Pre-Arrival Information – Spring Semester 2021 at Ohio State

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OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

International Student
Check-In and Orientation

Spring 2021

Dear Future Ohio State Student,

Greetings from the Office of International Affairs (OIA) 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 in the new year, and classes will take place through a mix of in-person, online and blended teaching during Spring 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 require to complete both.

Please be advised that the Student and Exchange Visitor Program has not confirmed if the allowance of more than three-credit hours of online classes will be continued. OIA will communicate any updates for spring semester as it becomes available.

Over the next few months we will send you weekly emails to help you plan for beginning your academic journey at Ohio State.

These emails are designed to:

Address the most important topics for incoming international students.
Provide up-to-date information regarding specific requirements and considerations sorrounding COVID-19.
Prepare students for the transition to college life.
Introduce future Ohio State Buckeyes to important resources available to them.

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

Learn More

First Important Steps

If you did not already complete these tasks prior to autumn semester, please complete them to get a head start on preparing for your arrival:

Activate Your Ohio State Email

It is very important that you activate your Ohio State email account as soon as possible and prior to your arrival.

If you know your Ohio State ID number and password you can activate your Ohio State Account (lastname.#) and Ohio State email address (lastname.#@osu.edu) at my.osu.edu. The password should have already been emailed to you by the admissions office. Your Ohio State ID Number can be found in the top portion of your official acceptance letter. Please read the Policy on Responsible Use of University Computing Resources then click on "Activate Now."

Once activated, you may check your email account by visiting buckeyemail.osu.edu and signing in to Buckeye Mail using your lastname.#@buckeyemail.osu.edu (Windows Live ID) and password.

If you continue to have trouble activating your account, please contact the Office of Information Technology by emailing 8help@osu.edu or by telephone at 614-688-4357.

Set up BuckeyePass

BuckeyePass is a multifactor authentication service provided by Ohio State, which is required when accessing your different Ohio State accounts. It helps protect your account even if your password is stolen. The easiest way to set up BuckeyePass is to download the Duo Mobile app on your mobile device. View instructions on how to set up BuckeyePass and download Duo Mobile.

Pay the Acceptance Fee

Once you have paid the nonrefundable acceptance fee, Housing and ESL testing information are emailed to you. To pay your acceptance fee, follow the directions on your Acceptance Fee Statement, which has been emailed to your BuckeyeMail.

Learn About the Academic Culture at Ohio State

As a new international student, you are about to embark on an exciting academic journey at The Ohio State University! We recommend you take time to read through the New International Students' Guide to Ohio State Academic Culture. This resource was designed by experts across the campus to prepare incoming undergraduate students for success in the Ohio State classroom, and familiarize you with U.S. academic culture.

Applying for a U.S. Visa

In response to significant worldwide challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. Department of State may only be conducting emergency appointments for interviews at U.S. Embassies and Consulates. The process to request an expedited nonimmigrant visa interview varies by location.

Individuals interested in the operations of a particular post should contact that embassy or consulate directly. Contact information for embassies and consulates worldwide is available at usembassy.gov. News and updates about U.S. consulate policies, procedures and requirements can be obtained from the U.S. Department of State.

Applicants for student visas usually apply at the U.S. Embassy or Consulate in the country of their permanent residence. Although visa applicants may apply at any U.S. consular office, it may be more difficult to qualify for the visa outside the country of permanent residence.

Required documents/evidence:

I-20 or DS-2019
Evidence of financial ability to meet expenses
Evidence of English ability sufficient for course of study
Evidence of intent to depart the United States after completion of studies
Passport valid for at least 6 months
Photograph (check with embassy for specific dimensions)
SEVIS Fee payment proof - Current SEVIS Fee Information

Contact iss@osu.edu with questions.

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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