Pre-Orientation for International Students
Contact
International Student ProgramsKagin Commons, First Floor +1 (651) 696-6992 (tel)
+1 (651) 696-6806 (fax)
isp@macalester.edu
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Hours
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
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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) -
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 -
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 -
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 -
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.