Joining Us

You will need the following resources to support your virtual learning.

• Personal internet connection with a minimum download speed of 10Mbs*
• Laptop or PC, with microphone and webcam
• Microsoft Office 2007 (or later)

* Individual experiences may vary depending on internet upload and download speeds in your area.

Our Student Success Managers (SSMs) will work with you on a one-to-one basis to help make sure you are doing all you can to be successful in your classes. They will do this by checking on your academic progress and giving you ideas for overcoming any problems you might have with your classes. This might include:

• Referring you to online tutoring
• Referring you to the writing center or library resources
• Creating a study plan to help you with time management
• Reviewing study skills

Advisors can also help you with questions to have outside of classes. These topics include:

• Answering questions about the visa process
• Answering health questions
• Understanding U.S. culture better
• Overcoming stress
• Engaging with other students and native English speakers
• And especially this term...fixing technology problems

Speak with Your Advisor

Student Success Managers (SSM) are your first point of contact during your time in the Global Gateway Program (GGP). Baylor has two SSMs to support students, and each SSM supports students in a specific International Year level. Your SSM will be assigned during the virtual orientation and will be your advisor throughout the GGP program.
Throughout the program, you can contact your assigned SSM by email, phone, or by setting up an appointment through an online advising program called the Student Success Collaborative/Navigate. 

Schedule Regular Meetings with Your Advisor

During the academic year, SSMs invite students in their assigned International Year level to an initial meeting, a midterm check-in meeting, a registration guidance meeting, and an end-of-term meeting. Students who demonstrate they need support at any point in the term will receive further outreach and may schedule more frequent individual meetings as needed.

You will be provided a Bear ID after your acceptance to Baylor and payment of your admissions deposit. The Bear ID is an electronic identifier created uniquely for every student and employee of Baylor. It is used to access electronic resources like email and your learning management system, Canvas.

We’ve prepared a GGP Enrollment Checklist to help you set up your Baylor accounts step-by-step. This guide also describes how Baylor protects its most vital, widely-accessed university and personal information resources with the DUO two-factor authentication.

Be sure to check your Baylor email account every day – all important information will be sent to this email address. You will also receive regular updates and information about activities. Not seeing an email will not be accepted as justification for missing an assignment, payment, or other responsibility.

Download the GGP Enrollment Checklist to learn more and set up your Baylor accounts now.

Our Student Success Managers (SSMs) will register you for your mandatory GGP classes, and make recommendations about Baylor electives. In International Year Level 1, you will meet with Baylor University advisors and receive instruction on how to register yourself, a skill you will need after matriculating, and our SSMs will provide individualized support as needed.

Orientation will consist of virtual and in-person activities. Virtual orientation activities are housed on Canvas, Baylor’s Learning Management System, and will offer a combination of required and optional tasks that will:

1. Familiarize you with Baylor policies
2. Introduce you to all aspects of the technology you’ll need to be successful
3. Provide interactive activities to help you become part of the Baylor community

Before you begin your GGP classes, you will take an English language placement test. This will consist of a computer-based test called Versant, a writing sample submitted in Canvas, and a video-based live oral interview with GGP faculty and staff.

Once you finish your placement testing, you will be assigned to the appropriate level for your English abilities. Your final placement may be different from your original assigned level.

Be sure to check your Baylor email account for important details about your placement testing, as you must complete it before you can start your GGP classes.

We utilize the virtual learning platform Canvas, and additional platforms like Webex and Zoom, to support your learning. Canvas houses course outlines, materials, discussion forums, recorded sessions and collaboration tools. You will submit all assignments for Baylor through the Canvas platform. To learn more, watch this video demonstrating Canvas.

You will receive access to Canvas once you have set up your BearID and password. You will also need to have DUO authentication setup to access this site. This is described in further detail in the enrollment guide you will receive from GGP staff.

SSMs and faculty will help you purchase your books in advance. Books are purchased through the Baylor Bookstore.

The faculty and staff at Baylor understand how important it is to engage with others at your university outside the classroom, so we have prepared a wide variety of free virtual and in-person activities for you to participate in when you’re not studying. Some of these events include:

• Book Club: Read selected books and discuss with your classmates.
• Fitness Club: View posted videos with daily exercise or yoga routines and post your updates or photos to share.
• “Do It Yourself” competitions: Watch posted videos teaching you how to create crafts or art, or make a recipe. Then, you and your classmates can share your creations and vote on the winners.
• Tea/Coffee Hour: Visit with classmates and Baylor staff from various departments for an open discussion hour.
• Game Nights: Play virtual board games, participate in quizzes, and join in scavenger hunts for even more fun.

We will discuss all of the resources available to you as a Baylor student, you can find these on the Resources page.

Here is a short list to get you started:

• The International Student Academic Support (ISAS) office is available to help any international student academic and/or English language concerns
• Paul L. Foster Student Success Center
• Tutoring Center
• Career Center
• Library
• Health and Mental Health Counseling