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International Students

Incoming International Freshman

Congratulations on your admission and welcome to the class of 2028!

Below you'll find your next steps to complete prior to beginning classes at OU. All available checklist items are available in your OU Bound portal.

OU Bound Portal

#1 Set Up Your OU Account & Email

Visit one.ou.edu/activate. You'll need your Sooner ID number (included in your admission letter) to create your account. Once your account has been set up, you'll see your OUNet ID (usually 4 letters and 4 numbers) and your OU email address. Take a moment to write these down along with the password that you set up. You'll use these to access and complete your post-admission checklist!

This OU account will follow you through your time at OU and will also provide access to OU resources such as enrollment, grades, course materials, computer labs, OU Libraries resources, and more. You will use your OU email address and password to sign in to your official OU email at outlook.office.com/ou.edu. If you need assistance, please call OU IT at +1 (405) 325-4357 or submit a general IT support request through the online portal.

#2 Log in to OU Bound

Visit oubound.ou.edu to log in to OU Bound, our post-admission checklist portal. You’ll use the OU account you set up in Step #1 to log in. Your post-admission checklist is outlined in OU Bound with information on how to complete each step.

Log in to OU Bound

#3 Submit Enrollment Deposit

The priority deadline to submit your enrollment deposit is May 1, 2024 or within 21 days of the date of your admission, whichever is later. Submit your enrollment deposit to secure your spot at OU. Housing room selection access times will be determined by your enrollment deposit date.

  • Log in to OU Bound at oubound.ou.edu using your OU account.
  • Submit your $250 enrollment deposit.
  • Confirmation will be sent to the email you used during payment. Please allow up to 48 hours after admission for the enrollment deposit to be processed.

#4 Obtain a U.S. Visa

Visit ou.edu/cis/iss and click “Learn More” under the New Students section for F-1 and J-1 visa application information.

Currently in the U.S.: If you are currently attending another school in the U.S., you must have your SEVIS record (I-20 or DS-2019) transferred to OU to maintain your immigration status.  This is a separate process from your academic transfer. For more information, contact International Student Services at iss@ou.edu.

Other VISA types: Prospective or current students who are in the U.S. on a visa other than F-1 or J-1/J-2 issued by OU must contact OU ISS to confirm study is allowed. For more information, visit ou.edu/cis/iss and click “Immigration & Visa,” then “Changing Your Status.”

Post-Admission Checklist

You will find information on all these steps in OU Bound, which you can access by logging into oubound.ou.edu. Here are the things you must do to join the OU family:

By completing a housing application you are one step closer to beginning your OU journey. Those who complete a housing application and submit an enrollment deposit by May 1 can participate in room selection. During room selection, you and your roommates can choose your own room. Visit housing.ou.edu to learn more about your housing options and view our housing FAQ page.

Visit outlook.office.com/ou.edu to check your OU email. Many OU departments will only communicate with you via this email address, so it is important that you check it regularly. This is where you will be notified about financial aid and housing.

Complete the New Sooner Survey. You must do this before you can schedule your New Sooner Orientation Day where you be advised and enrolled for fall classes.

New Sooner Orientation (NSO) begins the important transition process for incoming freshmen to the University of Oklahoma. During your New Sooner Orientation Day you will meet one-on-one with your academic advisor and enroll in your first semester of classes. Orientation occurs between May and July and will be a virtual event. 

Before you can schedule your Orientation Day, be sure each of the items below are completed:

Should you have questions about this process, email International Admissions at intladmissions@ou.edu.

If you need any assessments, you will be prompted to schedule your assessments when you register for your New Sooner Orientation Day. 

Math Assessment

To determine your current math skill level and place you in the correct math course for your first semester at OU, you will need to complete the online Math Assessment. You can read more about it on the Math Assessment FAQ page.

You will be given access to online resources that will help you refresh and build your skills, followed by the placement.  Your math assessment will be protored live using the video conferencing platform Zoom.

 

Step 1:  Check your internet connection.  Since we do virtual proctoring via Zoom, you will need an internet connection that is fast and stable to complete the assessment.  Please follow the instructions in this video to determine the speed and stability of your internet connection.

 

If you attempt to take the assessment without a good internet connection and it is interrupted due to low internet speed or instability, it will record a lower score than you could have achieved.  Additionally, it will count as one of your three attempts to assess. If you do not have a fast enough connection or it is not stable, you will need to wait to assess on campus at the beginning of the fall semester.  If you cannot complete the assessment on your first attempt, please wait until you are in Norman to take your assessment.  Regardless, your academic advisor will work with you on this matter.

 

Step 2:  Once you are confident in your internet connection, schedule your math assessment.  This is a short quiz-like survey on the tools and settings needed for your virtual assessment.

 

Step 3: After completing the survey, you can then select the day, time, and type of assessment you need to take. Assessment windows will be from Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. CT.

 

Step 4: iAdvise will send you an invitation to a Zoom meeting in which you will complete your assessment with the help of an OU proctor. The invitation has supplemental information reminding you of the computing and setting needs.

 

If you decide to cancel your assessment, you must cancel more than 24 hours in advance.

Preparing ahead of time is encouraged and to your benefit, especially for engineering students, as testing into the correct math course to start on track with your degree program can be crucial to success at OU. Here are some online resources that might be helpful with your preparation:

Start the Math Assessment Process

 

English Assessment

  • Please see additional information regarding the possible need to take the English Assessment.

Reading Assessment

Language Assessment

  • Are you interested in studying a language at OU?  If so, consider taking a language placement test prior to your NSO appointment. You can find additional information and sign up for a virtual assessment here
  • You will be able to discuss language courses in more depth during your one-on-one advising appointment during New Sooner Orientation.

In order for your advisor to best prepare for your advising session, it is essential that you complete and submit the brief New Sooner Orientation Pre-Advising Questionnaire at least three days prior to your scheduled Orientation Day. 

You will need to complete the Mandatory Internet Orientation (MIO) for international students on Canvas before you depart for OU. Although similar in name, this is different from the Mandatory Online Training Modules and the Distance Orientation Canvas modules.

MIO covers information about your visa status in the US, OU resources, and transportation from the airport to campus. You will receive an email (to your OU email address) in early July with instructions to access MIO.

You can access a link to the MIO and get more information on the OU ISS website

You must submit a Certification of Compliance that states you are aware of the state of Oklahoma’s immunization requirements, which are outlined in the Certification. Complete this at immunization.ou.edu.

After you graduate from high school, you must have your high school send OU your final high school transcript verifying your date of graduation. This must be submitted directly from your high school, so please contact your school to complete this.

Your Sooner Card serves as your student ID and can be used to dine at OU restaurants with your meal plan, access the Sarkeys Fitness Center, check out books from the Bizzell Memorial Library, and more. To upload a photo to be used on your Sooner Card, please download and log into the Transact App with your OU Net ID and password and upload your photo on the app. After we have reviewed and accepted your photo, you’ll be able to access your Sooner Card. 

OU’s Bookstore is online, so students can get the right book at the right price! Visit Soonerbooks.com to learn how to order your textbooks and course materials.

Mark your calendar for OU’s Camp Crimson experience for August 2024! Camp Crimson is OU’s official welcome for all incoming fall students. After you move into the residence halls in August, you will have five days of connecting with other new students, learning about OU’s history and traditions, and getting to know campus! You will receive your housing assignment and move-in date over the summer from Housing & Residence Life.

Camp Crimson costs $350 and will automatically be added to your fall Bursar bill. Financial need-based scholarships are available.

Beginning May 1, let us know you’ll be at Camp Crimson by logging into OU Bound and RSVP’ing. Unless you formally opt out, every student is expected to attend Camp Crimson and charges will reflect this expectation even if you don’t attend. The last day to submit a request to opt out is July 1, 2024.

If you plan to participate in Panhellenic recruitment (additional costs apply), Pride Camp (band), ROTC training, or International Student Orientation, don’t worry – these programs are partnering with Camp Crimson. Most programs will run prior to the start of Camp Crimson to allow you to fully participate in both.

Keep updated by visiting ou.edu/campcrimson.

Complete your required trainings online at onpoint.ou.edu