Once you have been officially and unconditionally admitted to LSU, there are several steps you need to take to officially let us know you plan to attend LSU and to prepare for your first semester. This Pre-Arrival Checklist will take you through those steps.
1. Submit required financial documentation to ISS
After you have been admitted to LSU, International Student Services (ISS) will email you with instructions on how to complete and submit an Initial I-20/DS-2019 Request Form. In the meantime, you should start to gather your required financial documents and research your estimated expenses.
2. Apply for a student visa
ISS will issue your I-20/DS-2019 after receiving your I-20/DS-2019 Request Form and verifying your financial documentation. Once you have received your I-20/DS-2019, you will need to pay the I-901 SEVIS fee and apply for the student visa.
3. Make travel and housing arrangements
You'll want to start planning and making arrangements for life in Baton Rouge. ISS has complied some information about travel to Baton Rouge, entering the United States, and housing options. Additionally, our colleagues with the Global Community Center (GCC) will be welcoming you at International Student Orientation and provide support throughout your time at LSU.
4. Submit your immunization records
To safeguard the health of the LSU community, all new students are required to provide proof of immunization against measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), tetanus-diptheria, and meningitis. You must complete and submit the Immunization Compliance form to the LSU Student Health Center. Any questions can be directed to the Student Health Center. You should keep a copy of your Immunization Compliance form for your record.
Failure to submit the required documentation to the Student Health Center will result in a hold on your account that will prevent you from completing course registration. Only the Student Health Center can remove that hold. Please note that
- Depending on your country of origin and/or recent travels, you could require testing and/or treatment for past exposure to tuberculosis (TB). You are strongly encouraged to undergo TB testing/treatment prior to coming to the United States. You must provide documentation of TB skin test results, TB blood test results, and/or treatment for a positive skin test on LSU's Immunization Compliance form. You also must provide copies of any lab/x-ray reports per the Immunization form.
- If you wait until you arrive in the U.S. to be tested or treated for TB, you will not be allowed to register for classes until all necessary testing/treatment is complete. This process can take up to four (4) weeks and would delay your registration for that same amount of time.
- Testing and treatment for TB in the United States can cost you about $550 USD, depending on your test results and any required further medical evaluation. As a pre-existing condition, these additional expenses may not be covered by LSU medical health insurance or any other health insurance, so you would pay the cost for testing/treatment from your personal funds.
5. Learn about English placement & proficiency tests
Michigan English Placement Test
While most international students take the TOEFL or IELTS, which rates English proficiency and is required for the LSU admission application process, the Michigan English Placement Test determines what (if any) additional English writing courses you may need to take at LSU to support you in your coursework. The test includes a written essay section and costs $25. The cost of the test will be added to your LSU fee bill.
Oral Proficiency Interview (for graduate assistants)
Graduate students with teaching assistantships are required to take the Oral Proficiency Interview prior to beginning any assistantship duties.
Questions about the Michigan Placement test, including exemption, or the Oral interview should be directed to staff in the LSU Department of English: esl@lsu.edu.
6. Learn about enrollment
Typically, international students cannot schedule classes, pay tuition/fees, and complete course registration until the arrive at LSU and attend the necessary orientation programs.
Failure to register for courses on time will affect your lawful student status with U.S. Immigration and your ability to remain in the U.S. Please note that there are two items that must be cleared before you will be able to complete your LSU course registration:
- Immunization Compliance form submitted and cleared by the LSU Student Health Center (see step 4 above).
- Michigan English Placement test results received by your academic advisor (see step 5 above).
Enrolling at LSU is a two-step process:
- Scheduling your courses.
- Paying your fee bill and clicking the "complete registration" button in your myLSU account (under Registration Services, select Fee Bill).
Even if you have a $0 USD balance on your fee bill, you must ensure that you have clicked the "complete registration" button; otherwise, your class schedule will be purged, and you will need to reschedule your classes based on current course availability. If you have challenges paying the fee bill or completing course registration online, you can go in person to LSU Bursar Operations in 125 Thomas Boyd Hall.
Please be aware that the dollar amount on your LSU fee bill may not be the same as the estimated expenses provided to you by International Student Services (ISS). The I-20/DS-2019 estimates are based on the minimum number of credit hours for full-time enrollment, which is required to maintain the F-1/J-1 student visa status. You can review that LSU fee schedules for the cost of each credit hour.
Full-time Enrollment
Full-time enrollment is required for F-1 and J-1 students during the fall and spring semesters:
- Undergraduate: 12+ hours
- Graduate: 9+ hours
- Professional: check with your program
Full-time enrollment for summer (6 credit hours) is required only if you are admitted for the summer semester or if summer courses are required by your program. Otherwise, summer enrollment is optional. Please see our article on summer admissions for more information.
Academic Advising
| The Center for Freshman Year (UCFY): Advising for new freshmen and transfer students in the first 24-30 hours of enrollment. |
The Center for Advising and Counseling (UCAC): Advising for students who are beyond 30 hours of enrollment but do not yet meet senior college requirements. |
Senior College advising: Advising for those students who have been admitted into their senior college. Students can contact their college for more information. |
Graduate students should contact the graduate advisor within their academic department. |
7. Report your arrival for SEVIS
All incoming F-1 and J-1 students with an Initial or Transfer Pending I-20 or DS-2019 from LSU must complete the New Student Information Form as part of mandatory SEVIS reporting. SEVIS reporting is required of students who are new to LSU as well as those who are returning from an absence with a new I-20 or DS-2019 issued under a new SEVIS ID number.
The online New Student Information Form collects copies of your F-1 or J-1 status documents and the information ISS needs to report your arrival in SEVIS. Completing this form is time sensitive and must be done promptly after your arrival in the United States.
You must complete the SEVIS reporting process prior to competing your I-9 (for on-campus employment) or before applying for a Social Security Number (SSN), driver's license, or state ID card).
Please see our article Reporting Your Arrival for detailed information.
8. Attend International Student Orientation
International Student Orientation is typically held the week before classes start and is mandatory for all new F-1 and J-1 students. At orientation you will have the opportunity to learn about LSU, meet campus staff, get to know fellow students, gather information regarding your visa status, and discuss how to be successful at LSU.