Orientation & Arrival Information

• Orientation Program
• Visa Application & Arrival in the U.S.A.
• Placement Tests
• Arriving at a U.S. Port of Entry
• Prepare for your F-1 Visa
• Health Verification
• Housing
• International Student Handbook Winter 2009

Orientation Program

All new F-1 students are REQUIRED to attend the Orientation Program. During the Orientation Program, students will take all necessary placement tests, meet with the International Student Counselors, select and register for classes, and take the Counseling 100 (Orientation to College) course. The Winter 2008 Orientation program is scheduled for Monday, December 1 to Saturday, December 6, 2008. Admitted students will receive an admission packet with more details information on the Orientation program.

Visa Application & Arrival in the U.S.A.

International students can apply for an F-1 visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate in their country within 90 days counting from the reporting date typed on the Form I-20 and enter the U.S. within 30 days from the reporting date. For example: if the reporting date on the I-20 is September 20, then you can apply for the visa as early as June 20 and enter the U.S. as early as August 20. You will need to pay a SEVIS fee and visa application fee, prepare documents, and be interviewed. If your visa application is approved, the U.S. embassy will place a F-1 visa sticker in your passport. You are now ready to purchase your airline ticket and attend De Anza College.

Visa Application and SEVIS Fee Information

Placement Tests

Be prepared to take your placement tests on the first day of the orientation at De Anza College. Placement tests in English, ESL (English as a Second Language), Intermediate Algebra, and Calculus.

For placement tests information and samples, go to the following website: www.deanza.edu/admissions/placement

Arriving at a U.S. Port of Entry

To find out what a student can expect upon arrival into the U.S.A., please click on this link: http://www.ice.gov/sevis/factsheet/100104ent_stdnt_fs.htm

Prepare for your F-1 Visa Application and Interview

This information is for people who plan on entering the U.S.A for the first time as F-1 visa holders. Click here.

Health Verification

The Health Verification form must be completed by all students and returned to the ISP office with all of the appropriate medical documentation attached upon arrival to De Anza College. Failing to do this by the specific deadlines will result in 'HOLDS' on student accounts which prevents students from register for classes.

Housing

• List of Hotels and local Appartments
  
• ISP Homestay Program
• DeAnza's Housing Board - search and post housing
  

De Anza, like most community colleges, does not have any dormitories for its students. However, De Anza is conveniently located near many private housing choices; check out the list of hotels and local apartments for detailed information on housing.

International Student Programs also works with an organization called International Student Placements, http://www.isphomestays.com/, that will find homestays with families for our international students. These homestays provides partial meals (breakfasts and dinners) and serve as excellent opportunities for students to learn more about the American culture and improve their English skills.

If you prefer to live on your own or with another student, you can also contact the ISP Homestays for apartment living. In addition, you can search and post housing information on the De Anza Housing website at: http://www.deanza.edu/housing/. We will also give you more information about housing during the Orientation Program.