• Task 1:
  
  Submit Your Deposit
  • To accept admission to the University of Delaware, you must pay your admissions and housing deposits by three weeks from the date on your letter of admission. You may go online at www.udel.edu/mybluehenhome to pay your admissions/housing deposits using a credit card or you may return a bank check in U.S. dollars with the purple deposit form located in your admit packet. Please note that the admissions deposit is non∼refundable.
• Task 2:
  
  Obtain a Visa
  • Use your passport and the enclosed SEVIS I-20 form (for F-1 visa) or DS-2019 form (for J-1 visa) and schedule your visa appointment. Take all the previously mentioned documents along with your original admission letter, SEVIS fee receipt, and financial documentation (ex: Assistantship award from the department, financial support letter, sponsorship letter, current bank statement) to the US embassy or consulate in your country to apply for your visa. The following website provides links to all US embassies and consulates worldwide: http://usembassy.state.gov. Once approved, the visa is stamped in your passport. Canadian citizens are exempt from having to obtain a visa but must use their I-20 or DS-2019 to enter the US and must obtain a Form I-94 clearly indicating F-1 or J-1 status. You are permitted to enter the US 30 days prior to the start date noted on your I-20/DS-2019 form. You are required to report to and attend the school designated on your visa stamp and I-20/DS-2019 form. For more information please visit the "Obtaining an F-1/J-1 visa" or visit the Department of State website (F-1, J-1).
    
    A Note about Bringing Family with you: If you have a spouse and/or children and you want them to accompany you to the U.S., you will need to let us know. You need to complete the Visa Request Form for Dependents and submit it to our office with a copy of the dependent(s)' passport. You are also required to show financial documentation (an additional $3,000 per dependent). We would suggest that your family come later, after your arrival, once you have made housing arrangements. Once they get here, you will need to purchase insurance for all dependents. You have 30 days from their arrival to do so. Check here for more information on Family Health Insurance Requirements.
• Task 3:
  
  Select Your Dining Plan and Housing Options
  • Single international students who will be incoming freshmen must live in on-campus housing. Requests for an exception to this policy along with a detailed explanation must be submitted in writing to Housing Assignment Services. Requests for an exception are normally considered when there is an extreme medical situation that cannot be accommodated on campus. Medical documentation will need to be provided from a physician. Please see the Housing Application and www.udel.edu/housingsignup for complete details.
    
    All new undergraduate students are recommended to live in the residence halls to enjoy a true U.S. college experience. Learning to live with someone new is part of the university experience, however, we recognize that some students would prefer to live with someone they know and make that selection themselves. Roommate selection is available between May 7 and May 31 when the complete listing of the incoming freshmen class is finalized. Log onto www.udel.edu/mybluehenhome and access your housing preference form if you wish to choose a roommate. All roommate requests MUST be mutual.
    
    Read about our meal plans on www.campusdish.com and choose the dining plan that best matches your current eating style.  
• Task 4:
  
  Prepare your Finances

  • Costs for the 2012/2013 academic year are listed at www.udel.edu/oiss/information/costs.html. Actual year costs will be available online beginning in July. The University of Delaware uses an electronic billing process to bill all students for charges incurred. The ebill is accessible at www.udel.edu/paybill. Students receive a monthly e-mail notification sent to their preferred e-mail address when the bill is available so be sure to establish your pin and e-mail account before the Fall Semester bill is generated in July. You have the option of paying in full or paying by installments. Students also have the option of granting ebill access to their parent/guardian. See udel.edu/bill_coll for more information.

    Once you have registered, you must financially clear your account in one of the following ways:

    • Payment in full: if you have a U.S. checking account, you can process an online payment, mail a check or bank draft, or request a wire transfer of the funds. (Please contact Student Financial Services at 302-831-2126 if you need further wire instructions.)
    • Pay via credit card: there is a 2.75% convenience fee with this option and UD does not accept Visa.
    • Enroll in the Installment Plan through Campus Finances: make four equal installment payments of 25% due monthly beginning August 1 for the fall semester, to be paid in full by November.
    • No/Partial Payment: if you are not making a payment by the due date because your funds are not available until you reach the country. Please note that you must report the amount and source of your funding as an additional credit in Campus Finances to avoid a late penalty.

    Mandatory medical insurance will be charged directly to you and will appear on your student bill. If you have questions about the billing and/or payment process, contact Student Financial Services at (302) 831-2126 or at sfs-advisor@udel.edu.

    International Students-Payment Deferment Option Until on Campus
    you can defer payment until you are on campus or until a wired payment is processed. Please review the instructions below and follow the steps to financially clear your account and avoid late fees being applied.

