New Students

Pre-arrival Information

Checklist for New or Transfer Students

After you have been admitted to FSU, there's lots to do.. Review this checklist to find out what to do next!

• Read the Pre-Arrival Information brochure
  • We'll also send you a printed copy of this helpful resource with your I-20 package. Your package will also include your admission letter, a Tallahassee map, and a bus map.
    
    
  
• Register for International Student Orientation (mandatory)
  • Attendance at International Student Orientation is mandatory before you can register for classes.
  • This orientation is in addition to orientations from either your graduate academic department or the undergraduate university orientation.
  • You must check-in at the Center for Global Engagement at least one day before orientation.
    
    
• Activate your FSU email account:
  • Go to: http://campus.fsu.edu
  • Click on "Activate your FSUID" (located to the right of the "Login" button).
  • Enter your FSU-assigned temporary ID number (listed at top of your Center for Global Engagement Welcome Letter) or US Social Security Number, if you have one. This creates your FSU email account and allows you to login to the student information website (also called "Blackboard") at campus.fsu.edu.
  • As a student, you will use the site often for class registration, fee payment, getting parking passes, and more.
    
    Note: Your FSU temporary ID (999 number) is NOT a U.S. social security number and can only be used for university purposes.
    
    
• Research Housing Options:
  • For on-campus housing, apply as early as possible at housing.fsu.edu.
  • You will have to pay a non-refundable deposit to apply for on-campus housing. Descriptions of housing options are listed in the Pre-Arrival Brochure and on the Housing website.
  • For off-campus housing options, see the Pre-Arrival Brochure and also the Seminoles in the City Off-Campus Guide.
    
    
• Submit Health History Form to Thagard Health Center:
  • All students must meet immunization requirements and complete this form before registration for classes. You should complete this form BEFORE you leave your home country.
  • This form must be signed by a medical professional in English.
  • Check the status of your Health History form approval online using the Admissions Online Status Check.
    
    
• Mandatory Insurance Requirement:
  • The State of Florida requires all students to either purchase the university-approved plan or submit an online waiver confirming that they have coverage that meets all insurance requirements.
  • You will not be allowed to register for classes until you have met this requirement.
  • Purchase the university-approved plan online before your arrival from the Thagard Student Health Center's Insurance Office.
  • Do not purchase a non-university plan until you confirm that the plan meets ALL insurance requirements!

Have a question?.. Chat With Us!

Get Connected:

Read the 2011-2012 "New to FSU" student handbook. - When you Check-In at the Center for Global Engagement, we'll give you a copy of the "New to FSU International Student Handbook". It's full of information you need to know to get settled in Tallahassee and at FSU. But if you can't wait until check-in, read the online copy!

Read current international student blogs! - Follow the adventures of two undergraduate international students and find out what it's really like as an FSU student.

FSU Student Organizations:

• List of FSU Student Groups (all):
  http://studentgroups.fsu.edu/
  
  
• Friends of Internationals: FREE Airport Pick-Up from Tallahassee Airport: Contact them in advance by email: internationals@fsubcm.org; www.fsufriendsofinternationals.org/
  
  
• African Student Association:
  Search facebook for "FSU's African Student Association"
  
  
• Arab Cultural Association:
  Search facebook for "Arab Cultural Association FSU"
  
  
• Caribbean Students Association:
  http://fsucsa.webs.com/
  
  
• Chinese Students & Scholars Association:
  http://www.fsucssa.org/wiki/doku.php
  http://groups.google.com/group/FSU-CSSA
  
  
• Indian Students' Association of Tallahassee:
  Search facebook for "Indian Students' Association @ Florida State University" or join the yahoo group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/insat_mail/
  
  
• Japanese Student Association:
  http://jsa-fsu.webs.com/ or search facebook for "Japanese Student Association at Florida State University"
  
  
• Korean Undergraduate Student Association:
  Facebook Group
  
  
• Taiwanese Student Association:
  http://fsutsa.webs.com/
  
  
• Venezuelan Students Association (VENSA): Search facebook for "Vensa at FSU".
  
  
• Vietnamese Student Association:
  http://www.fsuvisa.org/
  
  
• Asian Coalition of Tallahassee (ACT):
  http://www.asiantlh.org/
  

Social Media at Florida State gives a complete list of Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn pages from many of Florida State's colleges, departments, and organizations.

Take a virtual tour of FSU! Before you arrive, it's a good idea to familiarize yourself with the FSU campus and surrounding area.

• Main Campus map: www.fsu.edu/Campus/newmap/
• FSU Virtual Tour: www.fsutour.org/
• FSU Visitor Center: www.visit.fsu.edu/
• Tallahassee Visitor's Guide: www.visittallahassee.com/

Find out about U.S. Culture:

• EducationUSA - Department of State web site dedicated to the needs of international students. Lots of videos and online chat sessions offered about preparing for U.S study, visa questions, and more! Locate an EducationUSA center near you and ask them questions before you go!
  
  
• EduPass site about U.S. social customs and cultural differences
  
  
• International Student Guide - site discusses cultural adjustment and transitioning to U.S.
  
  
• Pre-Departure Information for Chinese Students - Created by the NAFSA: Association of International Educators, this website provides general information about what to expect in the US and can be helpful to new students from any country.
  

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