New International Student Instructions

New International Student Instructions

Step 1: When you receive your I-20

• Please make sure your personal and program information on the first page of your I-20 is correct. Any correction must be reported to your advisor immediately, we will then make the correction and mail you a new one.
• Print your name, sign and date the I-20 on the bottom of page 1.
• There are strict regulations to which you agree when you sign the I-20 and enter the U.S as an F-1 student. Read these regulations on page 2 of your I-20 carefully. You are responsible for knowing them.
• Send an email to your advisor to confirm you received your I-20.

Step 2: Pay the Sevis I-901 Fee (must be paid within 30 days from the day you receive the I-20)

• You are required to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee of $200 by mail or over the Internet. Please see the SEVIS I-901 Fee instructions in the I-20 package. Academy of Art School Code is SFR 214F 00500000
• Your SEVIS ID number can be found on page 1 of your I-20 (upper right corner).

Step 3: Obtain an F-1 Student Visa

• To apply for an F-1 Student Visa, contact the U.S Embassy/Consulate in your home country for details. Some U.S. Embassies/Consulates will accept your visa application at any time, while others will require you to make an appointment in advance, so be sure you plan ahead. It can take more than a month to process a student visa.
• If you are from a country that is participating in the visa waiver program, DO NOT enter the U.S on a visa waiver. You must apply for an F-1 Student Visa. After you've obtained your F-1 visa, you are required to send an email to let your advisor know.

Class Registration

• View your class schedule
• Sign the Enrollment Agreement (Mandatory)
• Make tuition payment
• Submit your U.S. address and phone number if you have them
• Choose your own room assignment after you've applied for on campus housing.
  Note: If you have not received your USERNAME and PASSWORD, quickly contact your advisor.

Step 4: Book your flight

• After you receive your F-1 Student Visa, book your flight to San Francisco (SFO). PLEASE BE INFORMED that you can enter the U.S no earlier than 30 days before the I-20 program start date.

Step 5: Email your arrival date and time to your Admissions Advisor.

New Student Check In and Orientations

Welcome new international students! Below are some important dates that you will need to know to plan your arrival in San Francisco. Please arrive on time during the Check-In week.

2010 SPRING - Classes begin February 1, 2010

January 18-23: New International Student Check-In (Mandatory)
9am-5pm
International Admissions Department, 79 New Montgomery Street, 4th Floor
IMPORTANT: Bring your I-20 and passport

(You may also check-in Housing if you have applied.)

January 21: English Placement Test (for students without a test score)
Time and location will be provided during the Check In

January 25-29: Introductory Seminar for All New Graduate Students in the School of Architecture
Read the Introductory Seminar PDF

January 28: President's Welcome Orientation for All New Students (Mandatory)
Time and location will be provided during Check In.

January 30: Tuition Payment Deadline

Useful Things to Know:

Transportation from the airport. Airport shuttles to downtown San Francisco cost about $20, while taxis are around $40. The Academy of Art University does not provide airport pickup.

Money. Summer, you should have at least $5,000. Fall/Spring, you should have at least $10,000 available to pay for tuition, books, and materials (does not include Campus Housing fees).

Bank accounts. It can take several days to open a bank account, so please have a credit card as backup.

Paying Tuition. You can pay your tuition online through Student Self Service, or in person when you arrive. We accept Visa and MasterCard and traveler's checks. You can also make personal checks, money orders and/or bank drafts payable to Academy of Art University. Wire transfers are accepted, but can take several days to process.

Campus Housing & Payment. If you've applied for on campus housing, you should do the following:

1. Please email your arrival date and time to Housing@academyart.edu and your advisor.
2. Log on to your Student Self Service and choose your own room assignment.
3. You will need to pay your housing balance when you move into Campus Housing. Any questions regarding your housing, please contact the Housing Department directly at 415.618.6335. Fax: 415.618.6276.

Health Insurance. If you are living in Campus Housing, you must have health insurance that covers you in the US. We recommend www.wellsfargo.com/studentinsurance, but you can choose your own provider. We recommend you have health insurance even if you are not living in Campus Housing.