Graduate Students

Please read and apply this information carefully!

Make sure to check the Graduate School's Frequently Asked Questions web page to find out the answers to many of the questions that you may have related to housing, registering for classes, etc.

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.  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. If you have not yet received it and need to obtain your "temporary number" please e-mail Thomas Lavenir.

Finding an apartment: Finding a single apartment is very rare. What you also need to take into consideration is the fact that some apartments may not be furnished. You will need to find out where the apartments are located, in relations to the bus route. Furthermore some students may like to party more than you or may not like to clean up after themselves… so once you find a place that would work, you will need to make sure to get in touch with all of your roommates to figure out if you are compatible and if you think it will work..

• Contact the office of Residential Life as it can offer you to live in a Denton’s apartment located downtown within 15 min. walking distance to campus and located right next to the bus which goes back and forth to campus and in town. It is a double occupancy furnished room (with kitchen and bathroom). If you wish to choose this option please contact Martha Kent to inform him of your decision
• The Off Campus Life office has an online housing and roommate database: which makes it very convenient for anyone to look for available apartments, roommates and/or sublets.

In order to be able to fully participate in Transitions (the international student orientation program) we strongly urge you to arrive in Harrisonburg on Sunday, August 17. You should fly into Shenandoah Valley airport (SHD) as there is no easy way to travel from other airports to JMU/Harrisonburg. Be sure to send your itinerary to Thomas Lavenir 5 business days prior to your arrival so that he can arrange to have a JMU driver pick you up from Shenandoah Airport only (this one and only time).

When you pack your suitcase, remember:

• Bring your Health Record Form: found here. Without it, you will be unable to attend classes.
• 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 although, it can get as cold as 10-20 degrees Fahrenheit.
• 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.

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, 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.

All JMU international students are required to have health insurance. You will be automatically enrolled in the CISI – Cultural Insurance services International health insurance plan unless you show us proof that you have you are enrolled in a health insurance plan (by presenting your insurance card and policy to Gina Kudrav once you are on campus). Currently each student is billed approximately $310 per 6 months of coverage. Coverage starts on August 15th and runs until February 15th and then again until August 15th. It does not cover preventative costs such as physicals, shots or teeth cleaning. CISI’s policy is written specifically for international students and is valid here in the U.S. as well as anywhere else in the world. If you need to go to the hospital or doctor, you will need to present your insurance card first and you will need to pay a deductible of $50. .

If you are still unclear as to what you need to do please feel free to contact:

Thomas Lavenir, for information related to the different steps that you need to fulfil, and to Transitions.

Gina Kudrav, for information related to immigration and visas.