Congratulations on your acceptance to VCU!
Here you'll find a guide for pre-arrival planning and preparation for international students — both undergraduate and graduate — who have completed the appropriate admission documents and have been admitted into an academic program.
In addition to reviewing the information below, be sure to visit the Get Started section of the Global Education Office website for detailed Orientation and arrival information. All new degree-seeking international students will also be added to a Canvas course with pre-arrival information and resources.
Have questions? Please contact geois@vcu.edu.
Checklist
Before your arrival at VCU, please complete the following items.
1. Notify us that you plan to enroll at Virginia Commonwealth University.
Undergraduate Students:
- Notify us that you plan to enroll at Virginia Commonwealth University by visiting the VCU Application Portal to complete your Offer of Admission Response form and make it official!
- For information on student transfer credit from other universities, email the VCU Transfer Center at transferinfo@vcu.edu. If you are planning to transfer credit from an institution outside the U.S., then please review the requirements for international transfer credit.
- To defer admission, please contact International Admissions directly at (804) 828-6016 or vcuia@vcu.edu. Then, reach out to Immigration Services at geois@vcu.edu to request a new I-20.
Graduate Students:
- Respond to your offer by visiting your applicant status page and submitting the Graduate Reply to Offer of Admission form.
- To defer admission, please contact your graduate program office or email International Admissions at vcuia@vcu.edu to request a deferral. Then, reach out to Immigration Services at geois@vcu.edu to request a new I-20.
- Reminder: Prepare all required documents listed on your application portal before your departure and submit them to the International Admissions Office upon arrival to prevent receiving administrative holds that could delay your course registration.
2. Register online for a virtual English Language Placement test if it is listed as a requirement on your acceptance letter.
3. Claim your eID, create your password, and log in to your VCU email account. The VCU eID is the username used, along with your corresponding password, to give you access to many VCU electronic services via eServices. Your eID is not your student number (V-number). Your eID is usually a combination of your last name and initials.
4. Contact GEO Immigration Services at geois@vcu.edu to request a Form I-20, Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status. Please also inform Immigration Services if you anticipate you may be late for the start of the semester.
5. Obtain a student visa by following these instructions and paying the I-901 SEVIS fee.
6. Visit your doctor in your home country and request that they complete the VCU Certificate of Immunization or provide you with an official immunization document in English, which should include all dates of required immunizations. Students enrolled in a health sciences program may have additional immunization requirements. Learn more about immunizations.
7. Review information about VCU’s Health Insurance requirement for F1 and J1 students.
8. Sign up for orientation.
Undergraduate students: All incoming undergraduate international students must attend two new student orientation events: VCU Orientation and International Orientation.
Graduate students: All incoming graduate students must attend one orientation event: International Orientation. Please review the orientation dates before making travel arrangements to ensure you arrive prior to this date. Students will also receive information about additional orientation programs either by the Graduate School and/or their college/school/department.
VCU Orientation - this orientation is for all incoming VCU students and will cover a wide variety of resources, information, and connections to your new college/school, and is required attendance for all students new to VCU. Parents and family members are encouraged to participate as well. International students enrolling in the Fall semester can attend any session throughout the summer (June and July) or the August session that occurs the week before the start of classes. Students enrolling in the Spring semester will attend Orientation in January the week before the start of classes- be sure to plan your arrival accordingly.
International Student Orientation - this mandatory orientation for F1 visa holders will provide students with essential information for immigration compliance and success at VCU. Please review the important orientation dates before making travel arrangements to ensure you arrive prior to this date.
9. Register for classes and make an advising appointment.
Ready to register? Let’s go!
Registration opens:
- Fall admits: May 1
- Spring admits: Dec. 1
You’ll register yourself (May through June for fall admits, Dec. through Jan. for spring admits). Use your major’s first-semester recommended courses worksheet, check credits and degree progress in DegreeWorks, and hop into eServices → “Register for Classes” to get started. Need help adding, dropping or waitlisting? Advising tutorials have you covered.
Need help?
Advising offers 30-minute Zoom workshops to help you learn how to register for classes on eServices, view your degree requirements on DegreeWorks and more. You can find all the session dates and times on our Academic Advising website.
📚 Pro tips:
- Aim for 15 credits (12 = full-time minimum)
- Need math? Grab a seat early — they fill fast!
- Consider UNIV 101 or 191 (1 credit) to kick-start your success
- Have questions? Jot them down for your advising appointment
Interested in summer or winter classes? Check the Summer or Winter Session websites to access the registration form.
Make and attend your academic advising appointment
🎓✨ Don’t forget your advising date!
📅 Be sure to schedule a mandatory 30-minute advising appointment (virtual or in-person) in Navigate.
Fall admits: Appointments will happen in June/July
Spring admits: Appointments will be held in Dec./Jan.
Spots are limited, so choose a date that works for you and be sure to show up! You’ll review your classes, make tweaks and get your questions answered. (You’ll get email + text reminders.)
📞 Extenuating issue? Call 804-827-8648.
✅ Before you meet: complete the earlier steps and register for as many classes as you can!
10. Learn your V-number.
Your official VCU student identification number (known as the V-number) is located on your acceptance letter. It is extremely important to memorize this number or keep a copy of it with you as you will need it for housing, library use, computers, gym access, and many other VCU-related activities.
11. Make housing arrangements in Richmond. Be sure to review GEO's International Student Housing Guide here.
- For on-campus housing information, please contact VCU Residential Life and Housing.
- For assistance with finding off-campus housing, contact VCU Off-Campus Services.
12. Prepare your personal computer. All VCU students are required to have a personal computer. The university annually sets minimum specifications for computers for each new entering class. Some departments and schools recommend a specific configuration from among the options outlined by the university. Check with your school or college to make sure the minimum specifications are sufficient for your course of study.
13. Arrange transportation to the VCU campus from the airport or bus station where you will arrive.
14. Ensure that you have sufficient financial resources available for the start of the semester (deposit on an apartment, furnishings, etc)