Issue 10: Final Reminders

Greetings!

This is the final Tip of the Week before the start of your Spring semester. We hope you have found these weekly tips helpful and we encourage you to review any important topics on our Tips of the Week page.  

We hope your arrival will be smooth and we are looking forward to meeting you during our welcome activities!

In this edition, we’ll cover information about completing documents check and International Student welcome activities. Finally, we will provide information on how to apply for a Social Security card.

Documents check is now open on your iTerp portal!



If you have completed your intent form, you should see “Immigration Videos and Documents Check” under the “Requests” section of your iTerp home-page.

This checklist has 2 sections: “Immigration Session Videos” and “Documents Check.”

• The “Immigration Session Videos” section contains several short videos and quizzes. You are required to complete these videos to learn about how to maintain your F-1/J-1 status AND to be able to access your Documents Check.

• The “Documents Check” section allows you to upload the immigration paperwork we require to activate your I-20/DS-2019. It must be completed after you arrive in the US.

Once you submit the document check eform, an ISSS advisor will review your documents to ensure your status was documented properly at the port of entry and will activate your I-20 or DS-2019.



• All students will receive an email from ISSS indicating your documents were reviewed successfully and your I-20/DS-2019 was activated.
• F-1 SEVIS transfer students will receive a new I-20 showing your transfer was completed.  

Activation of your I-20/DS-2019 is needed to maintain your status as well as for successful onboarding to any campus employment and for the Social Security application.

Please note: you must complete the “F-1/J-1 Immigration Session Videos” section of your checklist before you have access to the “Documents Check” section.

Hopefully, you have already accessed your International Student Orientation course on Canvas and have started to learn about the many resources available to you. 

How do I access the online International Student Orientation? You can self-enroll You can self-enroll . 

If you are an undergraduate degree seeking student and have not registered for freshman/transfer orientation, please visit the Undergraduate Orientation and Transition website to register for the next available required orientation. This orientation is required and is where undergraduate students will meet your academic advisor to register for classes.

You are invited to this one day event designed to help you transition smoothly into your new academic and cultural environment. The welcome events offer an invaluable opportunity to meet fellow international students, learn about campus resources, and get tips on adjusting to life in a new country. Register for your Welcome Events now in iTerp. 



Simply log in to iTerp and look for upcoming events.

The University of Maryland requires ALL students to complete the University Health Center Immunization Record Form and submit proof of immunizations. If you have not completed the form, please complete it so the Health Center has time to review it.

If you need one of the required vaccinations, come to the UMD immunization clinics. No appointment is needed, just walk in during the scheduled hours.



Wednesday, January 22nd

9-3pm ET (Break 12-1pm)

Friday, January 24th

9-3pm ET (Break 12-1pm)

Make sure to complete the Patient Consent & Financial Agreement via myUHC.umd.edu and activate your health insurance before visiting. It takes 24-48 hours for the Student Health Insurance to be activated so please activate your insurance 2-3 days before your scheduled visit.

Shuttle-UM

Shuttle-UM UMD operates a free commuter shuttle service for students, faculty, and staff of the campus. You can find the operations schedule here. You must show a valid UMCP ID. We recommend you download the Shuttle App to access live transit information.

On-Campus Parking- Permit Required

During the semester, you will need a permit to park on campus or you will need to pay parking meters. Review the UMD Department of Transportation website carefully, parking citations are common for newcomers to campus, so please plan accordingly!

The University of Maryland is currently involved with over 2 million square feet of development projects aimed at building a “Greater College Park.” Please allow extra time to travel around campus. Your typical routes around campus may be closed and detours are likely to add additional travel time.

The University of Maryland is committed to ensuring full and equal access to all its facilities. See this additional information on accessibility and to review campus construction notices prior to planning your trip to campus. If you need any disability support to attend Welcome Week Events, please contact Disability Support Services at https://ads.umd.edu/.

Who can apply for a Social Security number (SSN)?

Social Security numbers are issued for tax purposes only. They are used to identify you within the government’s tax and pension system. Only those with authorized employment are eligible for Social Security numbers.

Visit our ISSS website for detailed information on how to get a Social Security number.

Use the Social Security Office locator to locate offices in your area to see operational times.

Applying for Social Security requires a government agency to verify your arrival in the U.S. and your immigration status--you must wait fourteen (14) days after you entered the US. In addition, you must wait 3 business days after you receive confirmation that your SEVIS record has been activated. Part of the SEVIS activation process includes completing the mandatory online F1/J1 videos and submitting your documents check. Do not apply too early or it will require secondary verification, resulting in longer delays.

You must apply for the SSN in any of these cases:

• You have a Graduate Research Assistant or Teaching Assistant
• You have on-campus job 
• If you will apply for a Maryland Driver's license and do not have a job, you are required to obtain a letter of ineligibility from the Social Security office

For those students who are not eligible to apply for an SSN at this time, do not worry. Not having a SSN does not prevent you from renting an apartment, opening a bank account or utility account (gas, electric, etc.), getting a cell phone plan, etc. If a business representative asks you for a SSN, simply inform them that you are an international student and do not have a Social Security number.

For more information, please attend our session (January 25 @11pm) on Social Security during the ISSS Welcome activities.  

English Conversation Partners Program

English Conversation Partners brings together our UMD community from all over the world to engage in interesting discussions with each other. For 10 weeks during the semester, participants (students, spouses, faculty, staff) meet in groups with a fluent English speaking facilitator. These groups provide an opportunity to learn from one another, make friends, and become more comfortable and confident speaking English. Topics include: U.S. culture, food, travel, politics, and whatever else you like to talk about!

International Coffee Hour

Join us on Thursdays throughout the semester for an opportunity where UMD’s international students and scholars can meet and engage with staff and other students at the university. Our first fall coffee hour will be on Thursday, February 6th at  2:30pm. 

REMINDER: If you haven't downloaded the UMD app, do so to keep up to date with UMD services. The UMD app delivers access to popular institutional services and resources, and a custom view of your campus experience.

• Interactive campus map: Find lecture halls, libraries, cafes, and more.
• Events: List of campus events so you don’t miss a thing.
• Dining: Your account balance info (if you have a plan), a “busy meter,” offering real-time information on dining hall traffic, link to menus.
• Resident Life: Package pickup up notifications from your Community Desk, roommate details, keys, swipe and mailbox combo tracking, and RA events.
• Class Schedule: See your personal class schedule.
• Campus Safety Info: Emergency and non-emergency resources, tips for emergency preparedness.
• Counseling Connection: quick links to Counseling Center services.
• Shuttle-UM tracking: Integrates with Shuttle-UM’s TransitApp.
• Push Notification Subscriptions: Subscribe to in-app notifications about campus life… and more!

Go to "Additional Resources" to locate ISSS Office!

Connect with us 

Ask your questions via our Live Chat, available on our website Monday-Friday from 9-11 a.m. ET.

Schedule a Virtual Appointment with an ISSS advisor. Appointments can be scheduled under newly admitted students Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. ET.

By email: isss-admissions@umd.edu



For important reminders and updates, and to keep aware of any upcoming events, please follow our office at our social media accounts!

Missed a Tip of the Week?

You can find previous Tips of the Week on our website by clicking here!

We hope that you find these emails informative and helpful. You are receiving

them because you have been accepted to the University of Maryland for the Spring 2025 semester. If you do not intend to enroll at UMD, please inform ISSS via your iTerp checklist, your department, and either the Graduate School (graduate students) or the undergraduate admissions office (undergraduate students-please fill out this form) that you decline your admission.