Exchange Students

We can't wait to welcome you to the University of Rochester! Before you join us on campus, there are some tasks you'll need to complete to make sure you're prepared for your international education experience.

Enrollment tasks

First things, first! Before completing any of the required incoming exchange student tasks, you'll need to set up your online accounts and update your family's contact information.

Activate your student account

About two business days after you make your enrollment deposit, you will receive an email requesting that you activate your NetID and enroll in Duo.

  • NetID: your unique personal identifier for securely accessing a variety of online services, including your Rochester email address
  • Duo: the University's two-factor authentication tool to protect your and the University's data
Instructions
  1. Navigate to the University Account Initialization page (link below).
  2. Enter your eight-digit University ID number (included in the email you received from Admissions), the CAPTCHA, and your date of birth.
  3. Tap Continue.
  4. Follow the directions to create your NetID password. You will also be asked to set up password recovery questions in case you forget your password, as well as connect your phone number or mobile device to your account to enable Duo two-factor authentication.

Initialize your account

Complete your account onboarding tasks

After activating your NetID and enrolling in Duo, you'll need to complete your onboarding tasks in UR Student, the University's student information system. UR Student is where you will register for your courses, manage your student financial account, and update your personal information.

Instructions

Navigate to UR Student (link below) and follow the prompts to:

  1. Enable the WalkMe browser extension. This tool provides helpful guidance on key tasks within the UR Student system on your desktop or laptop, including tips during course registration.
  2. Review your home contact information and update your address(es) and/or phone number(s) as needed.
  3. Review your friend and family contacts listed and make any necessary updates, including their contact information. Make sure to have at least one contact labeled as your emergency contact.
  4. Review your settings for AlertUR, the University's emergency notification system. As a new student, you are automatically enrolled in AlertUR with your Rochester email address. However, if you would like to receive alerts on your phone as well, make sure to update those settings during this step.
  5. Review the Student Financial Responsibility Agreement and note that you consent to the agreement with your electronic signature.
  6. Consent to receive your IRS Form 1098-T electronically. This is a tax form that the University generates each year for you, if you have qualifying financial activity on your student account.

Log into UR Student

Access your UR email account

As a student, you will be provided with a Gmail account to use during your time at Rochester. The format of your student email address is: netID@u.rochester.edu. Your email account is set up for you automatically—all you need to do is navigate to the login page and enter your NetID and password to access your account.

Log into your UR Gmail account

Add your parent/guardian(s)' email address(es) to UR Student

If you didn't update your parent and guardian's contact information when completing your onboarding tasks in UR Student (see Activate your student account and complete your onboarding tasks above), make sure to verify that all the information is correct. The University will be using the contact information provided in your UR Student account to send your parent(s) or guardian(s) important communications ahead of your arrival to campus.

Log into UR Student

Academic tasks

As an incoming exchange student, you will join the incoming first-year and transfer students to register for your classes ahead of your arrival to campus in August. You will be able to register for your University of Rochester classes in UR Student, the University's student information system, after connecting with your academic advisor (beginning Monday, July 7). Complete the following tasks to make sure you're ready to register for classes:

Review course offerings

Utilize the Course Descriptions Course Schedules (CDCS) website to view available offerings. Visit the CDCS Guide page for instructions on how to use the tool to search for courses.

As a reminder, exchange students should take all courses for a grade and are restricted from registering for the following course types:

  • graduate-level courses (generally with a course number of 400 or higher)
  • courses outside of Arts, Sciences & Engineering
  • more than 19 credits per semester (standard semester course load is 16 credits)
Connect with your academic advisor

To prepare for course registration, you must virtually connect with your academic advisor. Beginning July 7, they will reach out to you directly at your University of Rochester email address (make sure to set yours up) to set up a time to discuss your course options for the semester. Once you have discussed your plans with your academic advisor, you will be able to register in UR Student, the University's student information system.

Please avoid contacting your advisor(s) prior to this communication, as the advising team continues to support current University of Rochester students in the spring and early summer.

Review registration tutorials and tips

We know course registration can be stressful, especially in at a different school with a different system! Use the button below to explore tutorials, tips, and resources for navigating the UR Student system and preparing for registration day.

View resources

Register for fall classes

After your academic advisor lifts the Advisor Hold in UR Student, you'll be able to log into the University's student information system to register for your fall semester courses. Classes may fill up quickly, so make sure to log in and register as soon as your advisor gives you access.

Log into UR Student

Financial tasks

View and pay your tuition bill and learn how to set up your finances while you are studying at Rochester. Learn more about billing and payment FAQ, financial resources, and campus banking services on the Finances page.

View page

On July 18: View your fall 2025 tuition bill

Your semester tuition bill will be posted on Friday, July 18. You (and your authorized family or friends) will receive an email notification to view your bill in your UR Student account before it is due.

