Prepare To Be: WOW'ed!
Prepare To Be: WOW'ed!
Prepare To Be: WOW'ed!
WOW’ed!
You are joining a vibrant international student body of more than 8,900 and a total Boilermaker student population that is more than
43,000 strong.
By choosing Purdue, you are choosing excellence. Excellence in academics, research, student services, and campus life. Purdue has a
prestigious reputation and ranks consistently well in national and international rankings.
However, what those rankings cannot tell you is what it means to be a Boilermaker. A Boilermaker is a leader in her field. A Boilermaker
makes a difference in his community. A Boilermaker makes a global impact, embraces diversity, makes discoveries…
You are joining a university tradition that includes over 24 astronauts, the chief engineer of the Hoover Dam, the inventor of fiberglass,
the creator of C-SPAN, winners of the Nobel, World Food, and Pulitzer prizes, and leaders in all areas of the corporate world, academia,
and government.
Being an international student at Purdue, you will have the opportunity to get to know people from many different cultures. I strongly
encourage you to get involved in your new community and take advantage of opportunities as they are presented to you.
The Office of International Students and Scholars (ISS) strives to provide the best services, outstanding programs and events, and
exceptional support. If you ever have any questions or concerns about your non-immigrant status, adjusting to American customs, or
whatever the issue might be, please feel free to visit our office.
Christine Collins
Director, International Student Services,
International Students and Scholars
Table of Contents
Table of Contents
Morning Hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays: 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM
Afternoon Hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays: 1:30 PM - 4:00 PM
Morning Hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays: 8:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Afternoon Hours:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays: 1:00 PM - 5:00 PM
General Appointments
Thirty-minute, face-to-face appointments with an Immigration Counselor.
Call for availability
As a student at Purdue, you may hear or see some Purdue-specific vocabulary for activities, programs, and even locations. To
help you decipher some of those terms, below you will find a mini-dictionary especially for international students.
myISS
myISS is Purdue University’s web portal to immigration services, requests, and benefits for our international student, scholar,
and employee community. Your myISS account can be accessed at: connect.iss.purdue.edu
Callout
A callout is usually an informational or introductory meeting sponsored by a student club or organization to gain new
members. If you are interested in joining a particular interest group, club, or organization attending a callout is a great way to
get information.
Dates to Know
Below you will find some dates that may be important to you. You may need to check with your college, school,
department, or major for important dates specific to your program.
*Early check-in requires an additional fee. Meal Plans begin August 16.
A certificate of eligibility (COE) is either the form I-20 or DS-2019 and it is issued by the school you will attend. If you have
accepted your admission and paid your deposit, you will receive information about completing the online Notification of
Intent (NOI) through myISS. You will receive your COE after you have completed the online NOI through myISS. The COE
document is required when applying for a US student visa.
• If you are going to apply for an F-1 visa, you will receive form I-20.
• If you are going to apply for a J-1 visa, you will receive form DS-2019.
• If another sponsor or agency will provide the I-20 or DS-2019 to you, or if you have another visa type such as E-2, L-2,
H-4, or J-2, you will not receive a COE from Purdue. However, you must still complete the NOI to notify us of your
status.
Incoming students are responsible for the costs associated with receiving the documents required to obtain their U.S. visa.
After we receive your completed Notification of Intent, you will be invited to create and pay for an express shipping label
through our online vendor service. You will receive more information and instructions about creating your label from our
office.
Students who have the designation “Initial Entry” on their I-20 or “To Begin Program” on their DS-2019 must pay the SEVIS fee
before their visa appointment. The SEVIS fee should be paid online at www.fmjfee.com.
See the guide “Applying for Your Student Visa” for details about paying the SEVIS fee and making an appointment
for a student visa.
After paying the SEVIS fee online, it is important to print out the receipt. Take the receipt and the other required items listed in
the visa guide to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate closest to you to apply for an F-1 visa or J-1 visa.
PLEASE NOTE:
All questions regarding paying the SEVIS fee also known as the I-901 fee should be directed to the SEVIS Fee FAQ.
Click here for assistance or call 703-603-3400.
Before traveling to Purdue, new international students are required to complete a pre-arrival e-form through myISS.
1. Go to myISS at connect.iss.purdue.edu
6. Submit Request: You will recieve an email confirmation once the form is submitted. ISS will review and approve
your e-form during your MISCi appointment.
Table of Contents Port of Entry
The officer may ask you questions about what you will be studying at Purdue, where you will be staying, and what your plans
are for returning to your home country.
You may be fingerprinted and have your photo taken by the immigration officer. This is a normal procedure and is nothing to
be worried about.
Your passport will be stamped with your visa status and “D/S,” which stands for Duration of Status. Having your documents
correctly stamped is very important!
You will submit the Customs Declaration Form to the customs officer after you have picked up your luggage and are ready to
leave the secured immigration area of the airport.
