Center for International Student Engagement Pre-O Summer Meeting Q+As

Can I register for more than 4 classes then drop the extras during the first week of the semester?

Possibly, but please don’t. Workday (Amherst’s system for course registration) does not allow you to register for more than 4.5 class credits without special permission. This is intended for people taking multiple half-credit music classes or taking an increased course load out of desire or necessity (to fulfill major requirements, for example). It is better to “shop” (sit in on) a few extra classes that you are interested in during the Add/Drop period, then switch your registration to match what you have decided you want.

How can I get permission to register for five or more classes?

By completing the appropriate paperwork for the Registrar. This will require you to list out your course preferences for approval from your academic advisor and Class Dean. It is very unlikely you will receive permission during your first semester at Amherst.

Can I audit a class?

Yes, depending on the faculty member’s permission. Most professors will prefer that you take the class for credit rather than audit it. This goes doubly for classes that are heavy on group work, as it puts your classmates in the position of working for a grade alongside someone who is likely to be less dedicated to the class.

Can you tell me more about how course credits work?

Most courses are worth four credits, and this is considered standard. A half credit course (typically a practical music class) is worth two credits. Some courses (mostly introductory science courses) are worth six. Four credits should take you twelve hours per week to complete, so half- and extra-credit courses will take you proportionally less or more time. Typically, you take 16 credits per semester as four classes, but it is also possible to take three classes (one 4-credit, and two 6-credit), or five (three 4-credit, and two 2-credit). These options require special permission from your advisor and Class Dean.

When is course registration?

For first year students, Friday August 23, 2024. You will receive an email detailing the time at which you will register on that date. The process takes place on a Zoom call where you will receive technical support. You will register for three classes in addition to your first year seminar. For transfer students, exchange students, and LAs, Wednesday August 21, 2024. You will not register for a first year seminar.

As an LA, what can I register for? Does it have to be related to my area of study?

You can register for whatever you want. Amherst College will not restrict the courses you can register for.

How does course registration work for courses that require an audition?

Please contact the professor for more information.

I have started the process of getting the extra vaccinations required for Amherst, but they will not be done by the deadline. Is this okay? How do I let the Keefe Health Center know?

This is fine. Please fill out the provided forms to the best of your ability, and include information about when you will have finished your vaccinations by. You may receive an automated email informing you that your information is not complete (you can ignore it).

What if I can’t finish my vaccinations before I arrive, or they are not available here?

You can finish them at Amherst! Please try to start the vaccinations at home if that is possible. If it isn’t, you can reach out to the Health Center who will arrange a time for you to receive the required vaccinations.

How does Amherst’s health insurance work?

Amherst partners with an insurance provider called Gallagher Student Health. You can find further details about their coverage on their website.

Are there other Health Insurance options for international students? Can I waive Gallagher Student Health insurance?

The state of Massachusetts requires that all college students be covered under a sufficient insurance plan, so you must either get Gallagher Student Health insurance or another form of private insurance. We recommend going through the school for simplicity’s sake. Unfortunately, most international health insurance plans will not meet the requirements. To find out if your insurance is sufficient, go to Gallagher’s website and begin the process of waiving your coverage. You will need to enter your insurance information. Gallagher Student Health will get back to you on whether your insurance is sufficient. For exchange students, it is not possible to waive your insurance. Please email Silvia Cummings (scummings@amherst.edu) for more information.

Is dental care covered?

No, but you can enroll in dental insurance with Gallagher Student Health. The Office of Financial Aid may be able to help you get dental care at low cost. Most international students avoid having dental care done in the United States due to the high cost. It is often less expensive to fly home, have dental care donned there, and fly back.

How often is health insurance billed? 

Yearly.

Will the cost of my vaccines be covered?

If you are on the Gallagher Student Health plan, yes. If not, it is unlikely that they will be covered.

Is our financial aid taxable?

Please reach out to the Office of Financial Aid (finaid@amherst.edu).

How does tuition insurance work for students on financial aid?

Please reach out to the Office of Financial Aid (finaid@amherst.edu).

Does Amherst College use Google Drive? Onedrive?

We use Google Drive.

How does the meal plan work? 

All first year students are required to use the full meal plan at Amherst College. This plan allows access to the dining hall at all hours with unlimited swipes. After your first year, you may opt out of the breakfast part of the meal plan. The cost is the same, but instead of being able to swipe into breakfast you will receive AC dollars to be spent at one of the cafes on campus. You will still have unlimited swipes for lunch and dinner. More details can be found at this link.

