Accepted Students

After Arriving in the United States

After arriving in the United States you must follow the Orientation Schedule outlined below in order to begin classes at Montclair State University. Please read the schedule carefully and make careful note of the dates and activities you are required to attend. Plan to arrive on campus in time to attend these activities. NOTE: You may not be required to attend all activities.

Immigration Check-in at International Services
All new students (including those transferring from another U.S. institution) who traveled into United States with a Montclair State University I-20 or DS-2019 you must report to International Services with their passport, I-94 card (white card in the passport) and I-20 or DS-2019. All dependents on F-2 or J-2 visas must also report to International Services for immigration check-in with their passport, dependent I-20 or DS-2019, I-94 card.

Date:         Monday, January 9, 2012     or        Thursday, January 12, 2012
Time:         10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.   
Location:    International Services, Global Education Center, 22 Normal Avenue
                   (White house across the street from the main entrance to the  campus)

Students who have been authorized to arrive late should visit International Services within one day of your arrival to complete an immigration check-in. Our office hours are Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Our summer office hours are Monday-Thursday 8:00 a.m. to 5:15 p.m.

Testing
English as a Second Language (ESL)Test:
All undergraduate and graduate degree-seeking international students whose native language is not English are required to take this test. Exchange students on a J-1 visa are not required to take this test.

Date:                Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Time:                2:00 p.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Location:           Dickson Hall room 122 (1st Floor)

If you are transferring from another U.S. school, you are not required to take this test if you have completed English Composition I and II. The test consists of four parts: a multiple-choice structure test, a multiple-choice listening comprehension test, a one page reading selection with 5 short-answer questions, and a written summary of the reading selection. The test is in paper-and-pencil format, and there is no practice test on the web to access.

Please note: If after taking the ESL test you are required to take remedial English courses, then you will have to register and pay for the courses. Those courses will not count towards your overall degree requirements.

You can arrange to take this test earlier by contacting Tina Bollettieri at bollettiert@mail.montclair.edu

Montclair State University Placement Test (MSUPT):
All undergraduate degree students with fewer than 24 credits are required to take this test. Exchange students on a
J-1 visa are not required to take this test.

Date:                Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Time:                1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  
Location:           Morehead Hall, Room 139

This exam is also offered at various times throughout the year. Contact the Center for Academic Development and Assessment at 973-655-4476 to schedule an earlier date if you are currently in the U.S.

Academic Advising
Since you will be a new student at Montclair State, it is important that you receive correct advisement regarding your academic program. You should not attempt to register until you have met with your academic advisor. Read the following carefully to determine how to receive academic advising. 

Freshmen Students
Freshmen Students are those that are starting their undergraduate program after completing secondary school. You must be advised by the Office of New Student Experience after you take the English as a Second Language Test and the Montclair State University Placement Test (MSUPT).  You must attend the advising session listed below:

Date:                Friday, January 13, 2012
Time:                2:15 p.m. (Immediately after International Student Orientation)
Location:          Morehead Hall, Room 101

If you have any questions, contact:        
Office of New Student Experience:       Phone:              973-655-7609
                                                             Location:           Morehead Hall, Room 101

Undergraduate Transfer Students
Students transferring from another U.S. school or those that are transferring credits from their home country institution must attend a Transfer Day Session in order to register for classes. You are required to register for a session. Visit http://www.montclair.edu/transferdays

If you have any questions about class registration, contact:
The Center for
Academic Advising and Adult Learning: Phone:        973-655-7114
                                                              Location:     Morehead Hall, Room 132

Graduate students
Graduate students must be advised by their department faculty advisors. Please contact your faculty advisor and set up an appointment before leaving your home country.  Check your acceptance letter for the name and contact information of your faculty advisor, or visit http://www.montclair.edu/graduate/current/adviserlist.shtml to find out the name of your faculty advisor. Keep in mind that you must first take the English as a Second Language Test (if applicable) before meeting with your advisor to register for classes. Check the Graduate School website at www.montclair.edu/graduate for Graduate Orientation date.

J-1 exchange students
If you are an exchange student here for one or two semesters and have not yet finalized your course schedule, contact Beth Calamia Scheckel (calamiascheb@montclair.edu) as soon as possible.

Register for Classes
After taking the necessary tests and receiving academic advisement you will register for classes. Registration at Montclair State is processed through WESS, (Web Enrollment Services for Students).  WESS is designed to provide students with a convenient method of registering, accessing their schedules, grades and billing information.  To access WESS go to https://wfs.montclair.edu/ahomepg.htm. To log in you will require your Campus Wide Identification Number (CWID) and your Personal Identification Number (PIN). The CWID is assigned to you at the time you applied to the University. The PIN has been initially assigned to you. It will be the date date of birth on file for you. For example, if the date of birth on file for you is July 12, 1986, your assigned PIN would be 071286.

Students attending on F-1 or J-1 visa status must attend full-time (12 credits for undergraduate students and 9 credits for graduate students).

