1:
When will I get my I-20?
A:
For September entrants, your I-20 will be sent to you in June. Please note that in order to send you your I-20, we must have a complete
I-20 application and all original financial documents from you by May 1, 2007. If you have special circumstances that necessitate receipt of an I-20 before June, please make that request in writing and include details as to your circumstances. We evaluate requests on a case-by-case basis and will do our best to accommodate your needs. For February entrants, your I-20 application should be completed by September 15, 2007, and we'll send your I-20 in November.
2:
How do I apply for a U.S. F-1 (student) visa?
A:
Complete instructions on applying for a U.S. visa will be sent to you with your I-20. In short, you must first obtain an I-20 form from Middlebury College. Then, you must arrange for an interview with a U.S. Embassy or Consulate to apply for the visa. To find the nearest Embassy or Consulate, refer to:
http://usembassy.state.gov/Please be aware that a U.S. F-1 visa cannot be issued prior to 120 days before your program start date. You may want to inquire at the Embassy or Consulate about the visa application process in advance regarding scheduling an appointment, necessary forms, and required fees.
Updated February 15, 2007
3:
How long will it take to get my F-1 (student) visa?
A:
4:
What fees do I pay with my visa application?
A:
You are responsible for paying the visa application fee and the reciprocity fee which varies by country. A listing of the fees can be found at:
http://travel.state.gov/visa/frvi/fees/fees_1341.htmlMiddlebury College will pay the $100 SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Information System) fee on your behalf. We will send a receipt for the SEVIS fee with your Middlebury College I-20, which can be presented as proof of payment at your visa appointment.
Last updated December 18, 2007
5:
When can I enter in the United States using my new I-20 and F-1 visa?
A:
You may enter the U.S. 30 days prior to the program start date noted on your I-20. However, please be aware that free shuttle service from Burlington to Middlebury College is only available on Wednesday, August 27, 2008, and you may move into your Middlebury College room on Wednesday, August 27, 2008- no earlier. If you wish arrive to the U.S. prior to Arrival Day you are responsible for your own transportation and accomodations.
Each year a few students wish to enter the U.S. even earlier than 30 days prior to the I-20 program start date. In general, this is not advisable. Students wishing to enter the U.S. prior to the 30-day grace period must enter in another visa status, usually in tourist status. However, individuals in tourist status are not allowed to enroll in courses. Therefore, if you enter the U.S. as a tourist, you must change from tourist to F-1 student visa status prior to enrolling in classes. Changing from tourist to student visa status is not always possible, but it is always time-consuming, expensive, and risky. Again, we strongly advise you to enter the U.S. in F-1 student status within the 30-day grace period allowed by your I-20. If you have questions, please contact us.
ISO Feb Entrants -
Please plan to arrive at Middlebury College on Tuesday, February 3, 2009. International Student Orientation will begin Wednesday, February 4.
Updated March 27, 2008
6:
Can I arrive early to Middlebury College?
A:
You will have access to your Middlebury College dorm room on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 (Tuesday, Feb 3, 2008 for Feb entrants) - no earlier. Students are not given permission to stay in their rooms on-campus before that day.
If you wish to arrive to the U.S. before that day, you are responsible for your own travel arrangements and accommodations.
Some students choose to arrive to the Burlington airport late on the night before arrival day, or very, very early the morning of arrival day (at 12:04 a.m., for example), expecting to be able to spend the night and early morning hours waiting in the airport. Please be aware that the Burlington airport closes at night- it is not possible to spend the night in the airport.
Updated March 27, 2008
7:
Can I be picked up at the airport?
A:
International Student and Scholar Services provides free transportation from Burlington Airport to Middlebury College on Wednesday, August 27, 2008 and Tuesday, February 3, 2009 for International Students. To request this service, please complete the Travel Information Form, which will be provided in a later mailing. Airport pick-ups will commence at 10:00 am on these days.
If you plan to arrive on another day, you must make your own arrangements for transportation. Please see
http://www.middlebury.edu/campuslife/activities/travel_info.htm for information on transportation.
Updated March 27, 2008
8:
I will not attend International Student Orientation on August 27. When should I arrive to Middlebury College?
A:
If you are attending Middlebury College in F-1 student status, and choose not to attend International Student Orientation, please arrive to the College on September 2, 2008 to take part in a short immigration session the morning of Wednesday, September 3. When you arrive to campus you should go directly to the Office of Public Safety (open 24 hours) on 125 South Main Street, to pick up your room key.
If you are an international student attending Middlebury in a visa status other than F-1, and choose not to attend International Student Orientation on August 27, please arrive to Middlebury College on Wednesday September 3, 2008. You should go directly to the New Student Welcome Center.
Last updated March 27, 2008
9:
If I arrive on September 3rd can I be picked up at the airport?
A:
Yes, airport pick-up will be available for international students arriving on September 3rd. To request airport pick-up, please complete a
Travel Information Form.
Last updated March 27, 2008.
10:
What will happen during the September International Student Orientation?
A:
During International Student Orientation you will meet other international students, familiarize yourself with the College and its resources, and complete immigration paperwork required of international students. There are also a few events planned for family members/friends who accompany you to campus. International Student and Scholar Services coordinates International Student Orientation, which takes place from Wednesday, August 27, 2008 (arrival day) to Saturday, August 30, 2008.
