Note: Last date to apply for Temporary Accomodation and Airport Pickups - July 31st noon (IST)
Housing Team Contacts
Housing / Temporary Accommodation / Airport Pickups
- Savitha (ssavitha AT umich DOT edu)
- Shishira (shishira AT umich DOT edu)
- Ramya (ramyavi AT umich DOT edu)
Admission Questions
Q) Other than the fact that UMich has a great football team with a cool name, could someone explain why I should consider joining?
A) No. That's it. The cool name, that is. The
University worked very hard on creating a name that would appeal to the
majority of people, and it certainly paid off: thousands of people are
attending Michigan just to be able to say "Terps[1]? Hah. We are the
Wolverines. What a cool name". (With apologies to Linus Torvalds).
[1]:Terps is the name of the football team at another University.
Seriously, Michigan is a big school with an extremely competitive engineering, science and arts program, and is consistently ranked highly in the USNews rankings. Ann Arbor is a great place to live in; it is a very liberal university town and is rated as one of the best places to live in the US. And of course, we have a great football team with a cool name.
Q) What's the catch?
A) Tuition, Tuition, Tuition.
After Getting Admission
Q) Can you tell me something about getting a visa?
A) We suggest that you contact the branch of the United States Educational Foundation in India (USEFI) closest to you to answer your visa related questions. You will, no doubt, have already received loads of advice regarding DOs and DON'Ts for visa applications. We cannot provide any definite guidelines. However, you might find the following web site useful: http://usapply.tripod.com/
Q) When should I arrive in Ann Arbor?
A) Your I-20 specifies the date by which you are expected to arrive at the University. We suggest that you arrive by that date. Keep in mind that it is good to have at least a week to settle down before classes begin. Coming earlier could be helpful if you are interested in meeting with faculty beforehand. If you decide to arrive early (not too early!), keep in mind that:
- some professors might be vacation (yes, they take breaks too)
- you will have to budget for your longer stay in the US
If you want to arrive later than the date specified on your I-20, please confirm with your department if it will be alright to do so. If you would like ISA to to arrange a pick up for you please try to arrive during the day/evening on a weekend.
Q) Do I need to get any inoculations before coming to the University?
A) No, you are not required by the University to get any tests or inoculations before you come here. [Check latest regulations.]
Q) What is this Yahoo group I've heard about?
A) Yahoo groups are not being used now. Instead, refer to UMICH incoming (FALL 2008) groups on Orkut and Facebook.
MONEY MATTERS
Note: The following questions about University aid apply to graduate students only.
Q) I don't have any aid. Can I come to the University and arrange some kind of scholarship?
A) It is possible to arrive at the University and then find either a TA (teaching assistant) or RA (research assistant) position. However, you should NOT assume that you will definitely be able to secure funding once you arrive.
Securing an RA position depends on finding a professor who is:
- willing (would be willing if research interests match yours); and
- able (would be able if has enough research grants) to fund your study. It is not necessary you find a professor who meets both conditions. You are more likely to get an RA if you are enrolled in a PhD program, since you would be able to make a substantial contribution to your professor's research. Note that it is possible to get an RA with a professor outside your department (however, your interests should be related to his work).
TA positions are handled by departments, not professors. You need to apply for a TA once you arrive in the University. The first priority for TA positions goes to students whom the department has committed financial support. TA positions are decided before the start of the semester. It is unlikely that you'll be able to get a TA position in your first semester here. Note that you can apply for a TA in a department other than yours.
Q) Is it possible to arrange a TA before I get to the University?
A) No, not unless you've already been offered one by the University in your letter of admission.
Q) Is it possible to arrange an RA before I get to the University?
A) It is possible that a professor needs students to work on a project and is willing to consider you for an RA position. We suggest you write to professors who are working in your area of interest, asking about chances of an assistantship. (Note that most professors probably get dozens of such mails daily, so don't be surprised if you don't receive a reply). Contacting graduate students in your department could be useful as they could tell you about the current funding situation in your department.
