Fall 2015 Optional Practical Training (OPT) Sessions

To all F-1 students who will complete their program this semester, if you would like to work in the U.S. following graduation, you must apply for OPT!  

If you are planning to apply for OPT this semester, it is mandatory that you attend one of the following OPT sessions with the Office of International Education (OIE).  We cannot schedule individual advising appointments to provide this information, so plan ahead to find a session that will fit your schedule. 

Note: OPT applications can be filed with USCIS 90 days prior to program completion or within the 60 day grace period following program completion.  OIE strongly recommends applying before completing your program because applications can take 60 to 90 days to be approved by USCIS.

Students in J-1 status who are expecting to complete their program this semester should read the handout on Academic Training and schedule an appointment with their J-1 Alternate Responsible Officer (an OIE advisor if CMU issued your DS-2019).

Fall 2015 OPT sessions will be held from 12 noon to 1:30 p.m. on the following dates:

Students must register for a session in advance.  To register:

1. Visit CMU’s The Bridge here: http://bit.ly/OIE-OPTsessions
2. View the OPT sessions by logging in.  Click “Log In” in the top right-hand corner.  You must then click “Office of International Education” and then “Events”.
3. Choose the session that best fits into your schedule.
4. RSVP for the session.

Prior to attending the session, you must read the OPT instructions and should have your academic advisor complete the OPT recommendation form.  Bring this form, along with your I-20 and passport to the session.  We also recommend that you bring the USCIS Form I-765 to the session.  You may review the OPT powerpointin advance of the session and to help you with filing.