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The International Student Welcome Guide 2015 - 2016

Welcome Guide fall 2015

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Page 1: Welcome Guide fall 2015

The International Student

Welcome Guide2015 - 2016

Page 2: Welcome Guide fall 2015
Page 3: Welcome Guide fall 2015

On behalf of the International Services (IS) staff, I send my warm wishes and congratulations on your acceptance to Montclair State University. We are delighted you have chosen our University and we look forward to welcoming you to the Montclair State University campus.

The purpose of this guide is to provide you with helpful information as you plan to begin your studies at Montclair State. Please read all of the information carefully. Keep it with you during your travels and during your first week on campus. If you have any questions please contact the IS office at [email protected].

Kind regards,Victoria Donoghue, DirectorInternational Services Global Education Center

Welcome To

Montclair State University

WELCOME 4

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT CHECK LIST 6

STARTING YOUR JOURNEY 8 VISAs, I-20s and DS-2019s 9 F-1 Visa or J-1 Visa B1 or B2 Status Pay the Sevis Fee Apply for a Visa Prepare Documents for Visa Interview Canadian Students Dependents Students Transferring From Another U.S. Institution Visa Delay or Denial Deferring Your Studies IMMUNIZATION, FINANCES and HOUSING 17 Complete Immunization Requirements Health Insurance Plan for Housing Prepare your Finances Climate and What to Pack Driving in New Jersey Adjustments to the U.S. Culture Sponsored Students on F1 Status

ARRIVING IN AMERICA 26 Completing the I-94 Arrival-Departure Record Form Inside the Terminal Secondary Inspection Requirements Choose Your Arrival Date Documents to Carry in your Hand Luggage HOW TO GET TO MONTCLAIR STATE 29 From Newark International Airport From JFK International Airport

WELCOME TO MONTCLAIR STATE 33 WELCOME WEEK 35 Mandatory Document Check-In Session English as a Second Language Test Montclair State University Placement Test International Student Orientation Other Orientations

QUICK REFERENCES 41

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Before you leave home:

Apply for your student visa

Send Immunization Form to the University

Plan for housing

Prepare your finances

Choose your arrival date

After you arrive in the United States:

Plan transportation from the airport

Check in to your assigned on-campus housing

Attend Document Check-in Session

Attend International Student Orientation

International Student Checkl ist

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S t a r t i n g

y o u r

Now that you have received your I-20 or DS2019, your journey to the United States has begun! Here at Montclair State we want to make sure your experience is the BEST it can be. Here are all the facts and steps you should take to complete the first steps of your journey.

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Visas , I20s and DS2019s

F - 1 V i s a o r J - 1 V i s aYour document was created in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). SEVIS is a U.S. government internet-based reporting system. Please review your I-20 or DS-2019 immediately. Make sure all information printed about you and your program of study is correct. If there are any errors, email International Services at [email protected] to determine whether or not a replacement document must be issued.

F-1 and J-1 students may enter the U.S. up to, but no more than, 30 days prior to the start date as noted on their I-20/DS-2019 form. You are required to attend the school whose I-20/DS-2019 you used to obtain your visa. Your I-20/DS-2019 is a very important document; keep it with your passport in a secure location at all times.

B - 1 o r B - 2 S t a t u sDO NOT enter the United States as a visitor with a B-1 or B-2 stamp. If you enter the country as a B-1 or B-2 visitor, you will not be able to participate in classes. If you entered as a B-1 or B-2 with the intent of changing your status, you will not be able to take classes until your status is approved and changed. This process could take up to several months. If an applicant applies for a change of status from B-1 or B-2 to F-1 right after entering the United States, they are usually denied. Doing this is considered visa fraud (entering the United States with a visa that does not match your intent on coming to the country).

If you are a citizen from a country that has a visitor waiver agreement with the U.S., DO NOT enter the U.S. using the visitor waiver program. You will not be able to change your status once entering the U.S., and you will need to return home and re-enter the U.S. with the proper status.

