First Year Student
Please read and apply this information carefully as you go through the One Book steps, and also as it will answer many of your questions!
Paying your deposit:
 In the acceptance packet you received from the Admissions Office an invoice (used to pay your tuition deposit) was included. By using this invoice and paying this deposit is your official way of accepting JMU’s offer of admission; your deposit is credited toward your tuition bill. Your deposit is due postmarked by the deadline indicated in your acceptance packet. Once your deposit is received and processed (it typically takes several days), you will start to receive additional information from key offices at the university that are ready to welcome you to JMU! For more information and to pay your deposit click here
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One Book and the One Book Steps:
James Madison University provides every new student with the One Book which is your pre-JMU guide. After you have paid your deposit and verified that you wish to attend JMU, you will be sent a copy of the OneBook. Even if you have not received your One Book go to the online version of the One Book as soon as possible to begin following important steps such as indicating what major you intend to declare, what classes you would like to be pre registered in and to complete your housing assignment and math placement test. The One Book website is where you also sign up for June/July orientation (if you are planning to attend.) The One Book is written with the general first-year student population in mind.
If you have not yet received your copy of the One Book please contact Thomas Lavenir, in the meantime, you can obtain the pdf version of the One Book here.
If the deadlines are past due, you must still complete all of them in the order that they appear.
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Orientation Program, Reservations & your Orientation Date:
Several orientation programs at JMU are offered to ensure that you obtain all of the necessary information, yet this can be quite confusing.
The first orientation program is the Summer Springboard orientation which is offered throughout the month of June and July for all new first-year. If you are residing in the United States or can come to June, July orientation you will register for your classes at that time. If you are going to attend June/July orientation please return to the One Book Website to submit your orientation reservation.
We realize that it may be impossible for you to attend considering that you may be in your home country or at least outside of the United States. You are welcome to come to this orientation. Whether you are able to attend the international student Summer Springboard orientation reservation form.
A special international student orientation (Transitions) has been developed to address some of the information and opportunities that you need to know as well as to enable you to transition here at JMU. Unlike the Summer Springboard orientation, International students must attend Transitions. It will address immigration requirements for maintaining your temporary status, as well as health insurance, classroom issues, safety, transportation and resources for internationals, and the information that you will have missed by not attending the Summer Springboard orientation. Students who can not attend Summer Springboard but will attend Transitions in August will be registered into classes during the month of August prior to their arrival. A campus tour, shopping trips, opening a bank account, as well as issuing you your new JMU card (JAC Card) are also part of the agenda. You will also make new friends, and get answers to your questions during this fun, two-day orientation program held before the general August orientation. In addition you will meet with your academic advisor who will explain academic requirements and procedures and go over the schedule of classes you will be taking during the fall semester.
In addition to the special international orientation, every first year students are expected to attend the August campus-wide "1787" orientation in the days immediately following Transitions.
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Activate your JMU e-ID :
Your e-ID gives you access to JMU's e-mail system (https://ecampus.jmu.edu). This is the online system you will use to keep track of your academics as well as any financial obligations. You must also activate your E ID in order to take the important math placement test and complete other One Book steps.
In order to activate your e-ID, you will need to use your U.S. Social Security number. If you do not have one, JMU has assigned you a “temporary number.” It is NOT the official U.S. Social Security number and may only be used at JMU. A mailing containing the One Book has been sent to you informing of your temporary number. If you have not yet received it and need to obtain your "temporary number" please e-mail Thomas Lavenir.
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GenED Scheduling Form & Class Selection :
This section is intended only for students who will attend only “Transitions” (the International Student Orientation held in August). If you are attending Summer Spring Board (June/July orientation) and Transitions please return to the One Book Website.
If you will not be coming to campus until August (meaning you are attending only Transitions and August Orientation and not Summer Spring Board) you will be registered for 4-6 classes or 12-16 credits for your first semester. You will be registered for these classes prior to your arrival. A courseload of 12-16 credits is the recommended number of credits for ALL new students at JMU. Since the majority of first year students at JMU (regardless of major) take mostly general education classes you will be registered into General Education classes. All students at JMU regardless of major must complete all general education requirements in order to graduate from JMU. Some of the requirements in General Education may be similar or count for your intended major, some may not. Regardless all students must complete general education. The classes selected for you for your first semester will be based on the cluster one and five preferences you indicate as well as your math placement test and TOEFL scores and any other college level credit you have received.
IS 202 for International Students-Most international students will automatically be pre registered for IS 202 for International Students for the first semester you attend JMU. This is a one credit course that will provide you with additional support as you transition intellectually, emotionally and physically to university life in the United States. The credit you receive for successfully completing the class can count toward credits you need for graduation. The course is taught by members of the Career and Academic Planning Staff. For more information on this course please contact Amy Sirocky-Meck
When you arrive in August you will be given a copy of your schedule for the semester. An advisor will explain how the credits you are registered in will count for general education, degree requirements, electives and possibly major requirements.
