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DMACC Student Orientation
FAQs
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Questions about Orientation? You're not alone. Check out our most Frequently Asked Questions.
DMACC Student Orientation is designed to provide you with a seamless transition to DMACC, answer your questions, and provide you with information regarding:
- Student Services & Resources
- Navigating DMACC technology
- Advising and registering for classes
- Paying for DMACC, financial aid and scholarships
- Clubs and organizations
Completion of orientation is mandatory for most new, degree-seeking students and some students changing academic programs.
Orientation at DMACC provides students with information about the college and the academic program the student has selected. DMACC is a large, multi-campus community college with a vast number of student resources and opportunities. Orientation will help students gain access to college information and support students in making a successful transition into college and/or their new academic program. For most students, orientation also includes registering for classes.
Academic programs can vary greatly from one another, so it is important for students to learn about their new academic program and meet with their advisor. In particular, it can be important that their program advisor has the opportunity to see how prior classes might fit in with the new program of study to determine an appropriate plan of future courses.
Note: Students switching from programs INTO Liberal Arts are not required to complete a new orientation unless it has been more than three years. Some students may not be required to complete a new orientation or may have their orientation waived if they are switching to a similar program. Please contact that program advisor for more information.
A student should complete orientation at the campus or center where they plan to take the majority of their classes (classes can be taken at multiple locations). Please note that some programs can only be completed at certain campuses. For information on which programs are available at various campuses, please visit https://www.dmacc.edu/admissions/Pages/checklist.aspx.
Orientation emails are automated and generated either when orientation season opens or approximately one business day after a student is accepted to their academic program. The student should check Web Info System to ensure that their contact information is accurate, as it is possible that the email was sent to an old or incorrect e-mail address. A student can either request the letter be resent by contacting
orientation@dmacc.edu or they can simply sign into their myDMACC account, click ‘Blackboard’, and review the orientation instructions. If orientation instructions are not showing, there might be an issue with the student’s admissions application, and the student should contact the orientation team at
orientation@dmacc.edu.
*Please note: The Orientation Tab will not be displayed if orientation season has not opened.
Ankeny campus: Guests are allowed to accompany students to campus; however, guest participation opportunities vary by academic program and semester. Supplemental guest programming is available at some orientation events. Guests are not able to accompany students into registration rooms. If you or another guest would like to accompany your student to campus, DMACC provides plenty of amenities while on campus including dining options, pool tables, the bookstore, and more.
Please contact
orientation@dmacc.edu with any questions about guest participation at orientation at the Ankeny campus.
Urban campus and Southridge Center: Due to space limits, Urban campus and Southridge Center are unable to accommodate guests.
All other campuses: Please inquire about bringing guests when you call your respective campus to schedule your appointment.
Some campuses and programs offer online orientations and others host on-campus orientations. Students planning to attend on-campus sessions must sign up in advance. There are limited seats available in each session, so be sure to begin your orientation process as soon as you receive your email invitation to get started.
Students at the Ankeny campus can sign back into the orientation reservation site and select a new date. Students at all other campuses should contact their
local campus
for assistance with changing their reservation or appointment time.
ALEKS is a web-based math placement assessment designed to help determine which math course students are prepared to begin. Admitted students to DMACC are expected to take ALEKS math placement assessment prior to attending orientation, so that they can be properly advised as to what courses to take. To learn more about the ALEKS math placement and to take the assessment, go to: https://www.dmacc.edu/mathplacement
DMACC has housing options available on select campuses. For more information, visit the housing webpage.
Ankeny and Urban campuses require students to have a parking permit to park on campus. You will need to login to
myDMACC and select
Request Parking Permit under the
Web Info System button. After submitting your parking permit request, you may pick up your permit at one of the locations listed on the parking permit request page.
Certain programs at DMACC have limited capacities, so once a program reaches capacity, Admissions begins a wait list. Each waitlist is specific to the program and campus which you applied. You can contact the Admissions Office at 515-965-7337 for approximate wait times for each program. Students may be able to take limited classes while on a wait list. Please visit with an Academic Advisor about any specific questions you may have regarding wait lists.
