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: 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. With that in mind, you should know that 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..

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, January 8 if not earlier. 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 10 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). A list of local hotels can be found at this link. Make sure to inform them that you are JMU students as you may be given a student discount.

When you pack your suitcase, remember:

• Bring your Health Record Form. Without it, you will be unable to attend classes. . Click here to obtain different translated versions of the vaccination page.
• 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 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.

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 fulfill, and Transitions.

Gina Kudrav, for information related to immigration and visas.