When:
Check-in Period: June 12th (Arrive No Later Than June 11)
Latest Arrival Date: If arriving in the U.S. after Thursday, June 11, 2020, contact the Office of Admissions (admissions@iastate.edu) for a late arrival letter. You are only permitted to enter the U.S. on or after the "Earliest Admission Date" in the section titled "program of study" on your I-20. Graduate students arriving late must contact issoasmt@iastate.edu for a late arrival check-in.
Check out the Check-in Schedule to learn more about what you will do at ISU's Summer Check-in!
What to Expect at your International Graduate Student Check-in:
The International Students and Scholars Office (ISSO) expects you to participate in check-in activities. There are four main activities you will complete with ISSO, depending on your unique situation:
- Immigration Presentation - discusses compliance, rules, and benefits under the F or J visa
- Immigration Document Processing
- Electronic Check-in - provide Ames address and emergency contacts
- I-9 employment verification form - filled by students employed by the university.
- Document Collection- submit documents for scanning and pick-up next day.
- Panel Session and Welcome Lunch – mingle with other new and current graduate students.
- Wellness at State Gym - mingle with others and learn good ways to reduce stress.
The International Graduate Student Orientation Checklist provides a complete list of all the tasks you need to complete for your international graduate student orientation at Iowa State University.
Written and Oral English Test
Oral English Certification Test: For gradaute students with teaching assistantships, you will be required to take the Oral English Certification Test (OCET) prior to the start of the semester. More information on OCET can be found on the International Teaching Assistants Program website.
English Placement Test: All incoming students whose frist language is not English and do not meet any of the other exemption categories are required to take the English Placement Test (EPT) prior to the start of the semester. The English Placement Test results aid academic advisers in determining the appropriate English course selection which best supports your studies at Iowa State University. For registration, exemption, and all other information, please visit the English Placement Test website.
Academic Department Orientation:
Some academic departments will host their own orientation sessions. International graduate students are expected to participate in both international graduate student orientation (with ISSO) and academic department orientation. Please make sure your scheduled orientation activities do not clash.
Course Registration:
Some specific graduate departments allow their students to register early. This is strictly based on the discretion of the department. Contact your academic department for information about course registration.