First Year Experience Information

New Student To-Do List

Important reminder for new UConn students!

All international students on F-1 and J-1 visas must complete the New Student To Do list and Submit Arrival Documents online in the ISSS Portal:

    • after arriving in the United States,
    • when transferring to UConn from another school, or
    • when starting a new program at UConn. 

The deadline to submit arrival documents is January 17, 2023. Failure to submit may result in the termination of your SEVIS record and I-20/DS-2019. This is a requirement of your student visa.  

    • Transfer-in & Change Education Level students need to Submit Arrival Documents, even if you did not leave the U.S. this summer.
    • Graduate students approved for late arrival need to Submit Arrival Documents as soon as you arrive to campus.
    • Change of Status Students should wait to submit arrival documents until your change of status is approved.

In order to “Submit Arrival Documents”, you will need to save certain documents in electronic format (.pdf or .jpg). These documents are listed below:

    • Form I-20/DS-2019, signed by you at the bottom of page 1
    • Passport biographical page
    • Visa page in passport (unless you are from Canada/Bermuda)
    • Entry stamp in passport (where immigration stamped upon entry, if applicable*)
    • I-94 admission record.  Print or screenshot your I-94 – select “Get Most Recent I-94”. 
    • If you have accompanying family on F-2/J-2 visas, you must prepare the same files for them.

If you take a picture of your documents with your smart phone to upload in the ISSS Portal, this is OK, but you must be sure they are clear and easy to read. If your plans have changed and you will NOT study at UConn, please email international@uconn.edu to report your cancellation, and destroy the UConn Form I-20/DS-2019 (do not use it to enter the U.S.). If you will not arrive to UConn for this coming semester, but will come for a later term, do not Submit Arrival Documents. Instead, visit our website for additional information regarding CANCEL/DEFER procedures.******Remember - you must be enrolled full time!*******

New Student Housing Webinars:

UConn Off Campus housing is organizing Housing webinars for 1:1 consultation and assistance for new incoming students. More information can be found here- https://offcampus.uconn.edu/off-campus-housing-webinar-series/

 

Welcome and Support Program (Orientation):

The Center for International Students & Scholars will be holding the Welcome and Support Program (Orientation) on the Storrs Campus on Monday, August 19, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. This orientation is required for all new international graduate students. See below for information about airport shuttles, orientation sign ups and immigration check-in.


If you will live on campus, you must complete the orientation registration form to be eligible for early move in on August 9th or August 16th, otherwise you will not be able to move into on-campus housing until the weekend before classes begin.

Register Here by August 12th.

Welcome Program Schedule:

Friday, August 9, 2024
9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Early Move-in date for new international graduate students moving into Northwood.  Advanced sign up with Residential Life is required.

Friday, August 16, 2024
9:00 a.m.- 5:00 p.m. Early Move-in date for new international graduate students moving
into 
Northwood and The Oaks.  Advanced sign up with Residential Life is required.

Airport Shuttle Service: 

CISS is arranging airport shuttle service to the UConn Storrs campus for new international students on move-in day, Friday, August 16, 2024. Airport Shuttles are departing from the following locations:

·         JFK International Airport (New York, NY)

·         EWR Newark Liberty Airport (Newark, NJ)

·         BOS Logan International Airport (Boston, MA)

Airport shuttles depart at 11:30 a.m. so students must plan their flights to arrive Thursday night, August 15, or early in the morning on Friday, August 16.
Each shuttle will stop at a Walmart Supercenter on the way to campus for students to purchase essentials.  Book your Airport Shuttle before August 1, 2024 to reserve your seat.  Reserve your airport shuttle ticket here.

Saturday, August 17, 2024
10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. International Services Fair - Open Bank Accounts, Set Up a U.S. Cell Phone Plan
2:00 p.m.- 4:30 p.m. Target Shopping Trip Advanced sign up required

Sunday, August 18, 2024
ISSS Immigration Check-in  Submit your arrival documents on your own here.

Monday, August 19, 2024
9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. CISS Graduate Student Welcome and Support Program (Check-in begins at 8:00 a.m.)  Location: Student Union, Room 330/331

Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Student Health and Wellness Screening for graduate students who are not compliant with the
University immunization requirements and health history form.

·         10:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.  Students with Last Names starting with “A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I”

·         12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.  Students with Last Names starting with “J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q”

·         1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.  Students with Last Names starting with “R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z”

·         2:30 p.m. - 3:30 p.m.  Overflow/Morning Schedule Conflict

 
Friday, August 23, 2024
10:00 a.m.- 11:30 a.m. Driving in the U.S. Virtual Session
This session is presented by the ISSS office for students who want to learn how to obtain a U.S. driver’s license.
Log on Here:
Password:  Fall24