The Arch is a unique academic experience at RPI that includes a full-time summer semester and a required “Semester Away” during the academic year. 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: https://the-arch.rpi.edu/
Summer Semester ("Summer Here")
As part of The Arch, you will complete a full-time course load (at least 12 credits) during the summer semester.
- ISSS will register you in SEVIS for the summer to show you are maintaining your F-1 status.
- Do not drop below 12 credits. This could lead to a mismatch between your RPI transcript and SEVIS record, which may negatively impact your immigration status.
- Personal Leave: If you’re not taking 12 credits, you must leave the U.S. and contact ISSS to plan how to maintain your immigration status for your return.
- Medical Leave: If approved by the Student Health Center, you may stay in the U.S. if your doctor requires it, or you may leave for treatment.
Important: Please talk to an ISSS advisor during Open Hours before leaving, or email us if you can't meet in person.
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 request.
- If CPT is needed, it is issued here.
Reminder: You must be enrolled full-time (at least 12 credits) during the semester after your Semester Away unless it is your last semester at RPI (and you get approval to be part-time).
Individual Learning Experience (ILE) Opportunities
- Civic Engagement
- Co-op or Internship
- International Experiences
- Research
- Self-Design
- Study at Another U.S. Institution
Visit The Arch website for details about each option.
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 - Registration
- Self-register for ILEA 4400 in the appropriate design section. Specific CRN codes are listed on the class hour schedule in SIS.
- Must register by Add deadline of away term.
- 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 - Get Immigration Approval
- Submit Arch Semester Away Reporting request for ISSS approval. If CPT work authorization is needed, it will be issued here.
- Step 5: 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).
Early Arch
International students can request to participate in Early Arch, which shifts the Semester Away to a different timeline.
- This may affect your ability to maintain immigration status.
- You must meet with ISSS to discuss your plan.
More info: Early Arch Request Process
After approval, visit ISSS Open Hours with ideas for your Semester Away.
View Open Hours
