Start your journey by following the checklist of items that should be done within the first two weeks of classes.

New Student Checklist
_____ 1. Find housing. The OISS provides information on temporary housing in New York City, as well as workshops at the beginning of the semester on how to find housing off campus. NYU's Off-Campus Housing Office is located at 4 Washington Square Village on the first floor, (212) 998-4620. NYU's On-Campus Housing Office is located at 8 Washington Place, (212) 998-4600. To use either office, you must have an NYU ID card or admission letter. More information about on-campus and off-campus housing can be found at www.nyu.edu/housing.

_____ 2. Open a bank account. It is not safe to store cash in your apartment or residence hall. And if you have checks, deposit them immediately so they have time to "clear" (be verified by the U.S. bank) before you need to withdraw funds to pay your bills. There are several banks in the NYU area. Notify the OISS if you are having problems opening an account. A social security number is not required to open an account.

_____ 3. Check in at the OISS. Within ten days of arriving to New York City, you are required to bring your passport, I-94, and I-20 or DS-2019 to the OISS, 561 LaGuardia Place, corner of West 3rd Street. The OISS staff must check your documents to make sure that your first or most recent entry to the U.S. was properly handled, and verify to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that you have arrived.

_____ 4. Photocopy and Safeguard your Documents. It is much easier to replace lost or stolen items if there is a record of them. Therefore, photocopy your passport, I-20 or DS-2019 form, visa stamp page, and I-94 card immediately and store the copies in a separate location from the originals. Copy all identity and other important documents you brought with you or obtain while in the U.S. The OISS does not maintain a photocopied set of your documents.

_____ 5. Submit a copy of your immunization records to the University Health Center (UHC). These records must show that you have received protection against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) as required by New York State law. You will not be able to register for classes without having this form completed and on file at the University Health Center. The MMR verification form was enclosed with the I-20 or DS-2019. Extra forms are available at the Office for International Students and Scholars and the University Health Center. Questions about how to complete this form should be directed to the Immunology Services Office at the University Health Center at (212) 443-1199. The University Health Center is located at 726 Broadway on the 3rd and 4th floors.

_____ 6. Take any English and other required tests. If English is your second language, you may be required to take an English test at the American Language Institute (ALI), located at 48 Cooper Square, 2nd Floor, (212) 998-7040. Check with your school for instructions.

_____ 7. Register for a full-time course load. Full-time study is registering for and completing a minimum of 12 credits per semester. Any and all exceptions require OISS approval before registration is finalized and in all cases, this must be obtained no later than one week from the first day of classes. Enrollment for fewer than 12 credits without OISS approval subjects a student to loss of lawful status in the U.S. and must be reported to the DHS (United States immigration authorities), as required by law. To register, graduate students report to the academic department to be assigned an academic advisor, a staff or faculty member of the department who guides students through course selection. Undergraduate students go to the school's advising center to meet with an academic advisor.

_____ 8. Pay the registration bill at the Bursar 25 West 4th Street . The bill includes tuition and fees for registration and other student services, NYU health insurance, and charges for NYU housing, if applicable. You are expected to pay in full. Forms of payment accepted are cash, credit card, money order, and personal and certified checks.

_____ 9. Obtain your NYU ID card. To obtain an NYU ID card, you must first register for classes. Once this has been completed, go to the ID Center at 7 E 12th Street (between University Place and Fifth Avenue), (212) 443-2273. If you have already sent passport-sized photos by mail to NYU, you should contact your department to pick up your ID card.

_____ 10. Activate your NYU e-mail account. You can activate your NYU e-mail account by going to start.nyu.edu, entering your Net ID (printed on your NYU ID card) and following the on-screen instructions. If you encounter problems, you can receive assistance by calling the ITS Client Services Center at (212) 998-3333, or by visiting one of the NYU computer labs.

_____ 11. Participate in orientation. Programs are offered by the OISS, the Office of Student Life, and your school. The content and focus of these programs will vary. You can obtain a schedule for each one to determine which sessions and events you are able to attend. The OISS offers fall semester orientation events for a two-month period, in order to accommodate students' schedules.

_____ 12. Obtain a Social Security number if you will work on campus. If you have a job on campus (such as a graduate teaching or research assistantship) you are required by law have a Social Security number. The Social Security number is a nine-digit number primarily used to track an individual's earnings in the U.S. It is issued by the Social Security Administration of the United States, and it is not the same number as the NYU-issued ID number. The OISS provides instructions on where and how to apply. The application process takes several weeks and applications are scrutinized closely. The Social Security number is not issued to F-1 or J-1 students unless they have work authorization.

_____ 13. Contact your consulate in New York City. Most countries have consular representatives in New York City. Consulates provide emergency assistance, cultural programming, and tax treaty information. Some countries require that citizens abroad register at the nearest consulate. Addresses and telephone numbers of consulates are listed here.

_____ 14. Notify DHS and NYU of Change of Address. You are legally required to notify the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) within ten days of changing residences. This is done by updating your address, either through Albert in the Student Information System, by contacting the Registrar's Office directly at 25 West 4th Street, or your school registrar. The OISS then sends the updated information to the DHS through the SEVIS database.

_____ 15. Contact your family. Finally, contact your family upon arrival to let them know you are safe and give them your current address and telephone number.

Learn more