<p>So I'll be applying for college this fall but, as an international, I have to start planning some things ahead. One of them is actually taking that nice (and long) flight to the US.</p>
<p>My question is: when exactly will I have to travel to the US? I know some schools ask internationals to travel around this time for a summer program, but does this happen in every single university?</p>
<p>Just in case, I'll apply to a couple of Ivies (yes yes, it's extremely hard, I know)</p>
<p>It really depends on the university. Universities with a geographically diverse student body, like the Ivies, often have their orientation programs right before classes begin. They realize that it would be a burden on their students to travel half-way across the country or half-way across the globe for a 2-day event. And there’ll probably be a separate pre-orientation for international students right before the main orientation begins. Altogether, you might move in 5-10 days before classes start.</p>
<p>The exact move-in date depends on your university. For example, this fall the move-in date for international students is August 22 at Columbia and September 15 at Stanford. </p>
<p>Large universities who draw most of their students from in-state (e.g. public universities) often prefer to have several smaller orientation sessions in the summer. It’s easier to run 10 orientation sessions for 500 students each than a single session for 5,000 students; and if most students live within driving distance, it’s less of a burden to ask them to make an additional trip to campus. </p>
<p>Anyway, long story short: there’s no way to tell for sure until you know which college you are attending. With admission decisions being released in late March/early April, you’ll have enough time to book a flight and secure a visa (if necessary) to attend a summer orientation session of necessary.</p>
<p>One kid from my school was admitted to Dickison (I believe) and he left a couple of days ago to do some kind of summer program at the university. What’s that all about? Do the Ivies have that?</p>
<p>Why don’t you ask your friend directly? I don’t know what he’s doing in the US. Dickinson’s official orientation programs happens in August, right before classes start. I’d be surprised if he had to report to the college at this time.</p>
<p>Vast majority of schools don’t ask students to arrive any earlier than orientation. However, some Ivies (like Princeton, for example) require their athletes to take a couple summer classes to lighten their load in their freshman year.</p>