Newly Admitted
Welcome to OSU!
After you have received your formal letter of admission from the OSU Office of Admissions, the following information may be useful to you as you prepare for your journey to Oregon State University.
Acquiring a Student Visa
Paying the SEVIS fee
Arriving in the U.S.
Mandatory Orientation Session
Transferring to OSU
Transportation to Corvallis and Oregon State University
Temporary Housing Options
Permanent Housing Options
Corvallis as a Community
What to Bring to the United States
Students with Families
Health Services and Insurance
Conditional Admission Program (CAP)
Academic and Recreational Life at OSU
You must have a valid passport in order to obtain a visa for the United States. Before visiting the U.S. Consulate for your visa, please read carefully the instructions on the Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS-2019 form) issued for your studies at Oregon State University. Students with an I-20 will apply for an F-1 student visa. Students with a DS-2019 will apply for a J-1 exchange visitor visa. Contact your closest US Embassy or Consulate to get the procedures for applying for a visa. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (USICE) has published information sheets describing what to expect when applying for a student visa and at a U.S. Port of Entry. Please note: Canadian citizens do not need a visa stamp, though they must have all the other documentation.
Applicants for F-1 and J-1 visas need to pay a $100 SEVIS fee, prior to submitting the visa application. A brief description and instructions about how to process the SEVIS fee payment can be found on OSU's SEVIS Fee Payment Information (PDF) sheet and by visiting the more comprehensive US Immigration and Customs Enforcement Web site and clicking on I-901 Fee. At the time of your visa interview, you will need to provide documents certifying the amounts and sources of financial support for your studies. Keep copies of these documents to present to the US Immigration official at the Port of Entry.
Arriving in the U.S.
What an F-1 student can expect upon arrival at a U.S. Port of Entry
What an J-1 exchange visitor can expect upon arrival at a U.S. Port of Entry
All new international students at OSU MUST attend the New International Student Orientation that provides important and useful information about how to successfully begin your experience as an international student at OSU.
To register for the Orientations, please complete the online form sent to you by admissions.
F-1 and J-1 visa holders coming to OSU from another U.S. college, university or language school (including OSU’s English Language Institute), will be considered a “transfer student” and will need to complete an immigration transfer to OSU within the first two weeks of class. Prior to your arrival on-campus, please work with your previous school to complete and return the appropriate F-1 Transfer Release or J-1 Transfer In Form. Failure to complete this process within the first 2 weeks of starting classes could result in a violation of your F-1 or J-1 status.
Transportation to Corvallis and Oregon State University
If you are traveling to the U.S. for the first time as a student, you should plan to arrive in the U.S. no earlier than 30 days before the start date as indicated on line 5 of your I-20 or box 3 of your DS-2019. It is also best to arrive in the city of Corvallis no later than one day before the start date as you may need a day or two to get situated prior to attending the mandatory International Student Orientation. Information regarding orientation is generally mailed to all newly admitted students 2-3 months prior to one's first term at Oregon State University.
As a smaller city, Corvallis relies on Portland and Eugene for the nearest major airports. From either city, you can then arrange transportation to Corvallis. The most frequently used option is to arrive in Portland and take a shuttle bus run by Hut Airport Shuttle to Corvallis. You may check the current schedule and fees online. If your flight arrives in Eugene, you may take the Omni Shuttle from the Eugene airport to Corvallis. You may check the current schedule and fees online.
Crossroads International, a volunteer community organization in Corvallis, assists International Student and Faculty Services in welcoming students from all over the world. A 3-Day Home Stay through Crossroads International provides an opportunity for students to be guests in Corvallis area homes and receive a warm welcome, food, and lodging upon arrival. If you would like to participate, please complete and return the application form below. Be sure to apply early because space is limited. (Transfer students: we regret that the program is open only to students coming to the U.S. for the first time.) 3-Day Homestay Application Form.
Most motels in Corvallis are approximately 1-4 kilometers from campus. For a complete listing of Corvallis accommodations, refer to the Corvallis Convention and Visitor's Bureau website. When you make a reservation, ask about possible weekly discounts and let them know you are an OSU student.
For a more detailed description of housing options on or near the OSU campus, please visit OSU's information website on Housing Options.
Corvallis as a Community
Read about Corvallis as a community, its recreational and entertainment options, and most frequently used modes of transportation
What to Bring to the United States
Clothing: Because of seasonal climate variations, it is important to bring both lightweight and heavyweight clothing, as well as rain wear. Summer weather is warm and pleasant in Corvallis. Temperatures usually range from 9 to 24 degrees C. In contrast, the winter season is usually cool (0 to 7 degrees C) and wet. You may wish to buy at least some basic items before you leave home. Warm clothes (such as sweaters and a coat), a rain jacket, and an umbrella are essential! There is no official or required dress code at OSU. Most students wear casual clothing, often jeans or pants. Occasionally you may need more formal clothing such as a sport coat (or suit) for men and a business suit/dress for women. Above all, informal and comfortable clothing is practical for everyday occasions.