P a y t h e S E V I S F e eThe SEVIS fee, also known as the Federal SEVIS I-901 fee, is a mandatory fee that must be paid by student and exchange visitors before applying for an F-1 or J-1 visa. The fee is $200 for F-1 visa and $180 for J-1 visa. The fee can be paid by

credit card, Western Union Quick Pay, or by mail. We do not recommend paying the fee by mail as it may take as long as four weeks to be processed. To pay the fee online, follow these instructions: - Visit http://www.fmjfee.com - Complete the form I-901. Be sure that you enter your personal information exactly as it appears on the I-20 or DS-2019 - For I-20 holders, the Montclair State University School Code is: NEW214F01039000 - For DS-2019 holders, the Montclair State University Program Number is P105419 - THe SEVIS ID number is printed at the top right of the I-20 or DS-2019 above the bar code and starts with the letter ‘N’ - Once you have paid using a credit card, print out the receipt. Do not exit the receipt page until you have printed the receipt. You will not be able to return to the receipt page.

A prospective F or M student with a country of citizenship or country of birth of Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria or Gambia must pay by money order, Western Union Quick Pack or certified check drawn from a U.S. bank. SEVP will accept third party payments, meaning someone else can pay your I-901 SEVIS fee using the same method of payment. For students who cannot pay the fee by credit card, third party payers are also restricted from paying the fee by credit card. For instructions on how to complete the Western Union Quick Pay/Quick Collect form, please visit: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901/wu-instructions

A p p l y f o r Yo u r V i s aAppointments are required for all nonimmigrant visa applications. Visit http://www.usembassy.gov to locate the Embassy or Consulate near you and follow the instructions for scheduling an appointment. Keep in mind that wait times for an appointment can be lengthy so apply for the appointment as soon as possible after receiving your visa documents.

As you prepare to apply for your visa, you may wish to contact a U.S. Education Advising Center in your home country. See

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http://www.educationusa.info for more information. The U.S. Educational Advising Center can give you helpful information about the application procedures in your home country. If possible, you may choose to attend a predeparture orientation program organized by the center; it will likely include information about applying for a visa as well as the American culture.

P r e p a r e D o c u m e n t s f o r y o u r V i s a I n t e r v i e wProvide the following documents to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate at the interview: - Online application form DS-160 (some applicant will also be required to submit a form DS-157). All forms must be completed and signed, and can be found at http://evisafor ms.state.gov/default.asp. A separate form is needed for children, even if they are included in their parent’s passport. - Passport valid for up to 6 months past the intended duration of your stay - I-20 or DS-2019 form

- Original admission letter from Montclair State University - Receipt of SEVIS fee payment - Receipt of visa payment - Documented proof of financial support - Test scores and academic records - 2x2 visa photo - for specific requirements visit: http://travel.state.gov/visa/visaphotoreq/visaphotoreq_5334.html - Additional documents required by the Embassy or Consulate (check Consulate website for more information)

C a n a d i a n S t u d e n t s Canadian citizens are not required to obtain a visa to enter the United States. However they must obtain an I-20 or DS-2019 and pay the SEVIS fee before entering the United States.

The following documents must be presented to the customs officer either at the border or the airport: - Valid passport - Admission letter from Montclair State University - Receipt of SEVIS fee payment - Documented proof of financial support - I-20 or DS2019

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*Permanent residents of Canada are required to obtain a visa before entering the United States. Follow the instructions in the section ‘Apply for Visa’.

D e p e n d e n t sYour spouse and children under 21 years old are eligible to accompany you to the United States with a dependent visa (F-2 or J-2). You must request a dependent I-20 or DS-2019 for each of your eligible dependents. A dependent I-20 or DS-2019 may be issued when the student’s initial I-20 or DS-2019 is prepared, or after the student has entered the United States and started the program of study. Each dependent needs to obtain an F-2 or J-2 visa before entering the United States. For more information contact International Services at [email protected].

If you are bringing dependents with you, it is important you bring proof of their relationship with you to your visa interview including: birth certificates, marriage licenses, passports, etc.

F-2 spouses are not allowed to work in the United States and are not allowed to study at post-secondary institutions such as a college or university.

F-2 children may study full-time up to high school level. If they wish to continue their studies at a post-secondary institution then they must first apply for a change of immigration status to F-1.

J-2 dependents may study and may apply for permission to work in the US.

