 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|||||||||||||
 |
 |
 |
||||||||||||||||
 |
||||||||||||||||||
 |
 |
|||||||||||||||||
|
 |
 |
||||||||||||||||
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
||||||||
|
 |
fall 2008 accepted international students
This page provides resources to international students who applied and are already accepted to Concordia College. We have a great group of new students joining Concordia, and are eager to see you here soon.
Do you have your I-20 yet? We can issue an I-20 form to students who have been accepted and who have certified the ability to pay their share of the costs. This is a requirement of the American government. If you have your I-20, you can proceed to the next step. If you are accepted but we did not issue an I-20, most likely there is an outstanding concern about finances that needs to be cleared. In that case, please furnish us updated financial materials, including the financial form and documentation of willingness and ability to pay the costs.
Finalize your admission Please finalize your admission by sending the $200 deposit and the housing agreement to Concordia. Only when we receive that can we start to make preparations for your arrival. We encourage you to do this as soon as you know you will attend, and as far in advance as possible. It is possible to finalize when you arrive, but then things will not be prepared to welcome you in the way we would like.
Education USA advising centers Education USA advising centers are located around the world and can help students to come to the US to study. It is possible one of these centers assisted you with your application. Most advising centers also can help you prepare for obtaining a visa. We strongly recommend you visit the nearest center and use this valuable service, and that you do so BEFORE applying for the visa. This can help avoid visa denials. If your visa application is denied please see them as soon as possible, and they may help you understand why and recommend a strategy. Education USA advising centers may also offer pre-departure orientations. Services to students at Education USA advising centers are generally offered at little or no cost.
SEVIS Fee Information about international students in the US is tracked using a Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (commonly called SEVIS). You can see that your I-20 form has your SEVIS ID number in the upper right hand corner just below where it says Student's Copy. The ID number begins with an N and has 10 digits. Students are required to pay for this tracking system, and this SEVIS fee is an additional fee, not to be confused with the visa application fee. To pay the SEVIS fee, please visit their website. Students must pay before the visa interview. Students from Canada, who do not require a visa, must pay the SEVIS fee before your first entry to the US - you will be asked for a copy of the receipt at the port of entry.
Obtain the visa Much can be said about the visa application process, but here we will be brief. Concordia believes the most helpful and best advice is always available at the Education USA advising centers, and we encourage students and families to work closely with them. Please be aware obtaining a visa can be a lengthy process, and we encourage you to begin early. NAFSA has information about preparing for the F-1 visa interview.
Travel information We encourage you to arrive at Concordia on Wednesday, August 20 or Thursday, August 21, 2008. Please let us know your arrival details as soon as you have them by emailing our International Student Adviser Aida Martinez-Freeman freeman@cord.edu. Aida will make arrangements to meet you and transport you to Concordia's campus when you arrive in Fargo. Even though we are located in Moorhead, Minnesota, please arrange your travel to go to Fargo, North Dakota - Fargo is just across the river from us. If you fly to Minneapolis, Minnesota it is about 250 miles and 4 hours away, and is NOT so convenient, and you will have to then find some way to get to Fargo. Fargo has air service by Northwest Airlines, Delta Airlines, United Airlines, and Allegiant Airlines, and also has bus service and train service, or you can arrive by car.
When to travel American government regulations allow students to enter the USA only within 30 days of the start date on your I-20. For most students your start date should be August 21, 2008, so you should plan to fly to the USA no earlier than July 22, 2008. Concordia campus housing is not available until just before the start of school, so if you arrive in the USA early you are responsible for your own accommodation. Again, we encourage you to arrive at Concordia on Wednesday, August 20 or Thursday, August 21, 2008.
Orientation schedule when you arrive International orientation will be held August 22 and 23 (you will receive the schedule when you arrive.) This orientation is an important first step toward understanding visa regulations, U.S. culture, acclimating to the new academic style and expectations, and meeting other new students. All new students will also attend new student orientation August 24 to 27. Classes will begin on August 28.
Summer read All incoming students will be asked to read a book prior to arriving at Concordia College in August. This will be the 10th annual summer read at Concordia. The summer read is intended to help new students make the academic transition to Concordia by having an academic book discussion led by a faculty member and two upperclass students during Orientation. This will be your first of many academic discussions at Concordia, so you will want to be prepared . The book may also be discussed in some fall semester classes, college programming, and at the fall seminar. The book will be selected during the spring of 2008. For more information about the summer read, visit the Orientation website.
Catalog Concordia's catalog is loaded with information and details. Our 2007-08 catalog is available online! You may wish to take a look at the course descriptions, graduation requirements or general information.
The 2008-09 printed catalog will be readily available for you when you arrive. If you prefer to have a printed version of the current catalog before you arrive, please let us know your request at intl@cord.edu
Fall Class Schedule The fall class schedule will be available online - you can search it or see the condensed schedule. You will note this includes information about course capacity and how many students are currently registered.
Fall Sports Students who wish to play on a fall sports team sometimes begin meetings and practices before the start of school. If you are interested in playing on one of these Concordia sports teams, please contact the coach and arrange to arrive in time to join the team. You can link to get the coaches contact information:
Academic Calendar The academic calendar, showing the start and stop dates for the 2007-08 year and the dates for school breaks, is available now, and the 2008-09 calendar should be avilable soon.
Health Insurance A student accident and sickness health insurance plan is available through Concordia - you can see additional information then select Student Access and select Concordia College. All international students are required to have coverage either through this plan or with a plan offering comparable coverage which has a US based claims office.
Education USA predeparture information.
US Customs and Border Protection information for arriving students
DHS Travel Tips - this is for spring 2005, but much of the information is still valuable.
US Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) information for students.
US ICE what to expect at the port of entry when you arrive.
Arrival survival - information that may be helpful the first few days you are on campus.
Concordia's information for international students site.
Concordia's Student Home site - resources for student life.
International Student Organization website.
NAFSA's Predeparture information for students from China.
Destination USA - the official source of information about US visa policy and procedures.
|
|
||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
|||||||
Advanced
Search
