Check out the most frequently asked questions that new international students coming to NYU have. * Hours and locations of places listed on this handout are subject to change. Please check websites for the latest information. What to do after arriving in the US See also our arrival checklist for new international students at: bit.ly/arrivalchecklist. How do I register and pay for classes? New and Transfer Student Frequently Asked Questions To register for classes, make an appointment to see your academic advisor in person. Graduate students should go to their department, undergraduate students should go to the advising center for their schools. After meeting your advisor and getting permission, you can register for classes. If you have your Net ID, use Albert to register. Albert is accessed through your NYUHome account after logging in at home.nyu.edu. After logging into your account, click on the Academics tab in the upper left-hand corner and log into Albert to register. To register via Albert you must enter a domestic or international mobile phone and emergency contact number in the system. NYU must be able to reach you in an emergency situation. NYU alerts are sent via text message with instructions or notification about closures. If a cell phone emergency contact number is not listed, you will not be able to register. Send an email to registration@nyu.edu to indicate that you don t have a cell phone number to provide if you don t have a cell phone. Once you do have a number you must enter it via Albert: bit.ly/registernyu If you have questions about registration, contact the Office of the University Registrar located at the NYU Student Services Center at 25 West 4th Street. Telephone: 212-998-4800 or nyu.edu/registrar You must have an NYU ID card to enter the building. You can make payments to your student account at the Office of the University Bursar also located at the NYU Student Services Center, 25 West 4th Street. Telephone: 212-998-2806 nyu.edu/bursar/ How do I submit my immunization information to NYU? Submit a copy of your immunization records to the Student Health Center (SHC). These records must show that you have received protection against Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR) as required by New York State law. Failure to provide this information will result in de-enrollment from classes and the inability to move into (or remain in) NYU residence halls if you are planning to live on campus. Questions about how to complete this form should be directed to the Immunology Services Office at the Student Health Center at 212-443-1199. The SHC is located at 726 Broadway on the 3rd and 4th floors. Visit: bit.ly/stuhealthnyu How can I get an NYU ID Card? New students should visit photoid.nyu.edu and upload a photo to be used on their NYUCard by following the guidelines and instructions on the site. Students must have activated their NYU NetID before accessing the system. Once the photo you submit online is approved, you will receive an email confirming that you may pick up your new NYU Card in the location below that corresponds to the campus where you will begin your semester. Washington Square: 7 Washington Square, Ground Floor. Brooklyn: During orientation week activities, Rogers Hall (6 MetroTech, room 116). Following that week, student cards will be distributed on the ground floor of 2 MetroTech Center, Brooklyn. 1
Do I need to take any English exams? Some schools and programs require non-native English speakers to take the American Language Institute s English proficiency exam. Check with your academic advisor or your school s student services office to see if you are required to take the exam. Take the exam as soon as possible if you are required to do so. Your ability to register for class may be delayed if you do not take the exam. American Language Institute (ALI) is located at 7 East 12th Street. Life and study at NYU Where can I find information about living in New York? On-Campus Housing - contact the Office of Residence Life and Housing Services, located at 726 Broadway, 7th floor, telephone: 212-998-4600. Website: nyu.edu/living Off-Campus Housing - visit the NYU Commuter and Off Campus Student Services, located in the Student Resource Center at 60 Washington Square (Kimmel Center), South, Room 210. Telephone: 212-998-4411. Visit website for dates and deadlines. Additional temporary housing facilities available to students in New York City include, but are not limited to the Manhattan locations listed below. Commuting to the university from any of these residences takes approximately 30-45 minutes one way via public transportation. The New York City International Student Survival Guide that you received with your I-20 or DS2019 also has a listing of temporary housing. Where can I get a mobile phone? For inexpensive phones and non-complicated prepaid options : campussims campussims.com For monthly minutes and data. Pause or cancel at any time. For iphones and Android phones. Tracfone tracfone.com Purchase monthly or yearly minutes. Can also purchase data for Android phones. 1-800-867-7183 Metro PCS metropcs.com, 212-929-1899-540 6th Ave, New York, NY 10011. - 435 Fulton St., Brooklyn, NY 11201. For contract-based options : T-Mobile t-mobile.com - 745 Broadway, New York, NY 10003. Telephone: 212-674-5377. - 404 Jay St., Brooklyn, NY 11201-5116. Telephone: 718-422-1118. Verizon verizon.com - 52 E 8th St., New York, NY 10003. Telephone: 212-533-0055. - 146 Montague St., Brooklyn, NY 11201. Telephone: 718-246-4117. AT&T att.com - 745 Broadway, New York, NY 10003. Telephone: 212-677-4673. - 457 Fulton St., Brooklyn, NY 11201. Telephone: 718-222-1091. 2
