Pre-Arrival Information - Summer Term 2021 at Ohio State

OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

International Student
Check-In and Orientation

Summer 2021

Dear Future Student

Greetings from the Office of International Affairs at The Ohio State University. While information surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve, please know that our highest priority is the health and safety of our students, faculty and staff. We are monitoring the global outbreak and are taking appropriate steps to ensure the well-being of the campus community.

Ohio State will continue to be open and classes will take place through a mix of in-person, online and blended teaching during Summer 2021. The Office of International Affairs will conduct International Student Orientation and Mandatory Immigration Check-In virtually. International Student Orientation and Mandatory Immigration Check-In are two separate processes, and students are required to complete both.

Please note that unless the Student and Visitor Exchange Program makes any new announcements, the Department of Homeland Security’s guidance for international students from autumn will remain the same for summer term 2021.

The Office of International Affairs encourages all students to arrive 2-3 weeks before the start of classes on May 12 in order to attend Mandatory Orientation and Immigration Check-In. Students who arrive early will have better course availability, more time to explore Columbus and more opportunities to meet other students.

Over the next few months we will send you weekly emails to help you plan for beginning your academic journey at Ohio State. You may access the archived emails online, under Summer Term.

We look forward to sending you more detailed information in our upcoming pre-arrival emails. In the meantime, please explore our website and answers to frequently asked questions, and you are always welcome to email us at iss@osu.edu.

Learn More

Make Housing Arrangements

On-campus housing will be available for freshmen and upperclassmen as well as transfer students. Student Life Housing Services will email students each week, based on the date they are admitted to the university with details on how to apply for campus housing.

Move-in begins Sunday, May 9, 2021 at 8 a.m. Students will be sent confirmation of their housing placement. Students living in university housing will be expected to participate in the COVID-19 testing protocols as determined by the university.

We strongly encourage students who qualify and want on-campus housing to apply as early as possible and complete a housing contract. The availability of spaces is limited, so early application is encouraged. Be aware that most rooms for new students may house more than two people. The cost of housing varies by the type of room and the meal plan chosen.

Before you sign a contract to live on campus, be sure that you read the contract thoroughly and that you want on-campus housing. If you break your contract, you will be assigned a buy-out fee for each semester that is remaining on your contract. University Housing can be contacted at their email address, housing@osu.edu and by phone at 614-292-8266.

Off-Campus Housing

If you are interested in living off campus, we recommend you start your search with Off-campus and Commuter Student Services. This website maintains an online housing search with information on accommodations both within walking distance and driving distance to campus.

Student Legal Services (SLS) is a team of legal professionals providing legal services to Ohio State degree-seeking students. Eligible students (does not include exchange students), pay an annual participation fee for the SLS legal services plan. SLS' scope of services includes landlord-tenant disputes.

Before you sign a lease to live off campus, you should get your lease reviewed by SLS. If legal issues arise when you're moving and living off campus, you can meet with SLS staff to discuss your legal rights and options. Students are strongly urged to pay this annual fee in order to utilize the great services the Student Legal Services provides.

To reach Off-campus and Commuter Student Services, call 614-292-0100 or email offcampus@osu.edu.

Temporary Housing

On-campus early arrival/temporary housing is not available. You may be able to find temporary housing at a local hotel or motel, or through some of the Ohio State's international student organizations. Please refer to Temporary Housing for more information.

Math Placement Testing

The math skills assessment must be taken in order to accurately place students in a level of mathematics coursework. Carefully read the Math Placement Test information page. Students may only take the test once. International students will take Test D.

Students should complete the assessment online as soon as possible. Plan to test in a distraction-free environment that will be uninterrupted for 75 minutes. Due to COVID-19, all placement testing is online.

Online ESL Placement Testing

Most international students will be required to take the online ESL Writing Placement Test. It is important that you pay your acceptance fee as early as possible so that the university can determine if you are required to take the test.

If you are required to take the test, “ESL Test Required” will be listed on the To Do List of your Buckeyelink account and you will receive an email at your Ohio State email address from eslcomptest@osu.edu with detailed instructions for taking the test online prior to your arrival on campus. Please do not schedule an appointment to take the test until you receive the email detailing the procedure.

Undergraduate students who score 1901 can get started at Ohio State early by taking EDUTL 1901 online in the summer. Learn more about the advantages of doing so (you may also watch the video on Youku). Students who hope to take the pre-arrival online ESL composition course (EDUTL 1901) this summer term, must take the test as soon as possible in April in order to receive their scores before the special course registration deadline. The testing times are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis.

The sooner students pay their university acceptance fees and schedule the placement test, the sooner they will be able to enroll in courses. Early registration is highly encouraged as classes fill up quickly.

If you have questions about your ESL test, visit the English as a Second Language website or contact eslcomptest@osu.edu.

Additional Resources

Visit our website to review information from previous emails and/or answers to frequently asked questions. If you don't find what you're looking for, contact iss@osu.edu.

Please allow us to join the other offices on campus in congratulating you on your acceptance to The Ohio State University.

Kind regards,
Office of International Affairs

2009 Millikin Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210

oia@osu.edu

osu.edu

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