Dear New International Mammoth,

We hope this email finds you and your family well. On behalf of Student Affairs and the New International Student Pre-Orientation committee, we welcome you to Amherst College!

We are delighted to share that Pre-Orientation 2024 will be August 22-27. Pre-Orientation is a mandatory program to help all new international students prepare for their time at Amherst College. 

To keep you informed until Pre-Orientation, we are holding monthly virtual gatherings to provide students like you up-to-date information, a chance to connect with other students and staff, and to give you valuable tips about your transition. These gatherings will be: 

You can join any or all of these sessions here.

To help with your transition to campus, we are offering free shuttle service from Boston Logan Airport on August 22. We will follow up with a schedule for that day soon. 

By now, you should have also received an email from Dean Angie Tissi-Gassoway that includes important steps all new Amherst students should take before the semester begins, including getting your student ID and completing orientation. You can find more information here. Even though you will be participating in Pre-Orientation, you are still required to complete New Student Orientation.

Please do not hesitate to reach out to CISE at cise@amherst.edu if you have any questions about Pre-Orientation. You can follow us on Instagram or check our Arriving on Campus and Frequently Asked Questions for New International Students.

If you have any questions regarding your I-20/DS-2019, visa appointment, and/or F-1/J-1 visa, please contact the Office of Immigration Services at ois@amherst.edu. 

Stay tuned for more emails from us throughout the summer. We are eagerly anticipating your arrival and welcoming you to the Amherst College community. Wishing you a smooth transition and a fulfilling academic journey ahead!  

Best regards, 
Pre-Orientation Committee 

David Ko, Director, Center for International Student Engagement 
Hanna Bliss, Director, Office of Immigration Services 
Clara Danhof '25, Pre-O Intern