The Arch is a unique academic experience at RPI that a required experiential learning component (ILEA 4400), or the Semester Away. All RPI undergraduates participate, and for international students, it’s especially important to understand how this affects your immigration status.
Learn more about The Arch here.
Semester Away
You must participate in a Semester Away experience during the academic year. International students have additional steps for approval.
To maintain your F-1 status, you must:
- Register for the appropriate ILEA 4400 class by the Add deadline
- Get your Semester Away experience approved by ISSS in the Arch Semester Away Reporting in Via International (VI).
- If CPT is needed, it is issued here.
Individual Learning Experience (ILE) Opportunities
- Civic Engagement
- Co-op
- Internship
- Research
- Self-Design
- Study Abroad
For a visual overview of the process, click here.
- Step 1: Student Action – Choose experience
- Visit this page from The Arch website for details about each option.
- Step 2: Student Action - Handshake
- Submit your plan to CCPD using the Handshake Template for your designation and upload offer letter (if applicable) and resume
- Step 3: CCPD Approval
- Plan is reviewed by CCPD Experiential Learning team and student is notified if approved.
- No student action needed unless emailed.
- Step 4: Student Action - Registration
- Self-register for ILEA 4400 in the appropriate design section.
- The CRN code is provided by CCPD after they approve your experience.
- You must register by the Add deadline of your away term.
- Self-register for ILEA 4400 in the appropriate design section.
- Step 5: Student Action - Get Immigration Approval
- Submit Arch Semester Away Reporting in Via International (VI) for ISSS review and approval.
- If CPT work authorization is needed, it will be issued here.
- Submit Arch Semester Away Reporting in Via International (VI) for ISSS review and approval.
- Step 6: Student Action - LMS Course
- While you are away, an LMS course is attached to each designation.
- Mandatory assignments must be completed to receive a satisfactory grade for ILEA 4400.
- Failure to complete all assignments results in an unsatisfactory grade.
An Arch Institute Policy was signed on September 23, 2019, for all Semester Away experiences to be considered the equivalent of full-time.
The policy is available here.
All Semester Away experiences are considered full-time. This allows ISSS to:
- Register you in SEVIS as maintaining F-1 status during your Semester Away.
- Let you take your annual summer vacation (instead of during the Semester Away).
