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Information for Admitted Students

Information for Admitted Students

Pre-Arrival Information

How to Get Your Visa

Students who are not U.S. citizens or legal permanent residents must apply for a visa to study in the U.S. Unless you are coming to  Roanoke College through a sponsored exchange program (ISEP, IREX, Brazil Science without Borders, etc.), you will enter the U.S. in F-1 (non-immigrant student) status. To apply for an F-1 visa, you must have an I-20 Visa Eligibility Form from Roanoke College and follow visa application procedures. If you are coming through a sponsored exchange program, you will enter the U.S. in J-1 (exchange visitor) status and your exchange program will provide you with your visa eligibility form and instructions for getting your visa.

Pre-Arrival Communications

In addition all of the information that will be sent to you by offices around campus, you will receive frequent updates during the spring and summer from the International Student Services Office about arrival arrangements, orientation, housing, course registration, our friendship family program, and other issues of interest. Any time you have a question, please contact Sarah Lupton, International Student Services Director, at (540) 375-2068 or lupton@roanoke.edu

Packing

Roanoke College is in the Roanoke Valley of Southwest Virginia, which has a mild climate with four distinct seasons. In fall and spring the weather is mild, with high temperatures between 55 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. In winter, which lasts from December through February, temperatures are generally in the 40's Fahrenheit but sometimes go below freezing. You will need a coat, hat, and gloves in winter.

An extensive list of things students might wish to bring to campus is on the Student Life web page. You will not need all of these things, but the list will give you an idea of what you may want to bring or need to purchase after arrival. Electrical devices require both a converter and an adapter. Most small appliances can be purchased inexpensively in the U.S.

 The Global Village has a dedicated area in which you can take any gently-used items that former international students may have left behind in order to help a future student.  For example, bed risers, new bars of soap, a winter coat not needed in your home country, etc.  You do not need to live in Global Village to avail yourself of this convenient resource. Remember, we will provide transportation to a shopping center within two days of scheduled arrival, so if a purchase can wait that long, you needn't pack it.

Luggage

Please remember: luggage delays are not uncommon and so your suitcase may not arrive when you do at the airport! If it’s been lost, eventually the airline will deliver it to Roanoke College. This could take anywhere between one day to a week-and-a-half.  A current student reminds you: it’s also possible you may be forced to check your carry-on bag and therefore only have your personal item (purse/backpack) with you.  Therefore, pack anything you must have in that personal item, such as medication, etc.

Arrival

You will receive information from us about when you should arrive at Roanoke College.  USAir, United, and Delta Airlines have flights to the Roanoke Regional Airport. Be sure to provide Sarah Lupton with your arrival itinerary. In many cases, we may be able to pick you up but we need to know well in advance.

When you arrive to campus, an employee from the International Student Services Office will help you check in with the office of Residence Life so that you can get your room key. When you receive an email from Roanoke College asking you to upload a photo of yourself for your ID, please do so! Not uploading the photo can lead to a delay in your ID being made. The International Student Services Office can help you find your room and move your bags into it. 

International Student Orientation

A special orientation for new international students is offered each semester, with information sessions on academics, cultural adjustment, social life and student activities, campus services, and practical matters like banking and cell phones. There are also tours of the campus and surrounding area, optional shopping excursions, and free time to meet new friends and settle into your room.  You will receive information about the international student orientation from our office. 

Following this special orientation, international students join all new students for orientation activities.

Campus Jobs

All students in F-1 status and some students in J-1 status are allowed to work at jobs on campus. You will learn more about the requirements at international student orientation. Student jobs are posted on Handshake through the Career Services website. You can begin looking for a job even before arrival by referring to this website. Note that international students are not eligible for campus jobs that indicate "work-study students only." You will get more information about campus jobs at international student orientation.

Bedding:  Beds in Roanoke College’s residence halls almost always require size “twin extra-long” bedding (sheets and blankets). 

This size is not normally available for purchase outside of the U.S.  Please await information regarding the ability to order these ahead of your arrival.

Banking

 If you would like a bank account during your time here, we recommend using Wells Fargo, which is close to campus.

Health Insurance

International students are required to carry GeoBlue health insurance. F1 students can read an estimated cost on their I-20 form.  For a description of what services are covered and at what costs, please contact the International Student Services Office. In advance of your arrival to the US, communicate with Sarah Lupton (lupton@roanoke.edu) regarding your insurance start date. 

Global Village

Global Village is located in Chalmers residence hall and is a place for both international and domestic students interested in sharing cultures and learning from one another. To live in Global Village, email Sarah Lupton lupton@roanoke.edu for a simple application. 

Enrollment Tasks

 To view and complete required enrollment tasks, visit roanoke.edu/enrollmenttasks. Please ensure these tasks are completed prior to arrival for a smooth start to your Roanoke College career. 

Course/Class Registration

For students starting in the fall semester, exchange students and transfer students will be scheduled for classes in the preceding spring and freshmen (first-year students) will be scheduled for classes in late June/early July via email.  The Center for Learning and Teaching will email you about class registration so it is very important to be checking your Roanoke email frequently so you don’t miss important emails about course selection.

Housing Selection

 Please see the information about the option to live in Global Village.  (No international student is required to live in Global Village.)  If you are interested in other housing options, you will be able to select housing online through our housing portal called StarRez in early July.  Please be sure to fill out the housing questionnaire in StarRez now using your Roanoke username and password.  You will receive an email in late June with the date and time of your housing selection.  All housing selection times will be Eastern Standard Time. 

Campus Jobs

 All students in F-1 status and some students in J-1 status are allowed to work at jobs on campus. You will learn more about the requirements at international student orientation. 

International students are eligible to work on-campus up to 20 hours per week.  Many of our campus jobs pay around $12 USD per hour.  You will be taxed by the U.S. federal government for your work on-campus. International students typically earn $2,000-$3,000 depending on the number of hours that they work. Often they use these funds to help pay for books and personal spending.  If you are interested in working on-campus, you can apply for a campus job through Handshake. Note that international students are not eligible for campus jobs that indicate "work-study students only."  You will need to create a resume to apply for a campus job.  If you need assistance with creating a resume, please contact place@roanoke.edu.  The International Student Services Offic will help you apply for a Social Security Number after your arrival and after you obtain a campus job.

 

Purchasing Textbooks

 Once you have established your class schedule, you will then be able to use that information to order new or used textbooks online through our campus store or you can choose to purchase used books through Amazon, rent books through Amazon or Chegg, or download e-Books through Kindle. You should estimate $500 per semester for textbooks. Here is the link for ordering your textbooks: https://roanoke.textbookx.com/institutional/index.php.

 

Depending on your visa type or other designation, certain information above may differ for you (such as work opportunities or health insurance requirements.) If you are unsure, please ask.