Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students

In the fall, two weeks prior to freshman orientation, the ISA, assisted by the dean’s assistant and student volunteers from the International Students Association at Princeton (ISAP), hosts a four-day pre-orientation for new international students. Participants in pre-orientation are welcomed to campus, helped with practical tasks such as purchasing travel-unfriendly items (bed linens, lamps, etc.), and opening bank accounts. This is a great opportunity for new students to mingle with other international students and meet the staff of their assigned residential colleges, as well as other administrators on campus.

Pre-orientation is comprised of various information sessions and many fun social activities, evening events and outings. While electing to participate in pre-orientation is voluntary, the program receives enthusiastic reviews from those who attend and Princeton attracts more than 70 percent of incoming international students to the program. All incoming international students and U.S. citizens living abroad are strongly encouraged to participate.

If you chose to register for pre-orientation, you must also be registered for the Outdoor Action or Community Action  program or you must have alternate plans off campus.

Pre-orientation is fully funded by the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students (with the exception of a few meals and personal costs incurred during the shopping trip). Therefore, all activities and programs provided during pre-orientation are mandatory, unless noted otherwise.

Staff of Pre-Orientation

Rachel Baldwin, Assistant Dean of Undergraduate Students and International Student Adviser
Dean Baldwin is responsible for the sponsorship, development and implementation of the international pre-orientation program. As well, Dean Baldwin is primarily responsible for all compliance and immigration matters pertaining to undergraduate international students. She welcomes students to meet with her so that she can get to know them personally and professionally.

 

Jeanette DeGuire, Dean’s Assistant
Jeanette is responsible for all of the organizational components associated with pre-orientation including meals, transportation, etc. Also, Jeanette assists Dean Baldwin with compliance and immigration matters related to undergraduate international students.

 

ISAP Volunteers, International Students Association at Princeton
ISAP volunteers serve as peer facilitators and provide a wonderful inside look at life at Princeton. They are energetic and enthusiastic (most of them are international students as well). In addition, ISAP volunteers coordinate the social events that occur in the evening during pre-orientation.