Summer 2021 | International Students & Programs Office @ UC San Diego
Dear Incoming Triton,

Welcome to UC San Diego!

The International Students & Programs Office (ISPO) is here to support you as you begin your journey as a new student at UC San Diego and to help you navigate the ins and outs of your program as an international student. Please review important information below about mandatory trainings, orientation and ways to get involved at UC San Diego. 
Register for New International Student Orientation!
New International Student Orientation is open for registration! Mandatory sessions will be hosted virtually so new international students can attend whether they are on or off-campus. Learn about campus life and how to make the most of your experience at UC San Diego!

In order to register for New International Student Orientation,  it is mandatory to sign up for one required session and one additional session of your choice.
 
  • Required Session: It must be a "Know the Rules" session that is relevant to your situation (e.g. if you are inside or outside the U.S.). These sessions are listed with the "Required" icon
  • Optional Session of Your Choice: Your second session can be any session of interest to you to meet the 2 session requirement. These sessions are listed with the "Optional" icon.  
  • Intercultural Programs and Events do not count towards the two required sessions, but we encourage you to attend! These sessions are listed with the "Intercultural" icon.  
New International Student
Gift Card Giveaway!
Enter our raffle for an iOrientation Gift Card Giveaway!
To enter:  

  1. Register for iOrientation 
  2. Follow us on Instagram @ispo.ucsd
  3. Bonus entries for those who use our ISPO AR Filter and share to their story! Make sure to tag @ispo.ucsd so we can see that you used the filter).

Giveaway will run from August 25 to September 2 and winners will be announced on September 3! 
"Surf Check: Coming to UC San Diego Guide" Available
As you prepare to begin your journey as a Triton, ISPO created a series of guides to help you along the way. Our guides cover everything from immigration and arrival to the U.S., housing, what to pack and what you can buy in San Diego, information on next steps whether you're taking courses in-person, remotely or hybrid, and much more!

You can check out the guide here and start preparing for when you can join us on campus this Fall!

Surf Check mini-guides are also available on Instagram @ispo.ucsd.
Move-In Week and Discounts on Off-Campus Accommodation
Campus Housing Move-In Updates and Procedures

In order to protect the health and well-being of our incoming students, UC San Diego is implementing a number of protocols around move-in. This highly organized process will keep physical interaction to a minimum and decrease the amount of individuals on-campus during a busy period prior to the start of Fall Quarter.

Undergraduate Housing:
  • Students can move in between September 11 and September 21 between 8:30 AM and 3:30 PM.
  • Students must select a testing date and a move-in date and time through MyRoomAssignment. You can change this by September 2 at the latest.
  • If you miss your testing and move-in time, you will have to find housing for that night.

Graduate and Family Housing:
  • Residents will have to test within 24 hours of arrival and again on Day 5 and Day 10
  • It is highly recommended to wear masks in shared spaces in the apartment until all cohabitants receive a Day 10 negative COVID-19 test.
  • If you have never received a COVID-19 test through UC San Diego before, please set up a MyStudentChart to record tests.

For more specific information on vehicles, maximum number of move-in groups, masking and testing requirements, access to rooms, late arrivals and more, visit the Housing, Dining and Hospitality (HDH) FAQ page. You can also visit UC San Diego's Return to Learn site.
Discounted Rates at Marriott Hotels for UC San Diego Students

The following Marriott hotels are offering UC San Diego students extended stay transitional housing options for the upcoming 2021-2022 Academic Year. Students can book at reduced rates for daily/weekly/monthly stays.