    1. You will receive an email notification to login and view you bill from Student Financial Services
    2. Login to your “My Finances Page” to view your bill *YOU WILL NOT GET A PAPER BILL
    3. The My Finances Page will show an overview of what you owe and the due date. Go to the bottom of that page and click Next Step
    4. Click Yes for reporting additional credits
    5. Pick “International-Deferred Until on Campus”:

    You will get the following message which includes instructions if you choose to wire payments to Student Financial Services
    

    

    1. Fill in the $ dollar amount you will be paying (full amount of balance due in most cases).
    2. Next Step at the bottom of the page
    3. Payment Page, Confirm “No” when prompted if you still want to make a payment.
    4. Check Disclaimer and enter an email address to get confirmation
    5. Final Step
    6. SUBMIT It is important that you submit as this will ensure that we receive verification of this request defer payment and not assess late fees.

    Questions may be submitted to Student Financial Services at www.udel.edu/sfshelp

    Please note: Students should have U.S. currency available for travel expenses and any emergency that might occur between arrival at port of entry and arrival in Newark, Delaware.

• Task 5:
  
  Complete Your Family Medical History Form
  • All entering students are required to complete the online Personal and Family Medical History Form which you can access at www.udel.edu/studenthealth/about-shs/immun_med_histy.html This information serves as the basis for the student medical record and assists the Student Health Services medical staff in providing more complete medical treatment. Medical records are strictly confidential. Complete the form prior to your enrollment
• Task 6:
  
  Confirm Your Medical Insurance

  • Medical insurance is mandatory and will be charged directly on your bill. If a student chooses to substitute medical insurance from the home country that is comparable to the University-provided health insurance, the student must submit an insurance waiver form with proof of your medical insurance coverage. The waiver form is available on online (www.universityhealthplans.com). University Health plans will determine if the alternate insurance is adequate and if the charge can be waived. A waiver form is required each semester; therefore you will need to submit another waiver for the Spring 2013 semester, as well.

    Students choosing to purchase health insurance at home prior to arriving on campus or students wishing to remain a part of their family’s health insurance policy should be aware of the following requirements that the University of Delaware uses in determining if a student’s insurance coverage is comparable to the University-provided coverage. Policies that do not meet the following requirements will not be accepted by the University, and students will be charged the mandatory fee on their University bill.

    • My policy provides medical benefits of at least $100,000 per person per accident or illness.
    • My policy provides benefits for repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500.
    • My policy covers expenses associated with medical evacuation in the amount of $10,000.
    • My policy's deductible does not exceed $500 per accident or illness.
    • My policy will be maintained throughout the duration of my stay in the U.S.
    • My policy's insurance company will pay at least 75% of covered medical expenses.
    • If a particular activity is part of my Exchange Visitor program, my insurance will cover injuries resulting from my participation in that activity.
    • My policy may establish a waiting period before it covers pre-existing conditions (health problems I had before I bought the insurance), as long as the waiting period is reasonable by current standards in the insurance industry.
    • My policy is backed by the full faith and credit of my home country government, or the company providing the insurance meets minimum rating requirements established by DOS [an A. M. Best rating of "A-" or above; an Insurance Solvency International, Ltd. (ISI) rating of "A-i" or above; a Standard & Poor's Claims-paying Ability rating of "A-" or above; or a Weiss Research, Inc. rating of B+ or above].
• Task 7:
  
  Get Immunized
  • The Division of Public Health of the State of Delaware requires that all entering students be properly immunized for Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (German measles). You can obtain immunization forms at www.udel.edu/studenthealth/about-shs/immun_med_histy.html
    The University of Delaware also requires that all students either receive a meningococcal meningitis vaccination or sign the meningococcal meningitis waiver provided on the immunization form. Students who are at high risk for tuberculosis are also required to have a PPD/Mantoux Tuberculin (Tb) Skin Test within six months of starting regular classes.
    See www.udel.edu/studenthealth/about-shs/immun_med_histy.html for more details on the meningococcal meningitis vaccine and additional recommended immunizations. Please note that for any student under the age of 18 at the time of enrollment, a parent or guardian’s permission to provide treatment is required. Permission to treat is included on the immunization form.
    *The definition of “high risk students” is on the Immunization Documentation form.
• Task 8:
  
  Send Official College Transcripts, AP, IB & CAPE Scores

  • All admitted students are required to send the Admission Office an official final transcript of any college work completed, including college courses taken at institutions of higher learning while students are still in high school. Students wishing to receive college credit for coursework taken at a non-U.S. institution of higher education must have a Course-by-Course evaluation done by AACRAO via http://ies.aacrao.org/apply-udelaware/

    For complete information on how credits from institutions outside of the U.S. may be transferred, please visit the University Transfer Center website at www.udel.edu/registrar/transfer/reeval.html

    The University of Delaware also awards advanced standing credit for appropriate scores on the Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) exams, as well grades attained on the Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Examinations (CAPE) and Advanced A Level exams. For more information, visit www.udel.edu/admisisons/for/advanced.html

• Task 9:
  
  Register for New Student Orientation
  • International New Student Orientation (ISO) will be held on Friday, August 24, 2012. Visit mybluehenhome and register for New Student Orientation by clicking on the link to the right of the page. All new international students – whether they are currently abroad or in the U.S. – are required to attend ISO.
• Task 10:
  
  Activate Your UD E-mail Account
  • Your academic advisor and other University of Delaware representatives will begin communicating with you as soon as you deposit with the University. The main way in which we will communicate with you is through your UD e-mail account. Please set up your account as soon as possible after you have deposited. Instructions for setting up your account and purchasing a computer for campus can be found at www.udel.edu/it/welcome.html

The following tasks are recommended to ensure that your transition to life in the US is easy and rewarding:

• Communicate With Your Academic Advisor

  • Your academic advisor may contact you shortly after you deposit with the University of Delaware. He or she will assist you in selecting and registering for courses for the Fall semester. Be sure to set up your University of Delaware e-mail account and check it regularly, as many University representatives will contact you with urgent issues. You may also check www.udel.edu/students/advisement.html. If you have not received information by August 1 from your academic advisor, please contact him or her immediately.

• Pack your Bags (and boxes)

  • If you wish to send parcels to the University of Delaware prior to arrival, the parcels must be wrapped securely and marked clearly with your name, c/o General Services Building, Room 110, University of Delaware, Newark, DE 19716-6410, USA. Or you may choose to shop for most necessities when you arrive in town. Please bring sufficient items for personal use as you might not be able to visit the stores here soon after your arrival. DO NOT bring or ship items that are easily available in the U.S. (utensils, food, school supplies etc.).

    You should pack clothing with the following thoughts in mind: students in the U.S. tend to dress quite informally. Jeans, T-shirts, shorts, and sweatshirts are all very acceptable to wear around the campus and in class. The weather in Delaware requires both summer and winter clothing. Students have also found it useful and enjoyable to bring the national dress to wear on special occasions. Remember that you will be able to shop for clothing in the U.S. as well. The state of Delaware is “tax-free,” meaning that it does not charge a sales tax on many items, including clothing.

• Make your Travel Plans to the US

  • Most students coming to the University of Delaware arrive in the United States at JFK Airport in New York or Newark, New Jersey or Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. We recommend that you arrive at Philadelphia International Airport (airport code: PHL). If you are flying into New York, you should purchase an add-on ticket to Philadelphia from New York at the time you purchase your ticket to the U.S. It is more convenient and less expensive.

    The University of Delaware campus is located in Newark, Delaware. You will need to make additional arrangements to travel from the airport to campus when you arrive in the U.S. Philadelphia International Airport is less than one hour away from campus while JFK, LaGuardia, and Newark International Airports are two/four hours from UD’s campus. Please note that Newark International Airport is in Newark, New Jersey and NOT in Newark, Delaware.

    You should make plans to arrive at the University of Delaware on a weekday during normal business hours (8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time). You must arrive no later than August 23 in order to attend International New Student Orientation on August 24.

    Undergraduate students can apply for temporary housing or early check-in by contacting Housing Assignment Services (http://www.udel.edu/has/movein/moveinday.html). You should be able to view your housing assignment after August 1 at www.udel.edu/mybluehenhome.

    Please contact our Housing Assignments Office at jmoores@udel.edu and Ms. Jolene Moores will be able to tell you your residence hall assignment.

• Learn about Delaware and the US

  • Browse our website, and learn more about the University. Learn about Delaware and the US, too.

    www.delaware.gov

    www.udel.edu

    www.visitdelaware.com

• If You Decide NOT to Attend

  • If you decide not to join the University of Delaware for the semester that you have been admitted, please return the I-20 or DS-2019 form and notify us as soon as possible . Should you decide to postpone your arrival date, please notify us as well as The Office of Graduate & Professional Education (for graduate students) or the Admissions Office (for undergraduate students), so that they can change your matriculation date. The Office of Graduate & Professional Education and the Admissions Office discard all applications of students who do not arrive and do not notify them of a change in plans. It would therefore be necessary for you to reapply.

UDaily