What to Know Before Coming to CWRU
So, you’ve decided you want to study in the United States.
The first thing you should know is that an international student is a person who enrolls full time in a degree or non-degree program at a U.S. university or college, and who must properly maintain a temporary nonimmigrant visa status.
We are pleased to know that you’re considering studying at Case Western Reserve University and look forward to working with you during your student career if you chose to join our campus community.
Prospective Students
The Office of International Student Services (ISS) is not involved in the admissions process at CWRU. Students must complete an application appropriate for their level and course of study. Information about the admission processes and other valuable information is available on the university’s website.
New + Incoming Students
Students admitted to CWRU will become a part of our diverse community, and ISS is happy to assist you with any immigration-related questions or concerns that you have before arriving in Cleveland. Our goal is to make your cultural and academic transition to the U.S. as smooth as possible while educating you about your responsibilities to properly maintain your student visa status.
Applying/Getting Accepted to CWRU
New J-1 students who receive an offer of admission from CWRU will interact with ISS in the following ways:
1. ISS will receive information about you from your admitting department, which will be used to begin the process of creating your immigration document, Form DS-2019.
2. ISS will need to receive proof of financial support for one academic year (tuition and living expenses), as well as any other supplementary information. After ISS receives and processes your admission information, you will be provided with instructions about how to access an electronic application to request your DS-2019.
3. Once you submit all required documentation through the electronic application, the DS-2019 will be generated. This process takes approximately 15-20 business days. At the time that ISS begins generating your DS-2019, you will receive instructions via email about:
- having your DS-2019 sent to you. Please promptly complete those mailing steps to prevent any delays in shipping your form once it’s prepared.
- your SEVIS ID
- how to pay the required SEVIS I-901 fee
- important information about arriving on campus and living in Cleveland.
4. Finally, use the immigration form to apply for a visa at a United States consulate.
Students Transferring to CWRU from another U.S. Institution:
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Complete steps 1-3 as listed above.
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Be sure to provide your Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) transfer release date in your electronic application. This is a date that you and the ISS advisor at your current institution agree to initiate the electronic transfer of your SEVIS record to CWRU. ISS can only begin to process your DS-2019 after your SEVIS record has been released to CWRU.
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Consult an international student advisor at CWRU to discuss whether or not you need to renew your visa or if you plan to travel abroad before the start of your first semester at CWRU.