Admitted International Students

Right after admission: 

• Please carefully review the information that was emailed to you.
• Log in to MAVzone using the 2 auto-generated emails that were sent to you. MAVzone is CMU’s online student portal for all admitted and enrolled students. As an introduction to the portal, please view the video titled “How to use MAVzone.”
• Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee. This is required by ALL F1 and J1 students and must be done prior to the visa interview. Canadian students are required to pay the SEVIS fee though are not required to interview.
• Depending on your date of admission and how soon the next semester begins, schedule your interview at the U.S. Embassy. A visa can be issued up to 120 days in advance of your program start date on your I-20. See the section on “SEVIS fee and visa” for additional information.

3-4 months before classes begin:

• Prepare for your visa interview! This is VERY important. Read the information found on our international webpage. Want even more practice? Set up a Skype interview with our office to go over tips and prepare.
• Do your research on CMU, Grand Junction, and your preferred academic program of study.
• Watch the CMU international student testimonial video, other CMU videos, and do a virtual campus tour.
• Apply for on-campus housing once you have created your MAVzone account. On-campus housing is required for all first time college students under 21 years of age.
  • Please note CMU does not have “non-traditional student” housing. Those 23 years of age and older should prepare to find off campus housing.
  • Those over 21 years of age are not required to live on campus but please note that CMU does not assist students with finding off-campus housing. 
  • To apply for on-campus housing, log-in to MAVzone and click on "Applications" on the left side of the screen. Click on the ‘MyHousing’ app. You may be prompted to log in again. On the next screen, click ‘Application/ Exemption Request’ on the top and choose ‘Housing Application- Deposit Required.’
  • There is a $150 deposit required but you can defer this by requesting the deferment form.
  • Review the different residence halls and prices.
  • On-campus housing is NOT guaranteed upon arrival if you have not completed the housing application.
• Like and follow CMU International Programs on Facebook
• Follow CMU Admissions on Instagram
• On Snapchat, follow @coloradomesau so you can get important information and connect with other students!
• Look over the latest Social Stream to get an inside look at what’s happening around campus

After a successful visa interview:

• Confirm your travel plans with the International Programs Office.
• Apply for on-campus housing if you have not already (see the section “3-4 months before classes begin” for additional information).
• Prepare for course registration and understanding the U.S. credit and class system:
  • To begin, watch the video titled “5 tips for New Students”, “Program Sheets” found in the How-To-Videos.
  • Not certain what you want to study? Read through the information on “Choosing a Major”.
  • Read through the information on “Understanding My Academic Requirements”
  • Review the online CMU Catalog to understand how credit hours are completed and how GPA (Grade Point Average) is calculated. You can also find info on academic integrity, academic probation & suspension, and more.
  • Once you receive your visa, Academic Advising will assist you via email to build your class schedule. More info on course scheduling will be sent to you via email at this time.
  • Students at U.S. universities must take courses from various disciplines in order to complete all requirements for graduation. Non-major or non-degree classes are called “Essential Learning” courses or “ESSL”. You have options of which class within that department to take to fulfill these requirements. More information will be provided to you via email.
  • If you have university or college-level credits from a foreign college or university, you must have the transcript professionally evaluated by World Education Services or another NACES-approved evaluation company before the Registrar’s Office at Colorado Mesa University will assess for transfer credit. This process is optional but please note that you will start your degree from the beginning if you choose not to have your foreign credits professionally evaluated. Transfer credit is not guaranteed. See here, item #3 for additional information.
• Prepare for your study in the U.S.:
  • How to Keep your U.S. Student Visa Active and Remain Stay Compliant
  • Maintaining your Status (for F1 students but also relevant for J1 students)
  • 10 Ways International Students Can Prepare for U.S. College Success
  • Read through CMU’s International Student Handbook that will be sent to you prior to your arrival via email.
  • Prepare yourself for the USA “Way of Life” by reading about American Culture, Social Life, Culture Shock, and more.

Once you have received your I-20, the next thing you need to do is schedule and prepare for your interview at the nearest U.S. Embassy (unless you are from Canada). This can be done no sooner than 120 days prior to the program start date. Contact our office for resources to help you prepare for your interview.

