Pre-Arrival & Orientation
Frequently Asked Questions
What If I Miss Orientation?
Orientation is an important and mandatory part of your preparation to attend the University of Wyoming. Missing Orientation will result in you missing very important information about your classes, required tasks, immigration regulations, and other helpful resources which may result in a delay in your registration, immigration violations that may impact your visa status, and other situations that might be hinder you to start the semester worry-free and prepared for your academic and personal success. If you have an urgent situation that requires you to miss orientation, please contact studentservices@uwyointernational.org
Otherwise, the Wyoming International Team will welcome you at the Orientation event!
How Does the Pick-Up Service Work?
We suggest that you fly to LAR-Laramie Regional Airport as we provide free pick-up service from the local regional airport and transport you to your residence hall, on-campus apartment, or off-campus housing arrangements during arrival week from August 12-16, 2024, provided that you submit your arrival form at least a week before the arrival week.
Students that make DIA-Denver International Airport their final flight destination, are only a few hours away from the University of Wyoming. Flying into Denver International Airport, you will be responsible to arrange for your own shuttle transportation from Denver to Laramie. Here is the shuttle information and link for making transportation arrangements. Select Washakie Hall for your drop-off location in Laramie when you fill out the shuttle reservation form online: Groome Airport Shuttle Transportation
In either case, you must enter your travel and arrival details in our Arrival Form to be welcomed by our on-campus team, and we are so excited about your arrival.
Make sure to fill out the Family Arrival Form if you have family traveling with you to Laramie.
Is It Possible to Arrive Early?
Students who are arriving on an F-1 Visa are permitted to arrive in the United States up to 30 days prior to the start of their program as listed on their form I-20. Please make sure you visit the Arrival Form to submit your arrival details.
If I Arrive Early, May I Move into My Housing Early?
For students that arrive in Laramie early during arrival week from August 12-16, 2024, we will make sure that their housing arrangements are set up so they can move and get settled in their new home. Students that arrive before August 12, 2024, will have to make hotel arrangements before they can move into campus housing on August 12, 2024. Here are hotel recommendations located near campus:
Mention that you are associated with the University of Wyoming when you check out and pay and you should receive a discount!
Will I need to Take an English Proficiency and/or Math Placement Exam?
Yes, every student coming to the University of Wyoming is required to complete both an English Proficiency Assessment and Math Placement Exam.
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY
All students must submit their required minimum scores with their application materials!
Accepted undergraduate minimum English Language Scores:
- TOEFL 71
- IELTS 6.0
- Duolingo 100
- iTEP 4.0
Accepted graduate minimum English Language Scores:
English Proficiency Scores for graduate students depend on the degree program, but most programs require a score of IELTS 6.5. Please consult with your advisor for definite score requirements.
MATH PLACEMENT EXAM
Undergraduate Freshmen Students have to take the Math Placement Exam and can take it prior to arrival or upon arrival on campus. They can also prepare themselves by visiting the Math Placement Exam Preparation page for information on preparing for the exam or just refreshing their math skills before the first day of class. Take your math placement exam prior to arrival on campus by accessing the online exam here: UWY Math Placement Exam.
When Will I Get My Class Schedule?
There are two options to register for classes:
1. We can connect you with your advisor before your arrival on campus:
If you have enough time before your scheduled travel, we can connect you with your advisor to arrange for a remote advising session either via e-mail or Zoom. You should then be able to register for classes. Please reach out to your Student Success Coordinator at studentservices@uwyointernational.org to learn more about your advisor and how to connect with them.
2. Class registration upon arrival on campus:
If you are not able to connect with your advisor before you arrive on campus, advising appointments and class schedules will be arranged upon arrival on campus. We will connect you with your advisor in person to go over your course scheduling details and you will receive all tools to register for your classes once you are here.
What Should I do if I am Having Trouble Logging Into my WyoWeb Account?
No worries though, once you are on campus, the Wyoming International Team will connect you with your advisor and once you have successfully registered for classes you should have full access to you WyoWeb account, including University of Wyoming e-mail box.
Welcome to Wyoming International at the University of Wyoming in Laramie, Wyoming! We are very excited that you have decided to join us starting in Spring 2025!
Our Pre-Arrival Orientation is mandatory and will provide you with the opportunity to prepare yourself for an organized and smooth arrival and what to expect then you arrive in the United States and on campus. Please assure to register here for your International Student Pre-Arrival Orientation.
After being admitted to the University of Wyoming, you will receive pre-arrival emails from your Student Success Coordinator at Wyoming International to learn about how to prepare for your arrival and what else to expect when you arrive on the University of Wyoming campus. Make sure to check these e-mails since they contain important information about your arrival on campus and the mandatory in person International Student Orientation on campus here in Laramie.
Please complete the Arrival Form so you can understand the next steps you need to take prior to arriving in Laramie and your classes beginning this Spring semester.
