Pre-Arrival Information - Autumn Semester 2021 at Ohio State

OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS

International Student
Check-In and Orientation

Autumn 2021

Dear Future 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 is preparing to offer significantly more in-person classes and robust in-person experiences autumn semester. All decisions will be made in partnership with and approval of local, state and federal health authorities. Learn more about the university’s plan for the 2021-2022 academic year.

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.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there have been adjustments by the Student and Visitor Exchange Program (SEVP) to the online credit maximum to allow for more flexibility. These adjustments will continue for the 2021-22 academic year.

Visit our Autumn 2021 Updates page for more information.

The Office of International Affairs encourages all students to arrive 2-3 weeks before the start of classes on August 24 in order to complete Mandatory Orientation and Immigration Check-In. We know students may face issues securing visa appointments as U.S. consulates work through significant backlogs, but it's important that students continue to try and schedule a visa appointment as soon as possible. We understand that this is a challenging time, but please know that the Office of International Affairs is here to assist you in any way possible.

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.
Prepare students for the transition to campus.
Introduce future Ohio State Buckeyes to what awaits them on campus!

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

Vaccination Information

VACCINATION REQUIREMENT

What is the Ohio State Vaccination Requirement?

As a part of the mandatory Vaccination Requirement, all students must have certain vaccines, and international students who arrive in Columbus and have the potential of visiting Ohio State’s campus must complete Tuberculosis (TB) testing to eliminate the possibility of active TB infections on campus.

The University's Vaccination Requirement does not include the COVID-19 vaccine.

For a full list of required vaccines, visit the Vaccination Requirement page.

COVID-19 VACCINATION

The university will not require the COVID-19 vaccine for autumn semester. However, everyone is strongly encouraged to get vaccinated as soon as they are able to do so. The vaccine has been proven to be safe and effective. The university has and will always base decisions on evidence-based public health guidance and the state of the pandemic, and a high vaccination rate will only increase the chances of normality.

Students who have been vaccinated will also not be expected to test for COVID-19 as often once the semester starts. For the purposes of testing requirements, the university will accept international vaccines based on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidance, which recognizes vaccines authorized for emergency use by the World Health Organization (WHO). As of May 7, 2021, those vaccines include the three approved for use in the United States — Pfizer, Moderna and Johnson & Johnson — as well as:

Astra-Zeneca
Serum Institute of India
Sinopharm

Once the semester begins, unvaccinated or partially vaccinated students will be eligible to receive the COVID-19 vaccine through Ohio State.

If you are uncertain about the status of a particular vaccine, please contact Student Health Services at 614-292-4321 or shs@osu.edu.

For more information and guidance on the COVID-19 vaccine, visit the CDC website and the Safe and Healthy website,

Paying the SEVIS Fee

What is the SEVIS fee?

The SEVIS fee, implemented by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is a fee intended to defray costs associated with the administration of the Student and Exchange Visitor Program.

Who must pay the SEVIS fee

Each student or exchange visitor issued a Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 for initial status in a new program is required to pay the SEVIS fee.

How to pay the SEVIS fee

Payment methods:

File Form I-901 (available at FMJfee.com), with DHS by mail along with a check, money order or foreign draft drawn on a U.S. bank and payable in U.S. currency
Electronic submission of Form I-901 to DHS using credit card or other electronic means of payment accepted by DHS (please visit FMJfee.com for more information)
Western Union Quick Pay (see instructions)
Any future DHS-approved payment services

Online ESL Composition Placement Testing

Most international students will be required to take the online ESL Composition 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.

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.

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.

Attend a Pre-Arrival Session

Getting ready to depart and start your academic journey at Ohio State has many steps and action items. The Office of International Affairs will be hosting optional Pre-Arrival Sessions in a webinar format as a resource to help guide new international students as you prepare to begin at Ohio State.

These webinars do not replace your Mandatory Immigration Check-In and International Student Orientation requirements.

Students interested in attending must register in advance. Please only register for one session—the content will be the same for all sessions.

Dates:

June 21 from 8-9:30 a.m. EDT – Register
July 7 from 8-9:30 p.m. EDT – Register
July 19 from 8-9:30 a.m. EDT – Register

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 global-engagement@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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