S t u d e n t s t r a n s f e r r i n g t o M o n t c l a i r S t a t e U n i v e r s i t yIf you have transferrred your SEVIS record from another US school to Montclair State, you have been issued a I-20 Form with ‘Transfer Pending’ indicated in item 3. If you plan to leave the US before enrolling, please use the Montclair I-20 to re-en-ter the US. Apply for a new visa at the U.S. consulate or Em-bassy if your F-1 visa has epired or if you changed your status to F-1 while in the US. You do not need to apply for a new visa stamp if your current F-1 visa is still valid. Even though your visa specifies your previous

school’s name, you will be able to use it to re-enter the US until its expiration date.

V i s a D e l a y o r D e n i a lSome students may encounter delays in visa issuance due to security clearance checks. This is NOT a visa denial. You cannot prevent a security clearance check, nor can International Services intervene to speed up the process.

If your visa application is denied, you should request a written explanation of the denial from the U.S. Embassy/Consulate. The most common reason for visa denial is a failure to demonstrate non-immigrant intent. You may reapply for a visa at a later date, however, it is not advisable to simply resubmit the original application materials. You should only reapply if you are able to submit updated evidence that addresses the reason for the initial denial.

If the U.S. Embassy/Consulate indicates a problem with your visa application due to SEVIS reasons, contact International Services at [email protected]

D e f e r r i n g y o u r S t u d i e sIf you decide not to enroll at Montclair State University for the se-mester you were issued the I-20 and wish to defer your admission: - Contact the admission office to defer your admission. - Undergraduate students email [email protected] - Graduate students email [email protected] - Return the I-20 to International Services. Failure to do so will result in future I-20 not being issued. - Contact International Services at [email protected] to obtain another I-20.

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Montclair State has given me opportunities to become a well-rounded student, and their services are really helpful when it comes to my academic studies. The campus is also beautiful! - Evelin

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C o m p l e t e I m m u n i z a t i o n R e q u i r e m e n t sNew Jersey State requires that ALL college students be immunized against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). Students who do not meet this requirement will not be allowed to move in and to register for classes. Enclosed you will find a separate form listing the Immunization Requirements. Read it carefully, complete it and submit it to the Health Center as indicated on the form. This form must be submitted before you can register for classes. Required Vaccination Documentation From All Students: - MMR -- (two doses of measles, two doses of mumps and one dose of rubella vaccine. Laboratory blood tests that demonstrate immunity may be submitted in place of vaccination documentation.) - Hepatitis B -- 3 doses. Laboratory blood tests that demonstrate immunity may be submitted in place of vaccination documentation. - Meningitis -- All students who intend to live in University housing must show documentation of vaccination of one dose of meningococcal meningitis vaccine.

Complete the Immunization Information form and mail it to the Health Center. For further information, you may call the Health Center at 973-655-4361 or visit them on line at http://www.montclair.edu/healthcenter.

H e a l t h I n s u r a n c eAll students are required to purchase health insurance. Health insurance through the school is covered in your fees and payable through your tuition and fees payment. Students who purchase their own insurance have the option to waive the University’s insurance only if meets or exceeds the University’s insurance policy.

Immunizat ions, Finances, and Housing

P l a n f o r H o u s i n gFor J-1 study-abroad students: Unless you choose to live off-campus, you will live in the Global Living Community in the Village at Little Falls. International Student Advisor Beth Calamia Scheckel will communicate with you via email before your arrival regarding your housing assignment.

For F-1 and J-1 degree seeking students: Making arrangements for housing well in advance of your arrival is extremely important. Residence hall rooms are reserved on a first-come, first-served, space-available basis. To apply for housing visit http://www.mont-clair.edu/residence-life/housing-assignments/ Please note: Once you arrive on campus and move into your residence hall, you are committed to live on campus for the entire academic year. The Office of Residence Life does not offer refunds to students once they have moved into their rooms. If you have any questions contact Beth Calamia Scheckel at [email protected]

International Services manages housing assignments in the Global Living Community (GLC). The GLC is a residential community of International and American students at Montclair State University. It is housed in the Village at Little Falls. Living in the GLC offers students and international scholars a unique opportunity to make friends from around the world who share an interest in broadening their cultural perspectives. Spaces in the GLC are given to J-1 exchange students, graduate students, undergraduate juniors and seniors, and returning students. If you have any questions about the GLC contact Beth Calamia Scheckel at [email protected]

O f f - C a m p u s H o u s i n gStudents with dependents must find off campus housing.

