International Students FAQ’s

Review the Terra Dotta tutorials on the ISS website: https://iss.wisc.edu/terra-dotta-tutorials/.

Add the Terra Dotta widget to your MyUW Homepage for easy access, or use the direct link wisc.edu/.

The Terra Dotta FAQ addresses this question: https://iss.wisc.edu/terra-dotta-tutorials/.

Appointments are for complicated immigration advising questions; information requests are like emails sent to your assigned ISS advisor through Terra Dotta. Information requests typically are answered within 1-3 business days.

Online course enrollment is limited for F-1 and J-1 students. Please review the ISS website for full details: https://iss.wisc.edu/students/current-students/online-course-enrollment/.

According to ISS policy (https://iss.wisc.edu/students/current-students/f1-information/full-time-enrollment/), full-time enrollment during the Fall and Spring semester is required. The minimum full-time enrollment requirements are below:

• Undergraduate students: 12 credits in fall, spring, AND summer terms.
• Graduate Students: 8 credits in fall/spring terms. 4 credits in summer terms. Graduate students should get familiar with the Graduate School policy (https://policy.wisc.edu/library/UW-1208).
• Statistics-VISP students: 12 credits. The Statistics-VISP program is an undergraduate VISP program and students should follow undergraduate requirements.

Summer enrollment is generally not required for students However, there are some exceptions. Check the ISS website for more information: https://iss.wisc.edu/students/current-students/f1-information/full-time-enrollment/ .

It depends.

From the ISS website:

If an F-1 or J-1 student needs only one course to complete the program of study and the student intends to remain in the US, that course must be in a traditional on-campus format. This will allow the student to maintain their visa status and be eligible to apply for post-degree work opportunities if they choose to do so.

If an F-1 or J-1 student chooses to take online courses during their final semester, that student must contact ISS, complete a Leave of Absence form, and depart the US. In this case, a student will no longer be eligible for work authorizations such as Optional Practical Training (F-1) or Academic Training (J-1).

Visa holding students who wish to enroll at multiple institutions at the same time must submit a Concurrent Enrollment Terra Dotta request and have advisor verification.  To aid in this we have created an internal Qualtrics form for students to fill out so that we can answer the questions on the Terra Dotta request (https://uwmadison.co1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_a5z9FaVXHotWuHA).

While campus as a whole no longer has a specific concurrent enrollment policy or process, students who participate in concurrent enrollment need to assure that they are within campus and L&S policies such as:

• Credit overload
• Senior residency
• Visa holding student online course enrollment
• Visa holding full time enrollment

Students with questions on how a course will transfer need to work through the Credit Evaluation Team in the Office of the Registrar.

Confirm you meet ISS program extension eligibility requirements.

• Undergraduate students – provide the information requested on the Stats/DS Program Extension Qualtrics form. Once your information has been reviewed you will be contacted by your advisor and may need to schedule an appointment, provide more information, or be asked to submit your Terra Dotta form.
• Graduate students – contact your program coordinator to discuss your need for a program extension.
• Non-degree-seeking students: Check with your VISP, ESL, or exchange advisor.

If approved, submit a program extension request through Terra Dotta.

Your Statistics/Data Science advisor or faculty advisor must sign the form.

• Undergraduate degree-seeking students: Find your advisor.
• Graduate degree-seeking students: Check with the Statistics department. If your faculty advisor is unavailable, your graduate coordinator or the chair of the Statistics department may sign.
• Non-degree-seeking students: Check with your VISP, ESL, or exchange advisor.

Take a look at your DARS reports for all programs. Whichever program has the most credits left to complete, send the request to that major advisor in Terra Dotta.

For example, I am majoring in Computer Science and Data Science. I have 6 computer science and 18 data science major credits to complete. Therefore, since it will take me longer to complete data science, I will send the form to my data science advisor.

Program extensions are only for unmet requirements your degree or major listed on your I-20 or DS-2019. If you are an undergraduate student, you must complete your certificate requirements before or during the same semester as your major.

Extensions are not possible after a document has expired. If your I-20/DS-2019 expired and you have unmet degree requirements, please meet with ISS as soon as possible to discuss correction of status (https://iss.wisc.edu/students/current-students/correction-of-status/).

Once you have completed all your program requirements, you cannot simply stay and attend classes or use CPT. You must take action to maintain status. Notify ISS during the semester in which you will complete all your program requirements. Make sure you review the program completion checklist (https://iss.wisc.edu/students/current-students/program-completion-checklist/).

Please visit the ISS website’s Program Completion Checklist: https://iss.wisc.edu/students/current-students/program-completion-checklist/.

First, talk to your instructor/TA. They are happy to meet with students who need additional help with course material.

Next, UW has some great academic resources, including Tutoring & Learning Support Resources, Greater University Tutoring Services (GUTS), the Writing Center, and some departmental learning centers like Statistics Learning Center, Computer Sciences Learning Center, and Mathematics Learning Center. Check with other departments who may have available learning support resources.

Auditing courses (sitting in on a course for which you will not earn a grade or credit) is allowed, but it does not count towards your full-time enrollment minimum. You will also have to enroll in and pay tuition for any courses you audit.

Undergraduate and graduate students have different rules surrounding auditing. Please review and contact your advisor if you have specific questions.

