Once you have finalized on UTD and have gotten your visa
the first thing that you will need to do is buy/collect
stuff that you will have to carry with you. Following is a
list of suggestions regarding things that you might want
to get with you. This list is primarily for students
coming to UTD. You may decide what to bring from India and
what to buy in the US according to your considerations.
You can buy almost everything in the US after you get
here, but we strongly recommend you to get all the books
that you need from India.
Please make sure that you get only as much as you can
carry, and can unpack/re-pack it fast. Also note that the
list of items is constructed according to the personal
experiences of students who have come here, so it is
possible that there are some important items that are
missing or are unnecessarily specified here. Please use
your personal discretion and in case you feel there is
something missing then you can always send us an email
(utdisa@gmail.com) and we will try to update it in the
list as soon as possible.
The dress code on campus is pretty informal and a T-shirt
worn with jeans is almost a universal dress for both sexes
here. So, bring plenty of them. Formal clothes may come in
use occasionally like during presentations, career fairs,
interviews etc. You may, of course, want to bring along
some Indian clothes (saris, salwaar-kameez, kurtas, etc)
with you for those traditional events like Independence
Day, Sangam etc.
Formals: One suit (Optional), ties (1/2), shirts
and trousers (2/3), traditional saris/kurta.
Casuals: Jeans (3/4), T-shirts & sweats (6+),
cotton shirts (2+), shorts (for outdoor, indoor, sports
use) (2/3).
Dallas has hot summers (35-40 C) and cold winters (-3 to
15 C), so you will need both summer wear as well as winter
clothes. Get a good sweater/jacket, a muffler, a scarf and
a woolen cap, but you might get a better coat/jacket in
the US. It gets pretty cold here in winter so don't forget
the warm clothes. An umbrella might be a good idea, since
the rain here, though not a lot tends to come without a
warning.
Footwear: Sneakers, formal shoes (highly
recommended as they are pretty costly here), leather
chappals/sandals, bathroom slippers, shoe polish,
polishing brush.
Winter wear: Sweaters (medium quality, at most 2),
muffler/ scarf, woolen cap.
No matter where you stay, you'll have access to washing
and drying facilities. These machines have large
capacities, so that it is possible to do 2-3 week's
laundry at a time. So plan your wardrobe accordingly.
Undergarments & socks: About 12 sets of
undergarments and socks, preferably cotton.
Miscellaneous: Towel (2+), napkins (1/2), leather
belts (2+), handkerchiefs (6+).
Linen: Bed sheets (double bed size, 2), pillow
covers (big, 2), shawl/light blanket (for spring/summer
use).
Things you better buy in the US: Winter jacket,
winter gloves, caps, wind-cheaters, track-suits, good
sweaters (they're cheap), and comforter.
NOTE: Indian clothes (particularly cottons) have a
tendency to shrink a lot when washed on the hot and/or
warm cycle in a washing machine here or by drying them in
the dryer, so please be careful with sizes.
Food is not a problem for either vegetarians or
non-vegetarians, although if you are a non-vegetarian you
have more choice. There are lots of eating joints in the
vicinity, providing Indian/American/Mexican/Oriental
foods. But it would certainly be cheaper and healthier to
develop some culinary skills. Come well-armed with your
pots and pans & some recipes. Be sure to bring along flat
bottomed vessels because you would be using electric
stoves here (preferably the ones with copper bottom).
Cooking Utensils: Spoons, forks, GOOD knives, cups,
glasses (2 each), a melamine (microwaveable) set
(Optional) consisting of plates, soup-bowls and regular
bowls (2 each), (these are pretty cheap here and are
optional) and a good cooking book
Although, you can buy almost all kinds of Indian foodstuff
here, get a reasonable quantity of the following, enough
to last you for your setup period and save you some money
initially.
Condiments and spices: Its better not to bring
spices as some people have faced problems bringing them in
the recent past. You will find almost all the spices here
in Dallas, so you don't need to bring them along. You can
buy them here.
NOTE:DO NOT get any fresh fruits or meat and spices
like Jeera.
Remember: the easiest way to make new friends, is
to feed the existing Indian food-starved populace with
desi delicacies and sweets, so if there are any
specialties of your place, do get them along.
The initial expenses are high. Below is an estimate of how
much money you might need. This will vary depending on
your course and the apartment.
Tuition Fees: The tuition fees for 9 credits hours
(3 courses) for the first semester (which is normal for
graduate students) is about $6582 (Fall 2008).There are
some additional fees like International Student
Orientation Fee , International Student Special Services
Fee , Health Insurance , Audit Fee , Records Processing
Fee and Recreation Center Fee. (The total would come to
around $7500 including the health insurance). TA's and
RA's pay about $1500 the first semester. This includes the
in-state tuition fees and all expenses mentioned above,
discounted by a TPEG grant (which is a grant of about $500
every semester for TA/RAs). The school covers the medical
insurance for TA/RA's. RAs may get paid slightly more than
this amount. Also note that the university no longer gives
out TAs to masters students The school also lets you pay
the fees in three installments over the entire semester or
take a short term loan (5% interest) over three months and
pay the entire amount at the end of the 3 months. But, we
would STRONGLY advise you to bring the entire amount with
you at least for the first semester.
Living Expenses: Living expenses are generally $300
- $400 per month. This includes room rent, groceries,
electricity and telephone bills and other miscellaneous
expenses (assuming that you are sharing your apartment
with fellow students). If you plan on staying individually
expenses will be a lot higher than the amount listed
above.
