Pre-Arrival Next Steps

Now that you have been admitted to Marymount University, follow the steps below to stay on track to begin your program on time!

1. Pay your enrollment deposit

Log into your admission portal to compete the Reply to Offer of Admission form and to pay your deposit. Information is found here. If you have any questions related to the enrollment deposit, please contact Admissions for assistance.

2. Activate your Marymount student accounts

Go to the Student Account generator and follow the instructions to establish your MU credentials. (TIP: if you do not have a U.S. phone number, the select the Okta App option for two-factor authentication.) Your MU credentials will give you access to Marymount’s Portal which has all the applications you will need as a student, including your new Marymount Outlook email account, Canvas, Workday, Handshake, MU Engage, and much more.

To create your MU credentials and later to register for classes, you must first be admitted for the current (or upcoming) term and you must have already paid an enrollment deposit to Admissions (it may take 3-5 business days for your enrollment deposit to be posted and clear the system).

If you have difficulties activating your Marymount student account and it has been at least 5 days since you paid your enrollment deposit, then contact Information Technology Services at its@marymount.edu for assistance and include your full name and student ID number in your message.

Once you have established your MU credentials and you have access to your student email account, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with Workday.

3. Submit documents via the ISSS portal to request a Form I-20 (F-1 students only)

Once you are officially admitted to the current (or upcoming term), paid your enrollment deposit, and waited 3-5 business days, then you will receive an invitation in your Marymount student email account to access the ISSS portal. The ISSS portal is where you will submit your online request for your Marymount issued I-20.

When submitting your request for an I-20, you must include a copy of your passport (valid at least 6 months beyond your planned entry date to the U.S.), completed and signed Marymount Declaration of Finances form, and proof of funding documentation. Additional documents may be required. Learn more by clicking one of the links below:

4. Apply for Visa or Change of Status

  • All F-1 visa applicants are required to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee of $350. The purpose of the fee is to help cover the administration and maintenance costs of the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), U.S. Department of Homeland Security. You must pay the SEVIS fee before applying for your F-1 visa. Pay your SEVIS fee here. Your SEVIS ID number can be found on the top left portion of your I-20; your SEVIS ID starts with the letter N. Please note that Marymount’s school SEVIS code is WAS 214F00223000.
  • Once you have your Marymount issued I-20 and paid your SEVIS fee, we recommend that you schedule your visa appointment as soon as possible. As part of the visa application process, an interview at your local U.S. embassy or consular section is required. The waiting time for an interview appointment can vary, so early visa application is strongly encouraged. Read about documents needed for your appointment and tips for the interview. 

5. Sign up for orientation

Most new F-1 or J-1 status students must register for two separate orientation events.

Orientation #1 – you must attend the following ISSS orientation

  • All F-1 students must attend a mandatory new international student orientation. Hosted by the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS), this orientation is for undergraduate, transfer, and graduate students as well as for students who changed their status to F-1. It is a full-day of information and activities that includes required ISSS and SEVIS/immigration check-in.

+ Orientation #2 – attend one of the following:

  • New undergraduate students should plan to attend the general Marymount University orientation for all first year in college students.
  • Transfer students (transferring from another U.S. school) should plan to attend the general Marymount University orientation for transfer students.
  • Graduate students will receive information about orientation programs directly from their department or college.

Please register for your orientations as soon as possible so that we can prepare for your arrival.

6. Take the Directed Self-Placement Assessment

If you are a freshman student (incoming first year college student), you must take the Directed Self-Placement Assessment to ensure that you are placed in the appropriate level courses.

7. Get ready to register for classes

Your academic advisor offers important support during your student experience. An academic advisor assists students to plan class schedules, recommends courses, and works with the Registrar’s office to evaluate transfer transcripts. Academic advisors work with students to monitor degree planning and progress, with the goal of graduating on time.

