First-Year Student

Paying your deposit is your official way of accepting JMU's offer of admission. Once you do so your deposit is then 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

The One Book is your pre-JMU guide! In order to guarantee that you get started on the One Book steps and complete them as soon as possible, as well as to comply with JMU and oIP's greening efforts, the One Book is made available to you online. The One Book complements the One Book website. [Please note that a printed version of the One Book can be sent to you. Do take into consideration that it may take at least 15 business days before it arrives. Inform Thomas Lavenir of your request, and make sure to include your mailing address as it should appear on the envelope, and telephone where the shipping provider can reach you].

Make sure to complete the One Book steps 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.  

If the deadlines are past due, you must still complete all of the steps in the order that they appear.

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 students. If you are residing in the United States or can attend the June, July orientation plan to do so, yet we realize that it may be impossible. Whether you are able to attend the international student Summer Springboard orientation you must complete the reservation form.

A special international student orientation (Transitions which will take place Monday August 22 and Tuesday August 23) 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. 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. More importantly you will also meet with your academic advisor who will explain academic requirements and procedures.

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. This is where you will meet your assigned academic advisor and if you have been pre registered for classes, go over your schedule with your advisor. If you have not been pre registered for classes this is when you will have an opportunity to make an appointment with your advisor for the first week of classes to develop a schedule.

A special early move-in day for international students has been arranged for Sunday, August 21. Move-in times are limited to 12pm - 3pm and 8pm - 10pm.

We urge you to fly into Shenandoah Valley Airport (SHD) - located 30 minutes away from JMU - as we will offer to pick you (this one and only time). Send your itinerary to Thomas Lavenir at least 10 business days prior to your arrival so that she can arrange to have a JMU driver pick you up from this airport.

If you should choose to fly directly to Washington Dulles Airport (IAD) keep in mind that it will take you an extra hour after landing to go through customs, and it will take you a good 2 hours to drive over to JMU.

If you should arrive before the 21, you will need to arrange for your own hotel accommodations. We recommend that you stay at the Best Western Hotel. By staying at the Best Western hotel you will benefit from a special rate of $59 + tax per room per night and we will provide transportation assistance from the hotel room to your assigned residence hall on Sunday, August 21 (only).

Your e-ID gives you access to JMU's virtual student campus: e-campus. This is the online system you will use to keep track of your academics as well as any financial obligations and also access your JMU student e-mail account. 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 an official U.S. Social Security number and it may only be used at JMU. If you have not yet received it and need to obtain your temporary number, please e-mail Thomas Lavenir.

Students who attend Summer Springboard (June and July orientation sessions) will meet with an academic advisor and register for fall classes.

Students who are unable to attend a Summer Springboard orientation session but complete the following One Book Steps by July 15 will be pre registered for 4-6 classes: "Activate JMU E-ID", "Gen Ed Preference Form", "Housing Contract", "Math Placement Exam", "Explore JMU Majors", and "Submit Your Summer Springboard Reservation."

Only students who complete the One Book steps listed above will be pre registered for any classes and/or able to register for classes at the beginning of the semester.

Pre registered schedules will be based on submitted preferences, test scores and requirements for major and General Education.

All students at JMU regardless of major must complete all General Education requirements (or Gen. Ed.) in order to graduate from JMU. Some of the requirements in Gen. Ed. 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.

In order for your advisor to be able to work with you to determine appropriate classes, the university must have an official copy of your college level work completed outside JMU. If you have completed university/college level work at a university outside the United States, you must submit your transcript to one of the following credential services approved by James Madison University.

GCE – Global Credential Evaluators P.O. Box 36 28 Westhampton way Richmond, VA 23173 Phone: 1 (804) 639 3660 E-mail: jringer@mail.myriad.net

WES - World Education Services, Inc. P.O. Box 57026 Washington, DC 20037-7206 Phone: 1 (202) 331 2925 Fax: 1 (202) 331-2927 E-mail: de@wes.org

The credential evaluation service, and/or the American College/ University where you have studied prior to JMU will need to send your results to:

Office of International Adnission and Enrollment Services James Madison University 800 S Main St - MSC 0101 Harrisonburg, VA 22807 - USA

Please keep in mind that the university may not be able to count all previous college/university work you have completed toward specific requirements in your major, minor, general education or degree requirements.

During Transitions, 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.

Questions: Contact Heather Patterson.

All new students at JMU are required to complete the Math Placement Test. The university uses this test to determine the appropriate math class for you. You must complete the math placement test in order to enroll in a math class. (Remember all students must complete at least one math class at the university) 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.

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 Heather Patterson

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 the Madison International community. This living community (hosted in newly renovated Hoffman Hall) provides a very welcoming place for international students and US citizens who are looking forward to living and learning together in this close-knit community to learn from one another and make lasting friendships.

The office of International Programs will be collecting the JMU Health Record Form during Transitions. Click here to obtain different translated versions of the vaccination page. 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 need 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, since it is crucial that the Health center receives your health record.

All international students will be enrolled in mandatory health insurance with Cultural Insurance Services International, CISI. Your insurance card, policy information and claim form can be obtained from the International Student & Scholar Services Office

If you currently have an insurance policy that will cover you for your duration of your academic career and meets certain requirements, you may be exempt from the insurance fee placed on your account. If you wish to apply for a waiver for this coverage with CISI, you must complete an Insurance Waiver Form and return it in person to ISSS along with a copy of your policy in English. Please note that you must submit your waiver request no later than the first Friday of the semester, and that the waiver must be approved by ISSS.

To obtain an estimated breakdown of the expenses that you can expect as a JMU student, go to t the University Business Office’s website. Please note that the cost of textbooks (approximately $300/semester), for example, is not included!

To view your bill, you need to login to QuickBill by accessing it on e-campus (for students). 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 one who can view and pay his or her bill online through this system. If a family member or sponsor of that student needs access to QuikBill, the student will need to enable this individual to view and/or pay the bill by creating an account for this individual. Also through QuickBill, an installment payment plan can be set-up. To make payments towards your tuition and bills, you can:

• wire funds to JMU. All funds need to be in U.S. dollars and sent to:
  
  Wachovia Bank
  ABA Number: 051400549
  Account Number: 2000051029274
  Originator to Beneficiary Info: Include Student Name and Student ID Number for identification of recipient
  Cage Number: 0E9W6
  Duns Number: 879325355
  Wachovia Bank: 141 E. Market Street - Harrisonburg, VA 22801
  
• pay online by credit card. [Please note that JMU handles MasterCard, American Express or the Discovery card only].
• Set-up a bank account in the U.S. This will facilitate the transfer of funds from your home country to the U.S. You will then be able to write checks and/or transfer money directly from your bank account to your JMU student account online. A trip to the downtown Bank of America will be scheduled during Transitions.

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. You can have your order be sent to:

Your first & last name c/o Thomas Lavenir James Madison University - Office of International Programs 1031 South Main Street - JMAC 6, Suite 23 Harrisonburg, VA 22807 - USA

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.

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.

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.

Heather Patterson regarding math placement tests, course scheduling, major preferences, general education and any other academic questions.