You can get a check/DD payable to "University of Texas at
Dallas" for the exact amount (if you know it), for a
slightly smaller amount, and pay the remainder in
cash/travelers checks or get a check for a larger amount
and the university will refund you with the remaining by
writing you a personal check. If you plan on not getting a
DD then you could carry the whole amount in travelers
checks. Once you reach UTD you can open up your own bank
account and deposit the travelers checks and cash. To pay
your tuition you could then write the university a
personal check. Also remember to keep your
money/checks/demand drafts in your cabin luggage which you
will be carrying with you always.
NOTE:We would advise you to carry your money in the
form of Traveler's Checks so that you may en cash them
immediately. DDs take about a fortnight to be credited to
your account. Also make sure you have some 1 dollar bills,
25 cent and 10 cent coins with you (essential in case you
need to call us from the airport as miss a connecting
flight and arrive late is quite common).
*These are just estimates. Although we try to update this
page regularly, these may not be most current ones, so
PLEASE PLEASE check with the admissions office for the
exact fees at tuition Fees Schedule. The information
listed here is current as of Fall 08.
PRE-REQUISITE COURSES: If you have any
pre-requisites and you feel that you do not need to
complete them, then please get all the relevant documents
(for each pre-requisite you wish to get waived, get
separate official (attested by your department head or
college principal) and sealed copy of syllabus and
transcript, copy of experience letter and any other
documents you feel appropriate) you can to get that
pre-requisite waived. Generally, during the middle of the
semester students can apply for pre-requisite waiver. You
will find information about the procedure to apply for a
waiver in the post arrival section.
Medicines: You will have to buy medical insurance
here, but medication is very expensive here, so, get some
medicines that you have used for minor ailments and any
special ones that you need. Medicines with prescriptions
for standard minor ailments like fever, cold, cough,
stomach-ache etc. Also personal medication (if any) and
medical history papers.
Antiseptic cream, relaxyl etc. Spare eyeglasses/ contact
lenses. (Get the eye prescription too!) Get a complete
medical checkup done before getting here, including a
chest X-ray.
Vicks, balm, moov, iodex /relispray, dettol, some band
aids (waterproof), iodine, burnol antiseptic, painkillers
like ibuprofen/brufen, antibiotics, B-complex tablets,
Vaseline and cold cream. (Remember that getting medicines
in America is a bit of a hassle and generally antibiotics
and some medicines are not sold without a proper
prescription so its better you get the stuff you might
need)
Books and Stationary: Books are very expensive
here, so, find out the books that you will need for your
course from us and try to get them from India. A single
book might cost you more than a month's grocery bill!! You
will find a list of the text books that you may need
listed department wise on the ISA website books section.
Your calculator (but you'll soon want to buy some fancy
stuff here), micro tip pencils + refills (2), good pens
(2), eraser, stapler & staples, Indian calendar, backpack.
(Most of the stationary is optional. You can also buy it
here), cello tape, Glue.
Documents:You may want to bring along photocopies
of your documents (2-3) as each photocopy costs 6cts, and
further more it may help if you want to take transfer to
another university. Copies of passport, I20, visa ,
admission letter, transcripts and recommendation letters
(if you have any intentions for a transfer), GRE/TOEFL
score sheets, Vaccination certificate (MMR, TB test),
Medical prescription of all medicines you are carrying
with you, college leaving certificate (optional), receipts
of your travelers checks.
Drivers Licence:It is preferable that you learn
driving and come, as eventually sooner or later you will
be driving here in the US. If you have a driving license
in India or will be getting one before coming here, be
sure to get an IDP (International Driving Permit). It is
generally valid for 1 year and you can rent a car and
drive in the US with it. Once you reach UTD, you can apply
for a Texas Driver’s license.
Toilette: (For first few days) Toothbrush,
toothpaste, tongue-cleaners (if using), soap, a complete
shaving kit (for guys) (all in a toiletry bag), (though
you'll soon want to try the 'phirang' stuff, your home kit
is good to carry around in travel), trimming scissors. You
can buy shampoo, talcum powder etc. later (no need to
bring them from India).
Others: Needles & thread, buttons, sports equipment
if you play tennis, squash, soccer.
TO DO:
Driving: Learn driving and get an International
Driving Permit (if possible).
Cooking: You will be staying in an apartment either
on-campus or off-campus and would have your own kitchen.
If you have never stayed away from home and cooked on your
own then you better start brushing up on your culinary
skills as soon as possible. Knowing how to cook is
indispensable. Eating out is pretty expensive here and you
have a limited choice in the menu if you are vegetarian.
Cooking is a very important aspect of your life here and
if neglected it can create problems with your roommates so
make sure you get a few cooking lessons from your mom
before you leave home.
Medical Check ups:Get your eyes, teeth and body
checked up thoroughly and have any issues taken care of
before coming here. Medical tests cost a fortune here and
even with health insurance you have to pay a lot of money
for the most minor doctor visits. Bring along an extra
pair of spectacles or contact lenses along with a small
medical kit of medicines you generally use in case of a
common cold or fever. Also bring your medical history in
case of specific ailments. If possible also take your MMR,
FLU and Hepatitis shots (optional), shot in India and do
not forget to bring along those certificates. Plan even
the date of taking the shots well in advance as multiple
doses are usually administered with a specific time gap.
Apply for an Apartment: Since the housing options
and the procedure to apply for an apartment is a pretty
big one we have decided to provide a separate section for
it. You will find the link to the page here - Housing
Options
DO NOT
Electrical Appliances:The voltage and frequency
used here are different (110V/60Hz). And in any case,
appliances like iron, toasters etc are very inexpensive
and you can purchase them once you are settled in. Some
other things that you might be better of buying here are
blank notebooks, file folders, hangars, washing soap,
knives, large rice cookers (they occupy a lot of space in
the luggage and you get really good ones here for around
$30). You also need not bring stuff like rice, salt,
sugar, electrical iron, audio players etc.