Attend Mandatory International Student Orientation
All new F-1 and J-1 international students, including freshmen, transfer students and those students who changed their status to F-1 student must attend the Mandatory International Student Meeting. Apart from the Freshmen Orientation, Transfer Session Day, or Graduate Orientation you are required to attend this mandatory Orientation. The orientation will cover important information about your F-1 or J-1 status, including maintaining status, employment, social security numbers and travel. We will also provide information about the U.S. culture, academic success, staying healthy and the health insurance, opening a bank account, campus life and more. If you are accompanied by your spouse, he/she is invited to attend.

Date:                Friday, January 13, 2012
Time:                9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Location:          Conference Center, 7th Floor, University Hall

All students are required to register for the orientation by completing the online ‘International Student Orientation Registration Form’ available on our website at www.montclair.edu/international under News and Events.

Email/Netid
All new students must set up their NetID as soon as you register for classes and by doing so you setup your free e-mail account (mail.montclair.edu ) as well. Your Net ID is your unique electronic identity that gives you access to a number of online services at the University including email and Blackboard. Important correspondence is no longer sent to students via paper, it is only sent through this email system to your Montclair account. You must sign up for a Montclair account as you will be held responsible for all the important information and campus notifications transmitted through this email. International Services sends out an electronic newsletter called Crossmail and it is sent only to the Montclair email account. All international students are held responsible to read the newsletter and follow up on any notifications.

Obtain ID Card
All students are required to have a University-issued Photo Identification Card (ID Card). This ID will be required to use campus facilities such as the computer labs, dining facilities, recreation center, and library. Once you register for classes visit the I.D Card Office located in Student Center 1st floor behind the Computer Lab. You will need the following to obtain the card: Proof of current enrollment in classes, Passport, Your I-20 or DS-2019 form

Location:        Student Center, first floor behind the Computer Lab
Hours:            Fall and Spring Semesters         Summer Hours
Mon, Tues, Wed, Fri 8:30 am - 4:30 pm            Mon – Thurs 8:00 a.m. – 5:15 p.m.
Thurs 8:30 a.m. – 7:00 p.m.
(while classes are in session)
Phone:              973-655-4147

Pay your Bill
Once you register for classes, you will be required to pay your tuition and fees. All statements will be posted and available for viewing on the Student Web Enrollment Student Services (WESS) Account Summary website. For more information visit the Student Account’s Office located in Room 214, College Hall. The Student Account’s Office phone number is 973-655-4177 and their website is at www.montclair.edu/studentaccounts

Payment Options include

• Cash
• Check/Money Order
• Online Payments with E-Check
• SallieMae Installment Payment Plan. You may enroll through: the link via your WESS Account Summary; visiting online at https://tuitionpay.salliemae.com/tuitionpay/tpphome.aspx?msu; speaking to a TuitionPay consultant by calling (800) 635-0120. If you choose to enroll in a payment plan, it is the student’s responsibility to check his/her MSU WESS student account online at wfs.montclair.edu to keep the plan up-to-date.
• Credit Card. The University does not directly accept credit cards for payment of student accounts, we have arranged with Sallie Mae to accept credit cards on our behalf. Sallie Mae accepts AMEX, MC and Discover – they do not accept VISA. Please note that there will be a non-refundable convenience fee charged based on and in addition to your payment amount. You can pay by credit card on line by accessing your WESS account summary and using the “Pay by Credit Card” link. If paying with a credit card, please enter your Campus Wide ID # - the same ID used for WESS. Credit cards payments are accepted online only.

Please make sure tuition is paid in a timely manner or your classes may be deregistered, which means they may be dropped due to non-payment.

Parking
All students are required to have a parking permit for any vehicle that they park on campus, unless the vehicle will be parked only in the Red Hawk Deck, the NJ Transit garage, or metered campus spaces. Permits allow the authorized holder to park in lots designated by the type of permit issued. A permit does not provide assurance of a parking space at any given time or location.  Permits are available in a limited number and on a first come, first served basis and have to be renewed yearly.

For more information visit the Office of Transportation & Parking Services located on the 1st floor of the Red Hawk Deck or visit them online at http://www.montclair.edu/facilities/fs/taps/

Dining Services on Campus
Before the start of the semester, the following locations are open for food services:

• Red Hawk Diner, located behind Student Center
• Snack Bar on the 1st floor of College Hall
• Convenience Store, located on the 1st floor of the Student Center, near the Bookstore
• Café Diem, located in Sprague Library

Once classes start, Blanton and Freeman Dining Halls and the Student Center Café opens. Students can apply for Meal Plans, Flex Dollars or Red Hawk Dollars if they wish to. For more information please visit the Dining Services Office located inside the Student Center Café or visit them online at http://www.montclair.edu/DiningServices

Bookstore
Once you register for classes visit the book store to purchase your textbooks. Print your schedule of classes and take it with you as it will help you find the right book(s) for each class. The store also carries a wide selection of cards, gifts, snack items, electronics, and a complete selection of MSU clothing and gift items. The book store is located on the first floor of the Student Center and can also be reached on their website at www.montclair.bkstr.com

Spring 2012 Academic Calendar