Academic Life .

Classroom Environment Most classes include lectures, homework, quizzes, midterm exams, and final exams. It is common for professors to give a grade for class participation as well.  Attendance: Missing class is considered unacceptable by most professors and consistently missing or showing up late to class will lower your final grade in the class.  Participation: Class sizes at Oxy are very small, with an average class containing 19 students.

Grades and GPA Grades you receive for classes are usually converted from number grades to letter grades. Most professors use this scale: 95-100% A 90-94% A86-89% B+ 84-8% B 80-83% B70s earn C-, C, C+ as above 60s earn Ds as above 59 and below is an F, failing

Important Dates .

Aug 24, 2016 Aug 25, 2016 Aug 25-30, 2016 Aug 30, 2016

Faculty Academic Advisor The advisor will meet with you before you register each semester. Academic advising is important since this professor will help you make sure you are on track to finish your major.

Academic Integrity Occidental College assumes that students and faculty will embrace a high ethical standard for academic work. Academic misconduct occurs when a student misrepresents others' work as her/his unfairly advantage her/himself academically. Examples of misconduct include cheating and plagiarism and failure to report suspected academic misconduct. If misconduct occurs to any extent in connection with any academic work, it will be subject to disciplinary action. Read more here: http://goo.gl/dFRWnS

Mandatory All Student Orientation 9-9 daily 1st Day of Classes (starts at 11:45AM)

Oct 10-11, 2016

Fall Break

Nov 23-25, 2016

Registration Week for Spring 2016

Dec 6, 2016

Last Day of Classes

Dec 9 & 1216, 2016

Final Exams

Dec 17, 2016

Residence Halls Close at 10 AM or 24 hours after the last final

Jan 21, 2017

Returning Students move-in at 10 AM

Jan 23, 2017

1st Day of Classes at 11:45AM

Registration Registration for courses is accomplished as part of the New Student Orientation Program.

Exchange students arrive on campus Mandatory Student Orientation Program – Mandatory for all new students

Feb 20, 2017 Mar 6-10, 2017 May 2, 2017 May 5 & 813, 2017 May 14, 2017

President’s Day (national holiday)

Essential Guide to Occidental College

Spring Break Last day of classes Final Exams

In one of the world’s truly global cities, Oxy is a vibrant international campus where diverse backgrounds, interests and ideas thrive, where international and multinational students feel welcome and supported.

Residence Halls close at 10AM or 24 hours after the last final exam

Visit http://goo.gl/b78yAN to see the complete Oxy 2016-2017 Academic Calendar.

Email: [email protected] Phone: 323-259-2533 Location: Johnson 102 . Web site: http: oxy.edu/ipo

Entering the U.S.

Arrival in the U.S.

Living at Oxy

Obtaining an J-1 Visa

Arrival Instructions

Housing

As an exchange student, you will need to obtain an J-1 nonimmigrant student visa after you receive your DS-2019. You can apply for a DS-2019 at a U.S. consular office in your home country. Note that J-1 visas cannot, as a general rule, be obtained from inside the U.S. There may be exceptional cases through a lengthy and expensive process on condition of special approval.

Your DS-2019 form lists the latest date by which you may arrive at Occidental College in section 3. If you will be delayed beyond the date on the document, you must contact IPO immediately. You may arrive in the U.S. up to 30 days before the arrival date listed on your DS-2019. You are also allowed to stay 30 days beyond the end date of your program.

At Occidental, you will share a room with one or two other students in one of thirteen residence halls on campus. Living at Oxy Residence is part of your overall learning. All first year students, both international and domestic, will live in residence halls on-campus with their assigned roommates.

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A passport, valid for six months into the future. Your DS-2019 document Evidence of financial support, such as an original Certificate of Finances from your bank, personal bank statements, or a letter of financial award from Occidental College The acceptance letter from Oxy. Proof that you have a permanent residence outside the United States. Two or more unofficial passport-sized photographs. A non-immigrant J-1 visa application from the U.S. consulate or embassy itself. Receipt for payment of the I-901 SEVIS fee .

Additional materials may be required by the U.S. consulate to prove your eligibility for a student visa. For more info about this visit: https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov/students Check with your nearest U.S. Consulate or visit U.S. embassy website for the most current information.

During the winter vacation (Mid-December to MidJanuary) and the summer vacation (Mid-May to late August) all residence halls will be closed. You must plan to return home or visit friends during this time.

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For questions about housing, please contact Residential Education and Housing Services at [email protected].

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Valid passport with visa stamp Acceptance letter from Occidental DS-2019 form from Occidental, as well as all previously issued DS-2019 documents All supporting documents

Customs & Immigration You will need to clear U.S. Customs upon arrival to the United States. Show your passport and DS-2019 form to the immigration inspector.

From Airport to Occidental College 1. 2. 3.

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Get your bags and go through Customs. Follow the signs for “Ground Transportation.” Board on the shuttle or taxi – If you are taking a taxi tell the driver “Occidental College in Eagle Rock, between Glendale and Pasadena.” The address is 1599 Campus Road, LA, CA 90041. If you are arriving in the night time, ask the driver to deliver you to the assigned dormitory.

Transportations Shuttles cost about $35. Taxis usually cost around $70 or more (or, you can find Uber!) SuperShuttle 1-800- 258-3826 10% discount if you use this access code: OXYED. Use this link: http://goo.gl/HAicR7) Taxi Yellow Cab (213) 627-7000 Checker Cab (323) 654-8400 .

Meals All students must purchase Meal Plans and they function as debit accounts. Menu items are deducted from your account balance with each purchase. Oxy offers four meal plans. We advise you to choose Meal Plan B or C.

Health & Insurance All enrolled students must have health insurance to enroll at Oxy. The insurance premium cost for the 20162017 academic year is estimated to be $2,050.

Emmons Wellness Center: Emmons is the student health center Oxy that’s committed to providing easily accessible and high quality medical care, counseling services, and student-driven wellness. Walk-in services:  Sick visits  Injuries  Emergency Birth Control By Appointment Only:  Well Women’s Visit  New Medication/Prescription Refills  Consultations  Immunizations/TB Screening  STI/ HIV Testing For more information, email [email protected]

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Documents to take with you for your J-1 Visa

Documents to Carry With You on Your Person; NOT In Your Checked Luggage:

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