International Students

I want to come to Pre-College for the summer and then go back home, but I am not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident.  How can I attend the program?

You will need a Carnegie Mellon Certificate of Eligibility (I-20) for the summer program if you are coming from high school outside of the United States and you will return to your overseas high school after the program. The Office of International Education (OIE) will send you forms to complete and return to us. We’ll issue the I-20 and send it to you.

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I want to come to Pre-College and then I plan to stay in the U.S. after summer to attend college.  I’m not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident…what can I do?

You will need a Carnegie Mellon Certificate of Eligibility (I-20) which covers the summer AND your regular fall program if you are coming from outside the United States to attend the Pre-College program and you will attend Carnegie Mellon in the fall. The Office of International Education (OIE) will send you forms to complete and return to us. We’ll issue the I-20 and send it to you. If you attend another institution after Pre-College, OIE will give you instructions about the transition to the new school once you arrive in Pittsburgh.

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What is an I-20 and what do I do with it?

The Form I-20 is used to apply for an F-1 student visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate abroad.  Please note that Canadian citizens are exempt from the visa requirement – Canadian citizens only need the I-20.  With your I-20 you will be sent detailed instructions regarding travel to the U.S. and a mandatory immigration check-in. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Students who have received an I-20 from Carnegie Mellon must complete a mandatory immigration check-in on Opening Day, Saturday, June 28 in order to maintain legal status in the U.S.

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I want to come to Pre-College and I am already attending a high school in the U.S.  Do I need a visa document?

No, you do not need a Carnegie Mellon I-20 immigration document if you are already attending high school in the U.S. in a legal non-immigrant status and if you plan to return to that school for the fall semester.

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When will I get my I-20?

Once all forms and original bank statements are sent to and received by the Office of International Education, you will receive the I-20 in approximately three weeks.

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I’m not a citizen or permanent resident of the U.S. and I’d like to come to Pre-College.  Can I attend the program as a tourist or on the visa waiver program?

No. You must enter the U.S. with an I-20 in F-1 student status, NOT as a B-1/B-2 visitor. The Department of Homeland Security prohibits full-time study in the B category. The regulation states with regard to B-1/B-2: “Enrollment in a course of study prohibited.”  8 CFR 214.2 (7)

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Once I get my I-20 and F-1 student visa and get to Pittsburgh is there anything else I need to do or am I done with immigration requirements?

There is one more important step to take. The Department of Homeland Security requires that you check in with our office to complete the immigration process. OIE will check you in on Opening Day, Saturday, June 28.  You must bring your original I-20 Certificate of Eligibility and your passport with you to Opening Day.  If you arrive earlier than Saturday, June 28, you can stop by our office and we can complete the requirement in advance.

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I have more questions. Who can I contact to help with immigration questions?

You can contact the Carnegie Mellon Office of International Education by email, by phone at 412-268-5231 or by fax at 412-268-7832.

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