Linens, Bedding and Room Furnishings: Students must provide items such as pillows, blankets, towels and room furnishings for on or off-campus housing. Bed sizes may vary from one country to another, so it is best to postpone such purchases until you arrive in Corvallis. These items can be found in Corvallis and are fairly inexpensive.
Miscellaneous Items: The International Students of Oregon State University (ISOSU) and community organizations arrange special events that highlight the rich cultural diversity of OSU. These activities include fashion shows, international dinners, cultural exhibits, talent shows and discussion groups. You may wish to bring with you items of cultural interest (such as photos, books, slides, musical instruments, traditional clothing and taped music) if there is room in your luggage. Many spices and food items from other countries can be found in Corvallis but be sure to bring recipes with you. Most electrical outlets in the U.S. give 110-volt AC current at a frequency of 60 cycles. Appliances brought from some countries will not work on this current. They may work with a special adapter that has blade-like (not rounded) prongs.
Money: Before coming to the U.S., familiarize yourself with procedures for transferring funds from your home country. Upon arrival be prepared to pay your initial expenses for tuition, room and board, books, health insurance, and personal items. Banks and savings associations are located near the OSU campus. Shortly after your arrival, you will want to select a bank and open a checking or savings account. For safety reasons, you should carry any large sums of money ($50 or more) in the form of draft checks or traveler's checks. However, plan to carry some change for small items and phone calls.
Tuition and other educational expenses (such as fees, on-campus housing, and meal plans) are to be paid at the beginning of each term. (Please note that some departments have additional instructional fees.) If you have been awarded a graduate teaching or research assistantship or a tuition waiver, you still must pay student fees of approximately $500 at the beginning of each term. You should come prepared to pay living expenses, as your first salary payment may not be available for 6-8 weeks after you arrive.
If you plan to live off campus, bring enough money to cover initial expenses such as rent and utility (gas, electric and telephone) deposits. These deposits and the first month's rent may range from $1,000 to $1,500. There may also be expenses for household items (furniture, kitchen equipment, etc.).
If you expect funds from your home country for your OSU studies, ensure that satisfactory arrangements for payment are made before you depart. You should know your government's regulations on currency exchange and bank procedures for money transfers to the United States. Delays in the transfer of educational funds can create hardship and inconvenience. Financial assistance for international students in the U.S. is extremely limited. Furthermore, U.S. immigration regulations governing the employment of non-immigrant students are very strict. Therefore, you should plan to have at least one full month's living expenses in reserve at all times.
Before bringing your family with you to Corvallis, you should consider the added expenses for medical insurance, medical care, living expenses, and perhaps school-related expenses. Make careful financial plans before you arrive. Support for a dependent (spouse or child) for one year in Corvallis is estimated to be at least $7,200. For each additional dependent, the minimum support is estimated as $3,200. University housing for families is limited at OSU. There is a long wait before an on-campus apartment is available. However, off-campus housing is generally available for families with children, but not necessarily close to the campus. The average cost of a two-bedroom apartment is $600-$800 per http://studenthealth.oregonstate.month. Please note that not all apartments will rent to families with children.
In order to enroll your children in Corvallis Public Schools, you will need to bring documents and immunization certificates from your home country. For more information, contact the Corvallis School District at 541-757-5811.
Oregon State University requires all international students on F-1 and J-1 visas and their accompanying dependents to maintain medical insurance coverage throughout their stay in the United States. Learn more at Student Health Services and Health Insurance for International Students.
Please note: There are legal and University immunization requirements regarding Tuberculosis (TB) and Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR). Proof of immunity to rubeola (measles), rubella (German measles), and mumps must be provided prior to registration for classes. Learn more at Immunization Requirements.
If you would like to prepare to meet these requirements in advance of your arrival to OSU, you may complete the Health History Form from the Health Services website. For additional questions about immunization requirements, contact the Immunization Coordinator by phone (541-737-7573) or e-mail immunizations@orst.edu.
Conditional Admission Program (CAP)
Students who have been admitted under the Conditional Admission Program (based on English language proficiency) must arrive on campus in time to take the TOEFL test. The date of the TOEFL test is listed in the CAP information letter. If you arrive after the TOEFL test date, you will not be able to register or begin classes on time and you must check in with Marybeth Trevino, the Conditional Admission Program coordinator, when you arrive at OSU. Marybeth's office is located on the 4th floor of Snell Hall in International Student & Faculty Services. Her telephone number is 541-737-6477 and her email address is Marybeth.Trevino@oregonstate.edu. As a conditionally admitted student, you should be prepared for the possibility of additional costs for your English language classes.
Academic and Recreational Life at OSU
Learn more about academic and recreational life at OSU at the following web sites:
OSU's Online Catalog
Schedule of Classes
Academic Advising
Registration
Academic Calendar - 5 year (Oregon University System)
Campus Calendar