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Welcome to Montclair State University! The following is helpful information as you plan to begin your studies at MSU

Most people coming to the United States are required to have a passport and an entry visa stamp in the passport. Unless you have identified an alternative visa status, you will come to the University on a student (F-1) visa or an exchange visitor (J-1) visa. To obtain a visa at a US Embassy or Consulate, you must take your I-20 form (or DS-2019, form for exchange students), your valid passport, your MSU admission letter, and your financial documentation. The Consular Official may interview you and will want to know why you chose Montclair State, that you have sufficient financial support to attend MSU without the need for employment, and most importantly, that you plan to return to your home country at the completion of your studies. If everything is in order, a visa will be placed in your passport.

When making travel plans keep in mind that if you are a new student coming to the U.S. for the first time on a F-1 student visa, you can only be admitted to the U.S. no more than 30 days before the 'report date' on the I-20.

Also keep in mind that you might require a Transit visa (also called Direct Airside Transit) if your flight connects through other countries between your country and U.S. A transit visa may be required even if you remain on the same aircraft on the same airport. Ask your airline or travel agent if you need a transit visa.

UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES ARE YOU TO ENTER THE UNITED STATES ON A VISITORS (B-2) VISA OR A VISA WAIVER (W-T).

Due to new regulations passed in November 2001, it is important that you obtain an international driver's license before you leave your country, if you plan to drive in the US.

New Jersey has variable climates - cold winters with periodic snowfalls, hot, humid summers, some very pleasant periods in between. Warm jackets, scarves, hats, gloves, and boots are essential for winter (November-March). Waterproof outerwear and umbrellas are essential in rainy weather.

We encourage you to arrive no later than January 12, 2004. This is approximately eight days before classes that begin on January 20, 2004. Please refer to the International Student Orientation Meetings and Events and make careful note of the dates and activities you are required to attend. Plan your arrival date on campus according to this schedule. During this time, you will participate in new student activities. It will also give you time to adjust to the campus, the culture, and the community. The Village at Little Falls and Russ Residence Hall will be open to international students who have been assigned a room. If you plan to live off-campus, be sure your housing arrangements are available to you upon your arrival. If you plan to arrive before January 12, 2004, you will need to arrange for accommodations off-campus.

We strongly recommend that you arrange your airline flights so that you arrive at Newark Airport (the closest airport to the campus) between 7am and 6pm. Arrival at LaGuardia or JFK airports located in New York State will require a lengthy drive to the campus. The following are directions by public transportation to the campus from Newark International Airport:

From the airport, take the New Jersey Transit bus No. 62 to PENN Station in Newark. Make sure you have exact change, $2.80 (single dollar bills or coins) that is required to board the bus. When you arrive at PENN Station in Newark, take bus No. 28 of New Jersey Transit to Upper Montclair ($1.70). This bus will take you directly to Montclair State University. Here you can check the schedule for buses No. 62, and 28. Be sure to keep close watch of your bags. You may want to consider bringing just what you will need and ask your family to ship the remainder of your belongings at a later date.

Although it will cost more money, we suggest that you take a taxi from Newark Airport. Ask the taxi driver to take you to Montclair State University in Upper Montclair (Valley Road Exit off Route 3 West). The cost will be approximately US $50.00 including the customary driver’s tip. Cost should be arranged with the driver before leaving the airport. Enter the University at the Normal Avenue entrance and proceed to Bohn Residence Hall. Go to the Residence Hall Office and ask for assistance in getting to your assigned room. If you plan to live off-campus, give the taxi driver the address of your arranged housing.

If you must arrive at LaGuardia or JFK airport, we suggest that you arrange for a friend or family member to pick you up and bring you to campus. Do not take a taxi from these airports, as the cost will be very high.

Or you may arrange to take the "Airporter", a ground shuttle bus from Kennedy Airport to Newark Airport. The "Airporter", runs from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm and the cost is $24.00. You should call in advance to reserve a seat on the "Airporter", (800) 385-4000.

If you have difficulty in your travels, you may call us from anywhere toll-free by dialing 1-800-624-7780; when you hear a recording, dial 0 - a campus operator will answer - then ask for International Services at extension 4253. Our summer office hours are 8:00-5:00 Monday through Thursday. After office hours, you may contact the Campus Security at (973) 655-5222.

International students transferring from another US institution must have their I-20 processed by our office in order to maintain legal status. It is very important that you complete the procedure for obtaining an I-20 before starting classes. Failure to do this will result in the student falling out of status and being ineligible for benefits (including on-campus employment and international tuition waivers).
Important:
Any foreign or domestic transfer credits you may have will be evaluated prior to your arrival on campus. We strongly recommend that you bring with you all course catalogs, syllabus or course descriptions from your foreign institution. This will assist us in more accurately granting you course equivalents in your transfer evaluations.

