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 prepare for your international education experience.

Enrollment tasks

First things, first! Before completing any of the tasks on this checklist, set up your 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.
  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.
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 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.
Access your URochester email account

As an exchange student, you will be provided with a Gmail account to use during your time at URochester. 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.

Confirm/update your parent or guardian's email address

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.

Review IT resources for incoming students

Technology is a vital part of your experience at URochester. University IT has put together a list of items you can complete ahead of your arrival to campus, as well as right after you arrive, to ensure you and your devices are best prepared for the semester.

Photo of three students sitting on the floor of an on-campus dorm room talking and looking at photos

Required

Submit your housing and dining contract form

Due Monday, June 1

This form is required for all incoming exchange students. 

Please note: There are separate instructions for 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.

View instructions

June tasks

In June, you'll apply for on-campus housing and submit your meal plan selections, as well as attend your first required webinar of the summer on health and wellbeing. This is also when you'll need to submit your order for your customized new student gift!

Due June 1: Submit your housing and dining contract form

This form is required for all incoming exchange students. Follow the instructions listed on the Residential Life and Housing Services website to complete your contract form in the StarRez portal.

There are separate instructions for 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.

If you need to apply for housing accommodations due to a disability, review information and instructions on the Residential Life website.

Helpful resources

Questions: housing@reslife.rochester.edu

By June 10: Order your customized new student welcome gift

This customized, wearable gift—exclusive to incoming students this fall—is the perfect way to remember your experience abroad and show off your URochester pride once you return home! Complete the order form by the deadline above to pick up your item during Welcome Week.

You must submit your form by Wednesday, June 10 to guarantee item availability and personalization. Additional non-personalized items will be available to pick up during Welcome Week on a first-come, first-served basis for those who do not complete the order form by the deadline.

On June 24: Attend webinar on health and wellbeing on campus

Time: 4 p.m. (EDT)

Register for this required webinar to learn about the resources, support, and services available to help maintain your physical, mental, and emotional health throughout your time at URochester.

If you're unable to attend the live webinar, you are still required to watch the recording (available a few days after the event concludes).

A stethoscope sits on a light blue background

Required

Register for UHSConnect and complete your required health forms

Due Friday, July 31

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 URochester. Complete your account setup so you can submit your required health forms by this deadline.

View instructions

July tasks

In July, you'll receive your housing assignment, which will allow you to sign up for a move-in time slot and finalize your travel plans. At the end of the month, you'll submit your required health forms and get set up in UHSConnect, the University's medical records and messaging system.

On July 6: View your housing assignment

Your on-campus housing assignment and information on your assigned roommate(s) will be sent to your URochester email address on Monday, July 6, directly from Residential Life.

The email will contain a link to instructions to sign up for a specific move-in time slot on your arrival day of Monday, August 24. Move-in time slots are first-come, first-served, so make sure to sign up as soon as you receive your email!

By July 8: Complete the online health insurance process

For your time at URochester, 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 Monday, June 15 and Tuesday, September 15.

The website to complete the process will be available beginning Monday, 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 Wednesday, July 8 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

By July 10: Finalize your travel to Rochester and guest accommodations

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

On July 18: View your fall 2026 tuition bill

Your semester tuition bill will be posted on Saturday, 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.

On July 20: Attend webinar on campus and community safety

Time: 9 a.m. (EDT)

Register for this required webinar that 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 URochester community.

If you're unable to attend the live webinar, you are still required to watch the recording (available a few days after the event concludes).

On July 24: Attend webinar on academic honesty

Time: 9 a.m. (EDT)

Register for this required webinar to learn the key elements of the University's academic honesty policy and system, including personnel, training, and resources available to help you throughout your time at URochester.

If you're unable to attend the live webinar, you are still required to watch the recording (available a few days after the event concludes).

