Undergraduate Orientation

International Undergraduate Orientation Schedule

U.S immigration regulations require ALL New/Incoming Undergraduate International Students to go through an immigration orientation course/session and to submit required immigration documentation/information before beginning their program at MIT. Therefore, there are a few steps that all New/Incoming Undergraduate International Students are required to complete in order for the International Students Office (ISO) to activate their U.S. Immigration status in the U.S. and with MIT.

ATTENTION: This is NOT an automatic process, so students must be proactive. Students will not be able to complete their enrollment/registration for the term until they have completed the below requirements.

Who Is Considered A “New/Incoming Undergraduate International Student”?

  • New/Incoming students to the U.S., in F or J status.
  • ‘Return from Leave of Absence’ (RLOA) students, in F or J status.
  • Transfer-In students (i.e., “Transfer Students” are defined as students who transferred their current SEVIS record (F or J) to MIT from another U.S. institution/school).

Required Steps To Activate A U.S. Immigration Status

All New/Incoming Undergraduate International Studentsare required to attend the ISO Immigration Orientation Programing provided during the Undergraduate International Orientation Week. New/Incoming Undergraduate International Students are also required to complete the Online Check-In requirements, in iMIT.

STEP 1: Attend the ISO Immigration Orientation Session During the Undergraduate International Orientation Week.

New/Incoming Undergraduate International Students will attend their mandatory Fall 2023 Undergraduate International Orientation Week/ISO International Undergraduate Student Orientation Programing from August 21 through August 23, 2023. The programs begin on Monday, August 21, 2023. All New/Incoming Undergraduate International Studentsare required to attend the mandatory events that will be held on August 21, and 22 (Monday and Tuesday). The events are for undergraduate degree students only.

The full schedule of the ISO International Undergraduate Orientation is available here, as well as, below. New/Incoming Undergraduate International Students will also receive additional notification from their ISO Advisor confirming times and location

As a reminder, New/Incoming International Undergraduate Students CANNOT register for an ISO Immigration session in iMIT. They are required to attend the sessions provided during the International Orientation Week.

Once the student has attended an entire ISO Immigration Orientation Session, then 3 business days after the session, the specific “ISO Orientation Hold” will be cleared from the students MIT record.

Monday, August 21
9:00 a.m. –
9:50 a.m.		Welcome Breakfast and Introductions
Join us for a warm welcome from ISO director, Orientation coordinators and Mentors.		Morss Hall, Walker Memorial (Bldg. 50)
10:10 a.m. –
11:40 a.m.		Immigration Presentation (Mandatory)
Learn critical immigration information you need to know as an international student.		 Room 1-190
11:50 a.m. –
12:35 p.m.		MIT Medical Presentation (Mandatory)
Learn about medical services and insurance, and get tips on how to access critical information and wellness resources.		Room 1-190
12:45 p.m. –
1:45 p.m.		Lunch
Join your classmates and mentors for your first lunch together at MIT.		Morss Hall, Walker Memorial (Bldg. 50)
2:00 p.m. –
3:15 p.m.		The History of Race in America (Mandatory)
This session will help inform attendees on the construct of race in America and how its manifestations continue today.		Room 1-190
3:30 p.m. –
4:15 p.m.		Financial Aid Presentation/Banking (Mandatory)
Our presenters are staff from the MIT Student Accounts, Loans, Financial Aid offices as well as the MIT Federal Credit Union.		Room 1-190
4:30 p.m. –
6:00 p.m.		Dinner
Morss Hall, Walker Memorial
6:00 p.m. –
8:00 p.m.		Group games/FSILG presentation
Saxon Court/Morss Hall
Tuesday, August 22
9:00 a.m. –
09:50 a.m.		Breakfast
Morss Hall, Walker Memorial
10:10 a.m. –
11:30 a.m.		Cultural Awareness Presentation (Mandatory)
This interactive presentation addresses how to communicate more effectively in a global community.
 		Room 1-190
11:45 a.m. –
12:45 p.m.		Academic Integrity Presentation (Mandatory)
Learn how, why and when you cite sources and other critical writing/research tips during this interactive seminar.		Room 1-190
1:00 p.m. –
1:50 p.m.		Lunch
Morss Hall, Walker Memorial
2:00 p.m. –
2:45 p.m.		Undergraduate Research Opportunity Programs (Mandatory)
One of the first programs of its kind in the US, UROP began in 1969 and today the program supports nearly six thousand projects yearly with 92% of MIT graduating seniors participating in at least one UROP during their undergraduate years. In this session, you will learn all about UROPs and have the opportunity to ask your questions about getting involved.		Room 1-190
3:00 p.m. –
4:15 p.m.		MIT 101 (Mandatory)
You are now an MIT student. So, what is it like? Learn about life at MIT and receive tips from upper-class students in this fun, interactive session.		Room 1-190
4:30 p.m. –
6:00 p.m.		Dinner (BBQ)*
W-11, Main Room
6:00 p.m. –
8:00 p.m.		Shopping with Mentors
Meet by Statue
*NOTE: FPOPs begin this afternoon. All students participating in FPOP programs will have their meals with their FPOP program starting with dinner this afternoon. All other students/mentors/coordinators participating in the IO program will have dinner in W-11.
Wednesday, August 23
9:00 a.m. –
10:00 a.m.		Breakfast
Lobby 13, Bldg. 13
10:15 a.m. –
10:45 a.m.		Student Support Services
Meet the friendly staff of S^3 and learn about their services, support and advocacy.		Room 1-190
11:00 a.m. –
12:15 p.m.		Scavenger Hunt
Explore the MIT Campus and learn more about the Institute folklore and its infamous building numbers. 		Meet in Killian Court
12:30 p.m. –
1:30 p.m.		Lunch
Lobby 13, Bldg. 13
1:30 p.m. –
3:30 p.m.		Discover Cambridge/Boston
Meet in Saxon Court
5:30 p.m. –
6:30 p.m.		Dinner
Lobby 13, Bldg. 13

STEP 2: Complete the Required Immigration Online Check-In

ATTENTION: The Online Check-In requirements can only be completed once the student has entered into the U.S

Students can find specific instructions on how to complete the immigration check-in requirements on the ISO Online Check-In webpage. NOTE: All New/Incoming International Students are required to complete the Online Check-In requirements.

Following the completion of International Orientation Week, if a student has additional questions, they can use the search tool on the ISO website, review frequently asked questions on the ISO Knowledge Base webpage, or they may contact their ISO Advisor.

ATTENTION: Students who WILL NOT be entering U.S. to pursue their MIT program are REQUIRED to contact their ISO Advisor BEFORE the start date listed on their MIT “Certificate of Eligibility” document(s) (Form I-20, Form DS-2019)

We look forward to welcoming you to MIT!

Disclaimer: The information on this webpage is for MIT students only. For additional questions, students should email their ISO Advisor directly.

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