We are delighted you've chosen Agnes Scott College!
We recognize that it takes courage to leave family and friends to study in another country. Your decision to study in the U.S. at Agnes Scott is highly commendable! We look forward to meeting you in the fall. Until then, use the information in the following sections to prepare you for the journey to your new home!
Please note that while we strive to keep all information found on our sites current and up-to-date, we strongly recommend and encourage students to visit government sites for the most recent updates to any immigration rules. For additional information or specific questions please contact the Center for Global Learning.
International Scotties Arrival Day: Monday, August 14, 2023
International Scotties Orientation: Tuesday, August 15 to Thursday, August 17, 2023
Legacy - New Student Orientation: Friday, August 18 to Monday, August 21, 2023
During International Scottie Orientation (ISO), you will have an opportunity to hear important information about academics, housing, meals, health services and immigration. Orientation will also give students the opportunity to get acquainted with the campus and to meet fellow international students. After orientation, international students will join their 2027 classmates for the general orientation.
We look forward to meeting and supporting you as you embark on your first year as an International Scottie!
In Your Carry-On Bag
- Passport
- Immigration documents
- Birth certificate (and/or certified copies)
- Documentation of financial support
- Letter of admission from Agnes Scott College, as well as any correspondence regarding scholarships or financial aid given to you
- Cash/debit card/credit card
- Any medications you might need in the original prescription bottles (preferably enough to last you two months)
- ASC Entrance Health Record
- List of allergies
- Important phone numbers and contact information
- Center for Global Learning +1 404.471.5380
- Agnes Scott College’s 24-hour Public Safety +1 404.471.6355
- Enough clothing and toiletries for a few days in case your luggage is delayed
- Electronic items, such as laptops, digital cameras and cell phones (Note: Check the voltage requirements of all electronics that you bring. The voltage used in the United States is 110V so make sure your devices are compatible with that.)
- Please check the extensive list of what to bring to college on the Office of Residence Life website.
Personal Items
Bring a few items representative of your home country or nationality. For example, music, national dress, instruments crafts or other traditional materials. You and your fellow students will have opportunities to share your culture and customs with the campus community. Bring pictures of your home country, hometown, your family and other places, people and things you love. Many people will ask you about your home country and will want to see the pictures. These pictures might help you describe your family and friends to new friends, and they will provide comfort and encouragement when you're homesick.
Travel Information
Destination: Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport. (ATL)
Address: 600 North Terminal Parkway, Atlanta, GA 30320
Travel and Arrival Form
After purchasing your plane ticket, please complete the travel and arrival form that will be sent to you at your agnesscott.edu email. You'll also need to upload a detailed itinerary of your flight information including departure flight name, flight number and connection flight with the departure and arrival times in each city that is a part of your journey to Atlanta. You can indicate on the Travel and Arrival Form if you would like transportation from the airport to campus. However, we cannot guarantee transportation unless you fill out and submit that form.
Shuttle services from the airport operate on moving day for international students only.
Transportation to Campus
If you are arriving early, please click here for a map and directions to campus.
Other forms of transportation to campus
- Taxi
- Uber (download app ahead of time)
- Lyft (download app ahead of time)
- Train: MARTA (most affordable):
- Get on the Marta train (GOLD) Northbound to Doraville Station.
- Get off FIVE POINTS.
- Get on BLUE train going eastbound to Indian Creek Station/Decatur.
- Get off Decatur Transit station.
- Go up the stairs.
- Turn right, go all the way down (about .5 miles). You will see a small tunnel, go through it and Agnes Scott College will be across the street.
As an international student, you need to maintain your immigration status while in the United States. Failure to maintain the terms and conditions of their F-1 status may be grounds for termination and your immediate return to your home country.
When you sign your I-20 or DS-2019 (for exchange students), you agree to comply with the terms and conditions of your admission to the United States. It is your responsibility to maintain your immigration status. It is also your responsibility to know and comply with the U.S. immigration regulations that affect you. For any questions or concerns please contact your immigration advisor immediately.
