Just Arrived?
So you have finally entered USA and reached Chicago safely. You have a temporary place of accomodation and are all raring to settle down into your student life. Here's a small guide from DISA that will help you do just that!
Day 1
Report to the International Student Office
All international students in F-1 and J-1 visa status who are new to DePaul University are required to report to the International Student Office with the following documents:
- SEVIS I-20 Form (F-1) or DS-2019 Form (J-1)
- Passport
- Arrival/Departure Form - also known as an I-94 card (small white card stapled to your passport at the airport)
- Change of Status approval notice (if applicable )
- Proof of Insurance (if in J-1 visa status)
- Dependent documents - you will need to also provide all the above documents for your dependents (child or spouse) if they hold F-2 or J-2 visa status.
Note: When you leave the US (temporarily or permanently) you have to report ISO and have your I-20 signed by the Advisor. Keep the contact numbers of DISA office bearers; you will always need their advice.
Obtain a Campus Connection User ID.
Campus Connection is a web portal that gives you access to registering for courses, updating your addresses, viewing your course schedule and tuition account information. You also need this BEFORE you start accessing and applying for the on-campus jobs. So your next step will be to go and get a Campus Connection User ID and password.
In order to be eligible for User ID, you must be accepted into a degree program at DePaul University. You do NOT need to be registered for classes in order to get your user ID and password. Take a photo id (passport is acceptable) with you and visit the ID Card Services Office at DePaul Center 9700 (You can go to the 11th floor of Lewis and then take the bridge to go to 9th floor DePaul center).
Meet with your academic or faculty advisor
In order to register for courses, most departments require that you first meet with an academic or faculty advisor. You will also be able to waive all or most of your pre-requisites after meeting your advisor. You should try to waive off all pre-requisites and there is no harm in trying to talk to different advisors to see who waives off most of them for you. You can ask you DISA members for guidance on this! For more information on who your academic or faculty advisor is, please contact your academic department directly.
Register for classes
After you've met with your academic or faculty advisor, obtained your Campus Connection user ID and password, you will be ready to register for classes by logging on to Campus Connection! Remember, in order to be considered full-time by SEVIS, F1 and J1 visa students should register for 12 credit hours (undergrad) or 8 credit hours (grad) every quarter.
Obtain a DePaul University Student ID card and student email account
Once you have registered for courses, visit the ID card services office on the 9th floor in DePaul Center, in order to be issued a DePaul University student ID card. Your student ID card gives you access to campus computer labs, the libraries and allows you to use the printers and copiers.
You can get your student email account at the same time. We recommend you use this for all the communications related to DePaul. (E.g. emails to advisors, professors and for job applications)
Day 2
Open a bank account.
It is unwise to carry large amounts of cash, so keep most of your money in traveler's checks (or other non-cash forms), until you open a bank account. There are many banks to choose from in Chicago. The ISO will assist you with information about banks in the area and provide a letter of introduction for you to present when opening an account.
Start looking for an apartment
DePaul University's on-campus housing for graduate students is uneconomical, most of the graduate students stay off-campus. Be on the lookout for other new students to team up for sharing apartments. DISA will not be responsible to help you in getting a permanent accommodation. You will have to work yourself in this respect. DISA will only guide you and tell you all the information needed. A good place to look into would be on Craigslist or on Sulekha Classifieds.
Get you CTA U-Pass
The CTA U-Pass is a transit pass that eligible students can use for unlimited rides anywhere on the CTA (Chicago Transit Authority) system. This is a life saver for us students since it literally makes traveling in and around CTA really cheap. You can pick up your U-Pass at the designated location and time of the official U-Pass distribution at the beginning of each academic quarter. DISA will mention the date and location of this event on their website as a reminder every quarter. Be sure to pick up yours!
Note: If for some reason you cannot pick it up at this location, contact the ID card services office and they will help you.
Start applying for on campus jobs
Prepare a decent resume and make few copies. First consult your advisor and explore the prospects of a teaching or research assistantship with your department. Then begin submitting your resume to various offices and departments for on campus job. Check the website of Career Development Center for potential on campus jobs.
Day 3
Move into your new apartment and get a phone connection
After you move into your new apartment, contact the phone company www.ameritech.com for local phone connection. It is up to you to decide your long distance carrier for making long distance and international calls. You may tell the operator the name of long distance Phone Company you want, at the time of applying for local phone. However, it is very much advisable to ask your seniors which phone company is best suitable and how to sign up for long distance savings plan.
It's time to explore!
Once you are set with everything to start your student life, move around the campus and get acquainted with the campus and (important) places you can eat and meet up with friends. GO ahead and explore downtown Chicago and enjoy the thrill of being in the USA before classes begin.
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