Enrollment is required each fall and spring semester at the institution which issued the I-20/DS-2019. You may be eligible to enroll in courses at another institution, including UW Colleges or UW Extension, to fulfill degree requirements. You must have permission from your Statistics/Data Science or faculty advisor to do so. If your UW-Madison course enrollment will not meet minimum enrollment requirements, you must also have permission from ISS.

Academic integrity is committing to and demonstrating honest and moral behavior in an academic setting. Examples of academic integrity include (but are not limited to) doing your own work and citing all your sources properly. It is up to every student to make sure they understand what they are responsible for to avoid either accidental or purposeful academic misconduct. The Office of Student Conduct and Community Standards has resources to understand how to avoid misconduct.

Instructors are responsible for setting their own classroom expectations. What one instructor allows in a classroom may not be allowed in a different classroom (for example, working with others on homework, open note tests, etc.).

In general, if you are using ideas, quotes, phrases, etc. from another person or piece of written work (print or online), you need to give them credit. The UW Libraries has a video tutorial explaining plagiarism (copying other’s work without credit).

The UW Writing Center has resources on citations that you can consult. Different classes may have different citation formats, like MLA, APA, Chicago, etc. Make sure you read your syllabus to find out what citation format you will be responsible for using.

ISS has a great page explaining different parts of US classroom culture, including the difference between class types, examination format, how to effectively read your syllabus, and how to best communicate with your instructor/TA: https://iss.wisc.edu/resources/academic-resources/u-s-classroom-culture/.

Instructors and TAs will hold “office hours,” a time set aside for students to meet with usually no appointment and talk about course material, assignments, or how to be a successful student. Many times, instructors/TAs will also be available to schedule a meeting outside of published office hours. For details about your instructor/TA office hours, check the syllabus provided.

You may feel uncomfortable using office hours, but instructors, faculty, and TAs want to get to know students and help them be successful. If no students come to office hours, they still must be in their office, so feel free to visit them! This is also a good time to get to know professor’s areas of interest, ask about their academic journey, and get to know your professors/instructors!

Generally, UW-Madison will follow the federal credit hour definition: one hour (i.e. 50 minutes) of classroom or direct faculty/qualified instructor instruction and a minimum of two hours of out of class student work each week for approximately fifteen weeks.

By this definition, a student enrolled in 12 credits can expect to spend a minimum of ~36 hours per week on their academics, including attending class, preparing for class, homework/projects/assignments, or studying for exams.

Plan to treat a full-time enrollment load as a full-time job. 18 credits is the maximum for student enrollment, but on average, students who enroll in less than 18 credits tend to be more successful in their courses.

Students can find the exceptions to full-time enrollment requirements listed on the ISS website: https://iss.wisc.edu/students/current-students/reduced-course-load/. 

Follow the steps listed on the ISS webpage: https://iss.wisc.edu/students/current-students/reduced-course-load/

• If you are in your final semester, please submit RCL request before the start date of classes for the semester once you have confirmed your enrollment requirements.
• For academic difficulties, submit RCL form during the add/drop period, and work with your advisor to identify a course that is a better fit for you. ISS must receive your documentation before the last day of classes.
• Medical RCL: submit the RCL application as soon as possible.

You are responsible for following the Registrar’s dates and deadlines, as well as any deadlines within L&S and the Statistics department.

See below for more information specific to undergraduates and graduate student RCL requests.

CPT is an employment authorization for F-1 students. Eligible students may seek authorization to work in an internship, co-op, or practicum directly related to their major field of study. The purpose of CPT is to apply the knowledge/skills you gain in the classroom to practical work experience in the US.

ISS outlines the application process on their website: https://iss.wisc.edu/employment/f1-employment/f-1-curricular-practical-training-cpt/cpt-application-process/

• Step 1: receive an offer for practical training.
• Step 2: obtain a job offer letter from your employer.
• Step 3: send the job offer letter to your advisor who will be authorizing your CPT.
• Step 4: complete the ISS CPT application in Terra Dotta.
• CPT application forms should be submitted at least 15 business days before the requested CPT start date. The earliest date to submit your CPT application is the date that you enroll in your CPT course.

Undergraduate students: contact the instructor of the internship course you plan to enroll in. For example, students who will enroll in STAT 403 will contact the instructor listed on the course page; students who will enroll in Inter-LS 260 will contact the Career Education Coordinator

Graduate students: contact your Faculty Advisor, or if you are unsure, your Graduate Program Coordinator can help you find the correct person to contact.

Yes, CPT requires that students enroll in a course related to their practical training.

Undergraduates: there are several options, including Inter-LS 260 and STAT 403 Internship Course in Computer Science and Data Science.

Graduates: work with your faculty advisor to determine an appropriate 699 section.

ISS explains on their application process page. The earliest date to submit the CPT application in Terra Dotta is the date you enroll in your CPT course. Applications should be submitted at least 15 business days before the requested CPT start date.

ISS has a great webpage with information and commonly asked questions about taking a leave of absence. You may also meet with ISS advisors to discuss your personal situation.

The steps to return vary based on your situation, you can review this document to see an overview.

In general, if you were gone from the US for a full semester and did not enroll in courses, you should apply for reentry admission.

• Undergraduate student reentry
• Graduate student reentry

If you were enrolled in courses the semester before you returned to the US, work directly with ISS. Complete the Return from Leave of Absence form in Terra Dotta.

Contact your Statistics/Data Science advisor to discuss your academic plans so you know how close you are to graduation.

Travel to the US on your NEW immigration document.

Complete ISS Check-In in Terra Dotta.