To avoid getting into any legal problems, make sure you consult with the international student adviser before:
- Lowering your course load
- Withdrawing from the college
- Changing your major or program of studies from what is listed on your I-20
- Planning on taking a leave of absence
- Your I-20 or DS-2019 expires prior to you completing your degree objective (i.e. program)
- Traveling outside of the United States (even for a short period)
- Looking for off-campus work
- Transferring to another school
- Changing your visa classification or U.S. immigration status
Always, check with your immigration advisor for all immigration-related information. Please do not ask friends, relatives or fellow classmates for assistance. Remember each situation is unique to that individual and might not be the same as yours. When in doubt, email us right away to ask questions.
Employment as an F-1 International Student
During your four years at ASC, you qualify for Curricular Practical Training (CPT). After graduation, you may qualify for Optional Practical Training (OPT). If you are looking for employment off-campus either during your four years or after graduation, you must get approval before accepting any offers.
What is CPT?
Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is a temporary employment authorization benefit extended to F-1 students in degree programs to gain practical experience that is directly related to their major field of study.
CPT is defined in 8 CFR 214.2(f)(10)(i) as an “alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school” and may be authorized for training that is an “essential part of an established curriculum.”
Different Ways To Use CPT
You may pursue either one of the following options for CPT to be considered an integral part of your curriculum:
Required Internship or Practicum
Participating in an internship or practicum is a requirement of your program that is necessary for graduation.
Academically Recommended Internship
If your program does not have a required internship or practicum, you may be eligible for CPT if participating in practical training would be academically recommended to enhance and supplement your in-class learning. Academically recommended internships are approved through the Office of Internship and Career Development. These approved internships have associated academic credit, which may be fulfilled in an internship class or sometimes with one-on-one 450 supervised internships with faculty.
CPT can be done during fall, spring or summer semesters. It may be part-time or full-time.
Part-Time
- Time accrued does not affect Optional Practical
- 20 hours per week or less
- Students may choose to continue working on-campus up to 20 hours per week.
Full-Time
- 21- 40 hours maximum per week
- Students who receive 365 days or more of full-time CPT at the same academic level are ineligible for Optional Practical Training (OPT).
- Students may not work on-campus while on full-time CPT.
Enrollment while on CPT
If you are pursuing CPT-approved internships, you must be enrolled for academic credit. Additionally, if you are pursuing CPT in the fall or spring semesters, you must maintain full-time enrollment while on CPT. If you are pursuing CPT over the summer semester but are not graduating in that summer semester, you are only required to enroll in the internship course. However, if you are pursuing CPT over the summer and plan to graduate that same summer semester, you'll be required to maintain full-time enrollment.
If you are interested in applying for employment off-campus, you will need to contact your immigration adviser in advance of starting their employment for authorization.
What is OPT?
Optional Practical Training (OPT) is a temporary employment benefit available for F-1 students who have been maintaining immigration status. Its purpose is to give students the opportunity to work off-campus and gain work experience in a field directly related to the student’s course of study. Employment is limited to a total of twelve months for each degree level and may be granted after completion of studies. Eligibility for OPT must first be determined by your immigration Advisor. If eligible, OPT is then endorsed on the student’s Form I-20 and sent as part of an application packet to a designated US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office for adjudication. Please contact your immigration advisor for more information about the process of OPT.
Eligibility Requirements
Students must be in valid F-1 status at the time of the application. Students must have been enrolled on a full-time basis for one academic year before making an application.
Students are eligible for one year of OPT per higher level. This means you may apply for one year of OPT for the bachelor’s level, one year for the master’s level, and one year for the doctoral level. Students may apply up to 90 days prior to graduation. The application must be received by USCIS no later than 60 days after graduation.
To apply for OPT, please contact your immigration advisor and you will receive instructions on how to apply and how to complete the application before sending it off.
24-month STEM Extension
STEM Optional Practical Training (OPT), also known as a “STEM extension,” is a 24-month extension of Post-Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT). A STEM extension is available to F-1 students who are currently on post-completion OPT, have earned a qualifying degree in the fields of science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) whose employment meets additional requirements.