|
Arrival Date
Don't forget, F-1 students may not enter the US more than 30 days prior to the start date of the I-20.* Your form likely has a program start date of August 22, meaning your visa does not allow you to enter the US before July 23. Plan travel accordingly!
*Exception: Transfer students using the same SEVIS# may arrive earlier.
|
|
Next Week's Tip
Housing Information
|
|
|
|
If you will be starting studies at the University of Maryland this August, this email is a reminder to register for and attend International Student Orientation events scheduled August 22-26. This includes
a variety of sessions and social activities that will help you "land" at UMD as well as satisfy your immigration requirements.
|
|
|
Today's Tip:
Register for Orientation
As an international undergraduate student, you have to complete two parts of orientation that cover different topics. Our Tip will discuss both:
- ISSS International Student Orientation events and how to Register
- New Student Orientation
Together, they will make your first week on campus before classes start informative, helpful, and fun.
1.) International Student Orientation Events
Every F-1 student must attend one ISSS Immigration Session and do a Documents Check-In.
These steps are necessary so ISSS knows you have reported to UMD - it allows us to activate your F-1 SEVIS record and report your arrival to the US government. Important: Be sure to check-in with Staff upon arrival! Attendance is recorded since this session is required.
Dates to attend Immigration Session:
Space is limited so register for the date that works for you: July 26, August 2, August 9, August 11, August 16, August 17, August 18, August 19, August 22, August 23, and August 26.
You will receive information about how to maintain legal immigration status and meet ISSS staff here to assist you with any immigration issues during your stay in the United States.
How to Register for International Student Orientation Events:
- Log in to iTerp (https://iterp.umd.edu).
- Select "Register for Orientation" if you need to download the schedule.
- Then click the "Session Signups" side menu. Click on various session titles to view descriptions.
- Next, find the date the event is offered in the calendar (location/time are published there). Click "sign up" for each event you plan to attend. Only register once so you do not take up multiple slots!
- If you see a session you wish to attend is "full," show up at the event anyway - ISSS can often accommodate extra people. (Usually at all events except Immigration Sessions)
Document Check-In Process - DO THIS AFTER ARRIVAL
The Documents Check is a quick but important online process in iTerp
(https://iterp.umd.edu). Instruction will be given in a later Tip, as well as during Immigration Sessions.
DO NOT try to do the check-in until
AFTER you arrive in the US.
Other International Student Orientation Events
In addition to the required Immigration Session, ISSS offers a full program of Orientation Week events August 22-26 and we hope that you will attend as many as possible. These events are designed to aid your transition to life at UMD, College Park, and the United States. We also hope you will have fun and meet others! Here is the week's schedule at a glance:
|
2.) Register for New Student Orientation
New Student Orientation is for all new undergraduate students, domestic and international. Among other things, you will meet your academic advisor and register for classes here, so you must register and attend this very important event!
Important: New Student Orientation is a separate event from all International Student Orientation events (above) and is not administered by ISSS. This means you must register separately on the Orientation Office's website,
http://www.orientation.umd.edu/international.html.
|
|
|
We hope that you find these emails informative and helpful. If you do not intend to enroll at UMD and would like to stop receiving these emails, please inform the admissions office.
|
|
Sincerely,
International Student & Scholar Services (ISSS)
UMD ISSS
|
|
|
