INCOMMING STUDENTS :
The indian students association would like to extend a warm welcome to all the new flyers joining us here in dayton. First of all we would like to congratulate on selecting this University for your higher education for next few years. We are excited to have you and look forward to help you make the most of your college and american experiance to full spree. In order to help you to make your journey to usa . We have made a Road map for you. We hope you will follow the directions. Please stay cautious for tolls and stops in your journey
STOP 1 : (Confirm Enrollment)
All students must confirm their enrollment with the Admissions Office prior to arriving on campus.
New undergraduate student or conditionally admitted undergraduate students should confirm enrollment by logging intohttps://apex.udayton.edu/confirm/index/login. (If you do not have your LDAP/official username and password, follow the steps to obtain your official username and password on the home page of porches.udayton.edu.)
New graduate students and conditionally admitted graduate students should confirm enrollment by contactinggradadmission@udayton.edu or logging into
https://apex.udayton.edu/confirm/index/login.
STOP 2 : (After Enrollment)
- Apply for a date for the visa interview as soon as possible. Plan accordingly, as you will need your
I-20 on the date of the visa interview.
- Apply for bank loan (if necessary)
- Make your passport valid for 6 months more than your stay indicated in your I-20.
- Contact UDISA members / department representatives for specific queries.
STOP 3 : (VISA)
When should I apply for a visa? What is the ideal time?
You are allowed to enter USA, only 30 days before of your start of the program. Apply for a visa a little early, so that you have enough time to plan rest of things (booking ticket, arranging money for your education at UD, etc). If you are coming for FALL, ideal time would be May - June- July and if you are coming for SPRING, ideal time would be October – November.
Prepare your documents properly, stay calm and confident during the interview and you'll be through. Be sure to give honest answers and not cheat, as invariably they detect persons who try to hide significant information (like having a sibling in US or something like that).
VISA Checklist
1. Visa application (you get this at the Consulate Office)
2. Passport
3. Color visa photographs 2" square (5 cms)
4. I-20 and acceptance letter
5. Letter of scholarship, if any
6. Brochures of university
7. Original mark sheets and GRE/TOEFL/IELTS scoresheets (original)
8. Income tax orders and challans of parents of last two years
9. Proof of liquid/fixed assets in yours and parents name. e.g. UTI, Stocks, Bonds, FDs, Property deeds etc.
10. Visa fees: Passport verification fees- Payable to" American Consulate General" Rupee DD. equivalent to US $75 (get the fees info from American Consulate)
11. Bank letter dated at time of visa showing 1st year's fees in the account.
12. Proof in the form of Pass Book entry/Bank statement.
For more information and sample visa questions and answers contact UDISA members
STOP 4: (TRAVEL TIPS)
After you got your visa immediately plan for your travel. Please try to reserve your tickets till Dayton, Ohio otherwise it is difficult to pick up.
A direct flight is the best. If change of airline can't be avoided, make sure that there is at least 4-6 hours gap between the scheduled arrival of one flight and the scheduled departure of the connecting flight.
If you haven't made your reservation, we strongly recommend that you choose a flight that would arrive here either in the evenings/nights up-to 9 pm, during weekdays or at any time during weekends. In this way you could be assured that an ISA member will be at the airport to pick you up.
STOP 5 : (TO DO LIST BEFORE DEPARTURE IN INDIA)
Learn Driving :(Get your intl driving license which is valid for one year)
Learn to cook :(Get Moms Recipie Book)
Get Address book/phone book (Indian & US). : Incase if any relatives
Get Your Medical Checkup Done AND IMMUNIZATION Form attested
Get a List of addresses/phone numbers at which info about you can be obtained.
Leave One copy of all your important documents.
STOP 6: (FLIGHT TIPS)
As it is going to be a long flight wear comfortable clothes and shoes.
Be at the airport one hour before check in time.
Relax During Flight, Sleep as much as possible to avoid jet lag.
Watch out for Food especially vegetarians
Never Hesitate To ask questions.
Once out of India be very careful (from sheer experience of seniors). Don't trust anyone. Don't hire a taxi (unless emergency) till you reach your destination. If required don't hesitate to spend money.
Don't hesitate to talk to people to ask questions. Usually people will answer all your queries satisfactorily.
