Studying at Skidmore
International Exchange Visitors

Off-Campus Study & Exchanges (OCSE) at Skidmore College provides incoming international exchange visitors with information about our campus and its services. These are individuals who come (typically) on a J-1 visa. OCSE also facilitates their arrival to Skidmore's campus. We can help visitors with matters regarding immigration, health care and insurance, academics, banking, communications, on-campus employment, campus housing, and a number of other areas related to life and study at Skidmore.

NOTE: While OCSE supports non-faculty exchange visitors coming to Skidmore, it is the Office of the Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) that works with faculty visitors. If you are an international visitor coming to join the faculty at Skidmore, please contact Ms. Colleen Kelly in the VPAA.

Exchange visitors who are already accepted to come to Skidmore must complete several forms before arriving on campus. Please use the following checklist to assist you in this process. (Additional forms may be sent to you in hard-copy, as well.) Download each form to complete it, and return it to Off-Campus Study & Exchanges (OCSE) at Skidmore College, 815 N. Broadway, Saratoga Springs, NY 12866, USA. Fax +1 (518) 580-5359. Contact Ms. Karen Horn-Jansen in OCSE with any questions by writing to khjansen@skidmore.edu.

Required Forms:

Return each of the following forms to OCSE by the indicated deadline.

1. Have you submitted your signed contract to OCSE? If not, please do so immediately. We cannot continue your enrollment process until we receive the signed copy of this contract. Your contact was sent to you personally from OCSE.
   

◊	New Employee Information form (PDF 71kb): Complete only the highlighted fields and return to OCSE. This form is required to create your employment record at Skidmore; your status at the College will be a combined 'employee-student' status. (by March 15)
◊	Exchange Visitor Information Sheet (PDF 32kb): Complete and return our International Exchange Student Information Sheet to help us prepare your U.S. J-1 visa materials. This form will help Skidmore to generate a DS-2010 document for you, which is required to apply for a J-1 visa. (by April 1)
◊	Course Preference Form (PDF 34kb): Select courses for the upcoming semester on the attached form. (by April 1)   * Use our "Tips" sheet (PDF 35kb) for     detailed instructions on how to select     courses.
◊	Send your transcript! If you have not already done so, please send your official transcript (academic course history) to OCSE. This will allow Skidmore to verify your course prerequisites. (by April 1)
◊	Create your Skidmore user account. Once you receive your Skidmore ID, you can go online and set up a Skidmore user account for the College's computer network. Your user account will also include a Skidmore e-mail address. All official communications from the College are sent via this account. (by April 1) Visit the Web site for the Skidmore College Department of Information Technology to access instructions on creating a non-faculty employee account. Once your Skidmore e-mail account is set up, please send a test message from your account to Karen Horn-Jansen at khjansen@skidmore.edu. NOTE: You will only be able to create your Skidmore user account after you submit your New Employee Information form.

2. Every person intending to enroll in coursework at Skidmore College is required to submit certain medical documentation. The Skidmore Office of Health Services has outlined the requirements you must complete. Follow the link below.
   

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Complete the Skidmore College health forms and return them to OCSE. Be sure to read the instructions provided for you by the Office of Health Services to help you better understand the content of the health forms, and use their checklist to ensure you do not forget anything. All forms are available for download here. You may not come to Skidmore College without completing these forms. (by July 20)

3. If you are wondering what to bring to Skidmore, visit the Web site of our  Office of Residential Life for a suggested packing list (and other useful information about living on campus).

◊	Orientation Schedule: TBA for fall 2009.
◊	Travel Information (PDF 22kb): Once you have made travel arrangements to come to Skidmore College for the start of the academic year, please submit a copy of your full travel itinerary to OCSE. (Skidmore can arrange for airport pick-up only if we receive this information by the deadline.) (by August 1)
◊	Pre-Orientation Program (POP) application (optional): Students electing to participate in any POP will be required to submit the appropriate payment with his/her application. Early applications are recommended! NOTE: Payment must be in U.S. dollars and be in the form a a bank check or money order. (by August 15)

4. All forms should be returned by the indicated deadline to Karen Horn-Jansen in Off-Campus Study & Exchanges (OCSE) at Skidmore College, 815 North Broadway, Saratoga Springs, New York, 12866. Fax +1-518-580-5359 or e-mail khjansen@skidmore.edu.