If you have any questions, contact your Student Success Coordinator, Lena Sun, at studentservices@uwyointernational.org
You will be joining the mandatory UWY Orientation on January 17, 2025. More information regarding the Orientation Schedule will be shared with you after you arrival on campus.
Academics
As a University of Wyoming student, it is strongly recommended that you become familiar with the excellent academic advising support services. Please know that you have to connect with your advisor to register for classes.
- To find advising support related to your college or department go here: https://www.uwyo.edu/aces/academic-advising/index.html or
https://www.uwyo.edu/uw/colleges.html You will need to request an appointment with your advisor each semester to register for classes. - For general academic help support, please find the Center you need here: https://www.uwyo.edu/ntscenter/support-ntscenter/index.html
Health & Immunization Requirements
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I take the doses of a vaccine not approved in the USA?
If the vaccine is currently authorized for emergency use by either the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the World Health Organization (WHO), you will be considered fully vaccinated at UIC as long as you can provide documentation of vaccine receipt.
If the vaccine you take is not currently authorized for emergency use by either the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the World Health Organization, the CDC recommends you receive the full series of an FDA-approved vaccine. You can do so once you arrive in Laramie, as long as 28 have passed since your last dose of a non-WHO/non-FDA approved vaccine.
What if I am only able to get only a dose of vaccine in my home country? Can I come to the USA and take the second dose? Or will I be required to vaccinate again? Also, are there any health concerns regarding mixing vaccine types?
If you do choose to get one dose of a vaccine not available in the USA prior to departure and have to get another type of vaccine here, please know that there is good evidence that mixing vaccine types is safe. Some evidence regarding mixing the Pfizer/BioNTech and AstraZeneca vaccines were more likely to report side effects than those who received two doses of either vaccine, but all reported adverse reactions were short-lived, and there were no serious safety concerns or hospitalizations.
If the first dose you get in your home country is not currently authorized for emergency use by either the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the World Health Organization (WHO), the CDC recommends you receive the full series of an FDA-approved vaccine. You can do so once you arrive in Laramie, as long as 28 days have passed since your last dose of a non-WHO/non-FDA approved vaccine.
Will my insurance cover my vaccine if I get it in the USA?
It depends on the vaccine, but most common vaccines are covered, including MMR, flu, Tdap, pneumonia, hepatitis, and meningitis, if the student has student health insurance. The student must submit the costs to the insurance for reimbursement.
Students should not get an MMR in their home country 30 days or less before they arrive in the US, meaning that they should get the MMR vaccine upon arrival on campus.
Please refer to the UWY Site to review requirements for international students:
Health Information for International Students
Find more information here: https://www.uwyo.edu/shser/
Find more information here: https://www.uwyo.edu/shser/
Find more information here: https://www.uwyo.edu/ucc/
Immigration
During your stay in the United States in F-1 status, you are subject to many complex immigration law and regulations that relate to your legal status here.
The Office of International Students and Scholars (ISS) is available to assist you and answer your questions about your immigration status, but it is your responsibility to know and abide by the law in order to maintain valid legal status.
It is to your responsibility to make sure to maintain legal status throughout the duration of your stay in the United States.
Within 48 hours of your arrival, you will receive a Campus Check-In List via e-mail e-mail from ISS at UWGlobal@uwyo.edu. You must do all the items indicated on that list during your first days in Laramie to be checked in with all necessary offices and programs on campus. You will need these documents to fill out the list:
- Passport
- Visa
- Form I-20 or DS-2019
- Form I-94
Job & Career Support
Check out Shorelight Career Services and information, build a strong foundation of core skills that kick start your career. Explore ore here: https://shorelight.com/services/career/
Designed for computer science, engineering, and business students – earn the skills, certifications, and real-world experience to get hired after graduation. Find more information here: https://shorelight.com/landing/career-premium/
The University of Wyoming Career Center connects students and alumni with employers and faculty, building career readiness and preparation. Events and Job Fairs, plus In-person and Virtual help are available. Learn more here: https://www.uwyo.edu/aces/index.html
Scholarships & Finances
Pay your tuition and fees. This action is required, otherwise, there will be a hold on your student account and you will not be able to register for classes.
International Money Transfers:
Flywire by Peer Transfer for transfers from your home country, please visit Wyoming International’s Flywire Portal to complete the transfer process.
Find more information and application process here:
https://www.uwyo.edu/iss/current-students/scholarship-and-financial-resources.html
Housing & Dining
Choosing where to live while studying for your degree is important – and indicating your accommodations preferences early is a required step in the enrollment process. Complete this Housing Preference Form and UWY International Housing Questionnaire if you have not done so already.
If you are living off-campus, please contact your Student Success Coordinator with your address information.
