International Student and Scholar Pre-Arrival Guide

Office of International Students & Programs

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey

326 Penn Street, Campus Center 3rd Floor Camden

New Jersey 08102

ois.camden.rutgers.edu

p. 856.225.2521/6478

f. 856.225.6579

International Student and Scholar

Pre-Arrival Guide

Welcome

Dear International Student and Scholar:

Greetings from the Office of International

Students & Programs at Rutgers University-

Camden! We are delighted you have chosen

to study with us and we look forward to meet-

ing you in person.

We have compiled this pre-arrival guide to

help you to prepare to leave home and trav-

el to Rutgers. It will answer many of your

questions, from what to pack in your luggage

to how to register for your classes. Please

read it carefully and carry it with you on your

journey to campus.

When you arrive on campus, we will also

provide you with a comprehensive

international student orientation program that

will prepare you for a successful stay at

Rutgers-Camden.

Visit our web site for more information

designed for international students and

scholars. If you should have any questions,

please contact us at

[email protected].edu.

Again, we look forward to welcoming you in

person and have a pleasant trip!

Sincerely,

Elizabeth Atkins

Associate Dean, PDSO

International Students &

Programs

Website:

ois.camden.rutgers.edu

Location:

Campus Center (3

floor)

326 Penn Street

Camden, NJ 08102

Ph: 856-225-2521/6478

Fax: 856-225-6579

Email:

[email protected]ers.edu

Office Hours:

9am-5pm, Monday

through Friday (except

holidays).

To make an

appointment, please

[email protected]ers.edu

Academic Matters

International Student Advising: OIS provides services to international

students and scholars and their family members at Rutgers University-

Camden campus. Throughout your stay, OIS will offer support on

many matters -- from immigration questions and understanding U.S.

culture to finding help from appropriate sources in the University and

the community.

International students are encouraged to meet with the OIS, every

semester to ensure that he or she is in compliance with immigration

regulations. While OIS can assist in clarifying and simplifying Depart-

ment of Homeland Security regulations, students are responsible for

complying with federal regulations governing their stay in the US. Fail-

ure to comply can jeopardize their legal status in the US. Federal law

requires that you complete a “check in” with OIS no more than 30

days after the start date on your I-20, but students are encouraged to

meet with OIS within the first two weeks of the semester.

Graduate Students: In order for graduate students to register for

courses the Admission Acknowledgment Form (AAF) must be submit-

ted. After the Admissions Office has received your acknowledgement

form you may select your courses. To view detailed course descrip-

tions please go to www.rutgers.edu/academics/catalogs. Once you

have made your course selections, the web registration system can be

found at https://webreg.rutgers.edu/webreg/. If you need assistance,

please contact your program director.

Undergraduate Academic Advising: Each undergraduate student ac-

cepted to Rutgers-Camden Campus is assigned an academic adviser

to assist in the planning of an academic program consistent with edu-

cational and career objectives. Educational planning sessions are

available for choosing a major or minor, selecting courses, discussing

graduation requirements, and explaining Degree Navigator, the uni-

versity’s on-line degree audit program. For more information on

academic advising and to find out who is your advisor visit the follow-

ing websites:

College of Arts and Sciences: http://advising.camden.rutgers.edu

School of Business: http://camden-sbc.rutgers.edu/.

Orientation and Placement Testing

International Student Orientation:

Orientation is typically held the last

week of August for the Fall semes-

ter and the third week of January

for the Spring Semester. The pur-

pose of the program is to provide

valuable information about your

visa responsibilities, the campus,

and student services.

Your attendance is mandatory at

international student orientation.

Additional details will be emailed

to you and published on the OIS

website. questions.

Placement Testing (undergraduate students): All first-year students are

required to complete placement testing. Transfer students may or

may not have to take placement tests depending on what courses

transfer from prior colleges.

To accommodate students who live outside the US or a considerable

distance from campus, placement testing can be completed

remotely or upon your arrival on campus in August (for fall admission)

and January (for spring admission). Placement testing will also be ad-

ministered during international student orientation. You may also con-

tact new[email protected].edu to schedule an

individual appointment for placement testing when you arrive on

campus.

To make arrangements to complete placement testing remotely,

please contact at 732-932-8445 or by email testingandplace-

[email protected] . Information on required tests is located at http://

newstudents.camden.rutgers.edu/.

If you were admitted to

Rutgers-Camden but have

decided not to attend, please let

us know by emailing

[email protected].edu.