  • The Residence Inn (La Jolla, Del Mar and Sorrento Valley/ Sorrento Mesa Locations) - features large suites equipped with full kitchens, and include breakfast & wifi in the price. The La Jolla location is a few minutes walk from campus.
  • The Courtyard (Sorrento Valley location) - features rooms with a mini fridge & microwave. Hotels are conveniently located less than 6 miles away from campus. MTS routes

The rates depend on the length of stay and are subject to availability. Students staying for 90 consecutive days or longer will receive the best rate.
Arriving to Campus: First Steps
Fall 2021 Vaccination Compliance FAQs for International Students

Do you have questions about the UC-wide vaccine mandate? Are you unsure about how to meet this requirement as an international student by September 6? Then we urge you to visit ISPO's Coronavirus Information - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) pages for guidance!  
 
UC San Diego's Return to Learn site also has a wealth of newly-updated information to help you navigate the mandate and ensure you are in compliance for Fall 2021. Check it out today! 
Complete Check-In for I-20/ DS-2019 Activation
 
Have you recently arrived to the U.S. with an initial I-20 or DS-2019? Complete your document check-in with ISPO here!

Who is required to submit this form?

If you meet all of the following, you are required to submit this form: 

  • Initial I-20 from UC San Diego: "Form Issue Reason" on page 1 of your most recently issued I-20 states 'Initial Attendance', Transfer Pending', or 'Change of Educational Level' 
  • Program Start Date: Your program start date listed on the first page of your I-20/DS-2019 is in the future or is within the first 2 weeks of the quarter of entry. 
  • Location: You are physically located inside of the U.S. If you have not yet entered, wait to submit this form until after you enter the U.S. 
  • Arrival Record: You are able to show proof of last entry into the U.S. by uploading an Electronic Form I-94.

What if I'm not entering the U.S. this fall?
 
  • If you have an I-20 or DS-2019 with a Fall 2021 start date but do not plan to enter the U.S. to begin classes in person at UC San Diego this fall, you must submit a NEW ADMIT: I-20 or DS-2019 Amendment/Reprint request within the iPortal to receive an updated I-20/DS-2019 with a future program start date reflecting the next available term, Winter 2022.
  • You can then use the Form I-20/DS-2019 issued with a Winter 2022 program start date to enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the start of classes for Winter 2022.
UPDATE- Fall 2021 Arrivals: Understand Your Earliest/ Latest Date of Entry into the U.S.
 
Students may use their Form I-20/DS-2019 issued with a Fall 2021 program start date to enter the U.S. up to 30 days before but no later than 2 weeks after the program start date listed on their Form I-20/DS-2019 ( October 8, 2021 - the add/drop enrollment deadline). Delayed arrival to UC San Diego is at the discretion of the student's academic department. 
 
You may download a travel support letter from ISPO, which explains UC San Diego's instructions plans and allowance of delayed entry. Please note that entry after the start date listed on your I-20/DS-2019 is at the discretion of the Customs and Border Protection officer at the Port of Entry. 
 
Fall 2021 Starts: If your date of entry to the U.S. is after October 8th, which is more than 2 weeks after the Fall 2021 program start date listed on your Form I-20/DS-2019, you must submit a NEW ADMIT: I-20 or DS-2019 Amendment/Reprint request within the iPortal to receive an updated I-20/DS-2019 with a future program start date reflecting the next available term, Winter 2022. You can then use the Form I-20/DS-2019 issued with a Winter 2022 program start date to enter the U.S. up to 30 days before the start of classes for Winter 2022. 
International Student Association (ISA) New Student Question & Answer (Q&A) 
Thursday, August 26 | 8 PM PDT
Stop by for some fun online games and a chance to ask current international students all the questions you have about life at UCSD and ISA!
 
WHY AM I RECEIVING THIS NEWSLETTER?
You have been identified as an F-1 or J-1 International Student. To ensure you receive important regulatory information to maintain your immigration status while studying at UC San Diego, you have been automatically added to this newsletter to receive updates. You have the right to unsubscribe from receiving updates from our office at anytime. You can do this by clicking 'Unsubscribe...." at the bottom of this email block. If you are NOT in F1 or J1 status and believe you have been subscribed in error, please email iStudents@ucsd.edu.