Advising & Student Services

Tips for Success

Activate your myIPFW account at https://my.ipfw.edu/ by clicking on "First-time user" and following the directions.
Attend SOAR, if beginning in a fall semester, or, if beginning in the spring or summer, schedule an advising appointment with the Coordinator of Advising and Student Services on the first day of freshmen registration or later.
Arrive on time for your appointment, rested and ready to learn about the degree program. If you have questions about IPFW or the major you are considering, please bring them along in written form to avoid forgetting.
Be open with your advisor about your personal goals, your study habits, and your concerns about classes.
You will be receiving an advising folder to keep containing:
- a degree requirements sheet (bingo sheet),
- an IU-SPEA bulletin,
- information about internships, scholarships, the calculation of graduation hours and GPAs.
- please bring this folder with you to future advising sessions.
After your SOAR session or your advising appointment, during which you will register for first semester classes, review the advising information covered any time on our web site.

Schedule advising appointments in advance of prime registration times.
Run an unofficial degree evaluation to track your progress. Bring it along to your advising session, marking any areas you question or do not understand.
Arrive on time for your appointment, with written questions and/or concerns you want to ask to avoid forgetting.
Be open with your advisor about your personal goals, your study habits, and your concerns about classes.
Keep an advising folder containing:
- a copy of the unofficial degree evaluation,
- a degree requirements sheet (bingo sheet),
- a copy of your most recent transcript,
- notes from previous advising sessions,
- credit transfer reports from Admissions (for transfer students), etc. Bring this portfolio to each advising session.
Graduating soon? Complete the degree application and submit it to the SPEA office, NF 260.