Pre-Arrival Checklist

General Checklist

 Pay SEVIS fee and Visa application fees (p. 5)

 Get your Passport and Visa

 Plan your travel (p. 8-10)

 Reserve housing as soon as possible (p.11)

 Setup your NETID and email (p. 8)

 Receive required immunizations (p. 11)

 Plan to arrive in time for international student

orientation, complete the mandatory “check

-in” with OIS

 Take placement testing if required. (P.12)

 Visit ois.camden.rutgers.edu for more helpful

information.

Travel Document Checklist

 Passport with Visa

 Rutgers University-Camden I-20 (F-1) or

DS-2019 (J-1)

 If necessary, bring an international driver’s

license

 Immunization records

This guidebook will assist you in arranging travel to the United States

and beginning your educational career at Rutgers University-

Camden. Please read it carefully.

We recommend you

keep all documents

together with you as you

travel. Once you arrive,

OIS will make copies of

your documentation

during international

student “check-in”.

Applying for a Visa

The consular interview is an important step in the process of receiving

a visa. Often, the initial impression a consular interviewer receives

from you is critical to your success. Reviewing the tips provided below

may help you during your consular interview.

 Keep your answers concise. Be honest in everything you write on

your visa application and say during the interview. Anticipate that

the interview will be conducted in English. Do not bring other

people to speak on your behalf.

 Be able to explain the reasons you want to study in the U.S. and

remember that your main reason for coming to the United States is

to study, not to work.

 If your spouse and children are remaining behind in your home

country, be prepared to explain how they will support themselves

in your absence. If they are accompanying you to the U.S., what

are the financial arrangements?

 As a temporary visitor you may be questioned about your intention

to return your home country after completing your studies. You

should be ready to provide evidence that you do not intend to

emigrate to the U.S. and that you intend to return to your home

country after completing your studies. Examples of evidence in-

clude proof that you or your parents own an apartment or house,

a bank account, a voter registration card.

When you receive your U.S. nonimmigrant visa at the Embassy or Con-

sulate in your country, the consular officer will seal your immigration

documents in an envelope and attach it to your passport. You should

not open this envelope! The Customs and Border Protection Officer at

the U.S. port–of-entry will open the envelope.

If you are denied the visa, ask the officer for a list of documents he or

she would suggest you bring the next time you apply, and try to get

the reason you were denied in writing. Maintain a positive attitude!

Do not engage the consular officer in an argument.

International students should apply for the visa in their home country,

unless circumstances or travel plans make this impossible. If the student

applies in a third country, the application may take more time and be

reviewed more critically than if it was applied for at home. The U.S. De-

partment of State maintains an authoritative website on the (https://

travel.state.gov/visa/) and should be studied carefully.

Getting Started at Rutgers

Immunization requirements:

Prior to your arrival, immunization infor-

mation is needed to meet New Jersey

law requirements and University re-

quirements. Visit

health.camden.rutgers.edu for the re-

quired recommendations and the Pre-

Entrance Immunization Record.

Students living on-campus will not re-

ceive their room assignments or room

key until this form has been received.

*Not all immunizations are available in

every country. Please notify OIS via email

if you are unable to receive an

immunization in your home country.

Health Insurance: Full-time Rutgers stu-

dents are required to show proof of

health insurance coverage. Students

must either waive (show proof of pri-

vate health insurance) or enroll in the

University-sponsored Student Health

Insurance Plan. For more information

on how to meet Rutgers’ insurance

requirement, visit:

health.rutgers.edu.

Housing: We highly recommend

that you live on-campus your first

year. However, on-campus hous-

ing is limited; therefore, we strong-

ly suggest you apply for housing

before you arrive to the United

States. For more information visit:

http:housing.camden.rutgers.edu

for more information on housing.

*You will need to setup your NETID

before applying for on-campus

housing (p. 8).

Off-Campus housing is also avail-

able. Apartment prices range

from $700- $1100 (not including

heat and electricity) per month

for an unfurnished 1 bedroom

apartment. Students are respon-

sible for making their own ar-

rangements for off-campus hous-

ing. Expect to take at least one to

two full weeks to find off-campus

housing after you arrive.

Tuition and Fees: Payment of tuition, fees, and housing (if applicable) is gen-

erally due the first week in August (September admission) or the first week in

December (for January admission). However, please confirm your term bill

due date online at studentabc.rutgers.edu. Sponsored students must submit

copies of their award letters to arrange for direct billing.

You can pay your term bill online with a MasterCard , Discover Card, or elec-

tronic check; you may also pay your bill through wire transfer (bank draft.)

Transportation from the airport

Complimentary Airport Pickup: If you do not have transportation from the

airport to the Rutgers-Camden campus, OIS offers a complimentary (free)

airport pick-up service from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL). PHL is

the closest airport to the Rutgers-Camden campus. We strongly encour-

age you to arrive at this airport. Our car service will bring you to campus or

to a location, such as a hotel, within close proximity to campus .

