I am admitted, now what?
Congratulations on your admission to Tarleton State University! The Office of Undergraduate Admission-Immigration and the Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and International Programs look forward to welcoming you. Now that you have been admitted, you are probably wondering what your next steps are. Well, you are in luck! Here is a list of the steps you need to take between now and your first day of class to ensure a successful transition to Tarleton.
First Time Freshmen
- Get Your I-20. After receiving your passport, financial documentation, and any other required supporting documentation, Undergraduate Admissions – Immigration will issue your I-20. Please go to our International Applicants page for details on the estimated cost of attendance at Tarleton and our International Forms page to access our financial affidavit. Once your I-20 is issued, it will be emailed to you unless you request that it be mailed to you.
- Pay I-901 SEVIS Fee. Pay your I-901 SEVIS fee online at https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html. Currently, the SEVIS fee is $350. Be sure to print your receipt to take with you to your visa interview. *For Canadian citizens only: You do not have to attend a visa interview. However, you still must pay the SEVIS fee and present your receipt at your port of entry. After paying your SEVIS fee, you can skip to step 8.
- Complete DS-160. The DS-160 is the nonimmigrant visa application. Go to https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/ to fill out the application online. For more information about the DS-160, please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/forms/ds-160-online-nonimmigrant-visa-application.html. You will need your SEVIS number and our SEVIS school code to complete the DS-160. You can find both pieces of information on your I-20. Be sure to print your application form confirmation page to take with you to your visa interview.
- Schedule Visa Interview. Contact your local US Embassy or Consulate and follow their procedures for scheduling an interview. Please visit https://www.usembassy.gov/ for a list of US Embassy and Consulate locations in your country.
- Pay Visa Application Fee. All students must pay a visa application fee before going to their interview. Currently, the visa application fee is $160. Please follow the instructions provided on your chosen Embassy or Consulate’s website for paying your visa application fee. Be sure to print your receipt to take with you to your visa interview.
- Attend Visa Interview. You need to take your passport, I-20, I-901 SEVIS fee payment receipt, visa application fee payment receipt, and DS-160 confirmation page with you to your interview. If you were unable to upload your photo when you submitted your DS-160, you must also bring a photo that meets the requirements listed at https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/visa-information-resources/photos.html. You may also want to take your financial documents, transcripts, diplomas, and standardized test scores (e.g., SAT, ACT, IELTS, TOEFL) in case you need to prove financial solvency or academic readiness. Please see my previous post titled “10 Tips to Help You Pass Your F-1 Student Visa Interview” for guidance on approaching your visa interview.
- Pay Reciprocity Fee and Receive F-1 Visa. Congratulations, you passed your interview! However, after your application is approved, you may have to pay a reciprocity fee before receiving your visa. Please visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/Visa-Reciprocity-and-Civil-Documents-by-Country.html for more information on visa reciprocity fees. *Embassies and Consulates only issue F-1 visas up to 120 days before I-20 program start dates. Therefore, if your interview is more than 120 days before your start date, you may have to wait until this 120-day window begins to receive your visa.
- Apply for Housing and Meal Plan. Tarleton requires all first-year students to live on campus and purchase a meal plan. Go to https://www.tarleton.edu/housing/incoming-students/index.html for details on applying for housing and selecting your meal plan.
- Book Your Flight. Your I-20 shows the earliest date that you are allowed to enter the US. If you arrive before this date, US Customs & Border Protection will deny you entry into the US, so book your flight accordingly.
- Book Your Free Shuttle Ride. The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and International Programs (ODIIP) provides shuttle service to and from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Love Field Airport at the beginning and end of each semester for currently enrolled F-1 students (family and friends not included). You must email [email protected] at least 3 weeks ahead of your flight to book your shuttle. Unfortunately, ODIIP cannot guarantee service for late requests but will try its best to assist you.
- Get Your Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination. The State of Texas requires that all incoming students under age 22 be vaccinated against bacterial meningitis. Go to https://www.tarleton.edu/admissions/bacterial-meningitis.html to learn how to submit your proof of vaccination.
- Take TSI Assessment. All incoming first-year students must take the Texas Success Initiative (TSI). This assessment determines your skill level in college-level reading, writing, and math. Tarleton will use your assessment results to decide your proper placement for first-year English and math courses. Your scores must be on file with the Undergraduate Admissions Office before you are allowed to enroll in your first semester courses.
- Get Advised and Enroll in Courses. After the Undergraduate Admissions Office receives your TSI scores, your next step is to get advised. Please contact the Office of Academic Advising at [email protected] to schedule an advising appointment. Once you clear your advising hold, you will be ready to enroll in classes. Remember, international students must enroll in at least 12 hours total, at least 9 of which must either be face to face or hybrid.
- Complete Online Orientation Course. After enrolling, you will receive an email at your Tarleton email address inviting you to join our online new international student orientation course. This course is designed to help familiarize you with immigration regulations and compliance. Once you accept your invitation, you can complete your course at home. You do not have to wait until you arrive on campus to complete your orientation course.