Drink adequate amount of fluids to get over with the jet lag as soon as possible upon arrival.
STOP 7: (PORT OF ENTRY)
What should I do immediately after I reach the port of entry?
• You will be directed to the immigration center at the airport where an immigration officer would ask you questions about your visit to USA, so answer politely .
• Here, you will be asked to show your documents, passport, i-20, etc. The officer will staple an i-94 form to your passport. This is very important. Please make sure that the officer does this, as you will require this while leaving USA.
• After the formalities are done, please collect your baggage with your respective airline service, if not found wait patiently for some time and report the same at your airline service desk.
. Baggage is usually safe with a single airline while change of airline sometimes leads to misplaced luggage. Some airlines don't take care about baggage transfer. You may have to personally carry it (check this while booking)
• Always keep a photocopy of your passport, tickets, I-20, and contact info of yourschool in every baggage including your cabin baggage.
• You need to report at your airline service desk to know the details of the next flight (to Dayton, if you are coming through any port of entry) . After this, may call your dear ones after this process is done.
• You may call the any representative of Indian Student Association on his/her number (available on this site), and inform the respective person so that we may arrive at the airport to pick you up. However, this service is available to those who have filled the arrival form. Please also notify to the committee if there is a flight delay.
Arrangements can definitely be made to pickup from the James Cox international Airport, Provided you send us your itenary at least two weeks before your arrival.
If no one is there to pick you up at the airport, please call any of the Committee Member. In the worst case, you have to arrange on your own using public transportation. Taxis are available outside the airport. For more information :
Airport Checker Cab (Orange & White), 937-853-3333
Dayton Checker Cab (Black), 937-222-4011
Liberty Cab (Black & White), 937-222-2822
Please don't take ISA for granted, this is a voluntary, and not the duty. Even in case of any mismatch in journey or delays, please intimate us. However pickups are a serious issue so please let us know.
STOP 8 : (ACCOMODATION)
The first step you should take care is about accommodation. Temporary accommodation is provided on request to ISA. Accommodation provided to you may be a temporary or a permanent one. If temporary it will be only for few days.
Though you will need to take care of this matter immediately after you come here, housing should not be a major problem in Dayton. Try to get here around 10 days before classes begin to search for room-mates and apartments and get used to the place.
Most of the students choose to stay in family housing in groups in order to lower the expenses.(as opposed to university dorms). Rent for the apartments based on size and the luxuries you prefer. On sharing monthly rent for apartment per person ranges from 140$ to 250$ depending on size and members who share the apartment. Total cost per month depend on your own lifestyle.
For more information contact ISA members.
TOLL 1 : (IMMUNIZATION)
All students are required to show evidence of two Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) vaccines. Additionally, if living in on-campus housing, students must provide dates of one Meningitis and three Hepatitis B vaccine dates OR sign the vaccine disclosure statement in Section B of the Health Requirements form. Additionally, students are required to complete a questionnaire to screen for Tuberculosis. Students must download the form at the following Web site, and the student's form must be filled out and signed by his or her physician and returned by fax or mail. To do this, please download the Health Requirements Form. If you fail to do this before you arrive, the University will require you to either submit the signed form or have the vaccinations and TB test in Dayton upon arrival at your expense. Students who are unable to do this or do not do this in a timely fashion will not be allowed to register for second semester classes.
TOLL 2 : (INSURANCE)
It is mandatory for students to take the health insurance. It is entirely your decision on whether to bring an Health Insurance from India or buy it here. Usually, they cost the same. But, if you are funded by the university (as an Graduate Assistant, Teaching Assistant or a Research Assistant) your insurance will be covered by the university. But we suggest you to take a health insurance suggested by ISA.
TOLL 3 : Financial Information :
This PAGE contains guidelines on the amount to carry & the ways of carrying it.
Note: These are not the official guidelines. UDISA does not assume any legal responsibility for any circumstance that may arise due to the below content. This is only for your information to give you a fair idea. We strongly advise you to check with the official rules and apply your discretion in your decisions. The usual dollar amounts recommended:
a) Make a draft for the fees that you need to bring (usually the first semester) in US Dollars say $4500 in the name of "University at Dayton". This $4500 is an approximate fees for the first semester fees. They accept it even if it is not the exact amount, they can return cash, or hold it for the next semester if it is in excess or you can pay by cash / US check from your bank account if the amount is in deficit.
b) Take travellers' checks (TCs) from American Express, Bank of America, Thomas Cook or any other travel company for the initial living expenses. Look for a place where there is 0% commission for Students or very less commission. Around $1500 to $2000 should be sufficient for around the first 2-3 months. Each months expenses in Dayton comes to $350/month. Includes your rent, grocery, some basic expenses, etc. Most of the students buy Laptops very soon after the semester begins. On an average, a laptop costs $700. If you intend to buy a laptop, please bring an extra $700.
c)Now-a-days u can also go with foriegn travel cards. You can carry amount in it and can swipe where ever u do a purchase
d) Else Get $500 in cash, but around $200 should be enough. Do not carry a lot of cash. Request as many $20s, 10s, 5s and $1s possible.
And lower denominations will help you convert them to quarters (25 cents) , dimes (10 cents) and nickels (5 cents) at the airport. It will also be easier to pay at your transit airport like London, or Paris, in case you want to buy some food, or call up your parents using a pay-phone. If you have an international credit card, you can use it for calls in most airports or can use a KISOK Machine to access internet.
Once you are here,
• Keep the money and checks safely in different places.
• Go to the bank and open an account. Take your Passport and I-20 with you to the bank.
• Deposit all of the Travelers checks and extra cash into your bank account.
• Pay up your fees in time.
• If you get funding after coming here and don't need to pay the fees. Then you have two options - You can either return the draft of fees back to your folks in India and they can cancel it and get the amount in Indian rupees or you can submit the draft to the university. They will cash it for you and then will refund your fees in US Dollars (This may take some time -- from 1 to 2 months).
Partial Payment option (available to all International students) : You have to enroll in this plan after you come here and have decided if you want to take this option. You can go to the Burser Office and ask about the details.
First you register for courses -- Students have to take 6 credits (min) .
If you can Pay in Full: Pay within a month (they give you the last date of payment) Else Pay by Partial Payment Plan --> Can pay within 3 to 4 installments within current semester.
TOLL 4 : (THINGS TO BRING)
Don't go overboard in stuffing your bags with all possible. Exercise restraint instead of packing stuff that would last all your life. After you land here you just might realize what a waste of money it all was. These all will help you if you live off campus
Pressure cooker (expensive here so recommended that you get it from India).Bring a large one if you plan to share accommodation - at least 3 liters. Spare accessories for the cooker (safety valves, gasket, whistle, etc - very imp).
Masala Powders
Wooden stirrer (2).
Spoons, forks (2 or 3).
Potato peeler (1).
Serving spoons (chamcha/karandi – at least 2).
A pair of kitchen tongs (pakkad/idiki).
Deep frying pan (kadahi, preferably non - stick).
Plates (at least 2 - prefer to get ones that are microwaveable).
Glasses (2).
Tea Cup/ Coffee Mug.
Toothbrush and toothpaste.
Shaving kit [includes shaving Creams/Gels, Razor, Razor blades (pack of 5),
shaving brush (optional), aftershave (optional)].
Hair comb/brush.
Soap (2 bath soaps).
Shampoo (1 bottle).(100 ml according to flight norms)
Perfumes and Deodorants. (100 ml according to flight norms))
Ear buds and Tooth floss.
Coconut oil.
Alarm Clock and Nail cutter.
Cold Cream/Moisturizer (essential in winter).
Pictures of Friends and Family.
Pictures of Gods and deities.
Headset and microphone set.
CDs/Cassettes of Music and Data.
Most things are available here for cheap ($1 to $5 at the Dollar General Stores/Walmart). However
the above stuff is recommended.
TOLL 5 : (CLOTHES TO BRING)
At least 15 pairs of undergarments (Most important !! and note the stress on atleast).
4/5 pairs of Jeans.
1/2 pairs of formal trousers/shirts.
Saris/salwar kameez/etc (for the ladies only !!).
Kurtas or at least one Indian ethnic dress for the guys.
A suit (recommended–you’ll need it when you are being interviewed for your job).