Table of Contents Traveling to Purdue
Click on the links below to make a reservation with a shuttle service. If your flight is delayed, it might be possible to get on the
next shuttle, but check with your shuttle company about available seats.
A2B Cab: 765-807-7070 • A Magic Cab Ride: 765-490-9192 • Julian’s Cab: 765-586-2907 • Locomotives Taxi: 765-477-1234
Table of Contents Required Post-Arrival Task and I-94 Arrival Record
The I-94 is a record of your entry date, your status, and your “admit until” date. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has an
automated form I-94 at air and sea ports. After entering the U.S., you can go to www.cbp.gov/I94 to produce a printed
version of your electronic I-94 arrival record. You may need the printed version when dealing with other agencies in the U.S.,
such as the Bureau of Motor Vehicles, the Social Security Administration, and when completing employment documents such
as E-Verify and the I-9 system. Students entering at a land border will receive a printed I-94 card instead. If you have any
questions, please review the CBP website at www.cbp.gov/I94.
After arriving in the U.S. and BEFORE your MISCi appointment, new international students are required to complete
a post-arrival e-form through myISS.
1. Go to myISS at connect.iss.purdue.edu
7. Submit Form
Completing a MISCi session at Purdue is required by federal law for international students. You cannot obtain a Purdue
photo ID card until you complete a check-in session. We suggest you make an appointment for your MISCi session AF-
TER you have made and confirmed your travel plans. The entire MISCi session takes about 1 ½ hours. Report to the 2nd floor
of Stewart Center at your session time.
If you are late to your MISCi session OR if you have not completed your required pre-arrival and post-arrival
e-forms, you will have to reschedule to another available session time.
When you come to your MISCi session, please bring the following ORIGINAL documents with you:
*It is important to bring your I-94 to your MISCi session so we can see if there are any errors in the record. However, if you are
unable to print the I-94, please still come to your MISCi session without it.*
Please note: If your dependents (spouse and/or minor children) traveled to the U.S. with you, please bring the documents for
each accompanying dependent to your MISCi session.
Your Purdue ID Card proclaims you as a member of the Purdue community and is your key to access essential campus services.
One card does it all. From on-campus dining to free bus rides to great discounts, your Purdue ID Card (sometimes also called
your PUID or photo ID) gets you access to many special features of being a Boilermaker. Even better -- once you unlock your
Purdue ID Card’s potential with BoilerExpress eAccounts you have cash-free buying power for food, laundry and much more.
It’s as easy as GET IT, LOAD IT, and USE IT!
For more information, visit the website for the Purdue ID Card Office.
Table of Contents myPurdue
myPurdue
MyPurdue is an Internet portal system where students can access academic and financial account information. Your
information is stored in a program called Banner, so you may hear faculty and staff members refer to it by that name as well.
You will need your career account login and password to log in to myPurdue. Some of the benefits of myPurdue include:
Undergraduate Students:
All incoming international undergraduate students and students transferring to Purdue from another U.S. institution will
receive an email from their academic advisor. Your academic advisor will assist you with the registration process.
Please be patient with the process, remember that there are over 8,000 freshman that need help.
Your acadmic advisor will give you a registration access code (PIN) for your myPurdue account, a day and time, and guidance
regarding course selection.
Note: All F-1 and J-1 international undergraduate students are required by law to enroll in a full course load. At Purdue,
this means registering for and completing 12 credit hours every fall and spring semester. A maximum of 3 on-line or
digitally delivered credit hours may apply to your minimum full-time enrollment.
Graduate Students:
Graduate students should contact the Registration Secretary or Graduate Coordinator in their departments for information
about registering for classes.
Note: All F-1 and J-1 international graduate students are required by law to enroll in a full course load. For students
without an assistantship, this means registering for and completing 8 credit hours every fall and spring semester.
Graduate students with assistantships must register for and complete 6 credit hours every fall and spring semester.
A maximum of 3 on-line or digitally delivered credit hours may apply to your minimum full-time enrollment.
Table of Contents Credit Transfer
Original transcripts and certified copies (attested true copies) translated into English must be submitted in order for a credit
evaluation to be completed.
Purdue Transfer Credit Course Equivalency Guide - Use this system to view how Purdue undergraduate courses compare
to those of other institutions across the United States and in some cases, internationally. Courses for which Purdue does not
have an equivalent offering can sometimes be transferred as undistributed credits. Your academic advisor will be able to assist
you with how undistributed credits may count toward your degree. In general, no credit is awarded for English language or
writing courses completed in non-Anglophone countries.
If you wish to obtain advance credit by taking Purdue examinations, you must pre-register with your academic advisor to take
undergraduate placement examinations in math, sciences, foreign languages, and other academic areas. Further information
regarding advanced credit examinations is available at the Purdue Testing Center page.