Where can I access computers and printers at NYU? The Information Technology Services (ITS) offers NYU internet accounts to NYU students enrolled in degree or diploma programs. To activate your NYU account, bring your current NYU ID to any ITS computer lab or, visit: start.nyu.edu and follow the instructions using your Net ID. NYU computer labs offer computers, laser printers, CD-ROM drives, scanners and related equipment, as well as a wide selection of software. ITS Service Desk is at 10 Astor Place, 4th Floor. Telephone: 212-998-3333, bit.ly/itshelpdesknyu or email askits@nyu.edu LaGuardia Co-op. 539-541 LaGuardia Place. Telephone: 212-998-3500. Fourth Street Academic Technology Center (nyu.edu/its/labs/fourth) and Advanced Media Studio (nyu.edu/its/ams) are at 35 West 4th Street, Second Floor. Telephone: 212-998-3421 Third Avenue North Lab 75 Third Avenue Level C-3 (Enter from 12th Street) Telephone: 212-998-3501. nyu.edu/its/labs/third Kimmel Center CoLab 60 Washington Square South, 4th Floor. Telephone: 212-998-3409 The Digital Studio is at Bobst Library, 5th Floor, South Wing. Telephone: 212-992-9233. nyu.edu/its/studio Bobst Library lower level computer terminals. Where is the NYU library? Bobst is the primary library for NYU, located at 70 Washington Square South. Telephone: 212-998-2500. bit.ly/bobstnyu. You must present your NYU ID card to enter. For international students, visit library.nyu.edu/services/international.html I m looking for student clubs at NYU, where can I find them? To get updates on special events in your field of interest, subscribe to one or more of the NYU mailing list forums. There are over 800 lists at NYU reflecting diverse student groups and interests. You can subscribe to many of NYU s listservs by logging into your NYU home account at home.nyu.edu by looking into the Lists section under the Home tab. View the website for the Center for Student Activities, Leadership and Service (CSALS) for a list of student clubs and organizations. CSALS is at the Kimmel Center, 60 Washington Square South 7th floor, Suite 704. Telephone: 212-998-4700. Website: osa.nyu. edu. Look under Student Life and log into OrgSync to see current club events. Where can I obtain more information about NYU and the city? Student Resource Center (SRC) The SRC provides students with information about NYU and New York City. It also helps students find university resources and services, provide academic referrals, and promote and provide ways for students to get connected and stay informed at NYU. The office is located in the Kimmel Center, 60 Washington Square South, 2nd Floor, Suite 210, bit.ly/studentrescenter. Find out more about NYU s welcome programs for new students: nyu.edu/life/events-traditions/welcome-week.html. Telephone: 212-998-4411. Monday Thursday, 9:00 am 9:00 pm and Friday, 9:00 am 5:00 pm 3
How can I apply for a driver license or photo ID card? A driver license is required to operate an automobile anywhere in the US Drivers are required to obtain a license in the state they reside in, even if they have another state license. New York honors all valid foreign licenses. We suggest you also have an International Driver Permit. An International Driver Permit translates your country s driver license. You must apply for one in your home country. You do not need to apply for a New York driver license unless you become a resident of New York State. Students from other states or other nations are not normally considered residents of New York State. For more information, visit the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) website at dmv.ny.gov or call 212-645-5550 or 718-966-6155. Driving manuals are available at the DMV office or online. If you reside in the state of New Jersey for more than 60 days, you may obtain a New Jersey (NJ) driver s license. The New Jersey State Motor Vehicle Commission can be reached at 609-292-6500. Website: state.nj.us/mvc. Information specific to licenses for non-citizens may be found at bit.ly/njnoncitizen. Note that requirements for driver licenses vary by state. You can also obtain a non-driver photo ID card from the New Jersey MVC or New York DMV. A non-driver photo ID may be helpful as proof of identity for renting an apartment, gaining entry to certain venues, or applying for credit. You must have a US Social Security card or a letter from US Social Security Administration (SSA-L676) stating you are ineligible for a Social Security number in order to apply for a NJ or NY non-driver photo ID. See the New York DMV or New Jersey MVC websites for details. You can also get a photo identification card for New York City if you live in New York. This municipal ID card connects New Yorkers to services, programs, and benefits, regardless of immigration status, homeless status, or gender identity. You must apply for the card in person at an Enrollment Center. Appointments are required. You will need to bring documents to prove your identity and that you live in New York City. Find more information at nycidcard.com. Where can I exercise and stay fit at NYU? Athletic facilities are free for NYU students, for more information visit bit.ly/1p8eqv1. For membership information for your family, please visit bit.ly/1ppnmr6. You must show your NYU ID card to enter. The Palladium Athletic Facility is at 140 East 14th Street (between Third and Fourth Avenues) near Union Square. Telephone: 212-992-8500, bit.ly/palladiumnyu. Palladium has a deep-water pool, a 957-meter weight room, a 1,046-meter aerobic fitness room, and a 9-meter-high indoor climbing center that spans two floors. 404 Lafayette Gym Facility is between E 4th St and Astor Place. Telephone: 212-998-2021, bit.ly/nyubklngym. The new facility has latest strength training and cardio equipment, as well as studios for dance and yoga all in a fully air-conditioned, modern space. Brooklyn Athletic Facility is at 6 Metrotech Centre. Telephone: 646-997-3453, bit.ly/404lafayette. The Brooklyn Athletic Facility has strength training and cardio equipment, recreational classes, basketball and volleyball courts. 4
Health information How do I get health care in the US? The Student Health Center (SHC) is located at 726 Broadway, on the 3rd and 4th floors. Telephone: 212-443-1000. Health care is available to all registered NYU students bit.ly/stuhealthnyu. You need your NYU ID card to enter the SHC. To use this center, you must be an enrolled student or living in university housing. Counseling and Wellness Services (CWS) is a free service to NYU students and is located at 726 Broadway, Room 471, telephone: 212-998-4780. Students may wish to discuss feelings of loneliness, culture shock, academic struggles, family problems, drug, alcohol or other concerns. The staff is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists, social workers and trainees in these professions and maintain strict confidentiality in all conversations with students. For more information visit nyu.edu/counseling or email wellness.exchange@nyu.edu. In case of an emergency, call the private hotline 212-443-9999 24 hours a day and they will contact a counselor on your behalf. This number is also on the back of your NYU ID card. Working in the US Can I waive the NYU student health insurance? F-1 and J-1 students are automatically charged for the comprehensive insurance plan through NYU. If you have your own health insurance and do not want the NYU plan, you must apply for a waiver online at nyu.consolidatedhealthplan.com. Your plan must meet or exceed the coverage provided by NYU s plan. You can request the basic coverage plan but there is a deadline for when you can do so. How do I apply for an on-campus job at NYU? On campus student employment is limited to 20 hours maximum per week during the academic year and is limited to the NYU campus. To look for a job on campus, contact the Wasserman Center for Career Development at 133 E. 13th St., 2nd floor telephone 212-998-4730. Website: nyu.edu/careerdevelopment/. You must call to register in person at the Wasserman Center for NYUCareerNet, an online program that will allow you to view job listings, workshops, and other Center events bit.ly/workintheus. Can I apply for a Social Security Number and how? You may have found that a SSN is requested for many things in the US, including apartment rentals, applications for a cell phone, or credit cards. But that is not why the government created SSNs. The SSN is meant to be for tax-record keeping purposes only, thus, the government will only issue a number to an F-1 or J-1 student who can verify that they have a job, by showing on-campus job or off-campus work authorization. If you get an on-campus job offer, consult bit.ly/nyu_ssn for guidance on the process. Please note that the NYU ID number is not a Social Security Number. 5
Finances and money in the US How do I open a bank account? To open an account, take your passport, I-20, NYU ID Card, and enrollment verification (obtained at the Registrar s Office at 25 West 4th Street or your school registrar) in addition to money or a check to deposit. Please note: you must first add your US address to the Albert and register for classes before obtaining the enrollment verification. See the managing money section of the International Student s Survival guide you received with your I-20 or DS-2019 to Living in NYC, for other information about banking. How can I get a credit card? Credit card companies generally require a Social Security number to run a background check. The companies listed are willing to process applications without a Social Security number. Please note that card approval is not automatic, but judged on a case-by-case basis. American Express - americanexpress.com or call 1-(877)621-2639 First National Bank of Omaha - firstnational.com. Discover various money management resources and tips at the NYU Student Resource Center s website: bit.ly/nyumoneymanage. * The OGS does not endorse, approve, or certify any companies listed here that are outside of NYU. We provide these as resources for your reference. OGS WASHINGTON SQUARE 561 LaGuardia Place, New York, NY 10012-1402 Telephone: (212) 998-4720 Fax: (212) 995-4115 www.nyu.edu/ogs ogs@nyu.edu OGS BROOKLYN 5 MetroTech Center, Room 230, Brooklyn, NY 11201 Telephone: (718) 260-3805 Fax: (718) 260-3710 www.nyu.edu/ogs ogs.brooklyn@nyu.edu 6