New Student Checklist

Congratulations on your admission to the University of Missouri-St. Louis! We at the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) are looking forward to meeting you at New International Student Orientation and helping you make your adjustment to life in St. Louis. Please use the checklist below to make sure you have taken care of all necessary details before arriving in St. Louis.

Confirm acceptance of your admission offer.
If you have not done so already, please be sure to complete the online Admission Acceptance form or send in the paper form (pdf) to our office right away so that we know you are coming.

Register for arrival activities and services
Take advantage of the arrival activities to meet other students and become familiar with the city. Free shuttles will also be provided to take new students to a local grocery and department store to purchase food and items for your room. Students must register online for arrival activities and services by August 1st by completing the online orientation registration form.
Apply for on-campus housing
If you are planning to live on campus, make your housing reservations early. Space is given on a first come, first served basis and may not be available at the start of the semester. Be sure to read the housing brochures in your admission packet for more detailed information about on-campus housing. You can also contact Residential Life and University Meadows directly.
Apply for your student visa or transfer your SEVIS record
If you are outside of the U.S. you will need to complete the necessary steps for obtaining a student visa. Read carefully through the "Visa Procedures and Preparing for the Visa Interview" handout in your admission packet. You will need to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee in addition to the visa application fees. Be sure to pay all fees associated with your visa application, and keep all necessary receipts.

If you are currently attending a college or university in the U.S., and will be transferring to UMSL, you will need to complete and send in the Transfer Student Information form. Please read carefully the document entitled "Attention Transfer Students." If you are currently in the U.S. and need to change your visa status to F-1 or J-1, please contact the Office of International Student & Scholar Services for more information.
Send in your immunization records
New students are required to send in certain immunization information. Please complete the health records form in your admission packet and return it to University Health Services.
Make temporary housing arrangements
If you are planning to live off-campus or if you will not be able to move into your on-campus housing unit right away, you will need to reserve a room in campus temporary housing. Complete the form in your admission packet to reserve a room. Be sure to make these arrangements before you arrive on campus.
Send in your arrival information
We offer an airport pickup service to new students in the spring and fall semesters. If you would like us to meet you at the airport and give you transportation to campus, you will need to complete the Online Arrival Service Request or send in the arrival information form by the deadline (Fall-August 1st, Spring-December 15). Be sure to read through the arrival reminders email that will be sent out in mid to late July.

Attend orientation - All new students are required to attend the orientation program. New student check-in will be held on the first day of orientation, Monday, August 12, 2013 at 9:00 am. You will need to bring your I-20 or DS-2019, passport, I-94 card and local St. Louis address with you to do your immigration check-in. If you entered the country with dependents (wife, husband, children) you will need to bring their immigration documents with you as well. For more information on new student orientation, click on the link.

Below are some links and information to help you get acquainted with the University and St. Louis.
New Student Orientation page
Information about new international student registration and orientation at UMSL.

International Visitor's Handbook
A guide to life and culture in the United States.

Arrival Information
Information regarding your arrival and immediate transportation and lodging options.

Housing Options

University-run, on-campus housing in either residence halls (dormitories) or apartments is offered through the Office of Residential Life.
Independently-run, on-campus housing in apartments is also offered by University Meadows.
Students can also choose to live off-campus.

For more information about all of these options, including links to roommate ads, apartment listings, and temporary housing information, visit the Housing Information page.

St. Louis Information
A summary of links to introduce you to activities and entertainment available in the St. Louis area.

International Student Organizations and Activities
Get involved on campus! Be a member of an international student organization or other University student organizations.

Mandatory Health Insurance Information
Details regarding the mandatory health insurance policy at UMSL.

Shopping Shuttle
There is a weekly shopping shuttle available to take international students grocery shopping at a nearby supermarket. During orientation, the normal shopping shuttles are not in operation. You will need to use the shuttles provided by ISSS if you need to go shopping. Once classes begin, the regular Friday shuttle leaves the North Circle on Friday afternoons and returns you to your on-campus housing. Check the shuttle schedule for departure time.

International Student and Scholar Services

New Student Checklist

Related Links