New International Students

We are so pleased that you will be joining us and look forward to welcoming you into the Davidson community.

International Student Engagement is here to help you navigate F-1 regulatory requirements, and to serve as a resource as you set up life in North Carolina. We are ready to assist you as you make your preparations to join the Davidson community.

International Pre-Orientation

International Student Engagement (ISE) coordinates a pre-orientation program designed to meet the unique needs of incoming F-1 international students and global students (dual/U.S. citizens raised abroad). The pre-orientation program is designed to deliver important content, prepare the incoming class for the academic experience ahead of them, and introduce them to the Davidson community—all during the days prior to the start of fall semester. This international pre-orientation is required for F-1 and J-1 visa-holders. Students who are not F or J visa holders who wish to be part of the global community may opt-in to be included in international pre-orientation.

During international pre-orientation, you can:

• Meet and get to know the staff of International Student Engagement.
• Be the first to meet and get to know both current and incoming international peers, develop friendships and find a sense of community as you get settled in the United States.
• Take care of practical matters, such as opening a bank account, purchasing a cell phone, submitting paperwork to begin working on campus, etc.
• Receive information about Government Regulations and how to stay in legal immigration status as an F-1 international student.
• Learn more about coursework and classes at Davidson.
• Discuss aspects of U.S. culture. with current Davidson international students

Pre-Departure Checklist

As you prepare to come to Davidson, please consider the following:

Admission and Financial Aid

• Final transcript and confirmation of graduation (due mid-July)
• For those who selected to have their testing (ACT or SAT) considered as part of their application, official test scores sent to us by the testing agency or official high school counselor (due late-July)

Apply for a U.S. Visa (if applicable)

• If you need a visa in order to study at Davidson you will need to apply for an F-1 student visa. 
• Complete the Initial I-20 Request Form in your admissions portal, providing a copy of your passport and requisite financial documentation. For immigration and legal document purposes (such as your Form I-20), you must enter your legal name exactly as it appears on your passport.
• Upon receipt of the Initial I-20 Request and supporting documents, Davidson College’s International Student Engagement will send you a Form I-20, “Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant Student Status” starting in January (for Early Decision I admits), February (for Early Decision II admits), or May (for regular decision admits).
• You will use the Form I-20 to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee, complete the DS-160 visa application form, and schedule a visa appointment at a U.S. embassy or consulate. U.S. consulates can be very busy, especially in the months preceding the start of fall semester. Make your arrangements quickly and be well-prepared for your visa interview. Please note that some students may be eligible for an F-1 visa with only a 3-month validity. Check the parameters of your visa to ensure you do not apply for the visa too early. Please note that Canadian and Bermudan citizens do not need to get an F-1 visa in their passport, but they are required to pay the SEVIS fee and use the I-20 to enter the U.S. in order to acquire legal F-1 status.
• Students in a U.S. High School or College Transferring to Davidson: You also need to complete the Initial I-20 Request–even if you already have an F-1 visa! You must request that your SEVIS immigration record be transferred to us. We will send you an additional form and use the information to issue a new I-20 for your program at Davidson. Reach out to ISE for more details.

Arrange Housing

• Watch for email correspondence from the Residence Life Office (RLO) in May. They will ask you for your housing preferences and to take the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI).
• RLO will then assign you to a room on campus and to a roommate in July.
• Check your student email to make sure you are cleared for move-in (that you have met all of the requirements to be allowed to receive your room key and move into your residence hall) before arriving on campus. To be cleared, the following conditions must be met: your final transcript received, your student health documents received, and your tuition bill paid.

Make Travel Arrangements

• The move-in date for newly admitted international and global students is Monday, August 17, 2026. 
• Schedule a flight itinerary that enables you to arrive on campus no later than August 17 and check in during business hours on Monday (9:00 am to 4:30 pm). Davidson is approximately 30 minutes from the Charlotte airport, so we recommend you to schedule your flight arrival with enough time to arrive at the College and check in before the close of the business day. 
• Check your email for information about the ISE airport shuttle to campus.

Register for Classes

• In early May, familiarize yourself with Davidson's programs and requirements.
• The Registrar's Office can assist you with academic information, tools, resources, academic advising and answers to your questions.
• Submit your class preferences via WebTree (May 31 – July 1).
• Your online course registration must be completed by June 30.

Engage with the Davidson Community

• Complete a Host Family Request form by late spring.
• You will be added to a small group with two Orientation Leaders and other new global students. Participate in fun activities and ask questions from a peer's perspective.

Complete the Writing Assignment

• All students who completed high school outside the U.S., regardless of their citizenship, are required to complete the summer writing assignment. We also encourage students who completed high school in the U.S. but are not U.S. citizens to complete the assignment. Look for an email from Dr. He.

Attend Virtual ISE Pre-Arrival Sessions

• New students and parents are invited to attend three virtual international pre-arrival sessions and access IPAW: International Pre-Arrival Website, which contains a collection of important resources curated for incoming international and global students to support students in traveling to the United States and setting up life in North Carolina.
• Submit the Arrival Form from ISE by the deadline to help us prepare for your arrival.

Pay Tuition

• Your bill for the fall semester will be emailed to your Davidson email account in mid-July.
• Payment in full is due unless you are opting for the monthly payment plan.  Either way, arrangements should be made in advance. Contact the Controller's Office for questions or assistance.

Prepare for New Student Orientation

• New Student Orientation, required for all new students, follows International Pre-Orientation as a way to connect with the whole incoming class and prepare for your first semester.
• Read the common book for orientation.
• If your contact information has changed: log into your account, access the Student Information Form under the Student tab, and make all necessary updates.

Obtain Your Immunization Records

• Complete and submit your medical history and health forms to the Center for Student Health and Well-Being by June 30.

Consider Health Insurance

• Review the Davidson health insurance policy (which you are automatically enrolled in).
• If you already have U.S. insurance coverage, instructions for waiving the Davidson insurance can be found on your tuition bill.
• If you are a scholar-athlete (in a fall sport), talk to your coach now about insurance.

Related Links

• Welcome New Wildcats