Congratulations on your acceptance into the University of West Georgia. On behalf of International Student Admissions & Programs (ISAP), welcome to the family. As soon as you receive your acceptance packet, there are several items to take care of next. Follow the steps below to ensure smooth entry to the United States and arrival at UWG. Go West | Wolves!
Review the following checklist to prepare for arrival.
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Set Up MyUWG Account
Set Up MyUWG Account
Set up and activate your MyUWG Account for access to your courses, student email account, registration status, and much more.
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Getting Your I-20 or DS-2019
Receive Your I-20 or DS-2019
International Students have 2 shipping options to receive their immigration forms ( I-20 or DS-2019) from ISAP.
- Standard U.S. Postal Service (USPS)
- Express Mail Service (Fedex, UPS, DHL)
The red box will e you to find out which document you will be receiving and how to select your preferred mailing method.
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Obtaining a Visa
Obtaining a Visa
Now that you are academically admitted and have your form I-20 or DS-2019 issued by University of West Georgia, you will next apply for your student visa before travel to the U.S. There are 2 student visa categories depending on your purpose and program of study.
- F-1 Visa: for full-time students seeking a degree from UWG
- J-1 Visa: for full-time exchange students on a study abroad program from their home campus to UWG for a semester or year in most cases.
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International Student Orientation
International Student Orientation
Each Fall and Spring Semester, ISAP holds a MANDATORY orientation program for all new and transfer international students. Several important topics are covered including:
- Maintaining Your Immigration Status
- Benefits of your visa (employment, internships, travel...)
- SEVIS Check-In
- U.S. Health Insurance & Tax Requirements
- Life at UWG, Student Clubs & Organizations
- Resources for Student Success
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Airport Shuttle Service
Let us pick you up! To assist new international students to transfer from the Atlanta airport to their housing in Carrollton, ISAP provides two (3) free shuttles to campus departing at the following times only.
- Friday, August 9th, 2019, 10:00am and 6:00pm.
- Saturday, August 10th, 2019 at 12:00pm (midday).
- Travel time is appoximately 1 hour
- These are the only dates and times available, so book your flight accordingly
- Allow at least 1 hour between your flight arrival and shuttle departure to ensure enough time to deplane, collect luggage, clear customs, and find your way to the meeting point.
- Unfortunately, we will not be able to wait or delay depature.
Reserve Your Shuttle Ride
After submitting the form, ISAP will email you a confirmation and a reminder email the day before your arrival to confirm the exact location where to meet.
Atlanta Hotels (if needed): If you plan to book an airport area hotel at your own expense prior to meeting the shuttle, please let us know. We can advise you on appropriate costs, proximity to the airport, breakfast and shuttle service to / from the airport
Other Transportation to UWG Campus
Rideshare Services: Lyft & Uber
An alternative to shuttle service is a rideshare servce at your own expense operated by Lyft or Uber . Both work via a mobile app you can download to your phone and create an account associated with a personal credit card. The Atlanta Int’l Airport (ATL) provides free Wi-fi, so you can access Lyft or Uber upon arrival.
There is a designated waiting area to meet Lyft / Uber drivers just outside the terminal areas in Atlanta. Follow the "ground transportation" signs.
DISCLAIMER: ISAP takes no responsibility for shuttles missed due to late, rerouted, or delayed flights. While every effort will be made to assist those who reserve in advance, ISAP cannot guarantee this service. On Friday if you miss the 1st shuttle for some reason, you are welcome to wait for the 2nd shuttle in the evening. However, let us know if this happens to ensure space is available -
Housing
Housing
Before your arrival into the United States, be sure to secure housing. International students are able to live either on or off campus in most cases. There are several considerations you should take into account before you choose your housing arrangements, including:
- price
- travel to the UWG campus
- number of roommates you expect to have
- access to a kitchen and laundry units
- any other special needs or wants
We explore several of the different housing options below.
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Immunization Records
Immunization Records
UWG requires certain immunizations of all students. If you have received any of the required immunizations from your home country, it is recommended that you print out the immunization form and have a doctor give you a copy of your records before you arrive in the United States. To see a current list of required immunizations along with the Immunization Policy, please click below.
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Health Insurance Requirements
Health Insurance Requirements
All international students are required to have health insurance during their stay in the United States. There are several different options available to students. When considering which health insurance you should buy, please consider the following:
- price and affordability of the plan
- coverage amounts
- cost for doctor and hospital visits
- any medical conditions you have and how your plan will cover your needs
We review how health insurance works in the United States and also several of the options that are available to International Students below.
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Tuition and Fee Payments
Tuition and Fee Payments
The Bursar's office is the only office on campus that can accept tuition payments. All inquires about bills and payments should be made to their office.
Tuition and fee payment deadlines usually occur approximately one week after the start of the semester. It is important that students know and be aware of the final payment deadline. Failure to pay all fees and tuition before this due date will result in all classes being dropped. There are several ways in which a student can pay their tuition.
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Transferring Credits Credit
Transferring Credits Credit
Coursework completed or taken at an institution other than the University of West Georgia is considered transfer credit. Students must submit an official transcript from all previously attended institutions. Here at UWG, Transfer Evaluations are processed in the order they are received. The evaluation is typically processed within 2 weeks after a student has been accepted by Admissions. Once processed, students receive email notification that the transfer evaluation may be accessed via myUWG.