For a step-by-step process, see the "Visa" section under "Frequently Asked Questions"

• When to arrive: The required International Student Orientation generally takes place the Friday before classes for Fall semester, and the Monday before classes for Spring semester. More details will be emailed to admitted students closer to the semester start date. We recommend that you plan to arrive at least 2-3 days before classes start. You may arrive earlier, but please be in touch with the International Programs Office if you decide to do so, so that we can plan for you to move in to your residence hall early. Also be aware that dining options are limited if you are living on campus and you arrive early. If you are wondering about semester breaks, holidays, etc., please see the university wide calendars. NOTE: You may not arrive in the United States more than 30 days prior to the program start date on your I-20.
• Airport and pick up/ arrival information: As you make your travel plans, please be sure to fly into the Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT). Feel free to confirm your arrival and travel plans BEFORE purchasing any flights so that any logistical issues can be discussed ahead of time. Though it depends on your arrival day and time, we will likely be able to arrange for an airport pick-up to transport you to campus. You may also call K2 taxi service (970-242-4652) or Sunshine Taxi service (970-245-8294), or can use Uber or Lyft.
• Other arrival information: It is recommended to arrive in the U.S. with a credit card (Visa or MasterCard work almost everywhere) or enough cash to get you through a week until you have time to open a (free) bank account here and transfer/receive funds.
• Local accommodation: If needed, review the Grand Junction Visitor website or CMU’s accommodation recommendations for hotel information.

In planning for the financial costs of the first semester, please remember that you were asked during the admissions process to show proof of funds to cover one year of estimated tuition, fees, living and personal expenses. Please plan accordingly. The bill for tuition, fees, room & board will be due within the first two weeks of classes unless you sign up for a payment plan via MAVzone. More info on billing deadlines and payment plans as well as estimated costs for a semester will be provided to you via email.

Estimated costs:

• Tuition and fees for 1 semester (at least 12 credit hours). Tuition and fees are billed on a per credit hour basis. One class is generally 3 credits and students are required to take at least 12 credit hours every semester (9 of which must be in-class/hybrid). Most students take between 12-18 credits. Find out-of-state tuition costs on Financial Aid’s webpage.
• One-time matriculation fee of $140.
• Room and board cost varies per residence hall and room-type. The costs listed in the first column at the previous link is an annual cost for room AND board (2 semesters). Please note: first time college students under 21 years of age are required to live on campus.
  • $150 housing deposit is required at the time you apply for housing. Please let me know if you do not have a valid credit card and I can provide you with a deferment form.
  • $20 Residence life Activity Fee is not included in the annual room/board rates.
• If you have not taken the ACT or SAT test (optional for international students), you will be required to take a few short placement exams (Accuplacer tests) at our Testing Center on campus in English, Math and Reading when you arrive. This helps us to determine which class to place you in your first semester so that you can be successful. Each exam costs $17.
• Health insurance: International students are automatically enrolled in the CMU International Student Health Insurance Plan. If you have other health insurance coverage, including an employer plan or an individual health plan, please reach out to the International Programs Office before purchasing your own to see if your insurance meets the requirements for a waiver (waivers are only available for comparable US based plans). You will be enrolled in this plan one week prior to the start of classes. If you will arrive in the U.S. prior to that, please email to confirm what day you start travel insurance can begin on this day. The group plan costs approximately $80 per month and coverage for your first semester will be added to your university semester bill.
• Other expenses (not billed by the university):
  • Mobile phone, laptop, books for your classes, classroom supplies, etc.
  • Travel expenses & personal expenses such as clothing & entertainment

• Confirm your arrival date and time with the International Programs Office.
• Travel with your passport and I-20 (not in your checked baggage) and declare any cash that you travel with.
• Bring your final official secondary and/or college transcripts (an original copy, not a photocopy) if you were admitted with a scanned/unofficial copy.
• Immunizations – college students in Colorado are required to show proof of two vaccinations for measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). You can see more info here if needed.
  • Your options for completing the form attached to this email are: 1) email a copy of your immunization records in English to our Registrar’s Office at [email protected] OR 2) have this form filled out by your physician or approved health authority and scanned/email to the Registrar’s Office at [email protected], or bring with you when you arrive.
  • If you oppose the MMR vaccine or any other vaccines for personal, religious, or medical reasons you may sign the waiver at the bottom of the form.
  • The only required vaccine for which we need documentation is the MMR (two rounds/shots needed). The other vaccines listed on the form are recommended for all college students.
  • Please note that you must also read the 2nd page of the form and either list on the front page if you have had the meningitis vaccine or sign the form on the 2nd page if you prefer not to receive it.