New International Student Orientation & Arrival

• Virtual Orientation: 

After you pay your matriculation fee, check your official Virginia Tech email for registration information. Virtual Orientation is required for all first-year and transfer students. During Virtual Orientation, students will learn about academics, support services, policies and next steps in the transition into Virginia Tech. Fall students should complete Virtual Orientation between May 1-July 31.

• Cranwell Pre-Arrival Orientation: 

All new international undergraduate students need to complete the Cranwell online Pre-Arrival Orientation. Students need to review the information, watch the videos and obtain 100% on all the quizzes. Information regarding the Pre-Arrival Orientation will be sent from international@vt.edu.

• International Undergraduate Student and Family Orientation (in-person): 

You and your family will be invited to participate in an orientation program on Monday, August 14 and Tuesday, August 15. This in-person experience is offered to international students in F-1 and J-1 status. It covers information that assists your transition such as immigration topics, academic navigation, cultural considerations and university resources. Registration will be sent to your Virginia Tech email account in early June.

• New International Undergraduate Student Pre-Arrival Webinar Series:

In the month of July, we will offer two webinars to address the arrival experience and student engagement. Registration for the webinars will be sent from international@vt.edu in early June. 

• On-campus housing early move-in:

If you are a first-year international undergraduate student who has an on-campus Housing contract for Fall 2023, you will be able to move in early on Sunday, August 13 starting at noon. Additionally, paid temporary housing will be open in Mid-July in StarRez (on-campus Housing portal) for you to register, which will allow you to stay on campus as early as Tuesday, August 8 prior to your move-in. Information regarding the Housing contract, temporary housing, and move-in will be sent from housing@vt.edu. 

• Academic Advising:

 Academic advising for new international undergraduate students is coordinated by each college, so please look out for emails from your academic college and department. You will meet virtually with your academic advisors and choose classes during the advising sessions. 

• Cranwell Pre-Arrival Orientation:

All new international graduate students need to complete the Cranwell online Pre-Arrival Orientation. Students need to review the information, watch the videos and obtain 100% on all the quizzes. Information regarding the Pre-Arrival Orientation will be sent from international@vt.edu.

• New International Graduate Student Pre-Arrival Webinar Series:

April 18 8:00-9:30am Off-campus Housing Webinar (Blacksburg campus and D.C. Area students) We will cover things that you need to know about living off-campus, including the search for off-campus housing, legal considerations, living with roommates etc. Registration is forthcoming.

July 11 8:00-9:30am Arrival in Blacksburg Webinar (Blacksburg campus students) We will cover information that prepares you for your arrival to Blacksburg. Registration is forthcoming.

July 12 8:00-9:30am Arrival in D.C. area Webinar (D.C. area students) 

• International Graduate Student Orientation:

August 16 9:00am-2:30pm (Blacksburg campus students) You will learn important information from staff from the Cranwell International Center, Graduate School, and multiple campus resources to help you navigate life at Virginia Tech as an international graduate student. You will also meet with current international graduate students and socialize with other new students at lunch. Registration is forthcoming.

August 19 10:00am – 1:00pm (D.C. area students) You will learn important information from staff from Cranwell International Center. You will also meet with current international graduate students and socialize with other new students at lunch. Registration is forthcoming.

• Graduate School orientation and welcome events (Blacksburg campus)

The Graduate School will offer orientation to all new graduate students, please check their website to see updated information https://graduateschool.vt.edu/student-life/events.html.

• Departmental orientation:

Each academic department will hold orientation; dates and times vary. Please check with your department to confirm.

Between August 9 and August 13, stop by the Cranwell Welcome Tent on the Harper Hall lawn. We have planned various welcome activities inside of the tent, as well as off-campus shopping trips and excursions each day. Capacity is limited, first come first serve. 

• WoW is an extended orientation and transition experience. The event schedule can be accessed on Hokies on Track app, as well as on the WoW website. 

• Cranwell International Center usually offers a Global Dance Party in August  at Commonwealth Ballroom in Squires Student Center as a featured event during WoW. Join us to celebrate cultural diversity on campus with a night of global dance!

• All new students are required to submit a completed Immunization History Form to the Schiffert Health Center, by July 31 (If your form is not received by the due date, you may be subject to a late fee of $100). For additional questions regarding this requirement, students may contact the Schiffert Health Center at +1.540.231.6444 or at health@vt.edu. 

• Immunization Clinics. If your immunization history is missing or not meeting the requirement, you will need to get immunizations after you arrive in Blacksburg. You can call Schiffert Health Center to make an appointment starting early August, or Schiffert will offer a one-day Immunization Clinic at Squires Student Center, Commonwealth Ballroom B on Monday, August 14 9:00am-5:00pm. 

*Please note, your Aetna student health insurance will cover the month of August once you enroll, however, you will pay out-of-pocket for the immunizations at the clinic and receive reimbursement from Aetna later. If you have other health insurance plans, please check with the insurance company.

University policy requires that international students in F-1 and J-1 status, as well as any accompanying dependents, maintain adequate health insurance coverage during their time at Virginia Tech. Students may select a policy or insurer of their choice, as long as the coverage meets or exceeds the minimum requirements. Students who do not comply with this requirement will receive a registration hold on their record.

VIRGINIA TECH POLICY: Students who are enrolled full-time are encouraged to purchase coverage through Aetna, which provides a plan through Virginia Tech that meets the minimum university requirements. 

NON-VIRGINIA TECH POLICY: Students may choose to purchase a policy not associated with Virginia Tech; however, it must meet the minimum university requirements (see below) and students must submit a waiver to the Student Medical Insurance office.