How can I get access to other dining halls?

If you are enrolled in a class at one of the other Five Colleges which takes place during mealtime, you will be able to get access to their meal plan. The Registrar will help you get this sorted.

Can I be exempted from the meal plan? 

In short, no. In long, it depends on your circumstances. The school offers exemptions for those who are unable to eat in the dining hall for health or some other critical reasons. Further details can be found at this link.

How can I secure a research position?

It is common for students to approach professors that they are interested in working for, or for professors to approach students that they are interested in having worked for them. Taking a class with a professor is generally a good starting place. Some professors also post research positions on Workday where you can apply for them directly. 

How do international students get on-campus employment and an SSN?

We will guide you through the student employment onboarding process during Pre-Orientation. Everyone will be hired for a 30-minute position during Pre-Orientation, after which you will be eligible to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN).  The Office of Immigration Services (OIS) will guide you through the SSN application process in the first few weeks of the semester.

How do I join a club? How do I start a club?

Joining a club is very easy. During the first week of the semester, there will be a club fair where you can peruse the club offerings and join as many as you would like. The people tabling will typically make a physical list, or add you directly to a group chat. These include club sports like ultimate frisbee and football/soccer, identity groups like the Chinese Student Association and Queer and Trans People of Colour, and a variety of hobby clubs (from birdwatching, to the crafting club, and the anime club). Starting a club is more complicated, and requires you to write a club constitution and receive at least ten signatures on a petition. More details can be found at Clubs and Club Recognition and Registered Student Organizations (RSOs).

How do I register for fitness classes at the gym?

Links to sign up are regularly sent out to students through Amherst’s daily newsletter, the Daily Mammoth. You can also check here.

Is there wiggle room for move out dates? Can international students stay on campus over breaks?

In some instances, yes; but it will depend on your exact circumstances. This is evaluated on a case by case basis. The Housing and Operations team, who will attend our next meeting, will be able to answer in more detail.

I have a question about housing. Can you answer it? 

The Housing and Operations team (osaops@amherst.edu) will attend our next meeting, but in the meantime you are more than welcome to direct any questions towards them.

When is our next meeting?

Tuesday, August 13, 2024 at 9am ET (UTC-4).

Is New International Student Pre-Orientation offering shuttles from Logan Airport to Amherst College?

Yes, Pre-O will offer shuttles from Boston Logan Airport to campus on August 22, 2024. The shuttle times are not yet determined, as we are waiting to hear what times everyone’s flights will be arriving. We expect there to be 3-4 shuttles leaving the airport periodically on Thursday, August 22. The first shuttle will likely leave the airport in the late morning, followed by one or two shuttles in the afternoon, and a final shuttle sometime in the evening. These are charter buses, so they have plenty of space for people and luggage. You will need to register! In July, we will send you an email with a google form to sign up.
 

What is arriving at Boston Logan Airport like?

You can find out more about the process in video form here.

Is it possible to mail belongings to campus? Can I order things online and have them delivered to campus?

Yes, but not yet. The Amherst College Post Office will email you with your Amherst mailbox number and the rest of your mailing address in August. After you have received your individualized mailing address, you can go ahead and ship any items you'd like to Amherst. Please aim for them to arrive around the same time you do so that the post office doesn’t get overwhelmed with packages. See the Post Office for more information.

What’s the weather like at Amherst?

The weather in New England varies widely depending on the season, time of day, and the will of the universe. In winter, which lasts from late October to the end of March, you can expect it to be quite cold, often in the negatives overnight. In the last few years, it has gotten as cold as -20℃, but daytime temperatures can also be well above freezing, around 5-10℃. Wind chill can make it feel much colder than the actual temperature. It often snows in the winter, but it is also very common to have clear skies.  In the summer, which begins in June and lasts into September, you can expect it to be quite hot, often getting above 30℃ or 35℃. High humidity can make it feel much warmer than the real temperature. It is often sunny, but we also have our fair share of thunderstorms and torrential downpours.
 

What should we pack to bring to Amherst?

Everyone will have their personal preferences, but we have a few resources to help you think through what to pack. Check out the Packing & Your Dorm Room section of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) for New International Students, and the Recommended Packing List curated by Housing Operations.

What will happen during Pre-Orientation? When will we receive the schedule?

