International Student Services

International students are an invaluable part of our CMC community. International Student Services (ISS), housed in the Dean of Students Office, is led by our Assistant Dean for International Student Services and Academic Success, Taivna Mills.

Our Vision

The nations and regions of the world are increasingly interdependent. It is critical that responsible leaders develop global perspective and multicultural competence. The presence of students and scholars from around the world helps create a sense of world community and enriches the education for all students, faculty, staff, and the community beyond.

Highlights:

  • Information and guidance tailored to an international perspective
  • Opportunity to settle into life on campus early
  • Complimentary airport pickup service (*registration required)
  • Peer-to-peer support from current international students
  • Advice from future professors and administrators
  • Interaction with the larger international student community at the Claremont Colleges

Here are the steps to getting you onboarded at CMC.

International Student Orientation (ISO) is hosted by International Student Services (ISS) and designed for new incoming students who are not U.S. citizens and have received F-1 visa outside the U.S.

While ISO is a requirement for students on F-1 status, students with U.S. citizenship or permanent residency who have lived abroad are welcome and encouraged to attend. 


Important Dates

Fall 2024 Orientation

  • Tuesday, Jul 16, 2024: Earliest date that you may arrive inside the U.S. on F-1
  • Thursday, Aug 15, 2024: Latest date that you may arrive inside the U.S.

International Student Pre-Orientation

  • Thursday, Aug 15, 2024: Airport pick up & International Student Move-In
  • Friday, Aug 16, 2024: Welcome & Information Fair
  • Saturday, Aug 17, 2024: Immigration and Information Sessions

General New Student Orientation (required for all new students)

  • Sunday, Aug 18, 2024: New Student Move In Day
  • Monday, Aug 19 – Wednesday, Aug 21, 2024: WOA
  • Thursday, Aug 22 – Sunday, Aug 25, 2024: Remaining Orientation Programming
  • Monday, Aug 26, 2024: Classes Begin

New Student Orientation Obtaining F-1 Visa

Once you have committed, we will immediately work with you to file your I-20 visa. We’ll work with you to coordinate travel arrangements or international student orientation.


Employment

Travel

  • Travel Information
  • Visa Renewal
  • SEVIS Fee
  • Travel on OPT

 

SEVIS Transfer-In

If you are currently inside the U.S. and attending school with F-1 status, you may be eligible for a SEVIS transfer. This means that your F-1 record can be transferred from your current school to Claremont McKenna College.

First, you must be officially admitted to CMC and have received your admission letter.

You need to meet with your current school’s DSO to notify them of your intent to transfer your F1 record out of your current school to Claremont McKenna College. Your current school’s DSO will release your F-1 record after determining your eligibility. Your current school may have transfer processing forms for you and CMC's DSO to complete. If you do have any forms for CMC’s DSO to complete, please email them to dso@cmc.edu.

If you are still enrolled in classes, your DSO will release your record after the current school session ends.

During the winter or summer break, your F-1 record can be released at any time.

Once your F-1 record is released, CMC will transfer your record on the date that is set by your current school. This means that your transfer I-20 will not be issued until after your F-1 record is fully transferred into CMC.

SEVIS fee

You will not need to pay a SEVIS fee if you are transferring your F-1 record and have been maintaining your F-1 immigration status.

Travel during SEVIS transfers

If you are travelling outside of the U.S. before your transfer release date, then you need to enter the U.S. with your current school’s I-20.

If you are travelling outside of the U.S. after the transfer release date, then you will need to enter the U.S. with CMC's I-20.

Visa during the SEVIS transfers

You will only need to apply for an F-1 visa if your F-1 visa is expired and you are traveling outside the U.S.

If your F-1 visa is not expired and you are traveling outside the U.S., you can re-enter the U.S. with CMC's I-20.


Our Team

The team is here to help you. Feel free to make an appointment or contact us:

Taivna Mills
Assistant Dean for International Student Services and Academic Success
tamills@cmc.edu
Book an appointment with Calendly

Erika Hongo
Administrative Associate
ehongo@cmc.edu

Dean of Student Office
400 E. Ninth Street
Claremont, CA 91711
Phone: 909-607-3910
Email: dso@cmc.edu

ISS Interns

Sybel Francois

Tendai Nyamuronda

Xinyue Zhang