Admitted Student Pre-Arrival Information & Resources

Admitted International Student Resources

Admitted Student Pre-Arrival Webinars

The Office of International Affairs will hold a series of webinars from March- August 2024 dedicated to providing information and resources to incoming international students to the University of Chicago. Each webinar will be held on the third Thursday of the month starting at 8am central time. For more information and to register:

Thursday,
March 21, 2024
08:00AM
Review slides
I-20/DS-2019 Request Process - An Overview

Are you a newly admitted international student coming to the University of Chicago in 2024? Please register and attend this informative webinar covering important information on submitting a complete and correct request for an I-20 or DS-2019 document. Please note we will be holding a webinar for SEVIS Transfer students on May 16! If you have questions specific to SEVIS Transfer, please plan to register and attend that session.

Thursday, April 18, 2024 08:00AM 
Recording here
Visa Acquisition & Travel Planning

Following our webinar in March on the I-20/DS-2019 Request Process, we anticipate some of you may be ready to begin thinking about scheduling a visa appointment, planning for the visa interview, and thinking about your travel to Chicago and the U.S. Please attend this webinar to learn more about all of those topics!

Thursday, May 16, 2024 08:00AM 
Recording here
SEVIS Transfer Information Session

Are you a newly admitted international student coming to the University of Chicago from another U.S. College or University? If so, you may be eligible to transfer your SEVIS record to UChicago. Attend this webinar to learn about the SEVIS Transfer process, including timing, the SEVIS release date, impact on OPT, and more. SEVIS Transfer students are reminded that they MUST take action by requesting a transfer-in to the University of Chicago. This is not an automatic process and requires students to work with their previous schools and UChicago to successfully complete the transfer to avoid disruption to visa status.

Thursday, June 20, 2024 08:00AM 
Recording here
U.S. Academic Culture & the University of Chicago

Each year we meet students for whom it is their first time studying in the U.S., and each year we hear from them about how different the U.S. higher education system is compared to that at home. Attend this workshop to learn more about academic and classroom culture in the U.S. as well as the University of Chicago. We will cover UChicago specific topics, including: the academic calendar, quarters vs. semesters, academic policies, and more!

Thursday, July 18, 2024 08:00AM
Recording here
F-1/J-1 Student Visa Basics & Pre-Arrival Information and Reminders

Both the F-1 and J-1 student visas are governed by regulations managed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and the U.S. Department of State. International students coming to UChicago on one of these visa types are invited to attend this session to learn about some of the basic parameters of each, including: on-campus employment, CPT/OPT, Academic Training, enrollment requirements, and more. We will also be covering some final pre-arrival information and reminders and provide time for students to ask any final questions before they begin preparations to travel to Chicago.

Thursday, August 15, 2024 08:00AM Register Here!
Campus Resources and Safety & Security

New international students are invited to attend this webinar to learn about all of the different offices on-campus here to provide support and offer specific services to all UChicago students. We plan to invite colleagues from Student Wellness and from the Department of Safety & Security. Come learn more about all that is available to you as a new student at the University of Chicago.

Additional information:

University Bursar Webinars

For incoming international students to master's level programs, the below webinars will be scheduled for summer 2024 to help you understand the billing and tuition payment process and more. Similar workshops are being held by the College and for incoming PhD students by their programs. 

Student Account Services and Polices for International Students
Learn about Student Account Services (Billing, Emergency Assistance, Tax Information, etc.) and polices governing billing and payment of your Student Account.		 July 15, 2024
8AM CST
Register Here!
Student and Third-Party Billing 
Learn about how you will be billed for your tuition and fees, electronic resources, and information for those who are sponsored.		 July 16, 2024
8AM CST
Register Here!
Payment Options & Payment Plans for International Students
Learn how you can remit payment through foreign currencies and how you can defer payment over the course of a quarter of enrollment.		 July 22, 2024
8AM CST
Register Here!
Living Expense Refund Management for International Students
Learn how to enroll in, manage and receive your living expense refund while enrolled.		 July 23, 2024
8AM CST
Register Here!

Pre-Arrival OIA Newsletters - summer 2023 issues available below; summer 2024 issues coming soon!

Additional information and resources:

  • Learn about the quarter system and important dates on the academic calendar.
  • Learn more about our Center for Identity + Inclusion, which intentionally creates diverse and inclusive communities and fosters a campus environment that supports the exploration of varied identities and their intersections.
  • Explore diversity on campus and resources for multicultural students at OMSA, or sign up for their newsletter.
  • Check out the Office of LGBTQ Student Life, and discover why UChicago received a perfect 5 Star rating from the LGBT-Friendly Campus Climate Index.
  • This convenient guide to Hyde Park serves as a great introduction to the neighborhood. Many students look for housing near transit, shopping, and other services
  • You can also explore Chicago’s other communities – some popular neighborhoods for students include the South Loop, Wicker Park/Bucktown, and Lakeview.
  • New to Chicago? Adjusting to life in a major urban center, or the U.S.? Take advantage of the information found on the Department of Safety & Security’s website. Even if you’re a city slicker, this contains helpful information on UChicago’s resources and safety systems.
  • Moving to Chicago with kids? Resources on campus and around the city will make it fun for the whole family!