Q) Will it help if I come in early and talk to the professors?
A) Sure it could help. However, if there is no match with a professor's interests, or if he/she has no funding to offer, you won't be able to get an RA. Remember, there is NO GUARANTEE that you'll be able to secure funding even if you arrive early (For example, it's possible that there are no professors in your area who have funding available and need students).
Q) Can I work on-campus or off-campus?
A) If you're on an F-1 visa, you can work on-campus during the semester (up to 20 hours per week). You cannot work off-campus during the semester. There are a number of on-campus jobs available. You could earn up to $600 per month, which would cover your living expenses. On-campus jobs do not cover tuition, which will probably be your single biggest expense.
Q) What are the typical living expenses?
A) You should expect to spend approximately:
$300 per month, house rent
$100 per month, food and supplies
$40 per month, electricity and heat
$100 per month, miscellaneous expenses
$67 per month, International Student health insurance (if you are not
offered insurance by the University)
This does not include telephone bills, which will depend on your usage. Phone rates to India are typically around $0.42 per minute (with suitable calling plans). Note that this is the minimum that you would need to spend.
Q) How much money should I carry with me?
A) If you have aid, you will receive your
stipend/salary at the end of each month (and no, you can't reason with
the Department to give you a part of that early). So you will not be
paid till the end of September. You should carry enough to meet the
first month's expenses (more if you're arriving here early). Monthly
expenses per head are around $600. You will need to spend slightly more
in the first month, to set up services, buy textbooks, buy furniture
etc. $1400 should be sufficient to meet your first month's expenses.
Depending upon the rent and deposit for your permanent accomodation,
you may have to carry more money. If you do not have aid, please keep
the above in mind and budget accordingly.
Q) Should I carry cash/TCs/DDs?
A) For personal expenses, carry TCs - they are accepted almost everywhere. Try not to get TCs of $500; $100 (and lower) are more easily acceptable. You do not need to carry much cash, $150 should be more than enough. If you don't have aid, you can carry your tuition as DDs made out to yourself. These can be deposited into a bank account here (you'll have to open one), and you can pay the University from that account.
HOUSING
Q) Can I get an apartment after I reach Ann Arbor?
A) Depends quite a lot on when you reach here, and where you want an apartment. Leases usually get signed pretty early, so you will probably have to look for a place elsewhere if you wait till you get to Ann Arbor.
Q) What should I do to have ISA book an apartment for me?
A) Refer to the Housing section for details.
Q) Can you book an apartment for me in XYZ apartments?
A) We book apartments in Willowtree apartments or University Towers ONLY. Willowtree apartments are located very close to North Campus (10 minutes walk), which is where the Engineering, Art and Architecture and Music Schools are located. Buses are available to Central Campus (all other departments). The grocery store is a 10 minute walk, the Indian Store a 15 minute bus ride. Most importantly, there is a substantial Indian community at Willowtree, which is a big help, especially in the initial adjustment phase. University Towers apartments are located on Central Campus which is where Business school, School of Information, Chemistry, LSA and many more are located. For more information, read the Housing Arrangements page.
Q) I don't know anyone ... can ISA find room mates for me?
A) Don't worry, most of us didn't know anyone when we got here either. Please fill out your room-mate preferences in your housing application that can be found on the housing information page. We will try to to pair you up with room-mates that best match your preferences.
Q) I've decided who my roommates will be, what should I do?
A) Please include the names of the students you want to stay with in your housing application that can be found on the housing information page.
Q) What is the duration of the lease?
A) The lease is signed for 11 months.
Q) How much is the rent?
A) Depending on the apartment, the rent ranges from $850 - $970 for Willowtree and $1000 - $1150 for University Towers. Read the Housing Arrangements page for details.
Q) How is the rent divided?
