International Graduate Student Orientation 2015-2016

1. School of Engineering and
Applied Science (SEAS)

2. This Presentation Covers
Intro
• Where is the International Services Office (ISO)?
• Who is my ISO advisor?
Immigration
• What do I need to bring for my immigration check in?
• How do I maintain my immigration status?
Academics
• What is the role of my academic advisor?
• Do I have to take the English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
course?
What to Submit
• English Language Requirements
• Official Transcripts
About GW & transportation in DC
Intro Immigration Academics About QuizSubmit

3. International Services Office (ISO)
Your ISO Advisor
MS STUDENTS
Department of Computer
Science : Christopher Pedo,
cpedo@gwu.edu
BME, ECE, CEE, MAE:
Courtney Luque,
cluque@email.gwu.edu
Where to Find Us
ISO Address:
Old Main Suite 205
1922 F Street, NW
Washington, DC 20052
(202) 994-4477
iso@gwu.edu
http://
internationalservices.gwu.edu/
Intro Immigration Academics About QuizSubmit

4. Mandatory ISO Check-in
When you arrive in the US, you must physically check-
in with the ISO. More info on the mandatory check-in.
You Must Bring:
1. Your passport with visa, I-94, I-20/ DS-2019
2. Address & phone number in US
3. Transfer students: all previous I-20s & immigration
documents
Check In with ISO When You
Arrive in the U.S.
Intro Immigration Academics About QuizSubmit

5. You must attend the ISO Orientation for new graduate
students.
WHEN: Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Visit International Services Orientation page for more
information
If you do not attend on August 25 you will have to make it up
at a later date.
Required ISO Orientation/
Immigration Session
Intro Immigration Academics About QuizSubmit

6. To maintain legal visa status, you must be registered and
enrolled in classes full time during fall and spring semesters.
Full time student = 9 credits each semester
Will I need to take summer courses?
Most students who take a full course load during fall and spring
semesters are eligible to take summer off from classes.
Reduced course load
Check with your academic advisor and the ISO about applying
for a reduced course load.
Maintaining Status
Intro Immigration Academics About QuizSubmit

7. • Main point of contact in the department
• Develop, review, and approve program plans for study
• Answer questions and get advice from your Advisor
• Helps monitor your academic progress
Contact your department if you do not know your
Academic Advisor.
Academic Advisor
Intro Immigration Academics About QuizSubmit

8. • For students who do not meet minimum TOEFL/IELTS
requirements.
• The EAP course is one, 3-credit course that you must take
during your first semester.
• You must receive a grade of a B or better, in order to
fulfill the requirement.
Do I need to take the EAP course?
If you need to take the EAP course, it will be listed on your
admissions letter.
English for Academic Purpose
(EAP) Course
Intro Immigration Academics About QuizSubmit

9. All students are subject to English language requirements.
If you have previous degrees from institutions in the United States or
any of the countries listed, you may be exempt from this requirement.
If you do not meet the above exemption, you must submit passing
TOEFL or IELTS scores.
Minimum scores required for a waiver from English language courses:
• TOEFL iBT: 100
• IELTS: overall band score of 7.0 with no individual band score below
6.0
If you do not meet the requirements, you have to enroll in an
English for Academic Purposes (EAP) course your first semester.
Submit: English Language Requirements
Intro Immigration Academics About QuizSubmit

10. Review the official transcript policy for SEAS graduate students
Deadlines to submit official transcripts
• Fall Admission: October 1st
• Spring Admission: May 1st
What if I don’t submit my transcripts on time?
Failure to submit your transcripts will result in a hold being placed on
your record.
Please Note: Students from China, India and Iran have special
instructions on how to submit official transcripts.
Submitting Official Transcripts
Send Official Transcripts to:
SEAS Office of Graduate
Admissions Suite 2885
800 22nd Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20052
Intro Immigration Academics About QuizSubmit

11. Colonial Central
Holds a number of Student Services Offices:
• Cashier (payment processing)
• GWorld Card (University ID/ meal plan)
• Registrar
• Student Accounts
• Student Financial Assistance
Science and Engineering Hall
• Graduate Admissions
• Office: Suite 2885
• Classes
Around Foggy Bottom Campus
Intro Immigration Academics About QuizSubmit

12. Metro and Bus- WMATA
DC Circulator
Shuttles from GW Foggy Bottom Campus to other GW
campuses (Mt. Vernon, Auburn)
SmarTrip Card
You can use SmarTrip on the bus and metro.
Learn more about the SmarTrip card
Transportation Around D.C.
Intro Immigration Academics About QuizSubmit

13. Now take the quiz in Blackboard
Intro Immigration Academics About QuizSubmit