Pre-Arrival Checklist for Graduate International Students All items below are mandatory to complete before your arrival.
Your Merrimack E-mail Account Activate your Merrimack email by changing your password (visit http://mackapps.merrimack.edu)
Visas Pay the SEVIS fee (visit http://www.ice.gov/sevis/i901) Apply for your F1 visa (Students from Canada will receive this upon entering into the United States)
Health Care and Insurance Submit your Health Forms as soon as possible (Chinese Students – bring yellow/red books to show immunization records) Waive health insurance (if applicable)
Items to Bring when Traveling to the United States Passport Valid Student Visa (Canadian students will receive a Visa upon entering the U.S.) Valid I-20
Flight and Accommodations Submit your flight information at bit.ly/gradflightinfo Let us know if you need to book a hotel room at a discounted rate while you secure housing. We can reserve you a room. Email us at oip@merrimack.edu.
Contact Your Advisor
Merrimack College
International Graduate Student Guide
Dear International Student, On behalf of the Office of International Programs, I would like to congratulate you on your admission to Merrimack College and extend a warm welcome to you. We are confident that you will have a positive academic, social, and cultural experience at Merrimack College and in the United States. We hope the information in this guide will be helpful as you prepare for your upcoming endeavors at Merrimack College. Please do not hesitate to contact us at oip@merrimack.edu if you have any questions. We look forward to welcoming you to Merrimack College on Monday, August 24th! Best wishes,
Lauren G. Bent, Ed.D. Director, Office of International Programs & Assistant Dean of Campus Life
Health Insurance Information
Please Join Us! International students are also welcome and encouraged to attend the following events for all graduate and undergraduate international students:
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
12 pm Welcome Lunch, Merrimack Club 1:30 - 5:00 pm Shopping trip to Target 5:00 - 7:00 pm Dinner, Sparky’s Place, Sakowich Campus Center. Banks and cell phone companies will be available to assist.
Health Forms Required An up-to-date health form is required for every student. Please complete the enclosed forms and mail to Hamel Health Center, Merrimack College, 315 Turnpike St. North Andover, MA 01845. Health Insurance The Commonwealth of Massachusetts mandates that all students enrolling in at least 6 credits be covered by health insurance. To ensure compliance, Merrimack College students are automatically enrolled and are charged the annual health insurance premium. This applies to students entering in summer and fall 2015 terms. Carefully review the Health Insurance Info Sheet enclosed in this packet for more information. Waiving the College’s Health Insurance If you have other insurance coverage and do not require the College’s insurance, you must complete an online waiver at: www.gallagherstudent.com/Merrimack. Not all plans provide comparable coverage in Massachusetts, such as out ofstate Medicaid plans, Commonwealth Care, certain HMOs and managed care plans. Be sure to check with your insurance company before waiving coverage. Short-term coverage (coverage that is not in place for the entire academic year) is not comparable coverage and requires enrollment in the College’s plan. All waivers must be completed by the deadline of September 4 for fall term or students will be responsible for the charged premium, even if they are covered by another plan. How to Waive Health Insurance Go online to www.gallagherstudent.com/Merrimack Sign up for an account with Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. Sign in and choose Student Waiver
Graduate Orientation Schedule Thursday, August 27, 2015 9 :00 am
Check in with Graduate Studies Coffee, tea, and snack Cascia Hall
4:30pm
10:00am
Hamel Health Presentation and Q & A Cascia Hall
5:00pm Bookstore Merrimack Athletic Complex
10:30am
O’Brien Center Presentation and Q & A Cascia Hall
5:15pm
11:00am
Academic Orientation Cascia Hall
5:30 pm: General Information Forum Cascia Hall
12:00pm
Lunch Merrimack Club, Sakowich Campus Center, 2nd Floor
2:00pm
Library Tour McQuade Library, 1st Floor
SEVIS Presentation Cascia Hall
3:00pm 3:45pm
Students join Graduate Orientation with all incoming graduate students Cascia Hall
Student Information IT Session Computer Lab McQuade Library, 2nd Floor
4:00pm
Student ID Cards (Mack Cards) Mack Card Office, McQuade Library, 2nd Floor
Parking passes Cascia Hall
Welcome Stephanie Sullivan, Program Manager, 978-837-3563 Career Services - Kate Chroust, 978-837-5132
Financial Aid - Brooke Barbieri, 978-837-5126
Hamel Health Services - Stephanie Kendall, Director, 978-837-5441 - Katie Taveras, Office Manager, 978-837-5441 Meet with your Dean to learn more about the program