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- Once letters of acceptance or rejection
arrive, decide which university to attend, notify the admissions
office of your decision, and complete and return any forms they
require. Notify each university that offers you admission if you
accept or decline their offer. Return any official forms that
you will not use.
- If you are being sponsored by an
organization, notify that organization of your plans. Maintain
contact with the sponsoring organization, which can assist with predeparture arrangements.
Contact the nearest EducationUSA information and advising center for
predeparture information and advice.
- Request information about health insurance
from your university. Obtain suitable insurance.
- Obtain certified copies of your secondary
and postsecondary transcripts, along with detailed descriptions
of your courses and the books used in the courses.
- Obtain copies of important medical records,
X-rays, and prescriptions. Have prescriptions written in English
in generic terms.
- Reread your university's catalog.
- Check to see that your passport is
up-to-date and valid.
- Apply to your nearest U.S. embassy or
consulate for a visa upon receipt of your I-20 or DS-2019 form.
Do this well in advance of your departure date. Application
packets are available from many U.S. educational information and
advising centers. See chapter 3 for further details.
- Learn how to reach the university from your
point of entry in the United States.
- Make travel arrangements. See chapter 4 for
more information. It is advisable to arrive on campus a few days
to one week before orientation and registration begin.
- Contact the International Student Office (or
similar office) at your university with details of your arrival
plans, and confirm details of any orientation for new students
held by the university.
- Finalize arrangements for housing with your
university. Inquire about temporary housing, hotel, motel, or
other arrangements that need to be made if arriving early or
during the weekend.
- Organize finances: arrange to transfer funds
to a U.S. bank and make sure you have funds for travel and
expenses on arrival; consider buying traveler's checks to cover
costs during your first month in the United States; consider
obtaining a credit card, if possible.
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