10 Steps: Pre-Arrival Checklist

All international students with F-1 and J-1 visas who are admitted to Edgewood College must complete the following steps before arriving to campus for new international student orientation.
* Please contact Sara Liang at sliang@edgewood.edu if you have any questions about your arrival to campus

Step 1: US Entry Documentation

Step 2: Housing

Make arrangements for housing:

 

Freshmen

> Incoming freshmen are required to live on campus their first and second years at Edgewood College. Complete the Residence Hall Contract and return as soon as possible to the address listed on the form.  For more information about Residence Life, please go to their website here.

Non-Degree Exchange Students (ISEP, Masaryk, HsKA, Study USA)

> Complete the Exchange Student Housing & Food Service Application and Contract (click here) and submit it to the Office of Residence Life at residencelife@edgewood.edu.

Transfer Students

> Click here for Transfer Housing Information. 

Graduate Students

> Graduate students who are interested in living in a residence hall on campus, should contact the Office of Residence Life at residencelife@edgewood.edu for more information.

Click here for off-campus housing resources.

Step 3: Edgewood Online Account

Create an account for Edgewood email and online systems.

Follow the steps online here to create your Edgewood College online accounts. You will need your Edgewood ID number to create your account. You can find your ID number on your letter of acceptance from Edgewood.

Step 4: Course Registration

Prepare for course registration.

 

Undergraduate Students:

You will meet virtually with an academic advisor prior to your arrival to campus to prepare for course registration. You must complete the following forms/tutorials to be eligible to register for courses.

All undergraduate students: Complete Registration Tutorial (click here).

 

Graduate Students:

Graduate students should contact their academic advisors to schedule an appointment to discuss course registration. The name and contact information for your advisor was included in your acceptance letter and is also listed below.

Step 5: Technology Tutorial

Complete Technology Tutorial - Click here!

On this page you will find instructional videos to show you how to use the Edgewood Express portal to search and registrar for courses, make a payment, view your grades, order a transcript, and access the Blackboard learning management site.

Step 6: Arrival Information

Arrival Date:   Monday, January 08, 2024
  • Students living on campus can move into their residence hall room on this day.
  • We also recommend students living off campus arrive on or before the arrival date to make sure that you have time for travel delays, jet lag, and settling into your new home in Madison before International Student Orientation.
  • The earliest F-1 and J-1 students can arrive in the US is 30 days before the start date on  your I-20 or DS-2019.
Getting to Madison, WI:

Students are encouraged to make flight arrangements directly to the Dane County Regional Airport in Madison (airport code: MSN) between 8:00am - 6:00pm on Monday, January 8.

Students may also arrive to Chicago O'Hare international airport (ORD) and take a bus to Madison.  Look for the Van Galder/Coach USA bus stop at the Multi Modal Facility at O’Hare.  Cost is approximately 37 USD.  Check the current bus schedule online at https://web.coachusa.com/vangalder/ss.tickets.asp and pick up locations at https://www.coachusa.com/airport-transportation/van-galder/airport-information.  The final stop is the University of Wisconsin (busses arrive to the 250 N. Lake Street, adjacent to the Gordon Commons terrace on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison), which is about a 5 minute drive from Edgewood College.

 

Getting to Edgewood College:
  • Students Living On Campus:
    • You can move in to your residence hall room on the arrival date listed above.
    • Send your complete flight itinerary (with airline and flight numbers) and arrival information to iss@edgewood.edu at least 3 weeks before orientation in order for someone from Edgewood College to pick you up at the airport and take you to your residence hall.
    • If you decide to arrive outside of the dates and times listed above or at a different airport, you will be responsible for your own transportation from the airport to campus. You may also be responsible for your housing until orientation begins.

  • Students Living Off Campus:

Step 7: International Student Health Statement

Complete the International Student Health Statement and bring to orientation.

Read the health information provided concerning Hepatitis B and Meningitis.

Complete the International Student Health Statement Part 1 BEFORE orientation. Part 2 (Tuberculosis Screening) and Part 3 will be completed once you are on campus.

Consider bringing your medical and dental records, including verification of immunizations. It is helpful to include all information about medical conditions, treatments, prescriptions, and eyeglasses.

At Edgewood College, all international students and exchange visitors are required to purchase health insurance to protect against the high cost of medical care in the United States. All F-1 students, J-1 exchange visitors and J-2 dependents must enroll in our health insurance plan with WPS Health Insurance, and the fee will be billed directly to your student account through the College's Business Office. Limited waivers from the College’s health insurance plan will be considered. Information about the enrollment and waiver process will be shared closer to the start of the semester.

For more details about the policy, click here.

Step 8: International Student Orientation

International Student Orientation: January 10-12, 2024

Please confirm your attendance for International Student Orientation by emailing ISS@edgewood.edu.

Edgewood College requires all international students with F-1 and J-1 visas to participate fully in the international student orientation. 

Click here for an overview of the orientation schedule.  The Center for Global Education will send you a more detailed schedule in July for Fall semester and in December for Spring semester. 

*Orientation will include a light snack and full lunch as indicated in the orientation schedule. If you have any dietary restrictions, please email (with your confirmation of attendance) detailing your specific needs no later than 3 weeks before the first day of orientation. After this date, we will not be able to accommodate. We consider vegetarian dietary needs for every meal.

Step 9: Global Buddy Program

Sign up for the Global Buddy Program (click here)

Step 10: Pre-arrival Resources

Additional Information About Your Arrival

Additional Information about your arrival:

Please consider bringing the following items with you to Edgewood College:

  • Bring any documents that might pertain to your legal history.  These might include your marriage certificate, birth certificate for yourself, children, spouse, and international driver’s license.  We also advise you leave one set of these official documents with someone in your home country.
  • Budget for the following expenses: tuition, fees, rent, meals, Edgewood College’s mandatory health insurance, books, transportation, communications, personal expenses, recreation, travel, warm clothing, and taxes. Please note that some exchange programs cover the cost of tuition, housing, meals and health insurance.
  • Traditional attire or cultural artifacts that you might wear or demonstrate at educational or cultural events.
  • A dual dictionary featuring English and your native language.
  • Compliant appliances such as hair dryers and shavers that meet the US standard of 120V A/C.