- Come to the US. Be sure to carry your I-20, passport, visa, I-901 SEVIS fee payment receipt, admission letter, and financial documents with you. DO NOT put them in your checked bags. Instead, present your documents to a Customs & Border Protection agent at your port of entry to request permission to enter the US. You may have to undergo additional security screening, receive a Form I-515A, or be denied entry if you are missing one or more of these documents.
- Complete Check-In. Upon arriving in the US, you need to complete your two-step check-in with Undergraduate Admissions – Immigration. You will receive an email at your Tarleton email address approximately 30 days before the first day of class detailing the check-in process. Be sure to check your Tarleton email regularly.
- Attend Transition Week. Transition Week is required for all first-year students. During this week, you will move into your dorm, meet your professors and other students, learn about Tarleton traditions, and so much more.
- First Class Day. The big day has finally arrived. Good luck on your first day at Tarleton!
Transfer Student
- Get Your I-20. Submit your passport, visa (if applicable), financial documentation, Transfer-In Form, and any other required supporting documentation to Undergraduate Admissions – Immigration. Please go to our International Applicants page for details on the estimated cost of attendance at Tarleton and our International Forms page to access our financial affidavit and Transfer-In Form. *You must contact your current school’s DSO and request that he or she release your SEVIS record to Tarleton. We will issue your transfer-pending I-20 upon receiving your SEVIS record. Once your I-20 is issued, it will be emailed to you unless you request that it be mailed to you. Let the Undergraduate Admissions – Immigration Office know if you will leave the US before coming to Tarleton so we can dispatch your I-20 to you for travel.
- Apply for Housing and Meal Plan. Tarleton requires certain transfer students to live on campus and purchase a meal plan. Please go to https://www.tarleton.edu/housing/policy/assignment.html to see if you qualify for off-campus residency.
- Book Your Flight. The 30-day entrance rule does not apply to transfer students. Therefore, if you are planning on leaving the US before your first semester at Tarleton, you can leave the US and reenter at any time.
- Book Your Free Shuttle Ride. The Office of Diversity, Inclusion, and International Programs (ODIIP) provides shuttle service to and from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport and Love Field Airport at the beginning and end of each semester for currently enrolled F-1 students (family and friends not included). If you leave the US before arriving at Tarleton and will need a ride from the airport upon your return, please email [email protected] at least 3 weeks ahead of your flight to book your shuttle. Unfortunately, ODIIP cannot guarantee service for late requests but will try its best to assist you. This service is only available for students who will be attending the Stephenville campus.
- Get Your Bacterial Meningitis Vaccination. The State of Texas requires that all incoming students under age 22 be vaccinated against bacterial meningitis. Go to https://www.tarleton.edu/admissions/bacterial-meningitis.html to learn how to submit your proof of vaccination.
- Take TSI Assessment. Some transfer students may qualify for an exemption of the Texas Success Initiative (TSI). This assessment determines your skill level in college-level reading, writing, and math. Tarleton will use your assessment results to decide your proper placement for English and math courses. Please visit https://www.tarleton.edu/admissions/tsi.html to see if you qualify for an exemption. If you do not qualify, then your scores must be on file with the Undergraduate Admissions Office before you are allowed to enroll in your first semester courses.
- Get Advised and Enroll in Courses. Please contact the Office of Academic Advising at [email protected] to schedule an advising appointment. Once you clear your advising hold and the Undergraduate Admissions Office has your TSI scores or exemption on file, you will be ready to enroll in classes. Remember, international students must enroll in at least 12 hours total, at least 9 of which must either be face to face or hybrid.
- Complete Online Orientation Course. After enrolling, you will receive an email at your Tarleton email address inviting you to join our online new international student orientation course. This course is designed to help familiarize you with immigration regulations and compliance. Once you accept your invitation, you can complete your course at home. You do not have to wait until you arrive on campus to complete your orientation course.
- Come to the US. If you leave the US before arriving at Tarleton, be sure to carry your I-20, passport, visa, SEVIS I-901 fee payment receipt, admission letter, and financial documents with you. DO NOT put them in your checked bags. Instead, present your documents to a Customs & Border Protection agent at your port of entry to request permission to enter the US. You may have to undergo additional security screening, receive a Form I-515A, or be denied entry if you are missing one or more of these documents.
- Complete Check-In. Upon arriving in the US, you will need to complete your two-step check-in with Undergraduate Admissions – Immigration. You will receive an email at your Tarleton email address approximately 30 days before the first day of class detailing the check-in process. Be sure to check your Tarleton email regularly.
- Attend Texan Camp (optional). Texan Camp is optional for all transfer students. During Texan Camp, you will meet other transfer students, connect with faculty and staff, learn about Tarleton traditions, participate in team building and leadership activities, and so much more.
- First Class Day. The big day has finally arrived. Good luck on your first day at Tarleton!