A) There are 2 bedrooms in each apartment - 1 big bedroom, which is shared by two people, and 1 small bedroom. We suggest that the two who share the large bedroom each pay 30% of the rent, and the person who has the small bedroom pay 40%. Note however, that this is what we suggest - in the end its up to you to work out how you want to divide the rent.
Q) How much do utilities (electricity and heating) cost?
A) Generally, the electricity bill is higher than the gas bill in summer due to air-conditioning, while the gas bill is higher in winter (we have gas heating). The sum of gas and electricity bills will generally be between $60 - $120 per apartment per month.
Q) When does the lease start? If it does not start at the beginning of the month, will I have to pay the full month's rent?
A) Generally, the lease will start from the second week of August. In some cases, it may start later depending upon availability (esp. if it is booked late). Your rent for August will be proportional to the number of days of your lease in August.
Q) What type of apartments are booked?
A) The apartments have 2 bedrooms, living room, kitchen, and a bathroom. We do not book single bedroom apartments.
Q) Is the apartment furnished?
A) No, the apartments in Willowtree are not furnished. The apartments are equipped with a refrigerator, cooking range (conventional oven + burners or hot plates) and dishwasher. The apartments are carpeted, and have closets. There are no beds, chairs or tables in the apartments. You will need to buy them once you get here. Second hand furniture is available from the University of Michigan Property Disposition and from students leaving the University.
Apartments in University Towers are completely furnished, with beds, dressers, tables, chairs, etc.
Q) So will I have to sleep on the floor? Should I bring a sleeping bag along?
A) Apartments booked for you are carpeted. In Willowtree, people usually sleep on the floors the first few days and later buy a mattress (available for around $10-20 at the U of M property disposition). It's not necessary to bring a sleeping bag with you, but if you prefer, you can get one. Also, you could get some bedsheets (to sleep on) and/or a shawl. The apartments in University towers come furnished.
Q) What about laundry?
A) Washing machines/Dryers are available in the basement of every building. You'll need $2 to wash and dry one load. You will probably do your laundry once in 2 weeks (or with a lesser frequency).
LIVING IN ANN ARBOR
Q) What should we carry for cooking purposes? Will we have to cook our own food?
A) There is a list of utensils that you can carry on the Things to Carry page. If you are not staying in a dorm you will probably have to cook your own food (unless you can con your roommates into doing all the cooking). Most of us do at least some cooking. It's not as hard as you might think!
Q) I've heard Ann Arbor is really cold ...
A) You've heard right. It gets so cold here that we rent igloos for the 5 months of winter :) . But seriously, it's not all that bad. All apartments are equipped with heating, and you won't notice the cold inside any building.
Q) How safe is Ann Arbor?
A) Ann Arbor is a very safe town. Many of us spend late nights in the labs, and walk back to Willowtree alone. If you are nervous about walking alone, there is a program under which can get a shared cab to your door for a discounted rate of $2 (available after 2:00 am). See http://www.umich.edu/~info/transport.html for details. Another option you have is Safewalk/Northwalk, in which a team of 2 students (2 women or 1 man and 1 woman) will walk you to your home. See http://www.umich.edu/~info/safewalk.html for details.
Q) What is the frequency of the buses to Central Campus, specially at night?
A) Buses run with a higher frequency on weekdays than weekends. Have a look at http://www.transportation.umich.edu/transit/Bus_Routes/ for exact times. Willowtree Apartments is 5 minutes away from a bus stop on the Northwood route (Northwood II housing, if you look at the Northwood route map). The Northwood route connects Willowtree to both North and Central campuses. Other buses are available from North campus to Central, but Northwood is the direct bus from Willowtree to Central.
Q) Should I carry winter clothes with me?
A) Carry a few sweaters, a woolen cap, warm socks and a light jacket for Fall (Look at the list of items at the ISA web site). It is best to buy a winter jacket here (what you get in India will probably not be suitable for this cold).