New Students

To make your transition to college life as smooth as possible, here are the essentials you need to prepare for your first year at Wooster.

International Student Orientation

International student Orientation (ISO) is mandatory for all international students. It is optional but highly recommended for global nomads. If you are a global nomad and are uncertain about attending, you are encouraged to email international@wooster.edu to learn more.

SPRING ORIENTATION 2025

January 11 & 12, 2025 – International Student MoveIn

  • Students may not move to campus before this date.
  • Shuttle service is provided from Cleveland Hopkins Airport on January 11 or 12 only. Completion of the Arrival Form is mandatory. We will notify students of the shuttle schedule once we have reviewed all students’ arrival times.
  • All students, regardless of their travel arrangements, must complete the Arrival Form by December 13.

January 13, 2025 – International Student Orientation

  • We will provide shuttles to Walmart
  • Banks, Phone Providers, and Campus Resources will be available
  • Students will attend sessions on Immigration, Academics, and Ways to Adjust to Campus
  • Opportunities to meet new and returning students


FALL ORIENTATION 2025

August 12, 2025 – International Student MoveIn

  • Students may not move to campus before this date.
  • Shuttle service is provided from Cleveland Hopkins Airport on August 13 only. Completion of the Arrival Form is mandatory. We will notify students of the shuttle schedule once we have reviewed all students’ arrival times.
  • All students, regardless of their travel arrangements, must complete the Arrival Form by August 1.

The orientation schedule is below. Please note that it is subject to change.

Tuesday, August 12

12pm – 7 pm: Check In; Allen Commons in Lowry Student Center

3pm – 5 pm: Walmart Shuttles; Depart from Babcock Circle

5pm – 7 pm: Dinner; Lowry Student Center

7 pm – 9 pm: Game Night; Allen Commons in Lowry Student Center

Wednesday, August 13

7am – 8:30am: Breakfast; Lowry Student Center

8:30 am-9 am: Welcome Address; Allen Commons in Lowry Student Center

9am – 12pm: Getting Ready Fair; Lowry 201 & 202
                     Campus Tours (depart from Allen Commons)

12pm – 1pm: Lunch; Lowry Student Center

2pm – 6pm: Walmart Shuttles; Depart from Babcock Circle

5pm – 7pm: Dinner; Lowry Student Center

6pm – 7pm: Diversity Discussion; Tartan Room in Lowry Student Center

8pm – 10pm: Outdoor Games; Borne Pavillion

Thursday, August 14

7am – 8:30am: Breakfast; Lowry Student Center

9am – 10am: Regulations 101; The Alley in Lowry Student Center

10am – 11am: Culture Shock; The Alley in Lowry Student Center

11:30am -1pm: Lunch; Lowry Student Center

11:30am – 1pm: Global Nomads Lunch; Tartan Room in Lowry Student Center

1pm – 2pm: Safe Space Training; The Alley in Lowry Student Center

2pm – 5pm: Free Time / Downtown Adventure

5pm – 7pm: Dinner; Lowry Student Center      

Friday, August 15

7am – 8:30am: Breakfast; Lowry Student Center

9 am-10 am: Learning in the US; The Alley in Lowry Student Center

10am-11 am: Insurance Overview; The Alley in Lowry Student Center

11am – 12pm: Woo Life Panel; The Alley in Lowry Student Center

12pm – 1pm: Lunch; Lowry Student Center

1pm – 2:30pm: Tours x3 groups (30-min each)

  • Wellness Center
  • Libraries
  • Academic Buildings / Food Highlights     

2:30pm – 5pm: Free Time

5pm – 7pm: Dinner; Lowry Student Center  

8pm – 9pm: Campfire; Kenarden Firepit

Family Schedule

If you have family or friends coming with you to campus, we have planned some activities for them for Wednesday, August 13:

               8:30am-9am…………… Welcome Address…………………………………… Allen Commons

               9am-10am……………… Getting Ready Fair………………………………….. Lowry 201 & 202

               10am-11am……………. Campus Tour

               11am-12pm……………. Financial Wellness………………………………….. Location TBD

               12pm -1pm…………….. Lunch with Admissions……………………………. Lowry Student Center

Immigration to the U.S.

Once you have secured your admission to Wooster, confirmed your ability to finance a Wooster education, and received your I-20, you still have several very important next steps to follow.

What to Bring

Read our list of recommendations for what to bring with you to campus.

Are you excited about coming to Wooster? Check out this video to where three international alumni share their experiences coming to Wooster and how the College prepared them for life afterwards.