Orientation Schedule

Orientation PowerPoint

VT Police Safety PowerPoint

 

Arrival

New international students should make plans to arrive on campus before mandatory orientation scheduled for August 18 & 20, 2009 to give yourself ample time to check-in and complete university procedures before orientation begins.

 

Transportation from Roanoke Airport

Smartway Bus Service: available Monday-Thursday from 6:35AM - 7:05PM; Friday-Saturday from 6:35AM - 8:35PM, no bus service on Sundays. Cost: $3.00. See bus schedule at www.smartwaybus.com

If you arrive late to Roanoke Airport, you may wish to stay in Roanoke for the night at one of the local motels and arrive the following day using the Smartway Bus Service. A list of motels/hotels in Roanoke is attached.

Taxi Service: You may take a taxi to campus which can be quite expensive.

• Blacksburg Taxi: 540-552-6671
• Christiansburg Taxi: 540-382-8037
• Blacksburg Hooptie Ride: 540-449-3748

 

Temporary Housing

If you need a place to stay in Blaksburg until your dormitory opens or until you can locate permanent housing, you may stay at:

• Red Carpet Inn
• 1615 South Main Street, Blacksburg, VA
• Telephone: 540-552-4011

  The Red Carpet Inn offers the following accommodations:

• A room with one bed: $45.95/night.

• A room with 2 beds: $49.95/night.

• One bed in a 2 bedroom: $28.00/night.

 

Mandatory Check-In

All new international students MUST report to the Cranwell Intenational Center upon their arrival to campus. Bring your immigration documents to check-in and receive vital information. Students MUST Check-in prior to Orientation. 

Assistance given with:

• Completing university procedures
• Locating housing
• Meeting basic needs
• Assisting with adjustment issues
  

 

Social Security

• Tuesday, August 25, 2009
• 9:00AM - 1:00PM
• Cranwell International Center

Applicants must bring passport, I-94 card, I-20 and/or DS-2019 form, letter of employment and letter from Designated School Official.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mandatory International Student Orientation

• Undergraduates - Tuesday, August 18th and Thursday, August 20th at 8am
• Graduates - Thursday, August 20th at 8am
• Cranwell Center

 

English Placement Test Dates (Graduate Students Only)

• Monday, Aug 17, 9:00 A.M.
• Tuesday, Aug 18, 9:00 A.M.
• Wednesday, Aug 19, 9:00 A.M.
• Saturday, Aug 22, 9:00 A.M.

All testing will be conducted at the Language and Culture Institute on a reservation basis.  Registration instructions will be posted on their website at www.lci.vt.edu/elp/programs/.

• All incoming graduate international students are required to take the English Placement Test (EPT) unless they have both a TOEFL score of 260/620 or higher and a Test of Written English score of 4.5 or higher or a score of 26 or higher on the written section of the IBT.  Those students who have obtained either a bachelor's or a master's degree from an accredited university in a country where English is the native language are not required to take the EPT.  There is no charge for this examination.

• Questions: email Don Back at dback@vt.edu

   

 

SPEAK/TEACH Test Dates (Graduate Students Only)

August 13-14: 1-5pm

August 19-21: 1-5pm

August 24: 10am-5pm

Graduate Life Center, Room D

Note to all Test-Takers:

1. You MUST be a GTA with teaching duties (either now or in the future) to take the test; check with your academic department before taking the test. Test takers must have responsibilites in teaching, conducting labs or recitation sessions.

2. You must take the TEACH Test, unless your department specifically requests the SPEAK Test (contact dmckeon@vt.edu).  Follow the directions given on the electronic sign-up form:
https://www.fdi.vt.edu/public/?term_pk1=8560

Note:  Copies of sample questions of the SPEAK Test will be available at Rm. 49, GLC. 

3. Those who fail the test must take English 0014 in the spring semester.

4. If you have any questions, please contact Dr. Don McKeon at email address: dmckeon@vt.edu