Exchange Students

We can't to welcome to the University of Rochester! Before you join us on campus, there are some tasks you'l 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, UR Student, Blackboard, and the Virtual Private Network (VPN)
  • 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 January in UR Student, the University's student information system. 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)
Due January 6: Connect with your academic advisor

To prepare for course registration, you must virtually connect with your academic advisor. After you officially enroll, 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 and they have approved your courses, you will be able to register in UR Student, the University's student information system.

Create a saved schedule

Creating a saved schedule will save you time while registering by allowing you to organize the courses you would like to register for in a course schedule format. Then, you can simply enroll in those courses from your saved schedule when registration opens. Use the button to learn how to create a saved schedule.

View tutorial (PDF)

View tutorial (video)

Review registration tutorials and tips

We know course registration can be stressful, especially in at a different school with a different system! Step-by-step instructions and tutorial videos are available to help you complete the following:

Register for spring classes

Once you connect with your advisor and get your class schedule approved, you'll be able to log into UR Student, the University's student information system, to register for your spring semester courses.

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. Visit the Finances page to view billing and payment FAQ, financial resources, and campus banking services.

View your tuition bill

Your semester tuition bill will post to your account shortly after you officially enroll at the University. We recommend viewing your bill as soon as it becomes available (before the deadline listed above). You (and your authorized family or friends) will also receive an email notification to view your bill in your UR Student account before it is due.

Due January 10: Pay your tuition bill

As an exchange student, your semester tuition bill will be due on Friday, January 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

Submit your required health forms and complete the online health insurance process.

Due December 15: Register for UHSConnect

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 during your semester at Rochester.

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.

Go to UHSConnect

Questions: hhf@uhs.rochester.edu

Due December 31: Complete your required health forms

You are required to complete the Health History & Immunization Form and Allergy & Medication Form as part of the University's health requirements for all full-time students. You will complete and submit these forms to the University Health Service via your UHSConnect account.

IMPORTANT: Submitting your required health forms after December 31 may result in a late fee of $50 USD applied to your student account.

Instructions
  1. Log into your UHSConnect account.
  2. Select My Forms.
    1. If you have not yet completed the required forms, you will see a prompt to fill them out on your UHS Connect home screen.
  3. 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.
  4. Click Submit at the end of each form to send your completed documents to the University Health Service for processing.

Go to UHSConnect

Questions: hhf@uhs.rochester.edu

Due January 16: 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.

View information

Due January 31: 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 Thursday, November 14, 2024 and Friday, January 31, 2025 using the button below.

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 as soon as you submit your enrollment deposit to avoid having the health insurance plan fee added to your tuition bill. If you do not waive the plan, the fee will show on your spring tuition billing statement until you complete the waiver process.

Complete process

Housing and dining tasks

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

Due December 15: Submit your housing and dining contract forms

This form is required for incoming exchange students by Sunday, December 15.

Instructions

Use the button below to view the instructions on Residential Life and Housing Services website to complete 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.

Here are a few resources that will be helpful as you make complete the contract form:

  1. Undergraduate housing contract
  2. Housing and meal plan research tool
  3. River Campus meal plan options

Housing and dining contract form instructions

Questions
Due December 27: 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 upload a photo of yourself to be printed on your card by the date listed above. 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.

Please note: not uploading a photo by the deadline above may result in long wait times at the ID Office on your assigned arrival day.

Instructions
  1. Log into your Blackboard account.
  2. Expand the sidebar navigation menu and select Organizations.
  3. Find and select Rochester Ready: Spring 2025 in the list.
  4. Select Campus ID Photo Submission.
  5. Read through all of the guidelines to make sure the photo you upload will be acceptable for printing.
  6. Follow the prompts to upload an image and submit for approval. 

Coming soon

Questions
On January 13: Begin mailing packages to campus

You can begin having packages delivered to the University on the date listed above. To send a package to campus ahead of your arrival, simply put your name above the University's mailing address to ensure that the Campus Mail Center can correctly identify your package:

Student Name
500 Joseph C Wilson Blvd
Rochester, NY 14627

View your on-campus housing assignment

Residential Life and Housing Services will send you your on-campus housing assignment and information on your assigned roommate(s) on a rolling basis.

Make sure to check your Rochester email address regularly after submitting your housing and dining contract forms for this communication. Questions? Contact Residential Life and Housing Services at housing@reslife.rochester.edu.

Review residential policies and information

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

Review information

Questions

Reach out to Residential Life directly at 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 Thursday, January 16.

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.

Instructions
  1. Log into your Blackboard account.
  2. Expand the sidebar navigation menu and select Organizations.
  3. Find and select Rochester Ready: Spring 2025 in the list.
  4. From the organization homepage, select Academic Honesty Training and follow the instructions to watch the required videos and complete the required module.

Coming soon

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.

Watch video

Health and wellbeing on campus (video only)

Managing your health and wellbeing can be challenging in university, especially if you are far away  from home. In this video, staff from the University Health Service Primary Care team, University Counseling Center, and Health Promotion Office 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.

Watch video

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.

Watch video

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.

Watch video

Sexual misconduct prevention and Title IX information (video and module)

What does it mean to be a BADASS Bystander at the University of Rochester? Being Aware, Deciding to Act, and Saying Something! In this video, the Title IX Office provides information about your rights, resources, and options for reporting sexual misconduct at the University. You will learn practical tools for communicating about consent and boundaries, learning to spot the differences between a healthy or unhealthy relationship, while also acquiring skills to be an active bystander who takes action to interrupt harm and generate positive actions by others.

Instructions
  1. Log into your Blackboard account.
  2. Expand the sidebar navigation menu and select Organizations.
  3. Find and select Rochester Ready: Spring 2025 in the list.
  4. From the organization homepage, select Sexual Misconduct and Title IX Orientation and follow the instructions to watch the required video and complete the required module.

Coming soon

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 time at Rochester. 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.

Instructions
  1. Log into your Blackboard account.
  2. Expand the sidebar navigation menu and select Organizations.
  3. Find and select Rochester Ready: Spring 2025 in the list.
  4. From the organization homepage, select Student Community Support & Resources Training and follow the instructions to watch the required video and complete the required module.

Coming soon

Welcome Week tasks

Make sure you are ready to travel to Rochester in January and make the most of Spring Welcome Week.

Book your travel and accommodation

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

Explore resources

Due December 22: Register for Spring Welcome Week

Registration for Welcome Week is required for all incoming exchange students. You'll also be able to indicate your interest in purchasing a dorm pack on this form.

Dorm packs include bedding and linens to use for your first few nights in Rochester or until you able to purchase linens locally. Use the button below to complete the registration form to help us best prepare for your arrival to campus.

Complete registration form

Spring Welcome Week

Arrival day

As an incoming exchange student, you are be expected to arrive the University of Rochester on Friday, January 17, 2025. Your arrival day will include moving into your on-campus housing, checking in for Welcome Week, and meeting fellow new students.

Spring Welcome Week

Exchange student meet & greet

Date: Saturday, January 18, 2025
Time: 1:30 p.m.
Location: Wilson Commons, Gowen Room

Connect with fellow exchange students and Center for Education Abroad (CEA) staff at this mandatory event. Learn more about academics, support services, U.S. culture, the city of Rochester, and upcoming exchange student events.

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.