Exchange Student Newsletter: Welcome to WashU

Welcome to WashU!

Congratulations on your acceptance to Washington University in St. Louis as an exchange student! We are confident you will have a productive and enjoyable semester in St. Louis. Adjusting to a new culture while beginning a demanding academic program of study can be very challenging. Your peer mentors, academic advisers, faculty, and staff will be here to support you every step of the way!

We will be sending out email newsletters every other week until your arrival on campus. Each newsletter will contain information related to different important topics. If you would like to read ahead, or have questions not answered in these emails, please refer to the digital Spring 2023 Exchange Student Guidebook. This document contains all important information you will need before arriving on campus.

We are excited to welcome you to the WashU community!

-Student Transitions & Family Programs

Visit the New Students Website

Campus Contacts

Here are the main offices and contacts available to support you:

Academic Divisions: Each academic division has an exchange adviser to support you during your time at WashU.
College of Arts & Sciences: Amy Suelzer, Ph.D
McKelvey School of Engineering: Melanie Osborn
Olin Business School: Ryan Kearney
Office for International Students and Scholars (OISS): OISS is available to support you with immigration advising and support as you get to know WashU, St. Louis, and the United States.
Student Transitions & Family Programs: Student Transitions & Family Programs hosts Winter Welcome, an orientation program when you arrive on campus, and is available for support related to your transition.

Important Dates

Spring 2023

Spring 2023 Exchange Student Arrival: January 11
Winter Welcome: January 11-15
Martin Luther King Jr. Day (no classes): January 16
First Day of Classes: January 17
Spring Break (no classes): March 12-18
Last Day of Classes: April 28
Reading Days and Finals Begin: May 1-10

Vaccination Requirements

All exchange and new students are required to submit immunizations, COVID-19 vaccination, influenza vaccination, and TB test results for students coming from countries with endemic tuberculosis. This information must be uploaded to the Student Portal prior to arrival on campus Learn more about immunization requirements.

Enrollment Deposit

All undergraduate exchange students are required to pay a non-refundable enrollment deposit upon admission to WashU. The enrollment deposit for exchange students is $500. This enrollment deposit covers costs for Winter Welcome, the new student orientation program, additional orientation experiences for international students hosted by OISS, and programming offered for exchange students throughout the semester such as local excursions and holiday celebrations.

Visa and Immigration Information

We encourage you to begin researching the process to apply for your visa as soon as possible. Below is a brief overview of the process and documents you will need to travel to the U.S:

As an exchange student at WashU, you will need to apply for a J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa at the nearest U.S. Embassy in your home country. It is your responsibility to gather information about the process for seeking a student visa in your home country.

To apply for your J-1 entry visa, you will need a DS-2019
OISS will prepare this document and send it to your home school’s exchange program.
Typically, this takes 4-6 weeks after you are notified of your acceptance
You will also need to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee before your visa interview.

Visa and Immigration Links

WashU Office of International Students and Scholars- Information on WashU policies and requirements
U.S. Department of State- Information regarding visa categories, application process, and timelines
U.S. Embassy- Links to all U.S. consulates with specific information based on country

Quick Links

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