Introductions and Guidelines Graduate and International Admissions Team Website: siue.edu/admissions/international Email: intladm@siue.edu
Please use the Q&A feature to ask questions. A recording of this webinar will be made available.
Topics Covered in this Webinar I.
Current status of the admission and visa process
II.
Tips for a successful visa interview
III. Registering for Orientation, Airport Pick-up, and Classes IV. Campus safety - Plans for the Fall semester V.
Travel and arrival requirements
VI. How to defer to Spring 2022 VII. Q & A
Current Admissions Policies • Application deadline for Fall 2021 was July 1st. Students with outstanding requirements must defer to Spring 2022. • Financial verification process for an I-20 or DS-2019 must be completed by July 15th for students outside the U.S. • Submitted financial documents should not be older than 6 months. • Students must bring required official academic records to the admissions office upon arrival.
Important Dates • Ideal arrival dates: August 16-17, 2021 • Orientation begins: Wednesday, August 18, 2021 • Classes begin: Monday, August 23, 2021 • New International Students are required to check in with the International Student and Scholar Services office in person at your scheduled time during orientation week. Late arrival: Students are generally not allowed to arrive after the first day of classes. Late arrivals are discouraged and must be requested in writing at intladm@siue.edu and approved in advance.
Visa Process During COVID-19 • I-20s are issued electronically and accepted at all embassies; DS-2019s will be sent via express mail. • SEVIS numbers do not change on updated I-20s, so a visa appointment can be scheduled as soon as possible. • Students with a visa interview appointment after August 2nd must inform SIUE admissions immediately; those with an appointment after August 10th should defer admission to the following term. • A decision form will be sent on July 9th to allow you to indicate your intention to arrive for the fall semester or start the deferral process.
Visa Interview – What to Expect Be yourself, and be prepared to demonstrate the following: 1. You are a serious student – know the school, your program, and how your studies fit with your career plans 2. You are able to support yourself financially while in the U.S. 3. You have ties to your home country and career opportunities there after you graduate Always remember you are applying for a visa to study in the U.S., not for an immigration visa. Bring a printed copy of your electronic I-20 – you will not have access to your phone or tablet. Additional resources can be found on our website.
Registering for Orientation & Airport Pick-up Required International Student orientation begins – August 18th for the Fall semester. • Plan to arrive on campus 1-2 days prior to orientation, and complete any quarantine requirements. • Complete the international intent form to register. • Arrive at St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL) and if you need transportation to campus, complete the airport pick-up request form on the ISSS website. Orientation registration links can be found on the website: siue.edu/isss/arrival
Register for Classes Once you have your visa, you are eligible register for classes. Activate your e-ID at www.siue.edu/eid to obtain your electronic ID and student e-mail so that you are able to register (instructions included with your admission letter – postcard not required). Undergraduate students: Contact the Office of Academic Advising to set up a zoom advising appointment siue.edu/oaa Graduate students: Contact your Graduate Program Director (GPD) directly to discuss your plan of study and register for classes. This may be done in advance or at orientation. Students must accept the Bursar’s Agreement before attempting to register.
SIUE – Plans for Fall 2021 • Current immigration guidelines require new students to take at least one class on campus. • A majority of SIUE classes are planned with a face-to-face instructional component (currently 53% in-person or hybrid format). • On-campus opportunities are prioritized for courses with a significant need for specialized equipment/facilities, and for laboratory/studio sessions. • Students can expect some classes to remain fully online.
The SIUE Campus and Your Safety SIUE provides free COVID testing for students, faculty and staff. • Random surveillance testing has a 0% positive rate for six weeks. • Reports from all sources have been at 0% positive for the last 7 days. • COVID statistics are maintained on the SIUE website siue.edu/coronavirus. Free COVID vaccinations are available to all individuals, including international students, living in the U.S. • On campus vaccination clinics will be available in August and September.
SIUE COVID-19 Information • SIUE has joined the College Vaccine Challenge and encourages all student to get fully vaccinated before arrival. • SIUE recognizes all World Health Organization vaccinations – Pfizer, Moderna, Janssen, AstraZaneca, COVISHIELD, Sinopharm & Sinovac. • Face masks are required for everyone in all indoor public spaces including classrooms, hallways, and lobbies. • Capacity restrictions remain in place for all campus buildings, and include social distancing requirements in classrooms. • Quarantine and isolation space is available in campus housing.
***Individuals are considered fully vaccinated 2 weeks after receiving the last dose of a vaccine approved by the World Health Organization.
Travel and Arrival Requirements SIUE will follow the CDC recommendations for international travel. www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/travelers • A negative COVID-19 test is required no more than 3 days before travel. • Masks are required during travel, including on planes, trains, buses, etc., while indoors at transportation hubs, and during airport transit to campus. • A COVID-19 test is required 3-5 days after travel (available on campus). • Individuals not fully vaccinated must quarantine for a full 7 days after travel, even if they have tested negative. Students who have not completed their vaccine series 2 weeks before arrival are considered unvaccinated and may contact SIUE health services to begin or complete the process. • Fully vaccinated students may submit documentation of your COVID vaccine beginning Friday, July 9th at https://forms.office.com/r/6nt3nDPcUL. Vaccinated students are not required to quarantine, but are encouraged to self-monitor for symptoms and self-isolate as much as possible for 7 days.
Health Services at SIUE
A health clinic is available on campus to provide all students with health care services including: • Free COVID-19 testing and contact tracing • Immunizations and assistance with vaccinations • Physician care for minor illnesses and referrals as needed
Housing
Additional Questions
• Scholarships are still available for new international students. • Early move-in options are available for a small cost per day. • Unvaccinated individuals living on campus should notify housing in advance to arrange quarantine space (housing@siue.edu) Health Services • Free COVID testing and vaccinations can be arranged through health services (cougarcare@siue.edu) • Documentation of COVID vaccine may be provided beginning July 9th at https://forms.office.com/r/6nt3nDPcUL • Immunization records in English required before the 1st day of class.
Assistantships • Most positions are filled. • Open positions posted at www.siue.edu/graduatestudents/assistantships.
Choosing to Defer your Admission
Students unable to obtain a visa may defer their admission to the Spring 2022 semester. • • • •
Indicate your intention to defer on the Fall 2021 decision form. Complete the simple, abbreviated application form sent to you. Send updated financial documents, if requested. Provide a record of any additional coursework you complete in your home country during the fall.
An updated I-20 will be sent to you when the application is complete.
Your Next Steps Schedule your visa interview by August 2nd. If your interview is later than this, contact admissions at intladm@siue.edu.
Respond to the ‘Decision Form’ e-mail on July 9th to inform us of your plans and begin the deferral process, if necessary.
If you have your visa:
Register for orientation and airport pick up at siue.edu/isss/arrival. (Arrive by August 18th!)
Activate your e-ID siue.edu/eid and register for classes. Get vaccinated (if possible) and inform Health Services at https://forms.office.com/r/6nt3nDPcUL.
Inform housing if you need to quarantine at housing@siue.edu.
Plan to get a COVID test no more than 3 days before your flight to the U.S. as required by U.S. immigration.
Thank you for Attending! For additional information Visit our website at: siue.edu/admissions/international Or email us at: intladm@siue.edu Chat and Zoom appointments available