Refresher courses start this Tues, where are you now 2006 incoming students?

[Andy]

With more than 40 students accepted this year, and the first refresher course C++ starts this Tues, it's surprising not everyone is accounted for :D
We have around 20 members here who are incoming students...I'm not sure if the rest is still oversea and not aware of this forum.
The refresher courses materials will be posted here so let's hope they will find out about this forum soon.
I'm not taking C++ but i really like to meet those who are. I'll be in Baruch this Tues to do some greet and meet :D

[Eddie]

Still waiting for my paperwork.
Man, rang international office last friday, the officer(who's really impatient and unhelpful) told me that they had not issued the I-20 form because they had not got my financial documents. Well, Ms Cathy certainly had it. So I wrote her an email asking her to do some investigation for me.
So, I probably won't see you guys until the term starts. So guess I'll race you guys on the side :D Think I need a lot work on C++.
Have fun at summer school.

[Andy]

This does not sound good at all. If it makes you feel any better, the other international students are probably waiting for I-20 too. At this time of the year, the International Office is swamped with paperwork so you can't do much about it.
Our program does not have an earlier deadline for international students so international students who do not apply and get accepted earlier will be at disadvantage specially with all the refresher courses being offered during summer.
I do not know the rule about getting a F-1 visa in your country but in my country, you can only get a visa 30 days before the first day of class which will get you here sometimes in late July. You can buy a ticket to come here earlier but they won't let you enter the US before the 30 days bracket.
With the refresher courses begin this Tues, those who are not here yet will have to find a way to refresh their math.
Hopefully future international students will heed this warning and apply early next year.

[Peik Looi]

Hello Stockjinni,

I am facing similar problems too. Talking to the officer is such a nightmare, so rude! Also, I have not received my letter of admission and my flight is confirmed on the 30th July arriving on the 31st July. :roll:

Still waiting for my paperwork.
Man, rang international office last friday, the officer(who's really impatient and unhelpful) told me that they had not issued the I-20 form because they had not got my financial documents. Well, Ms Cathy certainly had it. So I wrote her an email asking her to do some investigation for me.
So, I probably won't see you guys until the term starts. So guess I'll race you guys on the side :D Think I need a lot work on C++.
Have fun at summer school.

[Andy]

Did you try email ( issc@baruch.cuny.edu) them instead of calling? Navigating school's various depts is always stressful.
I have my fair share of dealing with the people at international service and I found them to be very helpful and friendly in person. Some school has little manpower to handle the volumn of paperwork for international students. Baruch may fall into this category.
Use the great resource of Weissman school to your advantage. Call or email either Cathy or Ben Rohdin, the director of Graduate Studies. I found that the people at Weissman are very good in helping us. Give them a call and explain your situation.

The email is WSAS_Graduate_Studies@baruch.cuny.edu

[Eddie]

For clarity, I was only commenting my particular instance of dealing with the officer at ISSC; It's possbile Sangfroid and I talked to the same person :?
So, not mean to be critical on the ISSC in general.

Hello, Sangfroid,
The admission letter is issued by the Weissman School, so yours should be on the way , I hope.
And I-20 form is issued by the ISSC.
If you travel on Singapore passport, guess you could visit U.S for 3mths without a visa, as it's in the U.S visa waiver program. I'm pretty sure of that. Otherwise you could check it here http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/without/without_1990.html

[Peik Looi]

Hello,

I have yet to receive word from ISSC and Cathy on these matters. Sigh, I think I shall re-send all documents again.

Yes, there is a visa waiver for Singapore (love this country), however I do want to clear all that is required here. It would be conceivably easier. When do you plan on arriving?

Cheers mate.

[jimmycc]

keep on trying to contact these people. i know it's frustrating. sangroid, email prof stefanica about not receiving the acceptance letter.

jimmy

[Peik Looi]

Hello Jimmy, nice to read a kindred spirit on these matters.

Just dispatched my packet and waiting the wait again. I have alerted Prof Dan to this matter, however an easier solution is to just do it all again.

A gamble on Will Rogers saying, "Things will get better despite our efforts to improve them" may just do the trick. ;-)

[Andy]

Just hang in there Sangfroid. I met a student who just came in from oversea a couple of days ago. And that student got the I-20 in March. So things do take a while to get there.
Try to email to the top Ben_Rohdin@baruch.cuny.edu to see if Ben can do something.

[Peik Looi]

Thanks.

[Andy]

Fast forward to 2007. I hope every incoming student is already in the US. If so, give us a shout, would you ;)

Where are you Vic, Vineet, Radha, Anshul, Sandeep, Rachit, Zheng ?