightful session on "College Credit in High School" where we'll explore how your hard-earned dual credit and Advanced Placement credits can seamlessly transfer to the University of Iowa. Discover the advantages of getting a head start on your college journey, from saving on tuition costs to lightening your courseload. Learn how these credits can open doors to advanced coursework and unique opportunities on campus. |
| Understanding Financial Aid | Presenters from the Office of Admissions and the Office of Student Financial Aid will give families a deeper understanding of our cost of attendance and how to maximize your opportunities for financial aid and scholarships. Topics will include merit scholarships through Office of Admissions, need-based aid through the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, competitive scholarships through the Iowa Scholarship Portal, and various options for student loans. |
| Maximizing Your Learning with the Three Ms: Leveraging Mindset, Metacognition, and Memory in College | In this session, we will explore how Learning at Iowa's Three Ms for Effective Learning can help you achieve your academic goals efficiently and effectively. You will be introduced to evidence-based strategies from cognitive science and leave with actionable recommendations that will allow you to excel in your future college courses. |
| Student Belonging and Engagement Panel | Getting involved on campus or in the community is a great way for students to find a home away from home. Students who are engaged report stronger feelings of connection to other students, faculty, staff, and others in the university community. They also tend to be more successful in the classroom and learn valuable job skills that future employers look for. Best of all, students will develop greater self-confidence while also meeting new people and making lifelong connections. Join the Leadership and Engagement team for a panel to learn more about meaningful engagement through Fraternity and Sorority Life, campus programming, civic engagement, leadership development, and hundreds of student organizations. |
| Engineering: Ship Hydrodynamics and Applied Hydraulics Research | Tour IIHR’s state-of-the-art Wave Basin Facility and see the wave basin in action while learning more about how landlocked Iowa has been leading ship hydrodynamics research since World War II. Then tour the nearby Hydraulics Annex to see demonstrations of physical models that have led to Iowa’s international reputation for developing large-scale laboratory models for applied hydraulics research. |