More information about transferring college credit is available at the ISS Admissions page. Questions regarding transferring
college credit from a U.S post-secondary institution can be directed to Credit Evaluation via email at transfercredit@purdue.
edu and questions regarding transferring credit from an international post-secondary institution can be directed to the ISS
Admissions Office via email at intl-transfercredit@purdue.edu.
Graduate-level credits from other institutions must be evaluated by your graduate department to determine if they will meet
Purdue’s graduate degree requirements.
Table of Contents Paying Tuition
Western Union is available to pay your tuition and fees quickly and easily. Click here to see more information and get instruc-
tions: http://www.purdue.edu/bursar/payment/wireTransfers.html
Notification of your tuition and/or housing invoice will be sent to your @purdue.edu email address. It will also be sent to the
email address of any authorized users that you have set up.
http://www.purdue.edu/bursar/faqs/tutorials.html
Invoices for each semester are available approximately 6 weeks before the semester begins. Tuition is always due the first day
of classes for each semester. We cancel classes for non-payment the following Monday at 5 pm.
You can access your fee statement through MyPurdue / Financial Tab/ Manage My Account.
We strongly discourage students from traveling with large amounts of cash. Purdue will not accept cash payments for tuition,
fees and housing. More information on banking and convenient methods of payment is available on the Bursar website.
http://www.purdue.edu/bursar/payment/international.html
Bursar’s Office:
Hovde Hall • 610 Purdue Mall • West Lafayette, IN 47907-2040
Phone: (765) 494-7570 • Fax: (765) 496-1133
Email: askbursar@purdue.edu
Table of Contents Housing
Whether you decide to live on-campus or off-campus, you will want to finalize your housing arrangements before your arrival.
On-campus housing for graduate students and students with families (not residence halls): Purdue Village is
another university housing option through University Residences.
To live off-campus:
You will need to make your own arrangements prior to your arrival or your options will be very limited. Begin your
off-campus housing search by visiting the Off-Campus Housing section of the Office of the Dean of Students website. You
can also contact Off-Campus Housing Services at 765-494-7663 or offcampushousing@purdue.edu.
You will want to pack for living in a locale that has four distinct seasons. Without a doubt, you will hear someone say, “If you
don’t like the weather, wait 10 minutes.” The weather in the Greater Lafayette area can change rapidly and often. Be sure to
consider this when deciding what you might need during your arrival and stay at Purdue. The graph below lists the average
temperature for each month in degrees Fahrenheit, as well as the average precipitation, and record high and low tempera-
Initial Expenses
Plan on bringing or having access to enough funds to meet your living expenses for the first month. If you live off-campus,
some landlords will require you to pay both the first and the last month’s rent in advance, as well as a security deposit.
Plan ahead to avoid problems; however, do not carry large amounts of cash with you! You may purchase U.S. traveler’s checks,
which can be cashed at most banks and stores in the U.S. Do not place your cash, credit cards, or traveler’s checks in your
checked luggage. Wearing a money belt or pouch that can be kept out of sight under your clothing is recommended.
If you bring your own national currency, please exchange it to U.S. dollars upon arrival at the airport because there is no bank
that is able to immediately exchange currency in Lafayette, Indiana. Some banks provide this service for a fee, but it takes
several days to get your money exchanged.
Table of Contents Culture Shock
Culture shock is the many reactions that a person may have when moving from a familiar environment where you easily
recognize the language, symbols, smells, tastes, and sounds to an unfamiliar or new environment where everything is
different.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) provides many options for support:
Student Support Groups: This is a confidential and supportive group for international students to explore and discuss vari-
ous multicultural issues. Numerous topics may be discussed, including but not limited to, acculturation,
adapting to a new educational system, coping with being away from family and friends, or breaking down language and
cultural barriers.
Counseling and Therapy: Discuss and explore problems or feelings that are important to you. Grow toward greater
freedom in making informed choices.
Self-help: The Starting the Conversation: College and Your Mental Health guide is written to provide you with important
information about mental health during the college years. We encourage you to read this guide, learn from it and use it to
start and continue a conversation about mental health.
CAPS Committment
“Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is committed to helping students benefit from their college experience. CAPS
is committed to helping you achieve personal and academic success. Although CAPS works with students in crisis, our primary
goal is to assist students with their concerns before they develop into more serious problems. One way that students can do
this is to talk to a counselor or psychologist in a supportive atmosphere to aid self-understanding and the resolution of
personal issues.”
For more information about CAPS: call 765-494-6995 or visit their website: www.purdue.edu/caps
Table of Contents Greater Lafayette Area Information
Purdue University is located in West Lafayette, Indiana. West Lafayette is divided from its neighboring city of Lafayette by the
Wabash River. For more Information about Purdue and the Greater Lafayette area, including lists of area hotels, restaurants,
religious institutions, events, and even information about climate and weather, visit the following publications and websites: