Current Students: The Arch

The Arch is a unique approach to education that provides flexibility in the semester schedule, allowing students to pursue professional and personal development opportunities that prepare them to meet the multifaceted challenges of the 21st century.

For general information about The Arch, click here.

This page was last updated on: August 13, 2025.

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Summer Here

During The Arch, students will participate in a full course of study over the summer, enrolling in at least 12 credits. As The Arch is a required component for graduation from Rensselaer, ISSS will register all F-1 students in SEVIS during your Arch Summer.

  • This means that we are reporting to the federal government that you are enrolled as a full-time student during this semester (which means you are taking at least 12 credits) and are maintaining your F-1 status.
  • You should not drop below 12 credits during the summer session, as that may cause a negative future impact since your Rensselaer transcript will not match your SEVIS registration data, which implies that you were not maintaining your F-1 status.

If taking a personal leave of absence and not participating in The Arch for a full 12 credits, you must depart the U.S. and work with ISSS to learn about your options to maintain your immigration status upon your return. If taking a medical leave of absence that has been processed by the Student Health Center at RPI and not participating in The Arch for a full 12 credits, you can remain in the U.S. for treatment if required by your doctor or can depart the U.S. to obtain treatment.

Please meet with an ISSS advisor to discuss your options before you leave if possible, otherwise communicate with us via email so we can advise you.

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Important Considerations

Leave of Absence

If taking a leave of absence, regardless of the reason, you must work with ISSS to plan options to maintain your immigration status. By taking a leave of absence, this can impact your options to maintain your immigration status.

Work Authorization Requirements

International students cannot start any off-campus employment inside the U.S. (co-op, internship, “volunteer” work, etc.) until after they have obtained work authorization from ISSS.

  • The process for you to obtain work authorization takes approximately two weeks from when ISSS receives your Semester Away information.
  • We will notify you via email when a new I-20 has been issued with your work authorization.
  • If anything is needed before then, ISSS will be in contact via email.
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Semester Away

Students must choose a semester away and will plan a specific experience to occur during this time. Preparing for your semester away is a critical part of The Arch experience.

An Arch Institute Policy was signed on September 23, 2019 for all Semester Away experiences to be considered the equivalent of full-time. You can view the policy by clicking here.

This policy supports international students, as it permits ISSS to register you in SEVIS to report that you are considered the equivalent of a full-time student, and that you are maintaining your F-1 status during your Semester Away. This allows you to take your annual vacation during the summer session instead of during your Semester Away.

For the next semester (Fall or Spring), you will need to be enrolled full-time and take at least 12 credits to maintain your immigration status.

  • Exception: If the next semester is your final semester and you are eligible to be part-time, you can request part-time approval through the Part-Time Enrollment (RCL) Request on our Forms page.
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Semester Away Experience Options

Click the red + sign to expand each section.

If you do not intend to return as a full-time student for the spring/fall semester after your Semester Away, you need to speak with an ISSS advisor for guidance.

You will be eligible for your next annual vacation the summer following your Away Semester (except for Study at Another U.S. Institution - see section for more details).

ILE Civic Engagement

General Information

For details about Civic Engagement within The Arch, click here.

Your opportunity may require work authorization. Contact ISSS before you accept an opportunity for guidance.

If ISSS determines your work experience requires Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization, you cannot start work until after you receive a new I-20 with CPT from ISSS.

  • Your position must be related to your field(s) of study to get CPT.
  • The process to issue the I-20 with the CPT authorization can take up to 2 weeks after approval from the other departments.
  • If you are physically inside the U.S. and your employer is outside of the U.S., you may still need CPT authorization to start work.

How to Submit Your Experience

For a visual overview of the process, click here.

  • Step 1: Student Action - Secure Opportunity
    • Civic Engagement is an unpaid experience at a healthcare organization, not for profit, or government entity for at least 260 hours.
  • Step 2: Student Action - SIS Reporting
    • Choose ILE Civic Engagement in Arch Away Selection tab and submit (do not submit choice until offer is issued)
  • Step 3: Student Action - Handshake
  • Step 4: CCPD Approval
    • Plan is reviewed by CCPD Experiential Learning team and student is notified if approved. No student action needed unless emails.
  • Step 5: Student Action - Registration
    • Students receive an email from CCPD with self-registration details for ILEA 4400 and CRN. Must register by Add deadline of away term.
  • Step 6: Student Action - Get Immigration Approval
  • Step 7: 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.
ILE Co-op

General Information

For details about Co-op within The Arch, click here.