Prior to your arrival, familiarize yourself with the majors at JMU as well the General Education program by going to (link for major information on one book) and (link of onebook for general education). Please remember two things:
- If you attend June/July Orientation you will register for classes at that time.
- You may only be registered into one or two classes that count for your major during your first semester and this is considered “typical” for JMU students.
Questions: Contact Amy Sirocky-Meck.
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Math Exam & English Composition Placement:
In order to take a math class you must first complete the math placement test. This is what we use at the university to determine the appropriate math class for you. To take the test you must:
- Pay your deposit
- Activate your JMU E ID
Complete the test at the One Book math placement test website by the deadline indicated. If it is past the deadline you must still take the test.
Students without a math placement test score WILL NOT be eligible to take a math class during the fall semester.
All new students at JMU are required to complete an English Composition course (GWRIT 103) by the end of their first year. If English is not one of your native languages your placement into the class will be based on your TOEFL or SAT scores, any intensive English language training you have received, or any university level credit you have received in English Composition. It is common for some students to complete WRIT 100 (an introductory composition course) prior to taking GWRIT 103. Many students will be pre registered for this class which will give them an excellent opportunity to further develop skills in American Academic Writing.
Questions: Contact Amy Sirocky-Meck
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Housing Contract, Theme Housing & Living On-Campus :
In order to be eligible to be living on campus, you must sign a housing contract. Once you have signed a housing contract you may opt to participate in exciting theme housing options. The office of International Programs recommends that you consider living in Ashby Hall- Madison International Community. This residence hall provides a very welcoming place for international students and US citizens who are looking forward to living in this close-knit community to learn from one another and make lasting friendships. Click here for more information.
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Health Record Form:
The JMU Health Record Form can be sent to the indicated address or be submitted in person when you are on campus. The office of International Programs will be collecting the form during Transitions and will make sure to give them directly to the Student Health Center. Should you require some vaccinations, note that you can get vaccinations at the Student Health Center by making an appointment and paying a small fee… however, you are urged to make sure that all of your vaccination requirements, check-up and your doctor or health practitioner’s signature is taken care before you arrive to JMU.
It is crucial that the Health center receives your health record. If the health center does not have your completed record, a “hold” will be placed on your record which means you can not be registered for classes or make any changes to your schedule.
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Tuition, Expenses, and Quick Bill:
Click here to see an estimated breakdown of the expenses that you can expect as a JMU student. Some of these expenses, including the tuition fee are broken down for you in more details at the University Business Office’s website. By virtue of living on campus you are automatically placed on the 14-meal plan, however you can always opt to upgrade and/or downgrade if you want, once you obtain your JMU identification card (JAC card).
QuikBill provides you and your family with instant access to your student account charges. QuikBill is currently configured so that the student is the only who can view and pay his or her bill online through this system. If a family member or sponsor of that student needed access to QuikBill to enable this individual to view and/or pay the bill, the student will need to create an account for this individual.
Opening a bank account in the U.S. will facilitate the transfer of funds from your home country to the U.S. which is why a trip to the downtown Bank of America will be scheduled during Transitions to facilitate this process.
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Don't Forget!
Bring your completed and signed Health Record Form. Without it you will be unable to attend classes.
The residence halls do NOT provide bed linens, pillows, blankets, or towels. You may purchase these items in advance on the Office of Residence Life's website or in Harrisonburg at one of our many discount or department stores. Please note that there will be many opportunities during Transitions and afterwards to go shopping! There is a link off of the Office of Residence Life that students can use to access the linen company for orders.
In the winter we have snow and ice. You will want a warm coat to wear as you walk between classes on campus. The normal winter temperature is in the range of 30-40 degrees Fahrenheit (around 0 degrees Celsius) although, it can get as cold as 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit (around -15 degrees Celsius).
Bring a few items that remind you of home (pictures, crafts, clothing, sports equipment, etc.) and to share with other students, including traditional clothes. You will have several opportunities throughout the year to showcase your culture and country.
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Advice!
Allow plenty of time to say good-bye and plan how to keep in touch. You will be extremely busy during your first weeks and months, so it is important that you explain to your family and friends that long periods between communications should not alarm them. It will all be part of this new adventure.
Organize your passport and all of your visa documents and supporting documents in one place on your person, not in your checked luggage so that they are easy to find and manage. Make sure that you have your: (a) valid passport with proper, currently valid stamp; (b) form I-20 or DS-2019; (c) evidence of funding as appropriate to the visa classification and your intended activities in the U.S.; (d) contact information for the International Student and Scholar Services; (e) your SEVIS receipt.
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Whom should I contact?
Thomas Lavenir, for information related to Transitions and to the different steps that you need to fulfill.
Gina Kudrav, for information related to immigration and visas.
Amy Sirocky-Meck regarding math placement tests, course scheduling, major preferences, general education and any other academic questions.
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