International student orientation
Welcome to SCAD! We're so happy you chose to study with us. SCAD is home to more than 3,000 international students from more than 100 countries and our International Student Services Office (ISSO) is committed to making the transition to the U.S. seamless. To help you navigate your journey, we've organized the following guide. You can also email us anytime if you have questions at [email protected] (Atlanta) or [email protected] (Savannah).
1Prepare for your arrival
To prepare for your arrival to the U.S., we encourage you to review important information regarding documents and visas.
Important international topics
We gathered information on visa requirements, English language placement testing, health insurance, and the most important things you'll need to know.
SCADbound International: Bee Prepared for SCAD
Excited about what’s to come? Take an early look at the following Bee Prepared information series of videos diving into student success, resources, on-campus living, wellness, and more.
2Online orientation for all students
Every new student, domestic and international, is required to complete the online orientation before arriving for the first day of class. You can access the orientation experience using your MySCAD login, which will help track your progress.
A note for F-1 visa holders: This orientation contains immigration policy required by your student visa. Completion of this orientation is one of the necessary steps to successfully activate your SEVIS I-20. Students who do not complete the online orientation risk losing their visa status. Complete this course prior to the first day of the quarter.
Choose your SCAD location to complete your online orientation and view your Welcome Week schedule.
3Move-in and campus arrival
You should arrive at your residence hall for housing check-in Wednesday, June 10. Be sure to read your SCAD email for complete housing instructions and details on airport shuttles, arrival information, and opportunities to shop for supplies.
ISSO will provide transportation from the airport to campus on move-in day. The shuttle schedule is determined by reported arrival information. Complete the Campus Arrival Report by Monday, June 1. The shuttle schedule will be available on our New Student Resources page Saturday, June 6.
Summer move-in
Wednesday, June 10
4International orientation
Summer quarter orientation schedules
Log in to the ISSO department page on MySCAD to find our updated SCADbound international orientation schedule information for both Atlanta and Savannah locations under the tab New Student Resources.
Wednesday, June 10–Friday, June 12
Complete mandatory visa activation online
Required for all new F-1 visa holders
After your arrival to the U.S., be sure to access the International Student Portal. Log in using your MySCAD credentials and complete SCAD mandatory visa activation under "My Requests."
Wednesday, June 10
New international student move-in and campus arrival
Students with assignments in the residence halls must move into their rooms on this day.
Getting to SCAD: Complete the Campus Arrival Report by Monday, June 1.
Savannah: SCAD will provide airport transportation from the Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport on move-in day.
Atlanta: ISSO will provide airport transportation from the Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport to SCAD Atlanta on move-in day.
Shopping support
SCAD will offer looping shuttle bus transportation in the afternoon for students to purchase necessary supplies and to access cellphone providers. See the New Student Resources webpage under your SCAD location for shopping shuttle information as well as a list and links of cellphone providers and banks. Be sure to scroll to the bottom.
Thursday, March 19
TBD
English language placement test
English as a Second Language (ESL) non-exempt students will take their placement test. Students will receive more detailed information closer to the test date.
2–3:30 p.m.
SCADbound international mandatory orientation meeting
This session is required for all new international students on an initial or transfer I-20. Students will attend this session to receive important information about their F-1 student visa and to prepare for a successful transition to life at SCAD and in the United States.
See the New Student Resources webpage under your SCAD location for the location of your orientation meeting.
Friday, June 12
7 p.m.
SCADbound activity night
Join SCADbound orientation events to meet new people and have fun!
Visit the SCADbound orientation page to learn more and view the schedule of events.
5Welcome Week
This is the last stop on your SCADbound journey! From the moment you move in to your first day of class, you will discover a suite of events designed to help welcome you to your new home away from home, to connect you to fellow students, and set you up for maximum success.
To access your Welcome Week schedule, you must complete the online orientation. Be sure to check your SCAD student email regularly for important updates.
Your personalized checklist
Welcome Week is full of excitement and an important step in your SCADbound journey, but there are a few other milestones to keep in mind. We've created a new student checklist just for you. To view the checklist, log into MySCAD.
Remember to:
- Submit your photo for a SCAD ID
- Pay any outstanding balances
- Review your housing info
- Explore the SCAD app
- Request a parking permit
- Check your SCAD email
Disability resources
SCAD is committed to the success of all its students. Students who qualify for accommodations can attend Jump Start, a program designed to increase awareness of services and resources available to students with disabilities before the first day of class. If you're interested in Jump Start or need to contact someone about accommodations during your SCADbound journey, email the office of disability in Atlanta at [email protected] or in Savannah at [email protected].
Guides
Atlanta
Savannah
SCADnow
Tech guide
Contact
Atlanta
877.722.3285
404.253.2700
[email protected]
Savannah, SCADnow online
800.869.7223
912.525.5100
[email protected]