Waco Program International Student Checklist
Welcome to the Garland School of Social Work! This page is designed to help incoming international students get onboarded to the program while also connecting them to resources at Baylor University and within the city of Waco.
Part I: Urgent Items
- Read your acceptance letter in the status portal
- Accept offer in the status portal
- Read “Counting the Costs” pdf (sent to you via email 3 days post admit)
- Submit your CSS Profile
- Submit your deposit by deadline
- Access your Baylor email account. Click here for instructions on claiming your Bear ID and accessing your Baylor email. Remember to check your Baylor email daily!
- You will need to use your Bear ID and password along with a Duo two-factor authentication method in order to access BearWeb. To register for classes, manage time cards, view your payroll information, update your personal information, etc., through BearWeb, you must enroll with Baylor's Duo two-factor authentication platform.
- For students who are under the age of 21, you must submit the completed health form to the Health Services office before the first day of class. You will need to make an appointment with your doctor, so don't wait! Additional details are available on the Baylor Health Services page.
- Request your I-20! Check Baylor email account for the email from ISSS. This email will contain information for requesting your I-20. The I-20 is a required document for your visa application. You cannot register for courses, schedule your visa interview, or apply for a GA position until you have obtained your I-20.
- Email your Designated School Office (DSO) and get to know them well
- Request your I-20 from the university via Global Bears.
- If you are already attending a university in the United States, contact your DSO for information about transferring your I-20
- You will be asked to list your sources of funding on your Confirmation of Resources Fund. DO NOT INCLUDE THE SOCIAL WORK GRADUATE ASSISTANTSHIP (GA) AS A SOURCE OF FUNDING. Our GA positions are hourly student employment positions that are not a guaranteed source of funding and do not come with additional tuition assistance. GA positions do not count as departmental aid, and as such, should not prevent students from submitting their I-20 requests. We also do not finalize our GA positions until late July (which does not allow you enough time to complete this checklist).
- Contact your DSO if you are already in the United States on an F-1 or other visa
Complete all steps in Part I before moving to Part II. All steps in Part I should ideally be completed by May 1st.
Part II: Next Steps
- Submit any remaining documents to the GSSW. The MSW Admissions team will contact about submitting your final transcripts and any other remaining documentation.
- Once you have received your I-20 from the university, pay your SEVIS fee. The university does not provide funding support for the SEVIS fee.
- After paying your SEVIS fee, you can schedule your visa interview. Please send your visa interview date to your DSO, MSW Program Manager, & the Practicum team.
- Complete your practicum application. All materials are sent by the Practicum Education Program Manger via email.
- During this stage, you should begin looking at possible housing options. Please do not sign or commit to anything until your visa is approved.
- If you are not able to secure a visa and meet the University international check-in date, email MSW_Admissions@baylor.edu to request a deferral as soon as possible.
After scheduling your visa interview you can move to Part III.
Part III: Last Steps
- Schedule your interview with the Practicum Office.
- Schedule your advising appointment with the MSW Program Manager.
- Check your account for holds. If no holds are present, you can register for classes.
- BearWeb is the online service that students utilize to register for classes, check final grades, look at your transcript, and access your time card (if working on campus). Once you have set up your account and removed any holds, you should be able to register for classes for the upcoming semester. The MSW Program Manager will contact you with information about scheduling your advising appointment before registration. For detailed information on registering for classes, please visit the MSW Registration page.
- Once you have registered for classes, you can visit the Baylor Bookstore in person (located in the 5th Street parking complex) or online at the Baylor Bookstore Website to purchase your textbooks.
- Baylor University will send an e-bill to your Baylor email account. Financial settlement is a two-part process that you will need to complete. It involves you paying the balance on your student account and confirming your attendance. Learn more about financial settlement, payment options, and university deadlines on the Student Financial Services website.
- Complete the required MSW orientation course in Canvas. Canvas is the learning management system all MSW students will use. The Canvas Student Guide has many helpful resources and tips. Log in to Canvas using your Bear ID and password (same as your BU email). The first two modules will introduce you to Canvas and learning online at Baylor. Current as well as new MSW students are enrolled in this course and must complete it prior to the synchronous MSW orientation. You may want to take advantage of the Discussion Board to introduce yourself.
- If you submitted a GA application, the MSW Program Manager will contact you if any GA positions remain open.
- After you register, check your email for information about student health insurance, your e-Bill, etc.
- Finalize your housing.
- If you are not able to secure a visa and meet the University international check-in date, email MSW_Admissions@baylor.edu to request a deferral as soon as possible
- You can choose to have a digital ID or an ID card. Baylor University's ID card is a single-card program that combines many features including identification, library privileges, building access, lab access, meal plans, selected student functions, football ticket distribution, debit card, plus other activities. ID card Production is located in the Parking Services office in the Speight Parking Garage. Visit the ID card page for more information.
- Once you have settled in, help us by providing an update of your local address, phone and/or cell phone numbers, and contact information in case of an emergency. After you log into BearWeb, you will be able to fill out this information in the Personal Information section.
- Attend mandatory new student orientation. New Student Orientation will be held in the week before the term starts. This mandatory orientation will cover program information and policies, placement information and policies, and introduce you to program faculty & staff.
Additional Considerations
Lodging
Apartments fill up quickly, consider arranging your housing as soon as possible.
- The Arbors Apartments are within walking distance to main campus and dining halls, have furnished apartments, and typically house other international students
- Located ~2 miles (~3km) from the GSSW
- Other Apartment complexes in a similar price range and distance to campus:
- Fairmont Apartments (furnished)
- Baylor Plaza Three (some units furnished)
- For other housing options visit this site: https://www.baylorareahousing.com
Transportation
The School of Social Work is on Baylor's downtown campus and transport to internships is often needed. Students are encouraged to anticipate transportation challenges and costs.
- Commercial ride shares (i.e. Lyft, Uber) and/or paying other Social Work students for rides have historically been the most effective, timely, and safe way to get around Waco. For students without transportation, please contact the MSW Program Manager for information about the Uber voucher program.
- Waco has an affordable bus system, but it typically adds a significant amount of time to a commute. Please note, sometimes bus stops are far, and a student must walk through unsafe areas to get there.
- Some students consider biking, but keep in mind Waco does not always have clear bike lanes, and we recommend biking only during sunlight hours while wearing a helmet.
- For more information, contact the MSW Program Manager.
Employment
All employees in the U.S. must complete both sections of Form I-9 attesting to their employment authorization. Section 2 requires all employees to present employers with acceptable documents as evidence of identity and employment authorization.
If you are planning to work in the United States, please bring these unexpired documents with you to allow your employer to complete your hiring process:
- List of Acceptable Documents for U.S. Citizens and Legal Permanent Residents.
- List of Acceptable Documents for Foreign Nationals.
- Foreign Nationals, who are new hires, will receive FNIS communications from the Payroll Office for completion. Any questions can be directed to Payroll_Office@baylor.edu.
Campus Visits, Transportation, and Parking
- See Office of Campus Visits for links to campus map, travel and lodging information, Waco Visitors Guide, and much, much more.
- The School of Social Work is located at 811 Washington in downtown Waco. Parking is available in designated student lots.
- If you take a car on campus during regular work hours, you will need a Baylor parking permit. Visit Parking & Transportation website for more information.