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Pre-Arrival Checklist: IEP Students

The Office of Global Engagement has decided to suspend the Intensive English Program (IEP) starting January 1, 2023. 

IEP students smile at the camera

 

Congratulations on your acceptance into the WCU Intensive English Program!

Below you'll find a list of the next steps you'll need to take.

We look forward to meeting you soon.

Prepare for your first semester by taking the Next Steps below. These are things that you must do before arriving on campus.

Questions? Contact our Admissions Specialist at iep@wcu.edu.

Do not see this when you log-in?
Contact us at iep@wcu.edu with screenshots of what you see. We will help you! 

What is the enrollment deposit?
Paying the enrollment deposit tells the university that you intend to attend Western Carolina University. When the semester begins, this will be added as a credit towards bills on your student account. You cannot be registered for the Intensive English Program until this is paid. If you plan to live on campus, this is also required to complete the housing agreement.

Payment Instructions:

All students at WCU have a special e-mail address that looks like this _____________@catamount.wcu.edu. This e-mail is very important. It is the only e-mail address that WCU offices and the Intensive English Program will use to contact you.

WCU sent activation information to the e-mail address on your IEP application. Follow these activation instructions and claim your official student e-mail!

If you did not receive this message from WCU IT, contact our Admissions Specialist at iep@wcu.edu for asistance.

North Carolina State Law requires anyone attending classes on the university campus to present proof of immunization. Upload your immunization form and TB Questionnaire to your Patient Portal before arrival on campus. 

If you do not submit the immunization and TB questionnaire forms by the deadline, WCU Health Services will place a hold on your account preventing registration for classes. Upload these into the Patient Portal.

Students with incomplete records, or without immunization records will be required to receive immunizations from WCU Health Services after you arrive on campus. The cost of these shots will be billed to your student account. Email hsimmunizations@wcu.edu with immunization related questions.

Log in to your Patient Portal 
Learn more about WCU Health Services 

Course Registration 
We cannot register you for classes until the TB Questionnaire (Step 3 [Submit Immunization Records]) is completed. 

Pay for the semester. 
Pay for classes after we register you for the semester.

  • Log-in to MyWCU.wcu.edu
  • Under $ Accounts click "View/Pay Bill"
  • Follow payment instructions

Contact our office at iep@wcu.edu with questions. No refunds are issued following registration.


If you have a scholarship letter, it must be valid for Western Carolina University and it must expire on one of the dates below. Email your letter to iep@wcu.edu as soon as you receive it.

  • Fall 2022 Expiration Date: December 16, 2022 or later
  • Spring 2023 Expiration Date: May 12, 2023 or later

New students should arrive at the Asheville Regional Airport (AVL) on the days below. Please click the appropriate link to tell us your flight information.  Read the information carefully.

Fall 2022 Semester - August 16 - Submit your travel plans to our office

IMPORTANT DEADLINES:

  • Deadline to submit travel plans: July 1, 2022
  • Airport pick-up day: August 16, 2022
  • Required international student orientation: August 17-19, 2022

Students must arrive at the Asheville Airport on the designated day.

For WCU Global to take you to campus, you must send us your flight information (flight number, arrival date/time, airline) by July 1, 2022.

Students who arrive early may stay at one of the hotels listed on the arrival information form. Individuals staying at one of the listed hotels will be picked-up by our office on the designated arrival date.

Students SHOULD NOT arrive late. Anyone who arrives after the designated pick-up date is responsible for finding their own transportation to WCU's campus from the airport. Taxi rides from the airport to campus are very expensive, and you should expect to pay at least $125+ USD.

 

There are two types of housing available for international students:

  • On Campus
  • Off Campus

Explore these options and sign-up for housing

Student housing both on and off campus is in very high demand. Our office strongly recommends that accepted students plan their housing as early as possible.

Students with conditional admission - While a student in the IEP, you may choose to live off campus. When you complete the IEP, if it has been less than a year since you completed high school, you must follow the WCU housing policy. WCU requires these students to live in residence halls on campus when they begin undergraduate classes.

Students attending Western Carolina University are required to have medical insurance. We recommend that you buy insurance BEFORE you fly to the USA.

If you do not have health insurance you are required to buy insurance. Contact the IEP at iep@wcu.edu to request insurance. The insurance cost will be added to your student bill from WCU. The insurance company will e-mail you proof of insurance. For information about cost and the GeoBlue health insurance plan, please contact us at iep@wcu.edu.

If you already have health insurance that is valid in the USA, email proof of insurance to iep@wcu.edu.

If you are a SACM scholarship student, you need to send a copy of your current scholarship letter to iep@wcu.edu.

IMPORTANT: Students will be AUTOMATICALLY SIGNED UP for health insurance each semester by the WCU IEP if proof of insurance is not provided before the first day of classes.

Bring these items with you on the plane. Have these items with you at the Port of Entry.

  1. I-20 or DS-2019 (you must have the original with you) 
  2. Valid passport 
  3. Valid visa 
  4. Letter of acceptance to the Intensive English Program 
  5. Letter of conditional acceptance to Western Carolina University (if you have one) 
  6. SEVIS Fee proof of payment 
  7. Evidence of financial support 
  8. Airline ticket
  9. Payment for the IEP program - payment can be made with cashier's check, cash in USD, credit card, or scholarship letter.
  10. Cash or Credit Card (not pre-paid) - USD $250-$300 or Visa/MasterCard. This is money you can spend until you set up a bank account. Please do not bring traveler's checks, pre-paid credit cards, or non-USD currency.

HELPFUL HINT - Make things easy! Pay before you come to the USA. Contact us to find out how to pay with international wire transfer.

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