International Students Orientation & Registration

International student orientation will be held in-person.

• Time: 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. – You are expected to attend for the full day. 
• When: January 8, 2025
• Location: Student Union, Room 335
• Location and time subject to change 
• Registration (and breakfast) start at 8:00 a.m.

This orientation is mandatory for:

• ALL new and transfer F-1 and J-1 international students
• Global nomads
• International students who are new to Akron even if you were previously taking Akron classes online from home or at another institution in the USA, including transfer students

Orientation is optional for students with other visa types.

Orientation is important as it serves as an introduction to the support and services offered at The University of Akron. It also provides a great opportunity for you to make friends. Plus, we will have prizes!

See orientation schedule from Spring 2024 — Please note, all details are subject to change.

We recommend that you register for classes before you travel to Akron, if possible. We will not have time to register you for classes during orientation.

All students are required to have a visa or a visa appointment (for the next semester) before they register for classes

• Please update your portal with your visa appointment date and outcome of your appointment if applicable so that we can contact you with the name and contact information for your advisor. You can also email us this information. 

When registering for classes, please remember:
The minimum number of credits needed to maintain F-1 status:

• 12 credit hours for undergraduate students and JD students
• 9 credit hours for graduate students, including LLM*
  * Certain students may be considered “full time” if they are enrolled in 1 or more graduate hours: Doctoral students in their final semester of study who have completed all degree requirements except the dissertation, and International students participating in Curricular Practical Training (F-1) or Academic Training (J-1) opportunities of 30 hours or more per week.If this is your situation, complete: “Request to be Considered Full-time with Less than Nine Credit Hours”.

Reduced course load eligibility:If you plan to drop below a full course of study, submit a completed Reduced Course Load Formand obtain permission from the International Center BEFORE dropping below full time. If you are requesting a reduced course load due to a medical condition, you will also need to submit our Medical RCL Form online, under "current students".

Online/distance learning: Students may only take 3 credits  per semester that is online or distance learning (more can be taken if you have fulfilled the 9 or 12 credit hour requirements for that semester) that can count towards you full time enrollment. If it is your last semester and you only need one course, it cannot be distance or online.

• You may need to take placement tests before you are able to register for classes.
• Contact your Academic Advisor (before you come to Akron) so you can take these tests and register for classes before you arrive. 
  • Be sure your Advisor knows you are an international student.
  • You will be able to discuss your academic plans with your Advisor remotely before you arrive in Akron.
  • If you do not contact your advisor before you arrive, we may sign you up for classes for your first semester without your input.
• Akron Experience classes are designed to help undergraduate students transition from high school to college, and to become aware of various support resources. There are several Akron Experience classes offered each fall. Several colleges have Akron Experience classes as well.
  • We highly recommend that all new international students take one of these classes.
  • You can choose one that is right for you.
  • Note: Currently Akron Experience classes are only offered in the fall semester.

Graduate students:

• Contact your academic department for instructions on how to register for classes.
• Some departments require you to be on campus to register.
• You will need to register and pay for your classes before the first day of the semester.

Law students:

• Contact Law School admission for more information.

A. COVID-19

COVID-19 vaccines are not required for most students on campus but vaccines, including all booster shots, are strongly recommended for our entire University of Akron community. Some majors, like nursing and respiratory therapy, require students to document their vaccination status prior to enrollment in the program.

B. Other vaccinations 

See our list of recommended vaccinations. 

C. Tuberculosis Screening & Testing 

All newly enrolled international students and global nomads* are required to be screened for Tuberculosis (TB). Tuberculosis (TB) is a serious illness that most commonly affects the lungs, but can involve any major organ system. The cause is a bacterium, Mycobacterium tuberculosis.

* ALL students who are studying at The University of Akron and are on a non-immigrant visa are required by University policy to be screened. This includes, but is not limited to: F-1, F-2, J-1, H-1B, H-4. Global nomads (who have US citizenship and have spent significant time living overseas) are also required to complete the screening.

What you need to do?

• All newly enrolled international students need to complete the questionnaire available in your portal. We will contact you as necessary when we have received the form.

What will it cost?

• The cost of any treatment will vary.
• The skin testing (if required) will be free
  • However, if you do not return to have the results of your skin test read in a timely manner and you need to retake the test, there will be a $20 charge to cover the cost of the test.
• If you are required to have a blood test there will be no cost at the time of testing. The cost of the laboratory work will be submitted to your health insurance for consideration. (See the online orientation and our website for more information about health insurance).
• If your blood testing is positive, you will be required to have a chest X-Ray completed to determine if the TB is latent or active.
  • The cost of a chest X-Ray will also be submitted to your health insurance at the time of service.
• You will be responsible for any costs not covered by your insurance. The cost of any additional required treatment will vary.

Notes

• TB screening is NOT an implication that you have the disease, but is a tool used by healthcare professionals to promote and protect public health.
• Individuals who have received the BCG vaccine may show a false positive.
• While personal medical information will remain confidential, individuals who do not complete testing as required will be identified by Student Health Services and will be reported to the International Center.
• Issues of non-compliance will result in a hold being placed on your ability to schedule classes the following semester.