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Office of International Education
New Student Arrival & Orientation

You are eligible to enter the U.S. as early as 30 days prior to the start of your academic program as indicated in item 5 of your I-20 or item 3 of your DS-2019. You are expected to enter the U.S. in time to attend the mandatory International Student Orientation. If there is a situation that necessitates entering the U.S. after the program start date indicated on your document, please contact the Office of International Education as you will require a new I-20 or DS-2019 with a later program start date to enter the U.S.

International Student Orientation

All new international students are required to attend a MANDATORY International Student Orientation provided by SUNY ESF's Office of International Education. This orientation always takes place prior to other mandatory orientation provided by SUNY ESF and is typically 1-2 weeks prior to the start of the semester. For more information on time, date, and location, please email the Office of International Education at oie@esf.edu.

Other ESF Orientations

You must also attend the applicable college orientation:

  • First Year Undergraduate Orientation Program

  • Undergraduate Transfer Student Orientation Program

  • Graduate Orientation Program

    • If you will work on campus as a student assistant (graduate or research), you may also be required to attend the College-Wide Graduate Assistant Colloquium on Teaching and Learning.

Immigration Check-in at ESF

You must check-in at the ESF Office of International Education upon your arrival in Syracuse, NY. There will be a sign up form at orientation for you to schedule an appointment during the week before classes. Please bring a completed SEVIS Registration Form, and all of your (and your dependent’s) immigration documents (e.g., I-20/DS-2019, passport with visa stamp, and electronic I-94 card) with you when you come to your check-in appointment. All of your documents will be scanned and an electronic student file will be created for you.

English Language Assessment Exam (ELAE)

  • Required for all undergraduate non-exchange students (new and transfer) in order to determine the proper English class placement.

  • Required for graduate students who:

    • obtained a TOEFL score under 600; under 250 if you took the computerized test; under 100 if you took the internet-based, IBT, version,;

    • obtained an IELTS score under 7.0; or

    • attended SU's English Language Institute.