College of Agriculture & Life Sciences

About the school

The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (CALS) at Iowa State University was founded in 1859 in Ames, Iowa. It is one of the leading institutions of agriculture in the world and conducts mission-oriented research and shares knowledge to bring future leaders to the forefront.

In the U.S. News & World Report rankings, Iowa State's Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering programme ranks 5th in the nation. Similarly, Niche ranks the Biology programme at CALS at number three.

The College boasts a strong alumni base of over 46,000. Some of its famous alumni include George Washington Carver (famous agricultural scientist) and Henry A. Wallace (former vice president of the USA).

Located in the vibrant heart of the Midwest and Iowa, Ames boasts a robust economy, a thriving cultural scene, top-tier schools, and extensive medical facilities. Its ample parks and diverse recreational options further enhance its appeal.

Where is the school located?

Life at the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences

The Iowa State University has aInternational Students & Scholars Office (ISSO) with International Student Advisers (ISA) present to help international students on matters of immigration and U.S. employment regulations, as well as provide social, cultural, and even financial support.

The Wallace Hall, with single occupancy apartments; the Frederiksen Court, with 2 and 4-bedroom apartments; and the Schilletter Village (SUV) Apartments, with 2-bedroom apartments, are reserved for graduate students. Off-campus lodging options can be explored on the Discover Ames website.

In-house dining venues are spread across the campus in over 20 locations. The meal plans are designed to ensure students get nutritious, homemade meals. Students can choose between the Gold, Campanile, and Meal Block plans. There is an option to not subscribe to a plan and just dine on the go as well.

Online fitness classes are available at the University. On campus, fitness classes and personal training are available. There is a gym and several other activity centres available on campus.

The CyRide public transport system, a free initiative for the students of Iowa State University, runs bus and shuttle services within and outside the campus.

Additional benefits of studying at the College of Agriculture & Life Sciences

• Top-Tier Education: CALS ranks in the top five nationally in federal research grants out of 60 agricultural colleges as per the Academic Analytics comparisons (2022) and third for the number of faculty with awards. It has received $71,679,542 in grants in 2021-22 alone.

• Strong Industry Ties: CALS has collaborations with NASA and the U.S. Department of Energy, among others.

• Research Excellence: With over 130 years of leadership, the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Iowa State University has a well-established research wing. Its Agriculture and Home Economics Experiment Station (AES), established in 1988, supports research in several agricultural colleges. Studying at CALS puts you in a unique position to remain at the forefront of agri-research.

Admissions criteria

Admission requirements vary for different courses. A general set of admission requirements is as follows:

A bachelor’s or higher degree, comparable to a US bachelor’s degree or higher for international students, from a regionally accredited college or university

A minimum cumulative grade point average equivalent to at least a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale

• Proof of English proficiency: You must obtain the minimum score in the following exams to be eligible- TOEFL Internet-Based exam: 79, TOEFL Paper-Based exam: 550, IELTS: 6.5, Duolingo: 105, and PTE:180.

A Graduate Records Examination (GRE) or the Graduate Management Admissions Test (GMAT) score

Letters of recommendation

Fees and other expenses

Tentative expenses an international student might incur:

• Housing fees: $5,000
• Meal plan charges: $2,500
• Books and course materials: $1,091

Please consult the School’s website for more information.

Job placements

• Practical Experience: The College of Agriculture and Life Sciences Career Services office takes the lead in conducting career counselling sessions for students and providing them with well-suited career opportunities. Its Science With Practice initiative allows students to work with faculty mentors while earning credits and a paycheck.

• Tailored Career Training: The College provides online support through:

A dedicated page with directions on how to best prepare your resume. An online guide on interview tips, including how to dress, what research to conduct before appearing for an interview, and much more. Big Interview - An online mock interview interface. CyHire - An online platform connecting students with employers through internship and job listings. GoinGlobal - A global job listing website. A dedicated portal that hosts local part-time job opportunities. A list of government and non-government job databases.

• Immersive Career Events: Career Services also organises career day, where students can network with alumni and potential employers. They organise career fairs throughout the year. There is even a dedicated Agriculture and Life Sciences Career Day for CALS.

• High Job Placement Rate: The College has had a 100% positive career outcome within 6 months of graduation for their 2022 graduates.