New International Student Page
New International Student Page
Congratulations on being admitted to Columbia College Chicago!
We look forward to meeting you at Orientation this summer, and are already hard at work preparing for your arrival.
Coming to a new place and to a new culture is an exciting experience, but it can be a little overwhelming as well. Don’t worry! We at the Office of International Student Affairs are here to assist you in many ways. We will help you adjust to a new culture, achieve your educational goals, become familiar with immigration laws and regulations, encourage you to meet American students and to be active in social events. As a new international student at Columbia College Chicago, we are asking that you be on campus no later than Tuesday, August 19, 2008.
On this page, you will find information about:
New International Student Welcome
Orientation and Registration
New Student Assessment
On-Campus Housing
International Student Heath Insurance Program
Assistance at the airport
The New International Student Welcome and Info Session (Mandatory)
All new international students are required to attend the International Student Welcome and Information Session. Your participation in this event is mandatory! You will have an opportunity to speak with other international students and faculty, as well as receive information on services and resources available to you as you begin your college career. In addition, immigration matters relevant to your status as an international student studying in the United States will be covered. The “Welcome and Information Session” will take place on Thursday, August 21, 2008 from 10:00 am to 2:00 pm in the 33 East Congress Parkway Building, Room 305!
Breakfast and lunch will be served!
Orientation is a great time to meet your future classmates, plan your first semester’s schedule, and visit with faculty and advisors. Registration for classes takes place during Orientation. Orientation/Registration is required for all new students.
At this time, we ask that you visit the website for the Office of New Student Programs and Orientation in order to sign up for orientation and registration. To sign up for a Fall Orientation Session be sure you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer. You will also need your Oasis ID number and password. Your password is your birth date in the following format: mmddyy. Oasis is Columbia's on-line portal that allows students to perform important transactions, like registering for classes or paying tuition. The date you will attend Fall Registration/Orientation depends on your major. Please locate the dates that apply to your major here and choose one that works for you.
We encourage you to attend Orientation & Registration in person. However, we understand that you may not be able to come to Chicago at that time. For that reason, we are providing you with an on-line registration option! This will be an option for all International Students.
To take advantage of this online opportunity, after signing in, you will select Option #2. Once you have done that, you will be given instructions on how to go about registering for your first semester’s classes.
Assessment
(also called the COMPASS) is required for all first time Freshmen and Transfer students with no credit accepted by Columbia in college level English Composition, college level mathematics and computers. Assessment includes Compass placements in math, reading, writing, and Fluency in Technology (F.I.T.). Fluency In Technology assessment includes: PC Fundamentals, word processing and Excel Spreadsheets. The math and reading are multiple-choice on computers, with easy-to-follow prompts. All students will receive their math, reading, writing, and F.I.T. results immediately.
Under certain circumstances, official ACT scores can replace the New Student Assessment. Students who took the ACT and submitted their official scores are required to confirm receipt by contacting the Office International Undergraduate Admissions at intladmissions@colum.edu.
You will be able to take your assessment after you arrive on campus. There is no need to schedule a specific appointment. However, if you would like to schedule an appointment for the exam, or if you have any questions, please contact the Director of New Student Assessment, Lynn Levy at llevy@colum.edu.
On-Campus Housing
The Residence Life Office provides a variety of housing options to suit your individual preferences. Apartment-style rooms and suites are fully furnished. All facilities are conveniently located, only steps away from the main campus buildings, and all are close to public transportation. If you are planning to live on campus and you haven’t applied for housing, you must do so immediately! Housing assignments are made on a first-come-first-served basis according to the date your housing application is completed and received. You will find more detailed information about on-campus housing by visiting www.colum.edu/residencelife. The web site also includes photos, virtual tours of the residence buildings and room configurations, and answers to frequently asked questions. You may also want to visit Residence Life FAQ’s at http://www.colum.edu/Admissions/Residence_Life/FAQ.php for answers to many of your questions.
