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Pre-Orientation for International Students

Here is the tentative PO4IS schedule for Fall 2025. Students should plan to arrive on campus on Tuesday, August 19th, 2025, during daytime hours (8am-5pm or 08:00-17:00 hrs) to allow for an easier transition. No campus housing or transportation to Macalester is available before 8:00 am on August 19th, so students who arrive early are responsible for arranging their own place to stay.

August 19 – 25, 2025 Pre-Orientation for International Students (PO4IS) Tentative Schedule*

“*” or asterisk denotes required attendance for all students studying in the U.S. on an F, J, or other non-immigrant visa.

PO4IS Schedule

  • Day 1 (Required Arrival): Tuesday August 19, 2025

    Time Event Location
    All Day Arrival & Check-in  ISP, Kagin Commons
    11:30 – 1 pm Lunch Temp Cafe Mac, Kagin
    1 – 5 pm Start GLACIER Tax Program – check your email Kagin
    4 – 5 pm Meet in ISP to visit 1550 Summit for dorm room supplies, clothes, etc. (Optional) ISP, 1550 Summit
    5 – 7 pm  Dinner Temp Cafe Mac, Kagin
    7 – 9 pm Optional shopping time (independent from ISP, encourage group transit)

  • Day 2: Wednesday August 20, 2025

    Time Event Location
    8:45 am Breakfast – sit with mentor group (see nametag group number) Temp Cafe Mac (Kagin)
    9:30 – 9:45 am PO4IS Welcome Session Temp Cafe Mac (Kagin)
    10:00 – 10:15 am   Lisa Anderson-Levy, Provost, Welcome  John B Davis (JBD) Hall, Campus Center
    10:30 am – 12 pm Domestic Ametricans meet  The Loch
    10:30 am – 12 pm Immigration part 1 of 2 & Required Paperwork

    Immigration session: International students on a visa only – bring laptop/tablet along with orange folder with passport, I-20, I-94, other information

    Complete Forms for Social Security, I-9, and Glacier Tax

    Students with visa only – bring laptop/tablet along with orange folder documents

    		 JBD Hall
    12 – 1 pm Lunch with mentor group  Temp Cafe Mac (Kagin)
    1 – 2:00 pm Exchange students meet with Sarah Tolman & Britt Nelson (Exchange students only) Study Away, Markim Hall 2nd Floor
    1:30 – 3:30 pm Resource Fair: Bank, Employment & Tax Paperwork, Campus Resources 

    Students with visa line up for Employment/Tax paperwork by last name: 

    1:30 pm: Last names A – K start with Business Services (room 241)

    2:00 pm: Last names L – S start in Resource Fair (Smail Gallery)

    2:30 pm: Last names T – Z start with Banks (2nd floor of O-L)

    In Olin-Rice, balcony space above Smail Gallery

    Bring cash, minimum $25, to open a bank account. Bring immigration & GLACIER paperwork to complete employment and tax documents. 

    		 Olin Rice Smail Gallery
    4 – 4:45 pm Ametrica Meeting (Ametrica participants only) Old Main 4th floor
    5:00 – 6 pm Dinner Temp Cafe Mac (Kagin)
    6:15 – 7:15 pm Mentor Dialogue I: Getting Started Meet in front of Kagin

  • Day 3: Thursday August 21, 2025

    Time Event Location
    7:30 am – 8:30 am Breakfast Temp Cafe Mac (Kagin)
    9 -11:00 am Apply for Social Security Number – ONLY students on visa with work assignment; bring documents in orange folder, SSA paper application with online reference number

    • 9:00 am  Last names A – K
    • 9:30 am Last names L – S
    • 10:15 am Last names T – Z
    		 ISP & Kagin Commons
    11:15 – 12:15 pm Mentor Dialogue II: Identity JBD Hall
    12:15 – 1 pm Lunch Temp Cafe Mac (Kagin)
    1:15 – 1:25 pm Academic Support Louisa Bradtmiller & Katie Kelly  JBD Hall
    1:30 -2:00 pm  Mentor Dialogue III: Adjusting to Academic Life in the US  JBD Hall
    2:15 – 3:15 pm Humor & Communication Session JBD Hall
    3:30 – 4:30 pm Health and Wellness with Hamre Center  JBD Hall
    5 – 6 pm Dinner Temp Cafe Mac (Kagin)
    6:30 – 8:30 pm Ametrica Meeting (Ametrica participants only) Harmon Room, Library

  • Day 4: Friday August 22, 2025

    Time Event Location
    7:30 am – 8:30 am  Breakfast Temp Cafe Mac (Kagin)
    10 am – 12 pm Immigration part 2

    Immigration session: International students on a visa only – bring orange folder with passport, I-20, I-94, other information

    		 JBD Hall
    12 – 1pm Lunch  Temp Cafe Mac (Kagin)
    1:00 – 2:30 pm Free time Temp Cafe Mac (Kagin)
    2:30 – 4:00 pm Mentor and MenTEA: Special New Students PO4IS Talk & Tea ISP, Kagin

  • Day 5: Monday August 25, 2025

    Time Event Location
    7:30 am – 8:30 am Breakfast  Cafe Mac (reopens in Campus Center today)
    9:00-9:30  Welcome by Kelly Stone  Center for Religious and Spiritual Life (CRSL) 
    9:45 – 12:00 Maxploration Divide into groups for off-campus exploration
    12:00 – 1:00 pm Lunch Temp Cafe Mac (Kagin)
    Follow Schedule   New Student Orientation Begins – check in Follow Schedule
    2:30 – 3:30 pm Scottish House Meeting #1 – confirmed Various Locations – Check Nametag

Remember to take care and stay hydrated!
* Mandatory generally for all students studying in the U.S. on a F, J, or other non-immigrant visa.