Due August 10: Pay your fall 2025 tuition bill

Your semester tuition bill will be due on Sunday, August 10. You (and your authorized family or friends) will receive an email notification to view your bill in your UR Student account before it is due.

Health and wellbeing tasks

Complete your required health forms and document your health insurance coverage for your time abroad.

Due July 10: Complete the online health insurance process

For your semester at the University of Rochester, you must document your health insurance coverage during the appropriate open enrollment period by either enrolling in the UR Student Health Insurance Plan or waiving the plan if you are already enrolled in a qualifying healthcare plan. You will need to complete this process between Sunday, June 15 and Monday, September 15.

Process opens Sunday, June 15

Please note: If you are planning to waive the UR Student Health Insurance Plan because you are already enrolled in a qualifying healthcare plan, we encourage you to complete this process by Thursday, July 10 to avoid having the health insurance plan fee added to your tuition bill. If you do not waive the plan prior to this date, the fee will show on your tuition billing statement until you complete the waiver process.

Questions: insurance@uhs.rochester.edu

Due July 31: Register for UHSConnect and complete your required health forms

UHSConnect is a secure web portal that gives you easy access to your University health records and allows you to securely message your healthcare team at the University Health Service and University Counseling Center. It's also where you'll need to complete the Health History & Immunization Form and Allergy & Medication Form as part of the University's health requirements for all full-time students.

Instructions
  1. Navigate to UHSConnect.
  2. Click Register.
  3. Enter your personal information and create a security question and answer as prompted.
    1. In the field for UHSConnect ID, enter your eight-digit University ID number (different from your NetID).
    2. In the field for email address, enter your Rochester email address (netid@u.rochester.edu) in all lowercase characters.
    3. The security question answer must be at least 6 characters long.
  4. An email containing a link to set your password and set up your account will be emailed to your Rochester email address. The link in the email is valid for 20 minutes upon receipt.
  5. Click the link in the email and enter the answer to your security question.
  6. Set your account password.
  7. Once successfully created, a Password Confirmation Successful message will be displayed.
  8. Click on the prompt to log into your UHSConnect account.
  9. Select My Forms.
    1. If you have not yet completed the required forms, you will see a prompt to fill them out on your UHSConnect home screen.
  10. Click on Health History and Immunization Form or Allergy and Medication Form to begin entering your information on each of the required forms.
    1. You can save your progress on each form for later. You should only submit the form once you have filled out all of the required fields.
    2. Make sure to upload any required attachments before submitting your form.
  11. Click Submit at the end of each form to send your completed documents to the University Health Service for processing.

Go to UHSConnect

Please note: If you submit these required health forms after the deadline above, you may be subject to a $50 USD late fee, applied directly to your tuition account.

Questions: hhf@uhs.rochester.edu (use the subject line "UHS Connect Help")

Due August 15: Review the policy against discrimination and harassment

Review this important information on the polices and reporting procedures for discrimination and harassment at the University, compiled by the Office of Equity and Inclusion Civil Rights Compliance Team.

Coming soon

Housing and dining tasks

Get ready to make the River Campus your home away from home.

Due June 2: Submit your housing and dining contract form

This form is required for all incoming exchange students by Monday, June 2

Follow the instructions listed on the Residential Life and Housing Services website to ccomplete your contract form in the StarRez portal. Please note that there are separate instructions for first-year students and transfer and exchange students. You will need your Active Directory credentials (which you should have set up during your enrollment tasks) in order to complete the contract form.

Housing and dining contract form instructions

Helpful resource: As you complete the contract form, make sure to review the undergraduate housing contract to help you complete all required sections.

Questions
View your housing assignment

Your on-campus housing assignment and information on your assigned roommate(s) will be sent to your University of Rochester email address on early July, directly from Residential Life.

The email will contain instructions to sign up for a specific move-in time slot on your assigned arrival day (Monday, August 18). Move-in time slots are first-come, first-served, so make sure to sign up as soon as you receive your email!

Due August 1: Submit your campus ID photo

Your University of Rochester campus ID card is not just your official student identification! It also offers you access to your on-campus residence hall (and other campus buildings) and links to your online accounts at a variety of different campus locations including libraries, dining centers, the bookstore, laundries, copiers, and vending machines.

In order to have your campus ID card available for pickup on your assigned arrival day, you will need to submit a photo of yourself to be printed on your card by the date listed above

Beginning June 1, the ID Office will send you an email with instructions for submitting a photo through the CloudCard system. (The email will be sent from id-photo-submissions@notices.rochester.edu.)

If you do not submit a photo, you will need to visit the ID Office on your assigned arrival day to have your photo taken and your ID card printed on-site, which may result in long wait times.

