International Student Orientation

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International Student Orientation

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Welcome new RIT Tigers! We are so glad you're here.

The International Student Services office is looking forward to your arrival on campus. Please check back in December for additional details about your Orientation experience and RIT requirements.

The International Student Services office will provide you with essential information on maintaining your valid F-1 or J-1 non-immigrant status while in the United States. 

All initial-status international students must complete their virtual check-in with the International Student Services office as soon as possible upon arrival in the United States. Once you check in, International Student Services will register your attendance in the SEVIS immigration system. After completing this, please review the detailed information about maintaining your visa status.

Fall 2024 Check-in

If you have any issues accessing the check-in form, please email iss@rit.edu. 

Review the detailed schedule information below and register for your group's Mandatory Immigration Session. 

The International Student Services team and our Peer Advisor Leaders (PAL) are so excited to bring you this year’s orientation schedule! Here are some pieces of information to make sure you can make the most of orientation:

  1. Know Your PAL
    If you do not know who your PAL is, please email our Orientation Assistant, Sanskriti Kumar. 
  2. Know Your International Student Orientation Group
    Your group is the one that your PAL is assigned to. Here is the list of PALs and their corresponding group:

International Student Orientation Groups:

  • Group A:
    • Aakanksha
    • Aashka
    • Atharva
    • Chimamanda
    • Divyprakash
    • Faiz
    • Ishan
    • Kriti
    • Maahi
    • Mayank
    • Nandini
    • Nidhi
    • Preet
    • Priya
  • Group B:
    • Rohit
    • Sahil
    • Shreya
    • Siddhesh
    • Sophia
    • Suchit
    • Swetha
    • Tisha
    • Utkarsha
    • Uzair
    • Veronica
    • Vishvesh

International Student Orientation Schedule:

Sunday, Aug. 18

  • Group A: Meet your PAL + Campus Tour
    9–10:30 a.m.
    Student Alumni Union (SAU, 04) Lobby
    Meet your PALs for a campus tour, ask questions you may have, and bring your transcripts that you plan to submit to the Graduate Enrollment Office. Please arrive promptly at 8:45 a.m.
    Register
     
  • Group B: Meet your PAL + Campus Tour
    11 a.m.–12:30 p.m. 
    Student Alumni Union (SAU, 04) Lobby
    Meet your PALs for a campus tour, ask questions you may have, and bring your transcripts that you plan to submit to the Graduate Enrollment Office. Please arrive promptly at 10:45 a.m. 
    Register
     
  • International Student Mixer
    1–4 p.m. 
    Student Alumni Union (SAU, 04) Lobby
    Meet your PALs and fellow international students to play some fun games!
    Register
     
  • Global Union Dance Party
    5 p.m.–8 p.m.
    Global Village Plaza, GVP, 400
    Join in for a night full of fun, food, music, and dance! Find us at the Global Village and come dance with us!
    Register

Monday, Aug. 19

  • Group A: Mandatory Immigration Session
    10–11:30 a.m.
    Student Alumni Union (SAU, 04) Ingle Auditorium
    Get detailed immigration information about what you need to know being an international student in the U.S. from our ISS Team. Please meet your assigned PAL in the SAU lobby by 9:30 a.m. 
    Register
     
  • Parent Lunch
    12–2 p.m.
    Kilian J. and Caroline F. Schmitt Interfaith Center (SMT, 16) Skalny Room
    We invite parents and family members to join the ISS team for lunch!
    Register
     
  • Ask PALs Anything Presentation
    12–2 p.m.
    Student Alumni Union (SAU, 04) Ingle Auditorium
    Join your PALs to ask any questions you may have. You will receive detailed information on topics such as I-20s, I-94, how to get your Social Security Number, driver’s license, bank accounts, credit cards, and other RIT resources!
    Register
     
  • Group B: Mandatory Immigration Session
    3–4:30 p.m.
    Student Alumni Union (SAU, 04) Ingle Auditorium
    Get detailed immigration information about what you need to know being an international student in the U.S. from our ISS Team. Meet your assigned PAL in the SAU lobby by 2:30 p.m.
    Register
     
  • ISS Sports Night
    5–7 p.m.
    Fredericka Douglass Sprague Perry Hall (DSP, 043) Field
    Meet fellow international students and play lawn games with the PALs! We will serve food and beverages!
    Register

Contact International Student Services

The best way to connect with an International Student Services staff member is through Open Advising.

Open Advising Hours by Zoom:
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 2-4 p.m.
Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m.

We recommend using the Zoom app. If you join by phone, you cannot receive any waiting room updates.

Join Open Advising Hours