Your work experience can occur inside or outside of the U.S.

  • If your work experience is inside the U.S. or you are physically inside of the U.S., you must get a new I-20 from ISSS with Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization on Page 2. You cannot start work until after you receive this CPT I-20.
    • Your Co-op must be related to your field(s) of study to request CPT.
    • The process to issue the I-20 with CPT authorization can take up to 2 weeks after approval from the other departments.
  • If your work experience is outside of the U.S. and you are physically located outside of the U.S., you do not need to obtain any work authorization from ISSS.

How to Submit Your Experience

For a visual overview of the process, click here.

  • Step 1: Student Action - Secure Opportunity
    • A 6-8 month paid experience falls under ILE Co-op.
    • Get an offer letter in English with all these details: start and end date, hours per week, rate of pay, description of work, supervisor’s name and contact.
  • Step 2: Student Action - SIS Reporting
    • Choose ILE Co-op in Arch Away Selection tab and submit (do not submit choice until offer is issued).
  • Step 3: Student Action - Handshake
  • Step 4: CCPD Approval
    • Plan is reviewed by CCPD Experiential Learning team and student is notified if approved. No student action needed unless emails.
  • Step 5: Student Action - Registration
    • Students receive an email from CCPD with self-registration details for ILEA 4400 and CRN. Must register by Add deadline of away term.
  • Step 6: Student Action - Get Immigration Approval
  • Step 7: 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.
ILE Internship

General Information

For details about Internship within The Arch, click here.

Your work experience can occur inside or outside of the U.S.

  • If your work experience is inside the U.S. or you are physically inside of the U.S., you must get a new I-20 from ISSS with Curricular Practical Training (CPT) authorization on Page 2. You cannot start work until after you receive this CPT I-20.
    • Your Internship must be related to your field(s) of study to request CPT.
    • The process to issue the I-20 with CPT authorization can take up to 2 weeks after approval from the other departments.
  • If your work experience is outside of the U.S. and you are physically located outside of the U.S., you do not need to obtain any work authorization from ISSS.

How to Submit Your Experience

For a visual overview of the process, click here.

  • Step 1: Student Action - Secure Opportunity
    • A 3-4 month paid experience for at least 260 hours falls under ILE Internship.
    • Get an offer letter in English with all these details: start and end date, hours per week, rate of pay, description of work, supervisor’s name and contact.
  • Step 2: Student Action - SIS Reporting
    • Choose ILE Internship in Arch Away Selection tab and submit (do not submit choice until offer is issued).
  • Step 3: Student Action - Handshake
  • Step 4: CCPD Approval
    • Plan is reviewed by CCPD Experiential Learning team and student is notified if approved. No student action needed unless emails.
  • Step 5: Student Action - Registration
    • Students receive an email from CCPD with self-registration details for ILEA 4400 and CRN. Must register by Add deadline of away term.
  • Step 6: Student Action - Get Immigration Approval
  • Step 7: 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.
ILE Research

General Information

For details about Research within The Arch, click here.

Research at Rensselaer is considered on-campus employment. International students automatically have on-campus work authorization from the start date on their I-20 and do not require additional authorization if working for 20 hours or less per week.

  • If you will be working more than 20 hours per week, whether at a single on-campus job or multiple on-campus jobs, you must contact ISSS to discuss your options.

Research performed off-campus falls under the research experience, whether paid, unpaid, or "volunteer". This requires CPT work authorization from ISSS before you start working.

How to Submit Your Experience

For a visual overview of the process, click here.

  • Step 1: Student Action - Secure Opportunity
    • All research falls under ILE Research.
    • Get an offer letter in English with all these details: start and end date, hours per week, rate of pay, description of work, supervisor’s name and contact.
  • Step 2: Student Action - SIS Reporting
    • Choose ILE Research in Arch Away Selection tab and submit (do not submit choice until offer is issued).
  • Step 3: Student Action - Handshake
  • Step 4: CCPD Approval
    • Plan is reviewed by CCPD Experiential Learning team and student is notified if approved. No student action needed unless emails.
  • Step 5: Student Action - Registration
    • Students receive an email from CCPD with self-registration details for ILEA 4400 and CRN. Must register by Add deadline of away term.
  • Step 6: Student Action - Get Immigration Approval
  • Step 7: 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.
ILE Self-Design

General Information

For details about the Self-Design Experience within The Arch, click here.

For international students, entrepreneurship is not an option available for you to pursue.

How to Submit Your Experience

For a visual overview of the process, click here.

  • Step 1: Student Action - SIS Reporting
    • Choose ILE Self Design in Arch Away Selection tab and submit.
  • Step 2: Student Action - Handshake
  • Step 3: CCPD Approval
    • Plan is reviewed by CCPD Experiential Learning team and student is notified if approved. No student action needed unless emails.
  • Step 4: Student Action - Registration
    • Students receive an email from CCPD with self-registration details for ILEA 4400 and CRN. Must register by Add deadline of away term.
  • Step 5: Student Action - Get Immigration 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.
ILE Study Abroad

How to Submit Your Experience

For a visual overview of the process, click here.

  • Step 1: Student Action - Secure Opportunity
    • Review information for study abroad options on the Office of International Programs website.
    • Submit your application to study abroad in the OIP Application Portal.
    • If you have a financial aid award, contact Financial Aid to review award coverage during an approved Semester Away experience.
  • Step 2: Student Action - SIS Reporting
    • Choose ILE International Experience in Arch Away Selection tab and submit.
  • Step 3: Student Action - Handshake
  • Step 4: CCPD Approval
    • Plan is reviewed by OIP/CCPD Experiential Learning team and student is notified if approved. No student action needed unless emails.
  • Step 5: Student Action - Get Immigration 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.
ILE Study at Another U.S. Institution

General Information

You must work with the other U.S. institution to determine if your SEVIS record will transferred to them from RPI (for a new I-20 from their institution).

If your SEVIS record will stay at RPI, you will be registered in SEVIS as if you are attending RPI.

  • For the next semester (Fall or Spring), you will need to be enrolled full-time and take at least 12 credits to maintain your immigration status.
  • If the other U.S. institution requires documentation from ISSS to confirm that you are a current F-1 student and are maintaining your status at RPI, please submit a request via email to ISSSoffice@rpi.edu. 
  • You will be eligible for your next annual vacation the summer following your Away Semester.

If your SEVIS record is transferred to the new U.S. institution, you must work with ISSS to plan out the process and timeline for your return to RPI.

  • You must apply for a new I-20 with ISSS and have your SEVIS record transferred back to RPI. Please contact ISSS for guidance on your SEVIS Release Date for your SEVIS record to return to RPI to ensure that your timing is appropriate. 
    • * Note: This process is for immigration purposes, and does not require you to apply for readmission to RPI, as you are still considered an RPI student while on your Semester Away.
  • You must enroll as a full-time student (taking at least 12 credits) for the semester you return to RPI. Consult with an ISSS advisor before scheduling your SEVIS Release Date so we can advise you.
  • You must complete one semester at RPI before you are eligible to take an Annual Vacation in the summer. If you are a Spring Away student, make sure to contact ISSS for guidance on how the transfer of your SEVIS record impacts your Annual Vacation.

How to Submit Your Experience

For a visual overview of the process, click here.

  • Step 1: Student Action - SIS Reporting
    • Choose ILE Study at Another U.S. Institution in Arch Away Selection tab and submit.
  • Step 2: Student Action - Handshake
  • Step 3: CCPD Approval
    • Plan is reviewed by CCPD Experiential Learning team and student is notified if approved. No student action needed unless emails.
  • Step 4: Student Action - Registration
    • Students receive an email from CCPD with self-registration details for ILEA 4400 and CRN. Must register by Add deadline of away term.
  • Step 5: Student Action - Get Immigration 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.
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Early Arch

International students can request to participate in the Early Arch. By participating in Early Arch, your semester away may not be in your junior year, so you must discuss your plan with ISSS in order to maintain your immigration status.

For more information how to request participation in Early Arch, see this link: https://info.rpi.edu/arch/general-information/#EarlyArch

After you have been approved for Early Arch, please come to meet with ISSS during our Open Hours with ideas for your semester away, so that we can provide options on how to maintain your immigration status.

You can find the ISSS Open Hours here: http://bit.ly/ISSSannouncements