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    ISSO's New Student Arrival Guide

    (for pre-arrival information, see the ISSO's online Coming to Cornell guide.)

    Download this page as a handout here.


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    Welcome new international students! The ISSO is pleased that you have chosen Cornell. Our office is here to:

    • advise you on federal immigration, tax, and labor regulations
    • provide counseling on personal, academic and cultural matters
    • promote cross-cultural awareness through various programs, workshops and activities
    • provide information and referral services to help you get acquainted with the Cornell and Ithaca community

    Our office provides walk-in advising services Monday-Friday from 9:00 AM-4:30 PM. No appointment is necessary! If your case is particularly complicated, we may ask you to schedule a follow-up appointment. We are closed Wednesday mornings until 1:00 PM, and no advisors are available daily from Noon-1:00 PM.

    We can also be reached by telephone at 607-255-5243, and by e-mail at isso@cornell.edu. We encourage you to take advantage of our extensive website by visiting http://www.isso.cornell.edu. There, you will find answers to most of your questions about immigration issues, taxes, and ISSO services.

    Below is a list of basic resources and tips to help you get started at Cornell:

    To Do List

    For your personalized “to do list” including required forms, deadlines, and information about everything from your Bursar bill and NetID to health insurance and registration status, see the To Do List at the New Students website: http://newstudents.cornell.edu/. Undergraduates should click on the “first-year” or “transfer” tab. Graduate or Professional students should click on the “graduate & professional” tab. Note: visiting non-degree and summer students should be sure to check in with either the Graduate School (143 Caldwell Hall), or the School for Continuing Education and Summer Sessions (B20 Day Hall).

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    International Student Orientation

    Be sure to attend an international orientation session. International Graduate and Professional Student Orientation will be held Saturday, August 18, 2012, from 3-7:00 PM at Statler Hall. If you are not able to attend, or if you are an undergraduate student who elected not to participate in the PREPARE pre-orientation program, you should try to attend our general international orientation session on Tuesday, August 21, 2012 (Tentative), from 2-3:45 PM, in the Music Room of Willard Straight Hall (Room 411, next to the International Lounge).

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    ISSO Programs

    In addition to providing immigration assistance, the ISSO also organizes a series of fun activities, trips, and informational workshops. Fall highlights include a fall break trip to New York City, and day trip to Niagara Falls. Spring highlights include a spring break trip to Washington, DC, and a day trip to the Corning Museum of Glass. For a schedule of our upcoming programs, visit http://www.isso.cornell.edu/programs/programs.php. We also have a free weekly International Coffee Hour, held each Thursday from 3:30-5:30 PM in the Big Red Barn. Spouses and family members are encouraged to participate in all ISSO programs and trips.

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    ISSO Electronic Mailing Lists

    The ISSO has three different electronic mailing lists, each with a distinctly different purpose. All currently registered international students are automatically added to ISSO-NEWS-L. The ISSO uses this list to send students important immigration-related updates and reminders, as well as our monthly electronic newsletter. Join iPrograms-L if you are interested in receiving announcements specifically about ISSO trips, programs, and non-immigration services. Consider International-L if you are interested in joining a large list which subscribers typically use to post announcements of upcoming events, find information, meet new friends, or discuss current events and issues of local or global concern. For information about all of these lists, visit http://www.isso.cornell.edu/about/interl.php.

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    U.S. Social Security Number

    The Social Security Administration issue a Social Security Number (SSN) to all who are work-eligible as a way to identify and track individuals for taxation purposes. Although the Social Security Administration states that the SSN is intended only for employment purposes, some public and many private institutions, such as banks, phone companies, and utilities (gas and electric) have adopted the SSN as a unique identifier for its customers. If you are going to work in the United States, either on-campus or with off-campus work authorization, you must obtain a Social Security Number. If you are not employed, you will not be eligible for a number. For more information about the SSN, please see http://www.isso.cornell.edu/students/ssnf1.php.

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    Transportation

    There is an excellent Getting Around Cornell guide at http://www.gettingaround.cornell.edu/index.html. It contains maps and links to information about transit passes, bus routes and schedules, parking, traffic laws, rideshares, and much more. You should also know:

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    Academics

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    English Classes

    If English is not your native language, Cornell and Ithaca offer a variety of courses to help you improve your written and spoken English. Many are informal and inexpensive, and can easily be worked into your academic schedule. They are also a great resource for dependent spouses. For a complete list of your options visit http://www.isso.cornell.edu/ithacalife/english.php.

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    Computers and Technology

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    Family Resources

    For information about childcare services, schooling and immunizations, child safety, sexual and reproductive health services, parenting resources, volunteer opportunities, and links to fun activities for families, please visit http://www.isso.cornell.edu/ithacalife/family.php.

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    Other Practical Matters

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