Next Steps - International Programs

International Programs Office
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 831 582 4778
W elcom e Letter
Spring 2015
Next Steps
CONGRATULATIONS, YOU'VE BEEN ADMITTED! W E LOOK
FORW ARD TO W ELCOMING YOU AND HELPING YOU W ITH
A SMOOTH TRANSITION TO CAMPUS.
We are here to help!
Getting adjusted to CSUMB can
be challenging with housing,
arrival, course registration and
maintaining legal immigration
status, but don't worry we are
here to help!
The first step is to familiarize
yourself with important dates
you’ll need to be aware of and
things you need to do. There
will be a lot of online
paperwork for you to complete
over the next few months. To
make it as easy as possible,
please make sure you keep
up with the deadlines.
Hold on to this information and
make a copy of it for your
parents or the person who will
be helping you. Also, please
make sure we have your
current email address so that
we can keep in touch with
you.
If you need more assistance
than this newsletter provides,
go to the CSUMB “How To”
website: students.csumb.edu.
If you have questions about
the information in this
newsletter, feel free to call or
email our office.
Important Dates...
November 10 Spring Registration Opens
December 1 Housing Application Deadline
December 22 First day you can enter the U.S.*
January 15 Arrival & Move-In day
January 16 Mandatory Orientation
January 20 First Day of Classes
March 16-20 Spring Break
May 8 Last Day of Classes
May 11-17 Assessment/Final Exam Period
* For students entering the U.S. with a student visa.
Admitted Student Checklist
OBTAIN STUDENT VISA
ACTIVATE OTTER ID
HOUSING APPLICATION
COURSE ENROLLMENT
PLAN YOUR ARRIVAL
STEP 1: Obtain Student Visa
If you are not a U.S. citizen, you will receive an
original signed copy your I-20 or DS-2019 via
Fedex to your home institution or current mailing
address. It will be necessary to apply for a student
visa to study at CSUMB, this includes paying a
SEVIS fee and attending an interview at your local
U.S. consulate.
SEVIS Fee
Pay the SEVIS fee (I-901) before going to the
U.S. embassy or consulate for your visa interview.
The fee must be paid online at:
https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/
U.S. Consulate
Schedule an interview at your local U.S.
Consulate. A list of all U.S. Consulates can be
found online at: http://www.usembassy.gov/. Take
your I-20 or DS-2019 (and all documents your
local U.S. Consulate requires) to your visa
interview.
**Canadian Citizens do NOT need to go to the
U.S. Consulate to obtain a visa to enter the U.S.
Entering the United States
Once your student visa is approved, you can enter
the United States up to 30 days prior to the start of
classes. At the port of entry present your passport
with the visa and the valid Form I-20 or DS-2019. It
is a good idea to carry the financial documents you
presented during your visa interview and your
official CSUMB Admission Letter.
A United States Customs and Immigration Service
(USCIS) official will review your documents. You
will be given instructions about how to access your
record of admissions known as an I-94 number
online.
The USCIS official will stamp your passport or I-20
with an admission stamp. This stamp is annotated
with the date, the class of admission and your
duration of status. The USCIS official will then return your documents to you and you are free to enter the United States.
STEP 2: Activate Otter ID
You will use your OtterID to log into your CSUMB
student account, apply for housing, view your
course schedule, and pay tuition and fees.
To activate your Otter ID and log on to your
student account, go to http://my.csumb.edu.
Enter the Otter ID and your temporary password
using the instructions included on the admission
letter you received.
Be sure to set up your forgot password questions when you create your new password. If
you are locked out of your account for any reason, these questions will be a quick way to
reset your password.
STEP 3: Housing Application
Application Deadline: December 1, 2014
The housing application can be accessed by clicking on the My Housing link in your
my.csumb.edu student account. This link will take you to your housing dashboard.
Select the International Application from the application menu. Complete and submit
the application. Do NOT pay the $250 housing security deposit (see note below).
Housing Options
Spring 2015 housing availability for International
Students is limited due to the high volume of
first time freshman on campus this academic
year. You will be assigned housing on a first
come, first serve basis depending on your age
group. Assignments will be double occupancy
(shared bedroom). Single occupancy is only
available in Pinnacles Suites with very limited
availability.
$250 Security Deposit
International Students must pay the housing
security deposit on the day of arrival in the form of
check or credit card. No cash accepted.
Pinnacles Suites
East Campus Apartments
19 years or younger
20 years and older
*If you pay your security deposit in advance, you
may have to pay an additional $250 deposit upon
arrival and will be subject to a lengthy refund
process.
STEP 4: Course Enrollment
Spring 2014 schedule of Classes
Class schedule can be found at: http://
schedule.csumb.edu. Click on a department of
your choice to see the list of courses it will offer for
the semester.
Registration Tips
 We advise you to prepare two suitable course
schedules, each with a total of at least 12-units
and no more than 17-units.
 Classes fill up quickly throughout the
registration process, however classes that were
closed will re-open and then close again as
people switch around their schedules. Once
you arrive on campus you will have an
opportunity to switch classes.
 When choosing classes, please make sure the
times of class meetings do not overlap.
Advisor Approval
Once you’ve decided on your course schedule and
backup classes, meet with your advisor at your
home university for approval to ensure the classes
you’ve selected meet your degree requirements.
How to Enroll
The post-acceptance portion of your CSUMB
Horizons application contains detailed instructions
on how you will enroll in classes. It will differ for
each student. Please log in for more instructions.
STEP 5: Plan Your Arrival
Arrival in Monterey
There are three airports nearby, the closest is
Monterey Regional Airport (MRY), however, flights
typically do not connect directly to the regional
airport, so we recommend flying into San
Francisco International (SFO) or San Jose
International Airport (SJC).
Free Shuttle from SFO
International Programs will be providing free
transportation to CSUMB from San Francisco
International Airport (SFO) on Thursday, January
15th. The shuttle will leaving from the International
Terminal at 2 P.M. (14:00); you MUST arrive early
enough to be outside of the terminal at that time.
There is no cost for this service. RSVP no later
than December 22nd at: http://goo.gl/forms/
Au3MlbYUve.
Alternate Transportation to CSUMB
If you do not wish to take the free shuttle, you are
responsible for arranging your own transportation
to campus and must arrive by 4:00pm (16:00) on
January 15th for check-in. We suggest trying to fly
directly into the Monterey Regional airport. It is
only a 20 minute cab ride from campus.
Taxi Service
If you need a taxi to campus from the Monterey
airport, there are many options available. The cost
is around $45. Yellow Cab (831) 646-1234,
Central Coast Taxi (831) 626-3333 and Monterey
Yellow Cab (831) 375-5155
Monterey Airbus
The Monterey Airbus provides transportation to
Monterey from San Francisco and San Jose
International Airports. The shuttle costs $35 - $45,
depending on your arrival airport. Their schedule
and reservation information is online at: http://
www.montereyairbus.com.
Early or Late Arrival
If you arrive in Monterey before the move-in date,
you will not be able to check-in to your on-campus
housing until move-in day.
On your day of travel, if you experience flight
delays, please let us know. You can leave a
message at (831) 582-4778. Please speak slowly
and give your name and new arrival information
CLEARLY!
Helpful Information: What to Bring
Recommended
Blankets/ Pillows
Cleaning supplies
Clothing Hangers
Eating Utensils
Flashlight
First Aid Kit
Laundry Detergent
Medication
Seasonal Clothing (Layers)
School Supplies
Sheets (Twin Extra Long)
Shower Curtains
Toilet paper
Toiletries
Towels
Wastebaskets/Trashcans
Optional
Alarm Clock
Computer/Printer
Cookware
Copy of Birth Certificate
Ethernet Cable
Form of valid ID
Filing Cabinet
Laptop
Microwave 850 watts or less
Surge protector
TV/DVD/Radio
5.2 Cu. Ft. Mini Refrigerator
Items to leave at home!
Alcohol and Drugs
Air Conditioners
Burners or Hot Plates
Candles
Ceiling Fans/Lights
Electric Heaters
Extension Cords
Exposed element heating devices
Fireworks, explosives, unsafe
chemicals
Halogen Lamps
Incense
Pets
Waterbeds
Weapons
University Endorsed Residence Hall Linens Program
The Residential Housing Association has partnered with Residence Hall Linens to provide CSUMB
families with a convenient, affordable way to ensure you have all the things you need for your stay
on campus. The Residence Hall Linens program has all your campus living needs, from sheets
and comforters to matching towels and storage items.
Proceeds from this program go to the RHA and are used for programming in the residence halls at
CSU Monterey Bay. Please visit the RHL website: http://www.rhl.org/cmb.
Shipping/Receiving Packages
We encourage you bring items with you that you’ll need the first few nights
(sheets, a blanket, pillow, toilet paper, etc.). Many items are available for purchase at local retail stores such as Target, REI, Kohls, Old Navy, upon arrival.
If you decide to ship items ahead of time, you’ll need to ship them and have
them arrive no later than January 9th to make sure they get delivered to us in
time to give them to you the first night you are here. Send packages to our office address at:
CSUMB International Programs Office
(Your Name) (You MUST include your NAME!!)
100 Campus Center, Bldg 201 Rm 207
Seaside, CA 93955-8001
Please be patient. It is a large campus and things take time to arrive. If you
MUST have an item the night you arrive, bring it with you.
We’ll see you soon!
International Programs Office
100 Campus Center
Seaside, CA 93955
[email protected]
Phone: +1 831 582 4778

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