Pre-Arrival Checklist

Once you are officially admitted to Seattle Colleges, you must complete the tasks listed below. If you will attend classes in person, complete these tasks as soon as you receive your F-1 visa. If you will take classes remotely from outside the U.S., complete these tasks upon receiving your acceptance letter.

1. Review the acceptance materials we prepared for you.
• Acceptance materials can be accessed via our online admission application portal.
• If you applied for admission via an education or study abroad agency, make sure to ask your counselor or agent for a copy of your acceptance materials.
• If you notice any errors, contact IntlAdmissions@seattlecolleges.edu right away.


2. Sign up for and plan to attend orientation.
• Review the dates for your orientation.
• Pay the $50 orientation fee online with Flywire via https://seattlecolleges.flywire.com. Once on the payment portal homepage, select the "Fees for Admitted Student" option to make your payment.
• Sign up for orientation via https://intl.seattlecolleges.edu/request/orientation.
• Signing up reserves your spot at orientation and allows you to receive important information from us. Students who sign up will be sent a detailed orientation schedule before orientation begins.


3. Sign up for and take placement test(s).
• Review general information about our placement tests.
• If you are planning to enroll in the Seattle Colleges Institute of English (SCIE) or need to take our English placement test, pay the $35 English testing fee online with Flywire via https://seattlecolleges.flywire.com (select the "Fees for Admitted Students" option). After making your payment, you can sign up for English testing. Please note that the sign-up form is only for the upcoming quarter. If your first quarter of attendance is later, return to the sign-up form one month before classes begin.
• If you have already provided proof of English proficiency sufficient for direct placement in college-level classes, you do not need to take our English placement test.
• If you need to take our math placement test, visit your campus' website for instructions on how to complete the test online: North | Central | South.
• Note: If applicable and you have not done so already, submit your proof of English or Math proficiency as soon as it is available and no later than two weeks before the start of class. English and math proficiency updates can be submitted via our online admission application portal.


4. Activate your ctcLink account.
• You will need to enter your EMPLID number when activating your ctcLink account. Your EMPLID number was provided to you in the acceptance letter you received from Admissions.
• ctcLink is the main self-service portal you will use for student-related tasks. It provides access to class schedules, registration, balance statements, transcripts, and more.
• For an overview of the ctcLink portal and its functionalities, watch our YouTube video.
• If you encounter any problems, review our dedicated resources.


5. Review Covid-19-related information.
• As of November 1, 2022, proof of Covid-19 vaccination is not required to attend Seattle Colleges.
• Masks are optional but encouraged. If public health conditions change, face covering requirements will be reassessed.
• All students must follow Seattle Colleges' health and safety protocols and campus access procedures.


6. Complete our Canvas orientation class.
• Log into Canvas, our online learning portal, using your ctcLink ID and ctcLink password.
• Once logged in, click on the following url: https://canvas.seattlecolleges.edu/enroll/D8NF3J.
• Click on "enroll in course" then "go to course".
• Read all the information and complete all the quizzes at least one day before orientation begins.
• Note: In addition to completing our online orientation class in Canvas, new students must also attend our in-person orientation. See #2 above.


7. Register for classes.
• If you submitted proof of English proficiency sufficient for direct placement in college classes, you can pre-register. If you qualify for pre-registration, you will receive detailed information about the pre-registration process in your acceptance materials.
• If you did not provide proof of English proficiency sufficient for direct college placement, you will need to take the English placement test offered by SCIE before you can register for classes. Students who are placed in Intensive English or College Bridge will be registered for classes automatically by our SCIE staff. Students who place into college-level classes will meet with an advisor during drop-in hours to make their class selections.
• As a new F-1 student, you will need at least one in-person class to maintain your visa status.


8. Set up your MySeattleColleges account (see instructions).
• Setting up your MySeattleColleges account will give you access to many of our systems including your school email, SCDGlobal, and Starfish (a portal where you can make an appointment with your advisor).
• After you enroll in classes, your Seattle Colleges email address will be activated. This is the primary way we will communicate with you. Check your inbox often so you do not risk missing important messages.


9. Check in online.
• After arriving in the United States, complete your online check-in as soon as possible, and at least one day before orientation begins. If you will be attending Seattle Colleges remotely from outside the United States, check in no later than one day before orientation begins.
• After activating your MySeattleColleges account (see 8. for details), log in to SCDGlobal with your MySeattleColleges username (firstname.lastname) and MySeattleColleges password. If you have any problems logging in, please email IntlOrientation@seattlecolleges.edu.
• Once logged in, look for the "Online Check-in" link in the left navigation bar, then follow the instructions provided to complete the required tasks.


10. After registering for classes and receiving your confirmed schedule, pay for your classes.
• Seattle Colleges does not issue invoices. Your quarterly balance statement can be accessed directly via your ctcLink account. The balance statement will reflect the amount due for your tuition, fees, and medical insurance.
• To avoid being dropped from classes, you must make your payment within 7 days of your class registration or by the first day of class, whichever comes first.
• Most often, payments should be made by credit card online directly via the student's ctcLink account. If you arranged a wire transfer deposit or received approval for a payment by a "third-party sponsor", contact IntlFinance@seattlecolleges.edu for further assistance.
• Students enrolling in online classes remotely from outside the United States can request to have the medical insurance charges waived. To request a waiver, see our webpage for more details (Health Insurance section under "Current Students").