Even if plan to live off-campus, you can still get a dining card for meals on campus. Learn more about this here: On-Campus Meal Plans
Student Clubs and Organizations & Fitness and Campus Recreation
The University of Wyoming has over 300 Student Clubs and Organizations, see more here: https://www.uwyo.edu/csil/student-orgs/index.html
Your student ID and membership with Half Acre Rec and Wellness Center gives you full access to the Half Acre Fitness Center, their indoor pool, a Basketball Court, and all drop-in fitness classes, amongst other fitness and wellness offers. Learn more here: https://www.uwyo.edu/rec/
Center for Academic Success
A website with access to virtual tutors, career advisors, and online resources to help you throughout your university studies
Do you need help adjusting to your new life or just have a question about the courses you are enrolled in? Maybe you need to improve your academic skills or study habits or need help preparing for an exam or presentation? Perhaps you are you confused about CPT/OPT options or are confused about your major or career field?
Shorelight’s Center for Academic Success (CAS) has many free resources for you! For example, you can use the Live Chat button to reach one of our highly-trained support staff, or you can schedule a Zoom session with one of our friendly Student Success Coaches, Professional Tutors, or Career Services staff—all of whom are experts at helping international students with anything from pre-arrival support and campus life to academic subject areas and career guidance.
Maybe you would also enjoy completing a short eLearning course at your own pace? Those are available, too, on topics ranging from Citation Basics to Preparing for an Interview—and everything in between! If you’re short on time, try one of our live or recorded academic, social, or career skills webinars.
Give your learning journey the support it needs by activating your free CAS account today!
How to register:
- Click here or scan the QR code to find our Home page.
- Click the orange “Sign up now” button to request access.
- On the signup form, type your given name and family name as you are registered at your university.
- Type any email address that your university has on file for you (it can be a personal or university email).
- Create a password with at least one special character and 6-50 characters total.
- Type your password again. Write it down or save it in your browser.
- Type the full name of your university, not the abbreviation. Your status must be checked.
- Check the first box to accept the Terms & Conditions (feel free to read those first).
- Check the last box if you wish to receive emails from us.
- Click the large orange button that says, “Start your learning journey.”
After you register:
- After self-registering, you’ll receive an email within two business days to let you know that your account is approved (or if not, how to fix the problem). Just follow the link to log in!
- Check your spam folder if you don’t see our email within two days—or just return to the Home page linked above to try logging in with your email and password. If you encounter any trouble, just use the Live Chat button at the bottom of our Home page.
If you were pre-registered:
- Some students may be admin-registered at the request of their university to save you the trouble of signing up.
- If you get an email from Shorelight’s Center for Academic Success saying that your account has been created, just follow the link to complete your registration. You only need to create your password and check the boxes (Steps 5-10 above).
- If you are told that you were admin-registered, but you can’t find our welcome email, just go to our Home page, click “Sign up now” and complete Steps 3-10. If you can’t guess the right email or how your name was entered, use our LiveChat to get help.
Transfer Students
As you prepare for your arrival, it is important to plan early so that you have access to accurate coursework planning and registration guidance prior to the start of the semester.
How to prepare for arrival as a transfer student:
- Submit your official transcripts and/or credit-by-exam results no later than one week prior to arrival for final and official review of your transfer credits. Importantly, you should submit official transcripts as early as possible to ensure your final transfer credits are posted prior to arrival. Transcripts can be submitted through the contact information listed below.
1000 E. University Ave
Dept. 3435
Laramie, WY 82071
~Must be in a secured, sealed envelop
~Must be sent directly from sending institution with an authorized email address or through a secure third-party transcript processing organization
If you have completed credit from International Baccalaureate (IB) and/or Advanced Placement (AP), students are highly advised to submit their official exam transcriptions as soon as the official score(s) are available. Below, you can find important ordering and submission information for each of the accepted exams. Please note exam scores must be officially reviewed/approved by the university for credit to be granted.
For more information on credit-by-exam policies and requirements for granting exam credit at Wyoming, please visit the Undergraduate Credit Options webpage.
- Collect course descriptions and/or course syllabi. Course syllabi are required in evaluating international transfer credit course equivalencies.
- Confirm that all official transcripts have been received by the Office of Admissions prior to arrival. Allow for ample delivery time for mailed transcripts.
- Once completed, your final transfer credit evaluation will be visible on your University of Wyoming transcript. Review the results with a member of the WYO International team to see how your degree and major requirements are affected.
- Upon arrival, attend your required academic orientation. The WYO International team will be present for additional support. We are excited to welcome you — please introduce yourself and say hi! Be sure to let us know you’re a transfer student, too!
- Register for classes. With your transfer credits in mind, the WYO International team will offer support in course selection to ensure accurate coursework planning.
- Follow up and ensure all materials have been received. Official transcripts are required to register for a future term and for accurate coursework planning.