In addition, all students who enter in September are eligible to register for MiddView. We strongly encourage all incoming student to register for MiddView, an off-campur trips program that anticipates and ties into the on-campus student orientation program. MiddView includes volunteer service experiences, outdoor adventures of many different kinds and a large number of opportunities for students to explore one specific aspect of Vermont culture, history, the environment, political life and more.
With MiddView, students get to know other first years from the US and abroad in a relaxed, small-group setting. All trips are student-led, and can provide a foundation for invaluable friendships. Students participating in MiddView will arrive on Sunday, August 31, and trips will leave first thing on Monday, September 1, returning to campus on Wednesday, September 3.
Registration material will be sent in the May mailing to students who decide to enroll at Middlebury. You will need to submit your registration by mid-June.
Updated March 27, 2008
11:
When is International Student Orientation for students entering in February?
A:
Please plan to arrive to Middlebury College on Tuesday, February 3, 2009. International Student Orientation will take place on Wednesday, February 4, 2009 until Sunday, February 8, 2009.
February Outdoor Orientation (FOO):
An outdoor orientation program is offered to February entrants during the second weekend after arrival day. Participants are selected by lottery since there are a limited number of places for these trips. More information will be sent to February entrants from the CCAL office.
Last updated March 27, 2008
12:
What vaccinations do I need?
A:
13:
How can I buy the Student Health Insurance?
A:
Please see the
Student Health Insurance web site for information on purchasing the Student Health Insurance. If you wish, you can buy the Student Health Insurance after your arrival to Middlebury.
Updated February 14, 2007
14:
Where can I open a bank account?
A:
You will be able to open an account within the first several days you are on-campus.
Most students choose to use the
National Bank of Middlebury. The National Bank of Middlebury offers an "ePanther" account designed specifically for Middlebury College students. The National Bank of Middlebury is within walking distance of campus, and there are ATMs located on the Middlebury College campus which are free to students with ATM cards from National Bank of Middlebury.
The National Bank has worked with hundreds of international students, and allows students to open an account without a Social Security Number. Officials from the National Bank of Middlebury will be available at the Welcome Center during New Student Orientation.
Other banks in Middlebury are:
Citizens' BankChittenden BankKey BankUpdated September 20, 2006
15:
How can I buy a cell phone?
A:
Most students choose
Verizon Wireless for their service.
Verizon Wireless and
Unicel offer the best reception and service plans for the Middlebury area.
Sprint PCS/Nextel also have reception in Middlebury and competitive plans. Cingular does not cover the Middlebury area according to their Web sites. There is a Verizon vendor in Middlebury. To purchase other plans, you will need to go to Burlington.
For details on these or other cellular carriers' coverage, please visit their Web site.
Students should understand that reception may be poor in a few campus locations due to College building construction and off-campus due to Vermont's terrain and inadequate cell tower coverage.
Updated March 27, 2008
16:
How can I mail packages to the College?
A:
Students mailing packages for arrival between August 20 and September 15: The arrival of many first-year students at the beginning of the fall necessitates that packages mailed at this time must be sent to the Service Building Warehouse, where a higher volume of large items can be processed efficiently. New and returning students who are shipping large items to the College between August 20 and September 15 should use the following address:
Student Full Name (no nicknames, please)
C/O (Box number if available)
Middlebury College
Service Building Warehouse
84 South Service Road
Middlebury, VT 05753
Students who have not received their mailbox number by the time they must mail their belongings should indicate on the package that they are a first-year, transfer, or exchange student. The warehouse will be open throughout September Orientation. It is helpful to bring the package-tracking number and the name of the shipping company to expedite package retrieval.
Students mailing packages for arrival between September 16 and August 21 of the following year: During the academic year and summer, students who need to ship larger items (i.e., trunks, luggage, special-ordered equipment) to campus should send their items, prepaid, to the campus Mail Center.
Updated February 14, 2007
17:
Can I talk to someone at Middlebury College from my country?
A:
There are students from over 75 countries at Middlebury College, and even if there is not a student from your particular country, there will certainly be someone from your region of the world! If you are interested in getting in touch with a current Middlebury student from your area of the world, please contact the International Students' Organization (ISO), at
iso@middlebury.edu.
18:
Does Middlebury College have a host family program?
A:
Yes. The Friends of International Students (FIS) host program is a hospitality program whereby international students have an opportunity to become friends with a local family. For more information, please refer to our
FIS web site.
Last updated October 18, 2007
19:
Can I pay my deposit or charges on my College bill through an electronic transfer of funds?
A:
Yes. To transfer funds electronically to Middlebury College, please contact the Cashier's office at
cashier@middlebury.edu for instructions.
20:
Does my $200 enrollment deposit count towards my family contribution and my College bill?
A:
Yes. The $200 you submit to reserve your place at the College will be applied to your College bill. Therefore, it is considered part of your family contribution. When completing the I-20 Application, you may confirm that the deposit has been paid, which will serve as evidence of that portion of your family contribution.
21:
Do I need to bring the full amount of my family contribution with me?
A:
Not necessarily. When the Financial Aid Office calculates your need and determines if you will receive assistance, they consider all the expenses that you will incur during your fist year at Middlebury. This includes items that Middlebury College bills for, and your own personal expenses. The comprehensive fee and the student activities fee will appear on your College Bill. Other expenses (such as books, supplies, personal items and travel), are items that you will need money for throughout the year. You will need to have funds available to pay for those expenses when you make those purchases.
22:
How can I find out important dates and vacations in the College calendar?
A: