Graduate International Student Orientation
F-1/J-1 Student Orientation online course
All new graduate students are required to complete an online orientation course. Please see Online Orientation for F-1 & J-1 Students for complete details on how to access the required online course.
2024 Fall Term Graduate International Student Orientation (GISO)
New graduate students arriving for Fall 2024 will participate in both a required pre-arrival online F-1/J-1 Student Orientation course and in-person international orientation programs and activities designed for graduate students (GISO).
Please see below for the dates of the Fall 2024 Graduate International Student Orientation (GISO). Details will be updated as the fall 2024 term gets closer: you will receive an announcement once a detailed schedule is available.
- September 15: Move-in and arrival day for International students
OISS will provide shuttle transportation from Chicago O'Hare Airport to the Evanston campus on September 15, 2024. There will be three shuttles throughout the day offered on a first come, first served basis for students traveling alone; the shuttles will depart at 11:00 a.m., 3:00 p.m., and 7 p.m. Students who travel with their families and friends could travel to Northwestern via various methods.
- September 18-20: GISO in-person programming
The OISS strongly recommends attending the Graduate International Student Orientation (GISO) from September 18 to 20. This orientation is an opportunity to familiarize yourself with campus resources, connect with other international graduate students, explore both the Evanston and Chicago campuses, and build your community. It is especially important to attend the main orientation day on September 19, where you will meet your OISS advisors. They will guide you through immigration-related expectations and introduce you to key campus partners.
Travel planning
- Review the Travel to Northwestern webpage for guidance on local airports and arrival to campus.
- All F-1 and J-1 students with an initial I-20 or DS-2019 are permitted to enter the United States up to 30 days before the program start date listed on their documents.
- Transfer students may re-enter the U.S. at any time before the start of their program start date on their Transfer Pending I-20. Transfer students must re-enter the U.S. with Northwestern’s I-20.