Student Support

beautiful fall day of students walking outside Lagomarcino hall

A home for exploration

The Open Option program is a place for explorers and pathfinders. As your curiosity drives you forward, we’ll support you every step of the way with a fun learning community, experienced advisors, supportive peer mentors, and thoughtful and strategic resources designed to help you find the major you’re meant for.

Emma

The Open Option program impacted me tremendously throughout my first year at Iowa State!  The advisors and peer mentors helped me find my way by allowing me opportunities to learn more about different majors, classes, and campus resources.

Emma, ’26 philosophy, criminal justice

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    The HOME learning community

    A learning community is a group of students who connect through shared classes and guided activities. Open Option students at Iowa State are part of the HOME learning community. You’ll receive support from advisors and peer mentors while you explore majors and careers during your first semester. Peer mentors can answer questions about classes, help you get involved on campus, and share tips about life at Iowa State.

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    Academic support

    From majors fairs where we’ll help you explore all of Iowa State’s undergraduate majors to help with specific classes, there’s plenty of academic supports on campus.

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    Career support

    As an Open Option major, you’ll start your journey in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS). LAS staff will help guide you through the Open Option program as you explore majors and classes across campus.

    You’ll also be able to use the resources offered by LAS Career Services. This includes help with resume writing or interviewing, campus career fairs, and more.