On July 31: Attend webinar on immigration compliance

Time: 9 a.m. (EDT)

Register for this required webinar, hosted by the International Services Office, to review important compliance and immigration information, building upon the pre-arrival orientation you already reviewed this summer. This webinar is required for all new international students at the University of Rochester, even if you've previously studied at another school in the United States.

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 URochester 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.

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")

A woman takes a portrait selfie photo using her phones back camera

Required

Submit your campus ID photo

Due Saturday, August 1

In order to have your campus ID card available for pickup on your arrival day, you will need to upload a photo of yourself that meets all the requirements by this date. The ID Office will send you an email with instructions for submitting a photo online.

Please note: 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.

View instructions

August tasks

August is all about finishing up those final tasks to get ready to arrive on campus for Fall Welcome Week! You'll submit a photo for your campus ID card, sign up for a move-in time slot, and finish up Rochester Ready, your online orientation program.

By August 1: Submit your campus ID photo

Your URochester 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 Monday, June 1, the ID Office will send you an email with instructions for submitting a photo online. (The email will be sent from id-photo-submissions@notices.rochester.edu.)

Please note: 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.

Questions: (585) 275-3975

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

If you are living on campus, you are required to sign up for a move-in time slot during your assigned Fall Arrival Day (Monday, August 24) by the deadline listed above in the StarRez portal.

You can find a link to the signup instructions in your housing assignment email, sent to all incoming exchange students directly from Residential Life and Housing Services.

Due August 3: Register for Fall Welcome Week

Registration for Welcome Week is required for all exchange students and any family members/guests planning to attend. You'll also be able to indicate your interest in purchasing a dorm pack on this form.

By August 10: Review textbook and course material information

UR Essentials is a program in partnership with Barnes & Noble that ensures you receive all required textbooks and course materials before your first day of classes.

Instead of buying your textbooks separately, the cost for all required materials will now be covered through your tuition payment. Physical books will be bundled for easy pick-up and digital materials will be available through Blackboard.

After you register for classes in UR Student, Barnes & Noble will email your University email address to confirm that your materials will be available for pick-up at the University bookstore in College Town.

Please note: If the Barnes & Noble email gives you the option to have the materials shipped directly to you at home, please make sure to select in-store pick-up instead, as the materials will likely be delivered after you've already left home for campus.

Due August 10: Pay your tuition bill

Your semester tuition bill will be due on Monday, 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.

On August 17: Begin mailing packages to the Campus Mail Center

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

Questionscmc@facilities.rochester.edu

Please note: The Campus Mail Center will be closed on Saturday, August 22 and Sunday, August 23. The earliest you will be able to pick up your packages is Monday, August 24 at 9 a.m. 

Due August 21: Complete academic honesty tutorial

The University of Rochester is committed to academic excellence, which depends on academic honesty and integrity. This tutorial will help learn the principles and practical applications of the University's policy and process.

The tutorial opens on Friday, July 24, following the required academic honesty webinar on Thursday, July 23. You should only complete this tutorial after you have attended the webinar or watched the recording.

Instructions

  1. Log into your Blackboard account with your Active Directory credentials.
  2. Navigate to the organization titled Rochester Ready: Fall 2026 in the title under My Organizations.
  3. Select Academic Honesty Tutorial in the main menu to begin the module.

Questions: college.honesty@ur.rochester.edu

Due August 21: Watch video on discrimination and harassment policies

All incoming students are required to watch this video on the University's policies and reporting procedures for discrimination and harassment at URochester, presented by the Civil Rights Compliance Team. 

Due August 21: Complete immigration and arrival training module

All incoming exchange students are required to complete the International Services Office's online training module on preparing for studies and life in the U.S. and Rochester.

This module will launch in early June.

Questions: iso@rochester.edu

By August 22: Download the Welcome Week app

Launching in early August, 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. We'll email you with download instructions once it's live!

Two students smile and pose for the camera while other students mill around and chat in the background

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 24, 2026. Your arrival day will include moving into your on-campus housing, checking in for Welcome Week, and connecting with fellow international students.

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.