Please complete the registration online at: http://ois.camden.rutgers.edu/

airport_pickup_form

If you will not fly into Philadelphia, you can use the following services:

Shuttle Service: Rapid Rover will drive you wherever you are going in South

Jersey. And Rapid Rover's share-ride system is less expensive than a taxi.

Call 1-800-322-8062 upon arrival.

Rail Service: The Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority

(SEPTA) offers train service from the airport to its Market East Station in Cen-

ter City Philadelphia on its R1 airport line. You can transfer to a Port Au-

thority Transit Corporation (PATCO) train at 8th & Market Street, which will

bring you to City Hall in Camden, several blocks from the campus. Take a

taxi from City Hall to the Camden Campus.

Bus Service: Bus service is also available outside the Market East Station.

From the Greyhound Bus Terminal at

10th and Filbert Street, you can take

the #313 or #315 New Jersey Transit

bus to the Walter Rand Transporta-

tion Center in Camden. Take a taxi

from the transportation center to the

Camden Campus.

Taxi Service: Taxi service is an option

but can be expensive. Taxis general-

ly are used in the US to travel short distances within a city, not to get from

one city to another. When using a taxi, get an appropriate rate quote

from the driver and pay the exact fare as shown on the meter. A 15% tip is

customary.

*You must have cash (small bills and change) to take SEPTA and PATCO.

Required Documents for Obtaining

1. Certificate of Eligibility(I-20 or DS-2019).

2. Completed visa application form and paid visa fee: The basic U.S.

visa application is form DS-156; some F-1 and J-1 applicants may be

required to complete additional forms (DS-157 and/or DS-158.)

Although forms are available at every U.S. consulate, you may choose

to access them online and print them out to take with you to the con-

sulate. Please visit http://travel.state.gov for non-immigrant visa appli-

cations.

*Please note that Canadian citizens are not required to have a U.S. visa.

3. SEVIS I-901 Fee: All students issued the I-20 (F-1) or the DS-2019 (J-1)

by Rutgers University-Camden must pay a SEVIS I-901 fee before apply-

ing for a visa. If applicable, you will need a receipt for payment of the

1-901 SEVIS fee to apply for a visa. The SEVIS fee may be paid online or

by mail. For details, go to www.ice.gov/sevis/i901.

4. Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months after

your proposed date of entry into the U.S.

5. 2” x 2” photograph with your head centered in the frame.

6. Rutgers University-Camden Admission Letter.

7. Financial evidence detailing source and amount of funding as listed

on Form I-20 or DS-2019.

8. Evidence of continuing ties to your home country (i.e. family, career,

or property). Visa applicants are presumed to be “intending immi-

grants”. Your visa will be denied unless you satisfy the consular officer

that you will return home. Unfortunately, there is no single explanation,

documentation, or letter that can guarantee visa issuance.

*Official academic transcripts, confirmation of enrollment, and proof of English

language proficiency may also be requested.

Special Advisories

DO NOT enter the U.S. on a visa other than F-1 or J-1 if you intend to

study, teach or conduct research at Rutgers upon arrival. Indi-

viduals in B-1/B-2 or F-2 status are not permitted to engage in

study or employment in the US. B non-immigrants that apply for

a change of status to an F nonimmigrant student may not

begin attending school until the change of status is approved.

Please also note DHS normally takes 3-4 months to adjudicate

change of status applications.

DO NOT enter the U.S. with a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 form) from

a school other than the one that you will attend. If you have

already received a visa with one school’s name on it and you

now wish to change your plans, contact the US consulate

where you obtained your original visa to ask for a new visa. If

you are a student it will not be possible to transfer to another US

school until you have completed the mandatory check-in

procedure with the campus international student advisor, have

provided a local US address as required by SEVIS regulations,

and have offered a reasonable explanation as to why you en-

tered on a Rutgers visa document if you intend to study at an-

other school.

DO NOT attempt to enter the U.S. as an F-1 or J-1 visitor more than

30 days prior to the start date on your I-20 or DS-2019. Although

you may apply for an F-1 visa up to 120 days prior to the I-20

start date and you may apply for a J-1 visa at any time after

receiving the DS-2019, neither the F-1 nor the J-1 visa holder is

permitted to enter the U.S. more than 30 days prior to the start

date on the I-20 or DS-2019.

Please remember to “check-in” with the international student advisor

no more than 30 days after the start date on your I-20 or DS-2019. Your

legal status in the U.S. is dependent upon this mandatory “check-in”.