  • Undergraduate students may directly contact the academic advisor assigned to their program; more information is available on the Academic Advising webpage.
  • Graduate students will work directly with their faculty academic advisor or department chair; graduate students should contact their specific department for their academic advisor.

After you have contacted your academic advisor, register for classes through Workday.

F-1 students must meet minimum credit enrollment requirements, as follows:

  • Undergraduate students must enroll in a minimum of 12 credits, of which at least 9 credits must be in-person (face-to-face or hybrid). If you are registered for 12 credits, a maximum of 3 of those 12 credits may be online (synchronous or asynchronous). Failure to register for classes that meet F-1 requirements may result in immediate or future termination of your I-20 / SEVIS record.
  • Graduate students must enroll in a minimum of 9 credits, of which at least 6 credits must be in-person (face-to-face or hybrid). If you are registered for 9 credits, a maximum of 3 of those 9 credits may be online (synchronous or asynchronous). Failure to register for classes that meet F-1 requirements may result in immediate or future termination of your I-20 / SEVIS record.
  • Students sponsored by SACM or another government agency or scholarship organization may be subject to constraints in addition to or separate from the requirements listed above.

8. Arrange for on-campus housing or find housing off-campus

Students must arrange their own housing while studying at Marymount University.

  • Undergraduate students are required to live on-campus all 4 years. If you are over 21 or if you have family who live within commuting distance of Marymount, you may apply for an exemption to this requirement.
  • Graduate students and students over 21 may apply for housing at Ballston Campus Apartments or at off-campus housing.

Once you have paid your enrollment deposit and generated your MU portal account, you may submit your on-campus housing application.

For more information, visit Student Living and Residential Experience. If you have questions about your housing, please contact rlife@marymount.edu or 703-284-1608 for assistance.

9. Submit required medical information to the Student Health Center

Marymount’s Medical Forms are to document health information that all admitted students must provide before beginning study at Marymount University. Find additional information, including immunization requirements, on the Student Health Center webpage.

Please be sure to review Student Health Insurance information. Full-time students are automatically enrolled in the plan and billed for it, even if your sponsor, such as SACM, already has a plan for you. If you decide to request to waive the university-sponsored plan, you must do so before the deadline noted on the Student Health Insurance webpage.

10. Pay Your Tuition & Fees

Go to Workday via your MU Portal to pay your tuition or to set up a payment plan. Please review Workday instructions before starting. If you have questions, contact Student Financial Services at saccount@marymount.edu or 703-284-1490.

11. Attend the Pre-Arrival Orientation (optional)

Students can access the 2024-2025 F-1 Pre-Arrival Guide here starting on/about July 24, 2024.

New students who plan to begin their program in the Fall semester and who have been issued their I-20 by Marymount University will receive an invitation to participate in an optional Pre-Arrival Orientation. The live, virtual orientation will cover topics such as registering for classes, housing, employment, getting involved in university activities, etc, and will be for one hour in late July.

12. Purchase your plane ticket once you have your visa

Once you have your F-1 visa issued within your passport, book your flight to the U.S.  In accordance with your I-20, arrive NO EARLIER THAN 30 DAYS BEFORE YOUR PROGRAM START on your I-20. Please read arrival information before making your final plans.

REMINDER: Once you are in the U.S., complete mandatory ISSS Check-In

After you are physically in the U.S., then you will be able to complete ISSS check-in for new F-1 students. Please attend international student orientation to complete ISSS Check-In. ISSS staff will be readily available at the orientation to assist you with the check-in process. You must already be enrolled in a full course load or have an approved Reduced Course Load to meet F-1 requirements before ISSS can SEVIS register you. Failure to complete mandatory ISSS check-in on time may have an immediate or future adverse affect on your F-1/J-1 status. If you cannot arrive in time to attend orientation, contact ISSS to sign up for the make-up session, usually held within 1 week of the start of classes each semester. Details about initial immigration check-in steps are found here.

 

 

 

 

07/21/2024