We will be finalizing the Pre-O schedule throughout the summer. You can expect an overview of the program in July, and the final version sometime in early August. Programs include a variety of fun activities (such as trips led by our International Student Leaders [ISLs] to surrounding areas and karaoke nights) as well as mandatory information sessions (such as maintaining your visa status and how on-campus employment works for international students). Your ISLs will be there to guide you through it all.

How can I find a list of courses?

All courses are listed on Workday, the platform that Amherst uses to manage course enrollment, major declarations, and student employment. You can find them at Academics / Amherst Find Course Sections to Register. If you cannot log into Workday, please get in touch with us. All departments also list their course offerings on their departmental page (here is an example from the Geology Department).

How do international students get on-campus employment?

We will guide you through the student employment onboarding process during Pre-Orientation. Everyone will be hired for a 30-minute position during Pre-Orientation, after which you will be eligible to apply for a Social Security Number (SSN).  The Office of Immigration Services (OIS) will guide you through the SSN application process in the first few weeks of the semester.  Visit Student Employment for general information on campus employment.

As a SummerBridge attendee, will I have to wait until Pre-Orientation for help setting up a phone number and bank account?

Pre-O resources will not be available during Summer Bridge, but CISE should be able to provide some support. If you are one of the few international students participating in Summer Bridge, please contact cise@amherst.edu if you need help with any phone/bank/etc. logistics during your first weeks on campus.

Who will my academic advisor be?

We will cover this in greater detail in our next meeting, July 16 at 9am ET (UTC-4), when the Dean of New Students will join us. We expect that, as in years past, you will receive an email with the name of your academic advisor later in the summer. Your advisor will contact you to schedule a meeting, most likely over Zoom. Before you meet with your advisor, list 10-12 courses you would like to take, covering a variety of class days/times. This will ensure you have a backup plan during registration if one of your courses has filled up.
 

Can we place out of courses if we already know the material?

We will cover this in greater detail in our next meeting, July 16 at 9am ET (UTC-4), when the Dean of New Students will join us.   The answer will likely depend on what course, your qualifications, and whether or not the course is required for your major. You should receive an email with your placement in, for example, the math department. If you disagree with your placement, taking an exam and testing out of a lower-level course is sometimes possible. Of course, this varies depending on the department, so the best course is to contact the professor teaching the course you want to take or the department chair.

When will we be asked to make our tuition deposit?

Please feel free to email studentaccounts@amherst.edu with any billing questions.

Can we get a U.S. driver’s license? Will Amherst provide support for this process?

You can get a Massachusetts state driver’s license, but it is a process that you will need to manage independently. The Office of Immigration Services is happy to help explain the process to you, and it will look very different depending on whether you already hold a driver’s license and where it is from.

Something weird is going on with my financial aid portal. Can you help me?

Please contact finaid@amherst.edu for help with your financial aid portal.

 

What’s the campus pet policy? Can I bring my pets to Amherst?

See the Student Accessibility Services Support Animal Guidelines/Information page.  Bringing your pets to the U.S. will depend on various factors, which the OIS would happily help you research.

How does taking a class in the 5 College Consortium work?

We will cover this in greater detail in our next meeting, July 16 at 9am ET (UTC-4), when the Dean of New Students will join us.  Anecdotally, this varies by college and by class. In general, plan to contact the professor during course registration at Amherst. They may reserve you a spot in the class. Unfortunately, Amherst students cannot register for 5 College courses until the semester has begun. At that point, the Registrar will help you get your registration sorted and arrange for you to eat meals at the other college, depending on the class time. See Five College Registration for more information.

Are there any annual activities or traditions just for international students?

CISE offers a number of annual programs for international students that are quite popular. These include Unapologetically International, where students can register to perform; and Global Kitchen, where students cook food to share in a potluck dinner.

How do I start or join a club or student organization?

Joining a club is very easy. During the first week of the semester, there will be a club fair where you can peruse the club offerings and join as many as you would like. The people tabling will typically make a physical list or add you directly to a group chat. These include club sports like ultimate frisbee and football/soccer, identity groups like the Chinese Student Association and Queer and Trans People of Colour, and a variety of hobby clubs (from birdwatching to the crafting club and the anime club). Starting a club is more complicated and requires you to write a club constitution and receive at least ten signatures on a petition. More details can be found at Clubs and Club Recognition and Registered Student Organizations (RSOs).

When is our next Pre-O summer meeting?

July 16 at 9am ET (UTC-4).

Can we expect to hear any Pre-O updates before the next meeting?

Yes! You can expect to hear from your ISLs in early July.