P r e p a r e y o u r F i n a n c e sThe greatest problem facing international students in the United States is maintaining adequate financial support for subsistence and studies. Students on F-1 visa status pay out-of-state tuition. It is very important that you understand that you will be required to pay tuition and fees in full each semester.

The cost of living in the U.S. depends on your lifestyle. We recommend that you bring traveler’s checks or some other form of currency (such as certified check or credit cards) rather than a large sum

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of U.S. dollars. Although you will need some cash for your arrival, carrying large amounts of cash is not safe. You may deposit your funds at a local bank after you arrive. The easiest bank to access is Bank of America, with 2 ATM machines located on campus. If you anticipate difficulties in acquiring funds for your studies, it is advisable that you delay your arrival until such difficulties are resolved.

Make sure you bring funds with you to cover immediate costs such as tuition, fees, room and board costs. Note that our estimate of expenses is the minimum required to live in and around Montclair with careful budgeting. Students expecting personal expenses to be covered by university stipends are cautioned that it may take several weeks before you receive the first stipend check so plan to bring enough money to easily cover living expenses for at least the first two months of the semester. Keep in mind that the total amount of your stipend is subject to a deduction to cover taxes on the value of the tuition waiver so you may need additional funds to cover your expenses.

S p o n s o r e d S t u d e n t s o n F - 1 s t u d e n t s t a t u sIf your tuition and fees are paid by a government, international agency, bank etc., International Services must receive a letter, in English, on official letterhead from your sponsor that authorizes the University to send a bill to the sponsor. The letter must provide the following information: - Your full name - The length of time for which funding is granted - What is included in the funding (i.e., tuition, fees, insurance) - An address where the University needs to send the bill - Name of a contact person - Any limitations to the funding. If funding is renewed on an annual basis, you must provide an updated letter to International Services each year. Bring all sponsorship documents when you arrive for Document Check-in

P a y m e n t P l a n sAfter your first semester here you will be eligible to pay for your tuition through a payment plan. The payment plan will allow you to pay for your next semester’s tuition in managable, monthly payments. The earlier you register for classes, the more time you

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D r i v i n g i n N e w J e r s e yIf you intend to drive in the U.S., it is important that you obtain an international driver’s license before you leave your country. You can then apply for a New Jersey driver’s license.

A d j u s t m e n t t o U . S . C u l t u r eComing to the U.S. to live and study can be an exciting and chal-leging experience. Learning to function in a new culture is not easy, and it is natural to feel anxious and frustrated at times.

Feeling this way is a normal part of the experience, but it is impor-tant to remember, the more effort you invest in your expereince here, the more you’ll learn and the more comfortable you’ll feel. Meet new people, let friendships form, and don’t be afraid to get in-volved. Check the Montclair State website at http://www.montclair.edu/campus-life/get-involved/ for clubs and organizations we offer our students.

will have to pay off your tuition balance. All payment plans are hosted through Sallie Mae, and students can enroll for the pay-ment plan one semester at a time via the SallieMae website.

P a y m e n t D e a d l i n e s a n d C o n s e q u e n c e sAll students can view their tuition bills and deadlines online via WESS. Tuition and fee payments can be made online using WESS as well. If payment is not received by the date stated online, you will be subject to deregistration. If you are dropped from your classes, you will need to re-enroll based on a space available basis. Students are also subject to paying additional fees for re-enrolling in a class. Balances not paid will be subject to late fees, and the student’s grades, transcripts, and/or diplomas will not be released until all payments have been made. Any further questions regarding payments can be directed to the Office of the Registrar. Contact information for the Registrar can be found in the back of this booklet.

N e w J e r s e y C l i m a t e a n d W h a t t o P a c kNew Jersey has variable climates: cold winters with periodic snowfalls, humid summers, and some very pleasant periods in between. Warm jackets, scarves, hats, gloves, and boots are essential for winter (November-March). Waterproof outerwear and umbrellas are essential in rainy weather.