Planning your travel to campus

1. Decide your arrival date.

2. Choose an airport.

3. Schedule your flight.

4. Arrange your transportation from the airport to your destination.

5. Travel Documents

1. Decide your arrival date

International Student Orientation and the campus orientation for all graduate

and undergraduate students are typically held the last two weeks in August.

You must plan to arrive before these dates. OIS will notify you in advance via

email regarding the dates for international student orientation.

2. Choose an Airport

If possible, we suggest that you fly into Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania since it is the closest to the Camden campus.

You may also fly into Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR) in Newark,

New Jersey, or John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK) in New York, New

York, however travel costs from the airport could be more costly.

3. Schedule your flight

You should try to plan your travel in advance, including any connecting flights,

to minimize the necessity for overnight lodging. Hotel charges in large cities

are high ($150 per night or more), though lodging in smaller cities is considera-

bly less expensive. Once you arrive at Philadelphia International Airport, you

can reach the Camden campus by shuttle, train, limousine, taxi or bus service.

4. Transportation from the airport: There are various modes of transportation

from the airport. Plan ahead. See the following page for options from Philadel-

phia International Airport.

4. Travel Documents: You should carry the following documents on your pos-

session when travelling: (1) Passport (including attached envelope of immigra-

tion documents) with nonimmigrant visa (2) Form I-20 signed by DSO/PDSO or

DS-2019; (3) Evidence of financial resources.

It is recommended that you also carry the following documents: (1) Evidence

of status (recent tuition receipts, transcripts); (2)Name and contact information

for DSO/PDSO at your intended school or program

Planning for your stay in the US

Clothing: New Jersey has a varia-

ble climate; cold winters with peri-

odic snowfalls, hot summers, and

some very pleasant periods in be-

tween. Jackets, scarves, gloves

and boots are essential for the

cold weather months (November

to March) and waterproof outer-

wear is essential in rainy weather.

Medication: If you are bringing

any prescribed medication, carry

a letter from your doctor in your

hand-luggage explaining what

the medication is. The letter

should be translated into English.

Personal Items: Many people en-

joy having examples of arts, crafts,

traditional dress, photographs,

tapes, maps or other items de-

scriptive of home, both to show

interested Americans and to pro-

vide a familiar touch.

Linens: If you will be living in on-

campus housing, your bed will be

larger than standard and will re-

quire specialized lines which can

be purchased upon arrival in the

US.

If you would like to purchase resi-

dence hall linens and have them

delivered to the Office of Interna-

tional Students & Programs, you

can order them from Residence

Hall Linens at: www.rhl.org.

NETID: You will be able to setup a

Rutgers NETID (electronic

username and password) once

you have accepted your admis-

sion and enrolled. You will use this

NETID to access electronic data

such as paying your term bill Visit:

computing.rutgers.edu for more

information.

Email: Once a NETID account is

created you will need to obtain a

Rutgers email account. Please

begin using and frequently check-

ing your Rutgers email.

Mail: Immediately after you arrive

you should notify the university, the

Office of International Students,

and your correspondents of your

US address.

Money: If you do not have an ATM

card that is able to obtain cash

from a US cash machine, it is best

to exchange some of your own

currency for US dollars and travel-

er’s checks before you leave

home.

When arriving in the U.S. you should

have sufficient funds to cover your

expenses for several weeks, but

you should not travel with large

amounts of cash to avoid the risk

of loss or theft. It is also advisable

to carry at least US $150-$200 in

paper currency plus $10 in coins.

Arriving in the US

WHAT TO EXPECT AT THE PORT OF ENTRY: You will

be asked by a CBP officer to state the reason

you wish to enter the United States. You will also

be asked to provide information about your final

destination. It is important that you tell the CBP

Officer that you will be a student or exchange

visitor. Be prepared to include the name and

address of the school or exchange visitor pro-

gram where you will enroll/participate.

Documents you should carry on your person:

 Passport with nonimmigrant visa;

 SEVIS Form I-20AB, I-20MN, or DS-2019;

 Evidence of financial resources

 Evidence of Student/Exchange Visitor status (recent tuition re-

ceipts, transcripts)

 Name and contact information for Designated School Official

(DSO) or Responsible Officer (RO) at your intended school or pro-

gram

 Writing instrument (pen).

*Visa exempt nationals presenting a form I-20 or DS-2019, who are entering the

US for the first time should have a Form I-797, Receipt Notice or Internet Re-

ceipt verifying SEVIS fee payment.

Reminder: Upon arrival to Rutgers University-Camden, please keep all

documents (Passport, Visa, I-20 or DS-2019) together in a safe please

with your passport at all times. Carry all of these documents with you

each time you travel outside of the country.