At least 12 pairs of socks.
3/4 pairs of informal shirts (Half Sleeve for Spring/Summer).
2 large towels, 2 small towels, 2/3 napkins.
1 pair woolen gloves and a monkey cap (if u feel like it - better buy here in the US though).
An umbrella.
Fall Jacket / Windcheater (1).
In summer it gets pretty warm and preferable clothing during this time is shorts/capris/skirts, sleeveless tops for girls and shorts and t-shirts for guys.
Get 1 or 2 good strong pair of shoes, preferable with a good grip on the sole.
Chappals(FLIP FLOPS) (1 pair).
Leather sandals/floaters (1 pair).(IF needed)
Belts (2 or 3).
Leather shoes (1 pair).
DIRECTIONS
1. UNIVERSITY COMPUTER LOG-IN INFORMATION
Obtain your University username and password online. This is also the log-in information you use to confirm your enrollment. You may also obtain your University username and password at the Computer Help Desk, located in Miriam Hall room 053. The office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (eastern standard time). You will need your student ID in order to get your username and password from the Computer Help Desk. You can also request this information before your arrival to university.
2. STUDENT ID CARD
Obtain your student ID card in the Campus One Card office, located in the Powerhouse. You will need a picture ID (like your passport) to get the university student ID. The office is open Monday through Friday, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (eastern standard time).
3. BANKING
International students should consider opening a bank account soon after they arrive in the U.S. so they have a safe place to keep their money. Some banks close to campus help international students open a bank account.
The nearest banks are Fifth Third Bank and Day Air Credit Union.
Fifth Third Bank
Fifth Third is a regional bank with branches all across the Midwest. To open a bank account, students must present a valid passport and unexpired visa. The bank is located at:
1200 Brown St.
Dayton, OH 45409
Phone: 937-610-9750
www.53.com
Day Air Credit Union
Day Air is a local bank with branches in the vicinity. To open a bank account, students must present a valid passport and student ID. The credit union is located at:
University of Dayton
300 College Park Ave (located in Marianist Hall, next to post office)
Dayton, OH 45469
Phone: 937-643-2160 (main branch)
www.dayair.org
4. REGISTERING FOR CLASSES
The process for registering for classes varies by your admission type.
UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS
Schedule classes through your dean’s office:
College of Arts & Sciences, O’Reilly Hall
School of Business Administration, Miriam Hall
School of Education & Allied Professions, Chaminade Hall
School of Engineering, Kettering Labs
GRADUATE STUDENTS
Schedule classes through your graduate program director. Select your program to find the program director’s contact information.
INTENSIVE ENGLISH PROGRAM STUDENTS
You will be registered for classes after you take the placement tests and attend orientations.
note : before registering to the classes please meet your academic advisor.
5. PAYING YOUR BILL
Students can pay their fees at the Bursar's office, located on the first floor of St. Mary's Hall.
6. HEALTH CENTRE
Submit your Immunization reports at Health Centre.
7.ON CAMPUS JOBS :
Jobs on campus are avialable and generally everybody gets a job. The wage may vary from 7.70$ to 15$ per hour depending on the job. You can work 20 hours a week during school time and 40 hours when school is closed. To apply for the jobs. PLease visit the site jobs.udayton.edu and apply and wait for confirmation. If no confirmation is recieved you need to go around campus and check the status in the respective departments.
After you get a job offer you are eligible to get a SSN(Social Security Number). Some places where you may find work are Dining services, Library, Bookstore and Residential Help Desk etc., Working Off-campus is Strictly Prohibited. If caught will be deported to india according to terms of HOME-LAND security.
8. CELL PHONES
The use of cell phones is very common in the U.S. Some international students purchase new cell phones upon arrival to the U.S. so they can make both local phone calls and call home. For $50/month, a student can sign up for a no-contract plan. These plans are idea for students who do not have Social Security Numbers (the majority of new international students do not) and/or have brought a cell phone to the U.S. If you take this option, T-Mobile will provide a SIM card to access their network. For an additional $10/month, you can add unlimited international talk/text. Check with T-Mobile to see if your country qualifies.
Students can also sign up for a contract plan once you have a ssn or you can join in a family plan and choose from a wide selection of phones in store and online.