Undergraduate International Students Orientation

Your Next Steps to Prepare for Arrival to BGSU!

1. Register Now for Orientation

Once you have paid your I-901 SEVIS Fee, take a moment to reserve your post for International Student Orientation! Confirm your commitment to BGSU by registering for International Student Orientation!  Registration is now open.
(Guest and Exchange Students need to register here.)

Register Now!

2. Sign-up for the Airport Shuttle Services

Shuttles will be provided Tuesday, January 7 and Wednesday, January 8, 2025. Registration for the free airport shuttle services is now open. The deadline to register for this FREE airport shuttle service is 5 p.m. (EST) Thursday, January 2, 2025.
(Guest and Exchange Students need to register here.)

Register Now!

3. Complete your Falcon Health Documents

As a new international student, you are required to enroll in student health insurance and complete an initial health screening. Complete the student health insurance forms. Please complete these forms prior to your arrival to the BGSU campus. These forms are available now, and the deadline to complete these forms is Monday, January 6, 2025.

Falcon Health Documents

4. Complete ESOL and Math Placement Requirements

All students (U.S. and international) must demonstrate English proficiency in Writing and Listening/Speaking before taking university coursework. 

English Proficiency Assessment Overview:

1. Writing Proficiency & Placement Test: ALL incoming undergraduates, including international students, are required to take the University Writing Program’s (UWP) placement test. International students may be required to complete additional ESOL writing courses before beginning UWP’s WRIT courses. For detailed instructions on placement testing, please visit the UWP website.
2. Listening/Speaking Proficiency & Placement Test: Some non-native English-speaking undergraduate students are required to complete an ESOL Speaking/Listening placement test. Eligible students will receive an invitation to the placement test via the Canvas site. Full instructions are available in Canvas. If you do not receive an invitation on Canvas, you are exempt from the ESOL Speaking/Listening placement and courses.
3. Mandatory Compliance: Students who fail to complete the required placement testing will have a hold placed on their account, preventing them from registering for classes in future semesters. This hold will remain until the placement testing requirement is met. Once completed, the hold will be lifted. This policy applies to both Writing and Listening/Speaking placements. The reassessment option is available at the beginning of each semester for students enrolled in ESOL courses.
   
   Additional information about placement and test scores can be found on the ESOL website.

Note: you must create your BGSU email account in order to complete placement. Learn more about the ESOL Program, and contact our office with any questions at esolprog@bgsu.edu.

Math Placement Assessment Overview:

• New undergraduate international students may also be required to take a math placement test.
  • We determine your math placement by assigning a math placement code to each undergraduate student to ensure you do not enroll in a math class before you are ready. Many math, science and business courses require a minimum math placement code, and even if you don't have to take these courses now, you may need a placement code in the future. So, having an accurate placement code on file is very important. Regardless of your current major, having a math placement code on record will help us guide you as you design your BGSU academic journey.
  • International students who need to take a course that requires a math placement or prerequisite course for enrollment may need to take the math placement test if they do not have both an ACT/SAT math score and a high school GPA on file. You will not receive an automated math placement code without both.
  • You must create your BGSU email account in order to complete the Math placement test.

5. Complete the Immigration Basics online course

Prior to your arrival to campus, you will need to complete the "Immigration Basics" online course. This course will take you about one hour to complete. The deadline to complete the course is Friday, January 17, 2025.

6. Submit Your Immigration Documents Electronically

Upon arrival to campus, you will need to upload copies of your signed I-20, visa, passport and I-94.  Failure to upload immigration documents by the deadline, may result in a delay in your SEVIS registration.  Deadline to complete this form is Friday, January 10, 2025.

Immigration Document Submission

7. Update your local address and phone number on your BGSU Student Portal. Please follow these steps:

·    Login to MyBGSU

·    Click on Student Center

·    Click your Profile

·    Click on "Addresses"

·    Update or Create an Address