Move-In dates
International students who have been offered on-campus housing will be able to move in on August 19th between the hours of 9:00 am and 4:00 pm CST.
If you have not received your housing assignment, please contact residencelife@colum.edu.
If you will not be able to move in on August 19th, Residence Life has posted the Fall 2008 Move-In Dates online.
Move-in is based on the building you will be living in along with your room number. See the schedule below:
731 South Plymouth Court
2E8th Street
18 East Congress
59 East Van Buren
University Center
If you will be shipping your belongings, the “shipping information” is as follows:
1. If you will be residing in 731 Plymouth Ct., 18 E. Congress, or 2 E. 8th Street, you can simply ship items to that address and include your name and room number! The zip code for those addresses is 60605. Please note, packages will ONLY be received ONE WEEK PRIOR to your scheduled move-in date, so you cannot ship anything sooner than that.
2. If you will be living in the University Center or 59 East Van Buren:
we recommend that you only ship items the day before you leave to come here for the move-in. That way, your items will arrive when you will already be here, and won’t have to worry about retrieving them. Don’t forget to include your name and room number on the packages you’re sending.
Temporary Housing
If you need temporary housing upon your arrival to Chicago, please consider the following:
1. Hostelling International: 1414 59th Street For individual reservations, please contact them at 312-360-0300/1-800-909-4776 code 244 or by visiting their web site at www.hichicago.org.
Rates:
• $35.00 plus local and state tax, per person, per night
• Additional $3.00, per person, per night if you do not have a current Hostelling International membership.
• Rates are subject to change without notice
2. Arlington House: Please contact for rates and availability at (773) 929-5380 or visit them on the web at www.arlingtonhouse.com.
3. International House: Please contact directly for availability and rates at (773) 753-2274 or via email at http://ihouse.uchicago.edu and click on “Short-term Guests” under “Living at I-House”.
International Student Health Insurance
Columbia College has implemented a mandatory Student Accident and Sickness Insurance Plan offered by Gallagher Koster Insurance Agency, Inc. All F-1 and J-1 international students are eligible and are automatically enrolled for the 2008 - 2009 academic year, including the optional summer 2009 session.
• Coverage dates are from August 24, 2008 through August 24, 2009.
• Your OASIS accounts will automatically be billed for the Fall 2008 academic term.
Should you not wish to be enrolled, you must apply for a “waiver”. The waiver process is explained in the insurance brochure as well as online by visiting www.kosterweb.com.
For the upcoming Fall 2008 semester, the waiver deadline is September 22, 2008. Waivers must be submitted to the Office of International Student Affairs by the waiver deadline and approved to avoid being charged for the insurance!
You will be expected to make a payment for the insurance by October 1, 2008.
How to Pay for the insurance????
There are two ways to make your insurance payment.
• In person. Bring a check or money order made payable to “Columbia College Chicago” to the Cashier’s Window located on the 3rd floor of the 600 S. Michigan Avenue building. Be sure to write your OASIS number on the check, and indicate that it is a payment for “International Student Health Insurance.” Keep the receipt for your records.
• Online. Visit the Student Financial Services website at for payment information. Note: Insurance payments made by credit card can only be paid through CCCPay. Credit card use on CCCPay is limited to MasterCard, Discover and American Express.
Airport Pick-Up!
If you will be traveling and need assistance at the airport upon your arrival, please contact the Office of International Student Affairs at gposejpal@colum.edu at your earliest convenience so that arrangements can be made. Please provide the following information:
a. Date of flight
b. Flight Number
c. Name of Airlines
d. Departure city
e. Airport to which you are flying: O’Hare International Airport or Midway
f. Time of Arrival
g. Drop off destination
This is a FREE service provided for you by the Office of International Student Affairs!
We hope that the information provided will help you prepare for your upcoming new adventure. Should you have any questions or concerns as you get ready to begin your arts and media career at the largest arts and media college in the country in one of the greatest cities of the world, please contact the Office of International Student Affairs at gposejpal@colum.edu - your new “home away from home!”