If you will be living on campus, basic furniture is provided, however, bed linens, blankets, pillows and towels are not. If possible, bring a bed sheet, light blanket, and a towel with you from home. Keep in mind the single bed is extra long, so bring an extra-long sheet and blanket if possible.

You might also want to bring small personal items such as photographs, traditional dress, tapes or CDs, or other items to personalize your new home. Keep in mind that residence halls have limited space. It is best to purchase electrical appliances after you arrive in the U.S., as appliances manufactured outside the U.S. may not be compatible with the power supply.

It is advisable to carry a small amount of U.S. cash, in paper currency and coins, for telephones, baggage carts, bus fares, and tips. Most airports have currency conversion stations for this purpose.

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Now that you have arrived in the United States, here are some important things to remember including what you should carry with you and what to expect!

Arriving in

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C h o o s e y o u r a r r i v a l d a t eWhen purchasing your plane ticket please note the start date on your I-20 or DS-2019. You are NOT allowed to enter the United States more than 30 days before the start date listed on the I-20 or DS-2019. You will NOT be allowed to enter the United States after the start date listed on the I-20 or DS-2019.

All new students, including students transferring from other U.S. institutions, are required to participate in Orientation Week activities starting the week before classes. If you are facing unexpected delays in arriving please notify International Services as soon as possible to discuss your options.

Choose your arrival date so that you have enough time to: - Rest up from jetlag - Attend Document Check-in Session - Take any required exams such as: - The English as a Second Language (ESL) Test is required for all undergraduate and gradate degree-seeking international students whose native language is not English. Study abroad non-degree students on a J-1 visa are not required to take this test. - Montclair State University Placement Test (MSUPT). All undergraduate degree students with fewer than 24 credits are required to take this test. Exchange students on a J-1 visa are not required to take this test.

- Attend International Student Orientation - Attend other Orientations as requiredIf you plan on coming to the United States before move-in date, you must have your own living accomodations arranged off-cam-pus. If you plan to live off-campus, be sure your housing arrang-ments are available to you upon your arrival.

A r r i v a l a t U . S . P o r t o f E n t r yCarry the following documents with you. Do not check them in your luggage. - Passport - I-20 or DS-2019 - Payment receipt of SEVIS Fee - Evidence of financial support - Name and contact information of Primary Designated School Official or Responsible Officer at Montclair State University: Aditi Patel, Assistant Director, International Services, 1-973-655-6862

E n t e r i n g t h e U . S .If you are entering the U.S. by air or sea, you will receive an entry stamp (or admission stamp) in your passport.

If you are entering the U.S. by land, you will receive a paper I-94 Arrival/Departure card.

Check to confirm that the following have been properly noted on your I-94/admission stamp: the date of your arrival, the port of entry and your non-immigrant status (either F-1 or J-1). The I-94/admission stamp should also be marked D/S indicating you may remain in the U.S. for Duration of Status (D/S). If errors are made, politely ask for them to be corrected before leaving the port of en-try. Making corrections later will be difficult and time consuming.

If you have an I-94 card, it is a very important document. Make sure to keep it stapled into your passport in a secure location at all times.

P r o b l e m s A t P o r t o f E n t r yIf the U.S. Port of Entry Officer determines that you do not have the proper documents, he/she may issue a Form I-515, a Notice to Student or Exchange Visitor, and require you to submit the proper

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documents to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) within 30 days of arrival. If you are issued a Form I-515, you must report to International Services with all of your documents immediately upon arriving on campus.

S e c o n d a r y I n s p e c t i o n R e q u i r e m e n t sIn the event that the Officer needs to verify information with your school or program, provide them with the name of the Assistant Direc-tor of International Services, Ms. Aditi Patel, (973)-655-6862. In the event you arrive during non-business hours (evenings, weekends, holidays), you can call campus police at (973)-655-5222 and they will contact Ms. Patel on your behalf.

G e t t i n g t o M o n t c l a i r S t a t e U n i v e r s i t yWe strongly recommend that you arrange your airline flights so that you arrive at Newark Liberty International Airport (the closest airport to the campus) between 7am and 6pm. Arrival at LaGuardia or JFK airports located in New York State will require a lengthy drive to the campus.