Since you will be a new student at Montclair State, it is important that you receive correct advisement regarding your academic program. You should not attempt to register until you have met with your academic advisor. Read the following carefully to determine who your academic advisor is.

GRADUATE STUDENTS AND FRESHMAN WHO HAVE DECLARED THEIR MAJORS-must be advised by their department faculty advisors. Please contact your department as soon as you arrive to arrange a meeting with your faculty advisor . You may call (973) 655-4000 and ask the operator to connect you to your respective department.

TRANSFER STUDENTS - must be advised by the Office of Academic Advising. If you are already in the US, transfer students must contact the Office of Academic Advising immediately to arrange an appointment for advising. Call (973) 655-7068 to reach Academic Advising.

FRESHMAN WHO HAVE NOT DECLARED THEIR MAJORS- must be advised by the Office of New Student Experience. If you are already in the U.S., you must contact the Office of New Student Experience immediately to arrange an appointment for advising. Call 973-655-7609 to arrange an appointment.

You will register for your classes after you receive academic advisement. Registration at Montclair State is via the telephone. Registration at Montclair State is processed through WESS, the University's Web Enrollment Services for Students. The MSU Schedule of Classes (available in the Registrar’s Office and online http://www.montclair.edu/courses/index.shtml) contains specific instructions for registration. Tuition and fees are payable in full for each semester at the time of registration. Students attending on F-1 or J-1 visa status must attend full-time (12 credits for undergraduate students and 9 credits for graduate students.) A complete listing of financial expenses is listed below.
IF YOU ARE CURRENTLY IN THE NEW JERSEY AREA, IT IS ADVISABLE TO MAKE ARRANGEMENTS TO REGISTER AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

The greatest problem facing international students in the United States is maintaining adequate financial support for subsistence and studies. It is very important that you understand that you will be required to pay tuition and fees in full at registration each semester.

Estimated expenses for an Undergraduate Student for the academic year 2003/2004 are (12 credits):

Tuition and Fees	$ 9,600.00
Living Expenses	10,200.00
Miscellaneous	3,200.00
Total	$23,000.00

Estimated expenses for a Graduate Student for the academic year 2003/2004 are (9 credits):

Tuition and Fees	$ 11,600.00
Living Expenses	10,200.00
Miscellaneous	3,200.00
Total	$25,000.00

The cost of living in the US depends on your lifestyle. International students are responsible for financing their education at MSU. We regret that the University has no financial aid available for new international students. We recommend that you bring traveler’s checks or some other form of currency (such as certified check or credit cards) rather than a large sum of US cash. Although you will need some cash for your arrival, carrying large amounts of cash is not safe. You may deposit your funds at a local bank after you arrive.

International Students who have been assigned a room in The Village at Little Falls or Russ Residence Hall may check-in as early as January 12, 2004. If you have received a room, you must contact the Office of Residence Life one week prior to your arrival to report your arrival date and time. For further information or to report your arrival date to Residence Life, you may call (973) 655-5188 or fax (973) 655-5400.

Immunization Requirements
New Jersey State requires that ALL college students be immunized against measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR). Students who do not meet this requirement will not be allowed to register.

In addition to the required immunizations, Montclair State University also strongly recommends that you obtain the following immunizations:

For further information, you may call the Center for Health and Wellness at (973) 655-4361.

ALL students are required to purchase health insurance, which is covered in your fees and payable through your tuition and fees payment if you register full-time. This provides quite minimal coverage. We strongly recommend that you have more comprehensive coverage. A variety of insurance plans for international students are available in the Office of International Services, Global Education Center at 22 Normal Avenue when you arrive on campus. Students who do not register full-time must make special arrangements for health insurance.

Exchange students possessing J-1 visa status are required by law to have more comprehensive insurance coverage than that provided by the University. Plans offering sufficient coverage will be available at the Orientation Meeting or at the Office of International Services, Global Education Center, 22 Normal Avenue.

Montclair State University understands that crossing oceans and crossing cultures to pursue your education can be difficult and confusing. To ease your transition, we invite you to join the International Buddy System, a program in which we pair you with a Montclair State Student Leader during your first semester who will help you in your adjustment to campus and the U.S. culture. If you are interested in participating in this program during your first semester, please complete the sign-up form and return it to the Office of International Services, 22 Normal Avenue, Upper Montclair, NJ 07043, U.S.A. or fax it to 973-655-7726 as soon as possible.

If you are in F-1, J-1, or B-2/B-1 visa status, you must report to the Office of International Services during the first three weeks of classes. Bring your passport and I-20 or DS-2019.

When you enter the United States with an F-1 or J-1 visa status, it is very important that you understand that you have important legal obligations while in the United States. The Office of International Services is always available to advise you on these requirements. Don’t hesitate to seek our advice on any legal immigration regulatory issue. Please read the following very carefully and follow these rules that are strictly enforced by the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS):