Check-In
All new international students coming to ODU for the first time and international students returning to start a new academic program must check in with ISSS. An "international student" is an individual from another country who does not have a green card or a U.S. passport.
Check-in takes anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours, depending on the number of students who need to be processed. Please plan accordingly.
Required Documents/Information for Check-In for DEGREE-SEEKING Students
NOTE: If you do not have the items listed below, please wait until the next check-in day when you can bring them. If you are on a status that does not have one of the items below (e.g. H-4 visa holders don't have an I-20 or an I-901 receipt), please just bring all documents listed below that you have.
- your U.S. address (even if temporary)
- your passport
- a print-out of your I-94 entry record (printed after you enter the U.S.; we can help you print it out here if you haven't had a chance to yet)
- your I-901 SEVIS fee receipt (F-1 and J-1 visa holders only)
- all visa documentation (I-20, DS-2019 or proof of visa status change)
- for new graduate assistants: your offer letter with all of the required information
- any original documents that should be submitted to International Admissions (e.g. transcripts, diplomas or test scores; for clarification, please contact International Admissions directly
Check-in for all students starting a new degree program in Summer 2013
Monday-Friday, 13 May - 1 July
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Dragas 2006
Check-in for all students starting a new degree program in Fall 2013
Friday, 9 August
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Dragas 2006
GRADUATE ASSISTANTS ONLY
Monday, 12 August
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Dragas 2006
GRADUATE ASSISTANTS ONLY
Thursday, 15 August and Friday, 16 August
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Dragas 2006
ALL STUDENTS
Monday-Friday, 19-23 August
9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
Dragas 2006
ALL STUDENTS
NOTE: WE WILL NOT HAVE CHECK-IN ON THE DAY OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION. UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS WILL NOT BE ABLE TO CHECK IN ON THE DAY OF PREVIEW THIS WEEK.
Monday-Friday, 26-30-August
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Dragas 2006
ALL STUDENTS
Tuesday, 3 September
9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
Dragas 2006
ALL STUDENTS
Required Info Sessions for F-1s & J-1s & New International Student Orientation
ALL students new to an academic program at ODU must attend New International Student Orientation. No pre-registration is needed. Orientation for students new to ODU for the Fall 2013 semesters will be held during the week of 19 August. All new students must attend, including Bridge and former ELC students. For more information and the exact time/date, please visit this page for updated information.
ALL F-1 and J-1 students new to an academic program at ODU must ALSO attend a Required Info Session for F-1s & J-1s. Pre-registration is required and is done when check-in is completed with our office. Failure to attend this session will result in a registration hold that cannot be removed until you attend a session in August.
Preview-required for most UNDERGRADUATE (BACHELORS) students
Preview, which will be held throughout the summer for the fall semester and in both December and January for the spring semester, is an academic orientation to ODU for undergraduate students where you are assisted with meeting an advisor and registering for classes.
All freshman (first-year) students and those in the College of Business and Public Administration are required to attend. (NOTE: If you are a transfer student who has 24 or more transferrable credits, attendance is recommended.) Pre-registration is required and is done online.
This program is very different than the Required Info Sessions for F-1s & J-1s and International Student Orientation. If you are an undergraduate, you may be required to attend PREVIEW, International Student Orientation AND a Required Info Session for F-1s & J-1s.
TOEFL & SPEAK Tests
Contact the English Language Center with any questions about testing dates and times.
For More Information
Additional information can be found in the Admitted Students section of the International Admissions web site.