VCU Global Education Office

• Community connections will advise you on housing, health insurance and a variety of other opportunities available at VCU (monthly excursions, conversation partners, coffee hour, volunteer opportunities, etc.).
• Immigration services will advise you on regulations you should be aware of in order to maintain your immigration status at VCU.
• International admissions and immigration services will host check-in sessions to make sure that you have completed all the administrative requirements necessary to begin your studies on time.
• Utilizing university computer labs, our knowledgeable staff will assist you with navigating VCU’s online services (including email, course registration and the university emergency notification system).
• Current international students will provide the inside scoop on academics, campus involvement and social life at VCU.
• One meal voucher will be provided to each student on the day of orientation that covers lunch at the dining hall. Any additional family members or guests wishing to accompany the student during the lunch hour may purchase their meal with cash or credit card upon entering the dining hall.

Transfer students must attend a special New Student Orientation designed specifically for transfer students. Students may select from several NSO-transfer dates in June, July or August. Transfer students may register online now for a June or July date or check back in mid-July to register for an August date. We highly recommend that transfer students attend NSO as early as possible to ensure that course registration and credit transfer happens in a timely manner.

The English Placement Test and ELP Advising Day apply to students admitted to an academic program at VCU, whose acceptance letter indicates that their enrollment is tentative upon establishing proof of English language skills. The English Placement Test determines students’ initial placement in English Language Program classes and how many academic classes they will be able to take, if any. Students must fill out and return the ELP Placement Test Reservation Form along with the $150 testing fee (or the online payment confirmation sheet) in order to reserve their spot on test day.

New Student Orientation is a required program for new undergraduate students accepted to academic programs, who are not required to take the English Placement Test. During sessions with your academic department and adviser, you will learn more about your area of study and finalize your course selection. Please note that you will be required to pay a $45 program fee during International Student Orientation in order to finalize your NSO registration. Don't forget to email International Admissions Coordinator Alica Hodges at ahodges@vcu.edu with your V-number indicating your intent to attend VCU so that you'll be eligible to register for NSO. If you are a student who is currently residing in the U.S., you may choose to register online for an NSO date in June or July instead of waiting until August to attend NSO

Graduate School Orientation introduces new graduate students to VCU and the city of Richmond. Departments also conduct individual orientation sessions with representatives available to talk with students and answer questions. Graduate students who are unable to attend an orientation session are encouraged to review the Graduate School’s new student resources for more information on the university, student services and the graduate program.

Every year, incoming and returning students are welcomed back to campus with the week-long tradition that will get everyone into the Ram Spirit! Welcome Week is jam packed with educational sessions, social activities, entertainment and much more. From the University Student Commons to the Siegel Center, from Cabell Library to Cabaniss Hall, get to know VCU and meet some great people along the way. Learn more at www.welcomeweek.vcu.edu

Learn more at http://academiccalendars.vcu.edu/