Welcome Letter from the International Student Advisors

Greetings from the Office of International Students at Oberlin College! We are pleased that you will be joining us next fall and look forward with great anticipation to welcoming you in person. The Office of International Students is part of the Office of the Dean of Studies. We are located in Peters Hall, Room 205. We specialize in advising international students, planning your orientation, helping you understand and maintain your visa status and processing the necessary official documents. We look forward to working with you as you adjust to life in Oberlin and in the United States.

We will mail you a packet with the following very important information:

  • Form I-20: This is the required document if you are applying for an F-1 student visa. US citizens, US permanent residents or students on other US visa types do not need this document.
  • Form I-901: This is the form you should use if you intend to pay the required SEVIS fee by mail.
  • Visa & Travel Information Booklet: Contains information designed to help you as you apply for an F-1 visa and plan your travel to Oberlin.
  • Letter form the Registrar: This letter will provide you with the information you need to log into your Oberlin email and ID accounts.  Please read it and follow the directions on it carefully.
  • Financial Aid Award Letter: This is a copy of your financial aid award letter in case you haven't received the first one.

The international student pre-orientation program begins Saturday evening, August 25, and continues through August 27, 2012.  New student orientation begins on Tuesday, August 28.  As an international student, you may move into your dorm room on Friday, August 24, or Saturday, August 25. During the summer, we will be posting orientation updates online at our office website. The international student pre-orientation program will provide you with important information and advice about your US visa status, employment regulations, cultural adjustment, academic policies and expectations, housing and dining on campus, financial aid policies, and numerous logistical issues related to living in Oberlin and the United States. We also organize social activities for new and continuing international students. Housing information and other important forms will be made available behind a login on the New Students Website in late May.  A letter from the Registar with log-in information and directions is included in the mailing that contains your I-20.  Please complete all necessary forms and submit them by the stated deadline.

If you have any questions, we are happy to help you and welcome communication from you at any time. Our office is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Eastern Time. We encourage you to visit our website for more information you may find useful as you prepare to come to Oberlin.

We look forward to meeting you very soon!

Sincerely,
Ann Deppman and Ellen Sayles