Pathway Forward » Frequently Asked Questions » ARCHIVE – Fall 2021 FAQs for International Students and Students Arriving from International Locations
This FAQ contains a few frequently asked questions for international students and students arriving from international locations. All Pitzer students should visit the Students and Families FAQs and Community Messages section.
Students arriving from international locations are encouraged to email Todd Sasaki, Director of International Programs, at [email protected] to discuss their travel plans and any questions or concerns.
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Fall 2021 FAQs for International Students
When is International Student Orientation?
International Student Orientation will take place both online and in-person this summer and fall. The in-person component will be on August 20 and 21, but there will also be online sessions starting in mid-July, so keep an eye out for announcements and sign-ups.
Since International Student Orientation will begin before New Student Move-In, it is very important you fill out the Early Arrival Application on your Residence homepage and update Housing and International Programs about your travel and vaccination plans. Please contact Todd Sasaki, director of international programs, at [email protected] as soon as possible with any questions.
Are all Pitzer students required to be vaccinated against COVID-19?
Yes. Students need to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Exemptions for this requirement will be considered only for documented medical conditions or religious exceptions.
Students are considered fully vaccinated two weeks after receiving their second dose of a two-dose vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) or one dose of a single-dose vaccine (Johnson & Johnson). If you have received another vaccine, the vaccine must be on the World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Use Listing (EUL). Please see the question below for more information.
What if I was vaccinated outside of the US? How do I know if my vaccine meets Pitzer’s requirements?
US FDA-approved vaccines by Pfizer, Moderna, and Johnson & Johnson (Janssen) are accepted.
If you have received a vaccine other than Pfizer, Moderna, or Johnson & Johnson, the vaccine must be on the World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Use Listing (EUL). As of the end of June, AstraZeneca (EMA and Korea), Sinopharm (Beijing), Sinovac, and Covishield are among the vaccines on the EUL. Please contact Director of International Programs Todd Sasaki at [email protected] if you have any questions about whether the vaccine you received meets Pitzer’s vaccination requirements.
How do I submit my vaccination status?
What happens if I can’t get vaccinated before arrival, or the vaccine I received is not on the WHO Emergency Use Listing?
If you are unable to get vaccinated before arriving in the US, you’ll need to arrive early and self-quarantine for seven days. We’ll work with you to get vaccinated after you receive a negative PCR COVID test result 3-4 days after arriving in the US.
The J&J (Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen) vaccine only requires one shot, and it only takes two weeks to reach full immunity. If Student Health Services is unable to procure J&J vaccines, or an individual student chooses a different vaccine, then a two-shot vaccine (Pfizer or Moderna) can be used, with three weeks in between shots. Students would be considered fully vaccinated two weeks after they have received the second shot.
If you received a vaccine that is not on the World Health Organization (WHO) Emergency Use Listing (EUL), you will need to be vaccinated again after arriving in the US (28 days would need to have passed since the last international vaccine dose before you could receive the first vaccination in the US).
Do I need to have my vaccination card translated if it is in a language other than English?
If your vaccination card is in another language, please provide a translation when uploading to Healthy Pitzer. If more information is needed, the Pitzer nurse will contact you with questions.
What about my I-20 and F-1 visa?
New international students will need a new initial I-20 and an F-1 visa in order to enter the United States.
If you do not have an F-1 visa yet, you need to make an appointment with the nearest US Embassy/Consulate as soon as possible. Make sure the $350 I-901 SEVIS fee has been paid BEFORE your visa interview.
If you have an F-1 visa already and it is still valid (if you are a transfer student or went to high school in the US), you can use that F-1 visa, but you will need to use your Pitzer I-20 with it.
Returning students will need a Pitzer I-20 with an updated travel signature (within the last 12 months). If you need an updated travel I-20, please contact Todd Sasaki, director of international programs, at [email protected] as soon as possible.
If you took a leave of absence in fall 2020 or spring 2021 and will be attending in person, you will need a NEW I-20 with a NEW SEVIS number. Please make sure to get in touch with Todd as soon as possible to get your new I-20. If your visa is still valid, you can still use it with the new I-20.
What if I already bought a ticket based on previous information and cannot change the date of the ticket?
Please email [email protected] and [email protected] to let us know about this situation. Depending on several factors, we will be able to provide you more information on next steps. Make sure you have filled out an early arrival form.
What will fully vaccinated international students who arrive five days early to receive their COVID-19 test and results be able to do during that time?
Vaccinated international students will not be in quarantine when they arrive early. They will be able to come and go from their individual rooms to get to-go meals from the dining hall, go shopping, walk around campus, etc. However, they will not be able to participate in any group activities with other students or participate in orientation until they have received a negative COVID-19 test 3-5 days after entering the US. Orientation and International Programs will work closely with new international students during these early arrival days. Please read the frequently asked questions page for all Pitzer students for more information about masking requirements and other on-campus policies.
What if I travel somewhere else in the US before arriving at Pitzer this fall?
Please discuss your travel plans with Director of International Programs Todd Sasaki at [email protected] to determine what steps you’ll need to take when you arrive in the US and when you’ll be arriving at Pitzer. Depending on your vaccination status, you may need to quarantine and receive testing or vaccination before coming to Pitzer.
Will Pitzer be able to provide quarantine housing for students who live off-campus this fall semester?
No, quarantine housing on campus is reserved only for those who will be living in on-campus housing during the fall semester. However, Pitzer can provide COVID-19 testing and vaccinations for unvaccinated international students who will be living off campus this fall. If you would like to receive testing and vaccination after you arrive in Claremont, please complete the Early Arrival Application on your Residence homepage.
Who should I contact if I have more questions?
All international students and students coming to Pitzer from international locations are encouraged to contact Todd Sasaki, director of international programs, at [email protected] as soon as possible to discuss any questions regarding travel, visas, and vaccination requirements.
If you have a question that wasn’t covered in the FAQs, Ask Cecil!
FAQ last updated: July 13, 2021