F r o m N e w a r k I n t e r n a t i o n a l A i r p o r t :By Bus: - Take the New Jersey Transit bus No. 62 to PENN Station in Newark. Make sure you have single dollar bills and coins before boarding the bus (The bus fare is approximately $2.00 from the airport to Newark PENN Station). - When you arrive at PENN Station in Newark, take bus No. 28 of New Jersey Transit to Montclair (The bus fare is approx- mately $5.00 from Newark PENN Station to Montclair). This bus will take you directly to Montclair State University. Be sure to keep close watch of your bags. You may want to con sider bringing just what you will need and ask your family to ship the remainder of your belongings at a later date.

By Taxi:Although it will cost more money, we strongly suggest that you take

How to Get to Montcla ir State

a taxi from Newark Airport. - The cost will be approximately $50.00 including the customary driver’s tip. Cost should be arranged with the driver before leaving the airport. - Ask the taxi driver to take you to Montclair State University in Montclair. - If your housing assignment is in the Village at Little Falls then give this address to the taxi driver: 135 Clove Rd, Little Falls, NJ. Enter the Abbott and Costello building and proceed to the 2nd floor where the office is located to obtain your key. - If your housing assignment is in any other building on campus then give this address to the taxi driver: 1 Normal Avenue, Montclair, NJ. This is the main University address. Once at the campus, proceed to the Police Station and ask for directions to the building you are assigned housing. Go to the Residence Hall Office and ask for assistance in getting to your assigned room. - If you plan to live off-campus, give the taxi driver the address of your arranged housing.

F r o m J F K I n t e r n a t i o n a l A i r p o r t :If you must arrive at JFK airport, we suggest that you arrange for a friend or family member to pick you up and bring you to cam-pus. Do not take a taxi from these airports, as the cost will be very high. However, you can arrange to take the “Olympic Airporter”, a ground shuttle bus from JFK Airport to Newark Airport. The “Airporter”, runs from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm and the cost is $30.00. For more information, go to this link: http://olympic-limo.com/reservations.html. Once you arrive at Newark Airport, fol-low the directions above. If you have difficulty in your travels, you may call us from anywhere, toll-free, by dialing 1-800-624-7780; when you hear a recording, dial 0, and a campus operator will answer. Ask for International Services at X6862. Our office hours are: September through May; Monday - Friday: 8:30 - 4:30 June through August; Monday - Thursday: 8:00 - 5:30

After office hours, you may contact the Campus Security at (973)- 655-5222.

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The activities the Student Government Association plans for Montclair State University are always so much fun! One year, they organized a Build-a-Buddy event where we got to make our own teddy bears. It was so fun and the bears were very cute! - Kamila, Poland

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Welcome to

Welcome to your new home as you complete your degree! To

get you settled in, we have some activities planned for your first

week here.

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Now that you have made it to Montclair State University, there will be a week of welcome activities to help you get situated.

Following are the sessions you will be attending throughout your welcome week experience. Please see the insert regarding all dates and times.

M a n d a t o r y D o c u m e n t C h e c k - I n S e s s i o nAfter arriving in the United States you must attend a Document Check-In session. Attendance for Document Check-In is mandatory for students who:• Are first entering the US using their Montclair I20 or DS2019 • Transfer students who left the country after the end of their

previous program, and have re-entered the US using their Montclair State I20 or DS2019

Bring your passport and I20 or DS2019 to Document Check-in

E n g l i s h a s a S e c o n d L a n g u a g e ( E S L ) Te s t :The following students are required to take the ESL test, regardless of TOEFL/IELTS score:• Undergraduate or Graduate student with a native language other

than English• Graduates of an ESL program• Fulbright studentsExceptions:• If you are transferring from another US school and have com-

pleted English composition I and II• If you are an exchange student on J-1 visa studying for one or

two semestersPlease note: If after taking the ESL test you are required to take remedial English courses, you will have to register and pay for the courses. Those courses will not count towards your overall degree requirements.

