Sending your child to live and study in the United States is an exciting opportunity, and we’re thrilled to welcome your family to Wheaton College here in Norton, Massachusetts. Whether joining us for four years or through our short-term exchange program, your student will find a welcoming and supportive home away from home at Wheaton. To help your family prepare for this experience, we’ve gathered key resources and answers to the most frequently asked questions.
Quick Links and Resources
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- Academic Programs: Explore 100+ programs across the liberal arts and sciences
- Visa Application Process: Review step-by-step checklist for applying for your student visa
- Traveling to Wheaton: Discover nearby international airports, commuter rails and local driving directions
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Your student will have to create an account and then give you access to create an account that will allow you to pay the bill. Please click on the link below to make payments.
Yes, if your student arrives during the arranged pick up times, the Center for Global Education provides airport pickup. Your student will be sent a link during the summer to sign up for airport pickup. It is important to plan flights according to the shuttle schedule. Please be aware that airport pick-up is only for students traveling alone. If they arrive outside of the shuttle schedule, they will need to make their own arrangements to get to campus. We can still provide information, so please reach out.
Classes begin the week after the International Early Arrival Program. Please see the academic calendar for precise dates.
Your student has to arrive early because the Center for Global Education hosts a mandatory International Student Orientation. The program is designed to help your student ease into their new academic environment, get to know the campus, make friends and adjust to the Wheaton community. It is very important that they attend and moreover, the value will stay with them throughout their academic career.
Definitely! Your student will have multiple opportunities to meet other students. They will meet all the other new international students who are also joining Wheaton. They also get a chance to meet the program assistants who are current Wheaton students. Then, a whole new group of students will arrive for Fall Orientation and they will be able to meet hundreds of other students. Additionally, during the first few weeks of classes, the college will have many events that will give students the chance to meet each other.
There is a universal check-in process for students, so it is important to arrive on the day that they are requested to arrive. Upon arrival, your student will be provided with a packet of information during the International Student Orientation and they will be able to get their ID and key in the same location. They will only be able to get their ID if they have submitted their photo during the summer. If they fail to do so, the check-in process will be delayed for them.
Many parents have had success with a few Airbnb locations, very close to campus. There are also hotels located within 15-20 minutes of campus, including a new one just off the highway. It is important to book early. If assistance is needed, please reach out to [email protected].
We recommend reserving a car at the airport. Wheaton is in a rural area and rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft are limited and expensive.
Yes, but registration is required. During the school year, there are no additional fees, but if a student chooses to stay during the Winter break, there could be a fee. Students are allowed to stay on campus during the summer, but they must meet certain requirements. Please read more about it on the summer housing page.
You will not be notified of your student’s grades because of FERPA. FERPA (Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act) is a federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. If you want access to your student’s record, you will need to ask your student. We understand that this may be very different from what you are used to but this is a federal law in the United States.
During the summer, an academic advisor will reach out to your student to begin the selection of classes. Prior to this encounter, your student will have the opportunity to peruse the academic course catalog. It is important that your student register during the summer so that they get the classes they desire.
Wheaton College has a Counseling Center and uses the Sturdy Health Primary Care – Norton for its medical needs.
Yes. Insurance is mandatory for all international students. All students are automatically enrolled in the Wheaton Health Insurance Plan. To read more about health insurance, please visit the Health Insurance web page. Please be aware that health care in the United States is very expensive and health insurance will help to defray the cost.
Yes. Each program is different and each program is designed to meet each audience.
International Student Orientation is designed specifically for new international students arriving for their first semester at Wheaton College. This program helps students acclimate to life in the U.S. and connects them to vital campus resources to ensure their success.
Fall Orientation is the general program for all incoming first-year and transfer students to officially kick off the academic year together.
Your student will receive information to their Wheaton email that will include how to sign up for housing. In the housing application, they will be asked lifestyle questions, personality questions and personal preferences in regards to living situations. Students use the housing portal as part of their application process to meet potential roommates. Students have also been known to meet via the Wheaton College Facebook page or Instagram. If your student fails to submit a housing application, they will be assigned housing. For more information about housing, explore our Residence Life web content.
Adjusting to the U.S. education system takes time, as the style of learning may differ from what your student is used to. During their first semester, they can expect:
- Continuous grading: Grades are based on regular assignments, quizzes, and essays throughout the term, rather than just one final exam.
- Active participation: Classrooms are highly interactive. Students are expected to ask questions, voice opinions, and engage in critical thinking.
- Independent study: There is a heavy emphasis on reading and managing time outside of class hours.
- Every student is fully supported. Our academic advisors and faculty work closely with new students to help them adjust to these expectations, navigate campus resources, and build a strong foundation for success.
The I-20 or DS-2019 is used to apply for the F-1 or J-1 visa they will use to come to the US. Instructions have been provided on next steps for visa application. Canadian students do not need to apply for a student visa.
The SEVIS fee is a required government fee used to fund the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) and process your visa eligibility documents (Form I-20 or DS-2019). Fee amounts vary depending on your visa classification (such as F-1 or J-1) and can change periodically. Refer to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) SEVIS Fee page for the current rates.
Please do not delay in making this payment—paying your SEVIS fee is a mandatory first step before you can schedule your visa interview at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate.
The process is different for different people. It is not like having a tourist visa. Students must present the immigration documents, proof of admission as well as proof of financial support. They must also provide evidence that they have strong ties to their home country and do not plan to emigrate. Failure to do so could result in visa denial. It is also important to apply for the visa as soon as the I-20 or DS-2019 are received because visa appointment slots get filled up very quickly. Refer to our step-by-step guide for applying for a visa.
More Questions?
If you have additional questions not listed here, please reach out to [email protected]