Due August 1: Sign up for your move-in time slot

You are required to sign up for a move-in time slot on your assigned Fall Arrival Day (Monday, August 18) by the deadline listed above in the StarRez portal. You can also find this link in your housing assignment email, sent to all incoming residential students directly from Residential Life and Housing Services.

By August 16: Review residential policies and information

Make sure to review the following residential hall policies, room information, and what items are not and not allowed to in your on-campus living space.

Review information

Questions: housing@reslife.rochester.edu

Required resource videos and modules

These resource videos and modules will introduce you to University life and academics ahead of your arrival on campus. Make sure to complete these required items by Saturday, August 16.

*This video needs to be watched by Wednesday, July 30 at the latest.

Academic honesty (video and module)

These videos provide you with a basic introduction to the academic honesty policy and system in the College, and acquaints you with personnel, training, and resources available to help you throughout your time at Rochester.

Campus and community safety (video only)

Maintaining a safe and secure community at the University of Rochester requires the cooperation of all University community members. This video introduces you to the University's Department of Public Safety, a leader in the efforts to maintain safety and security by using the highest levels of training, professionalism, collaboration, and transparency. This session will also include important steps that you, as an individual, can take to ensure safety and security for the entire University community.

Discrimination and harassment policies (video only)

The Civil Rights Compliance Team reviews the polices and reporting procedures for discrimination and harassment at the University.

Health and wellbeing on campus (video only)*

Managing your health and wellbeing can be challenging in college, whether this is you are living away from home for the first time or you're transferring in from another school. In this video, staff from the University Health Service Primary Care team and University Counseling Center share the resources and support available to you as a student, including services to help maintain your physical, mental, and emotional health throughout your time at Rochester.

Information security (video only)

Learn the best ways to keep your personal information and online accounts safe during your time at Rochester, including how to spot and report phishing attempts.

International student essentials (video only)

Assistant Dean of International Student Engagement Molly Morrison shares key information for international students to have the best possible arrival and time at the University of Rochester.

Student community support and resources (video and module)

The Center for Student Conflict Management (CSCM) provides support and resources to help you become a positive community member during your years at Rochester and beyond. Located on the fifth floor of Wilson Commons, CSCM includes the Student Conduct, CARE Network, and Alcohol & Other Drug Education teams. In this video and module, you'll learn about how each of these offices can help you stay accountable to yourself, your fellow students, and the University community.

How to watch videos and complete modules

You will complete this component in Blackboard, the University's learning management system.

How to watch the videos and complete the modules
  1. Log into your Blackboard account.
  2. Expand the sidebar navigation menu and select Organizations.
  3. Find and select Rochester Ready: Fall 2025 in the list.
  4. Find the following items and begin watching the required video(s) and/or completing the required module:
    1. Resource videos (due throughout the summer)
    2. Academic honesty training (due August 16)
    3. Student community support and resources training (due August 16)
  5. Make sure to watch the entire video so your view is recorded on your Blackboard account.

Log into Blackboard

Welcome Week tasks

Book your travel, complete your registration for Welcome Week, and download the app when it launches in early August.

By June 11: Order your custom incoming student gift

Show off your Rochester pride with a customized wearable item, exclusive to incoming students this fall. Complete the order form by the deadline above to pick up your item during Welcome Week check-in in August.

Complete order form

Please note: You must submit your form by Wednesday, June 11 to guarantee item availability and personalization. Additional non-personalized items will be available to pick up at Welcome Week check-in on a first-come, first-served basis for those who do not complete the order form by the deadline.

By July 1: Book your travel and accommodation

Review transportation options and area accommodations to book your travel to Rochester.

Explore resources

Due August 4: Register for Fall Welcome Week

Registration for Welcome Week is required for all incoming exchange students and any family members/guests planning to attend. If you are arriving to campus from a location outside of the U.S., you'll also be able to indicate your interest in purchasing a dorm pack on this form.

Complete registration form

By August 16: Download the Welcome Week app

The Welcome Week app is your go-to resource for the full schedule of events and activities once you arrive to campus in August. The app also includes arrival day instructions and campus resources, so we encourage you to download and review it before you begin your journey to Rochester.

Available in early August

Fall Welcome Week

Exchange student meet & greet

Meet fellow exchange students and connect with staff from the Center for Education Abroad at this gathering during Fall Welcome Week. Keep an eye out for details!

Welcome Week

Arrival day

As an incoming exchange student, you are be expected to arrive the University of Rochester on Monday, August 18, 2025. Your arrival day will include moving into your on-campus housing, checking in for Welcome Week, and connecting with fellow international students.

Optional tasks and resources

While the following tasks are not required, here are a few more ways to connect with fellow incoming students and learn more about the University before you arrive on campus.

Contact

We're here for you.

Enrollment & Special Programs Manager Jen O'Neil in the Center for Education Abroad is the designated contact for incoming international exchange students. Send her a message with any questions or concerns as you prepare to travel to Rochester.