Welcome Week:August 24 - August 28

M o n t c l a i r S t a t e U n i ve r s i t y P l a c e m e n t Te s t : This placement teest is designed to dertermine competency levels in reading, writing, and elementary algebra. You are required to take this test if:• You are an undergraduate student with less than 24 credits• You are an undergraduate transfer student with less than 24

semester hours

I n t e r n a t i o n a l S t u d e n t O r i e n t a t i o n ( M A N D ATO RY )All new F-1 and J-1 international students, including: freshmen, transfer students from another U.S. Institution, and those students who changed their status to F-1, must attend the Mandatory International Student Orientation apart from the Freshmen Orien-tation, Transfer Session Day, or Graduate Orientation.

Failure to attend the orientation will result in a hold on your registration for the following semester.

The orientation will cover important information about your F-1 or J-1 status including: maintaining status, employment, social se-curity numbers and travel. We will also provide information about the U.S. culture, academic success, staying healthy and health insurance, opening a bank account, campus life and more. If your spouse accompanies you to the U.S., he/she is invited to attend.

Students are required to stay for the entire orientation. Plan to arrive at least 15 minutes before the start of the orientation. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

O t h e r O r i e n t a t i o n sFreshman Orientation and advisingFreshmen Students are those that are starting their undergraduate program after completing secondary school. All freshmen students are required to attend Freshman Orientation.

Please note: The Freshman Orientation includes advising in the afternoon, but International Students will receive advising sepa-rately.

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Transfer Student Orientation and advisingAll new transfer students (transferring more than 29 credits) are required to attend one Transfer Orientation prior to registering for classes. For more information on registration for the orienta-tion and what documents to bring visit: http://www.montclair.edu/student-development-campus-life/center-for-advising-student-tran-sitions/ and click on ‘Transfer Student Orientation’.

Graduate Student OrientationThe Graduate Student Orientation provides opportunities to learn more about Montclair State University, specifically its campus, services, faculty, staff, and administrators. It also presents new students with a great way to meet fellow graduate students and their future classmates. For more information on the date and time visit the Graduate Admission office at http://www.montclair.edu/graduate.

Graduate AdvisingGraduate students must be advised by their Graduate Program Coordinator before they can register for classes. Please contact your Program Coordinator and set up an appointment before leaving your home country. Visit http://www.montclair.edu/graduate/current-students/program-coordinator to find out who your coordinator is. Keep in mind that you must first take the English as a Second Language Test (if applicable) before meeting with your advisor to register for classes.

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Going to Montclair State is one of the most amazing experiences I’ve had so far. I like the diversity and I am able to meet people from different cultures

- Katherine, Colombia

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Quick Reference Guide

International ServicesGlobal Education CenterStone Hall 215Montclair, NJ 07043(973)[email protected]://www.montclair.edu/international

Office of RegistrarCollege Hall, Room 204(973)[email protected]://www.montclair.edu/registrar

Campus Police(973)-655-5222http://www.montclair.edu/universitypolice

The Village at Little Falls135 Clove RoadLittle Falls, NJ 07043(973)-655-6689

Center for Advising and Student Transitions (CAST)Webster Hall, Room 200A(973)[email protected]://www.montclair.edu/cast

Office of Information TechnologyUniversity Hall, 5th Floor(973)-655-7971, option [email protected]://www.montclair.edu/oit

University Health CenterBlanton Hall, Ground Floor(973)-655-4361http://www.montclair.edu/health-center

Residence LifeBohn Hall(973)[email protected]://www.montclair.edu/residence-life

ID Card OfficeStudent Center, ICAA First Floor, behind the Computer Lab(973)-655-4147

Center for Academic Development and Assessment (CADA)Webster Hall, Room 107(973)[email protected]://www.montclair.edu/cada

Undergraduate AdmissionsCollege Hall, Room 100(973)[email protected]://www.montclair.edu/admissions

Student AccountsCollege Hall, Room 214(973)[email protected]://www.montclair.edu/studentaccounts

The Graduate SchoolCollege Hall, Room 203(973)[email protected]://www.montclair.edu/graduate

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International ServicesStone Hall 215

Montclair, NJ 07043

[email protected]: 973.655.6862

MontclairState.InternationalServices