Arrive to Kent State

Upon your arrival at Kent State, you will need to complete the steps below.

• Check into your on-campus housing or arrange your off-campus housing. Information on arranging on- or off-campus housing can be found here.  

• Complete your Immigration Check-in with the International Student and Scholar Services team. You should have access to your ISSS Student & Scholar Portal, where you requested your I-20 or DS-2019. In this portal, you will upload additional documents that will be used to complete your Immigration Check-in. Students are not required to come to the office for immigration check-in, unless we have additional questions. After we review your on-line Check-In Request Form, we will send you an e-mail letting you know whether your check-in is complete or if you will need to meet with an ISSS Advisor.

• If you have additional questions that are not answered during the ISO Canvas course or at in-person orientation, you are welcome to meet with an ISSS Advisor. We have drop-in advising on Wednesdays from 9-11:30 AM and from 1:30 to 4:00 PM, or you can make an appointment (either in-person or virtual) with an ISSS advisor via KSU Advising. 

• Submit your official transcripts to the International Admissions team either with the OGE Drop Box outside of Van Campen Hall or by meeting with an International Admissions Counselor in 106 Van Campen Hall. This can be done upon arrival or after the start of the semester.  

• Register for classes by following the steps here.  

• Attend your Kent State Orientation Program based on your program of study.  

  • Destination Kent State (DKS) - All new undergraduate international students MUST attend DKS. 

  • Graduate Student Orientation (GSO)  - All new graduate international students MUST attend GSO. 

  • English as a Second Language Orientation (ESL Orientation) - Notify the ESL Department that you plan to attend by emailing eslreg@kent.edu. 

• Continue participating in the ISO course in Canvas and the in-person portion. For Fall 2023, the in-person portion will be held on August 16th, 2023. 

• Read through Maintaining Your Immigration Status. This is a page dedicated to giving you some basic information on how to maintain your immigration status throughout your stay in the U.S. We will go through it more in depth during International Student Orientation, but it is important to have a general upon arrival. 

• Join some of the Welcome Week Events for Fall 2023. Events will be added closer to the start of classes.