Macalester looks forward to welcoming all new students to campus! We will continue to follow government and public health guidance as we make decisions about programs for the fall semester, including orientation activities. You can find out more about Macalester’s COVID-19 response on Macalester’s dedicated COVID-19 page.
Here is the PO4IS schedule for Fall 2023. Students should plan to arrive on campus Monday, August 28, 2023, during daytime hours to allow for an easier transition. No campus housing is available before August 28th, so students are responsible for arranging their own place to stay.
2023 Pre-Orientation for International Students (PO4IS) Schedule*
* As of January 2023. This is a tentative schedule and is subject to change.
Monday, August 28
- Time | Event | Location
- All day | Arrivals and Check-in* | ISP, Kagin Commons
- 12:00pm – 1:00pm | Lunch with available mentors | Cafe Mac, Campus Center (CC)
- 1:00pm – 5:00pm | Start Glacier Tax | Kagin Commons
- 5:00pm – 6:30pm | Dinner with mentors | Cafe Mac, Campus Center
Tuesday, August 29
- Time | Event | Location
- 7:30am – 8:00am | Breakfast | Café Mac, Campus Center
- 8:00am – 8:15am | PO4IS Welcome Session by ISP staff and Vice President of Student Affairs Kathryn Kay Coquemeont* | JBD Hall, Campus Center
- 8:15am – 9:00am | Health and Wellness Info Session*| JBD Hall, Campus Center
- 9:00am – 10:00am | Domestic Ametricans Meet | ISP, Kagin Commons
- 9:00am – 10:30am | Immigration and Other Laws Info Session* | JBD Hall, Campus Center
- 10:45am – 11:30am | Complete Forms for Social Security, I-9, and Glacier Tax* | The Loch & JBD Hall, Campus Center
- 11:30am – 12:30pm | Lunch with Mentors (ISP Staff available to meet Parents in ISP office) | Café Mac, Campus Center
- 12:45pm – 1:30pm | Optional Sessions: Biking and Public Transportation, Driver’s License and State ID, US Cell Phone Plans | ISP Area, Kagin Commons, Markim Lower Level
- 1:00pm – 1:30pm | LOC students meet in ISP* | Kagin Commons
- 1:30pm – 3:30pm | Resource Fair: Bank, Employment & Tax Paperwork, Campus Resources including Vice President of Student Affairs Kathryn Kay Coquemeont | Kagin Ballroom (Upper level of Kagin Commons)
- 3:30pm – 4:45pm | LOC students meet in ISP* | Kagin Commons
- 4:00pm – 4:30pm | Ametrica Meeting (Ametrica Participants Only) | Kagin Commons
- 5:00pm – 6:00pm | Dinner with mentors | Cafe Mac, Campus Center
- 6:15pm – 8:15pm | Mentor Mediation I: Getting Started* | Meet at the front of the Campus Center
- 8:15pm – 10:00pm | Various activities led by mentors | Various Locations
Wednesday, August 30
- Time | Event | Location
- 7:30am – 8:30am | Breakfast | Café Mac, Campus Center
- 9:00am – 11:00am | Apply for Social Security Number* | ISP, Kagin Commons
- 11:00am – 12:00pm | LOC Students Meet with ISP* | ISP, Kagin Commons
- 12:00pm – 1:00pm | Lunch with Mentors | Café Mac, Campus Center
- 2:00pm – 3:30pm | Identity Mediation* | JBD Hall, Campus Center
- 2:15pm – 3:15pm | Humor & Ambiguous References* | JBD Hall, Campus Center
- 3:30pm – 5:00pm | Mentor Mediation II: Adjusting to Academic Life in the US* | JBD Hall, Campus Center
- 5:00pm – 6:00pm | Dinner with mentors | Cafe Mac, Campus Center
- 6:30pm – 8:30pm | Ametrica Meeting (Ametrica Participants Only) | Weyerhaeuser Boardroom
Thursday, August 31
- Time | Event | Location
- 7:30am – 8:15am | Breakfast | Café Mac, Campus Center
- 8:30am – 11:00am | Maxploration | Center for Religious and Spiritual Life (CRSL)
- 12:00pm – 1:00pm | Lunch | Cafe Mac, Campus Center
- Follow Schedule | New Student Orientation | Follow Schedule
- 1:30pm – 2:30pm | Required meeting for those working as ISP Translator/Liaison | ISP, Kagin Commons
Remember to take care and stay hydrated!
* Mandatory