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Frequently Asked Questions
ADMISSION TO MSU:
Follow the link below for more information on admission to Mississippi State University.
LIFE AT MSU:
A college town for more than a century, Starkville is surrounded by the energy and enthusiasm the university brings. Boasting an enrollment of more than 20,000 students, 700 faculty members, and an alumni family of more than 82,000, Mississippi State University is the largest university in the state.
FEES:
Note: International students are considered out of state students (Non-resident).
Please follow the link below for Fees, Expenses, and Financial Aid for 2016-2017 for Graduate Student.
Please follow the link below for Fees, Expenses, and Financial Aid for 2016-2017 for Undergraduate Student.
The initial fees have to be brought in the form of a Demand Draft (DD) or Travelers Check payable to "Mississippi State University". Fees can be paid by taking the DD to Garner Hall (Account Services) at Mississippi State University. The Demand Draft or Traveler Check can also be made payable to yourself which you can deposit in your Personal Bank account in US. Fees can be paid online through Mississippi State website using your Bank Account number. When making the DD draft please include Tuition + Internation Admission Program Fee + Health Insurance.
OFF-CAMPUS LIVING EXPENSES:
The local expense to stay at College Station Place (2 miles away from MSU Campus) comes to around $350 per head approx. a month. A Deposit will be required when renting the apartment. For information on the apartment refer to the housing page.
Other utilities include Electricity, Phone, Water, Groceries etc. When you move in for the first time you will have security deposits for each of the following:-
Electricity - $180 (Refundable if the connection is new)
Housing - $100 (Non-refundable)
Settling-in expenses - $200 (Sleeping bag, Laundry Basket, and other personal accessories)
The Average monthly expenses for each person is listed below.
Rent - $350 ( price may vary on different apartments)
Electricity - $50 approx.
Phone - $ 50 approx.
Internet - $ 15f approx.
Groceries - $60 - $100 approx.
The apartments are equipped with fully carpeted floors(in the bedroom), A/C-Heater, Dish Washer, and Refrigerator . Kitchen has cabinets and has a complete cooking range.
* The above-listed prices are approximate, they can vary depending on where you live and your personal preferences.
HEALTH INSURANCE:
MSU has its own Longest Student Health Center, which offers basic medical facilities to all students and faculty. Also, Student Health Insurance is offered by University. All international student must have health insurance. Alternate health insurance can be provided which are in compliance with Mississippi State University rules and regulations.
TA WORKSHOP:
All International students who wish to become a Teaching Assistant (TA) have to attend the TA workshop. The TA workshop does not guarantee a Teaching Assistantship in any manner. This will only make you eligible for a TA position in any department. The TA workshop is split into two segments :
1) International TA workshop
2) General TA workshop.
(International students have to attend both the segments)
1. International TA workshop:
The International TA workshop is where your Spoken English and basic teaching skills will be tested. Over the period of 5 days, all the international students will be thoroughly grilled to adapt to the American Education system, culture. and student behaviors. It will not be a formal training, but you will be taught a few examples wherein you will be exposed to how the words are differently pronounced in American English. You will learn on which syllable to stress and which not to during the workshop. Also during the course, you will be asked to take the stage (meaning in front of the class), where you have to read from a paragraph printed on a sheet. This will later improvise into a topic of your choice on which u have to speak for 3 mins without any paper in hand preferably. For the final presentation, you will have to speak on a topic of your choice for 5 mins. You will be allowed to use Overhead Projector. So if you already have some slides, which could be used, for your presentation, don't forget to bring them. Please make sure you register for the workshop as soon as you arrive at MSU. The seats offered are limited.
2. General Workshop:
The Workshop is a 2-day workshop for all graduate students (Internationals and Americans). All students aspiring to become TA's or students already TA's but who have not cleared the workshop prior to receiving their TA's will attend the General TA workshop. American students who fall under the above category will also attend the workshop.
The General TA workshop will involve the same exercise but this time you will get to meet students who have been TA's for a long time to share their experiences and also answer any queries you have. That will be the plan of action for the first day. And the second day will involve the same style of presentation as in your International TA workshop, but people from the Engineering Fraternity will judge you. So the content of your presentation is important. In the earlier workshop the style of teaching, audibility of voice and clarity in speech and pronunciation was given more importance.
MEDICAL REQUIREMENTS:
1. MMR Vaccinations: The university requires an international student to take MMR vaccine. MMR is a vaccine given for prevention of Measles and Rubella.
For More Information:
For Immunization forms:
The MMR form needs to be certified by the doctor who has administered the two doses of MMR vaccine to you. The two doses of vaccine have to be taken between a 30-day period. So please ensure you take the dosage in time. Otherwise, you will have to take them here at $75 per dose i.e. $150 for two doses.
2. Chest X-Rays : All International Students are required to report to the Student Health Center at Mississippi State University for a chest x-ray. This x-ray is a screen for tuberculosis. Please do not bring X-rays from India/other places as they are not accepted. Only MSU X-ray is accepted. The fee for the chest X-Ray is $60.
FUNDING & ON-CAMPUS JOBS:
Funding is the top-most priority of any International student. It is advisable that you start interacting with your professor from India. That does not guarantee an assistantship, but at least your chances are better as the prof already knows you and your interests. Assistantship in any department is difficult. Most of the times, you may have to wait for a semester to allow the professor to review your performance. Your academic records will earn you an assistantship. Funding scene in any department is subject to projects and respective professors. There is also the option of Graduate Assistantship. TAs in other departments are possible, but their students are given the first preference.
Please note that on-campus jobs will only help you support your local living expenses. The money you save (if any) will probably be used for any trips you make within the USA or other personal expenses. The jobs offered within the campus will at least pay the minimum rate of $7.25/hour. As per Immigration laws, an international student cannot work for more than 20hrs. International Students holding an F-1 Visa cannot have off-campus jobs. There are a variety of jobs available on campus. Like working in the cafeteria, lab assistant, clerical work, administrative work, etc. In most of the cases, you can get assistantship from the on-campus jobs if the professor is overly impressed with your work, of course subjected to the scope of the position you are working on.
UTENSILS AND FOOD ITEM :
If people coming from India coordinate among yourselves you can plan on distributing the utensils and food you bring from India if you plan to be future roommates.
We recommend you to bring all the required masalas to get you started. Asian store located in Starkville sells limited Indian grocery. At the same time, please do check with the current immigration laws as to what all food items are NOT allowed. This will save you time during customs and bag checks at the US port of entry.
CLOTHING:
Formals: One suit, ties, shirts, and trousers (number of your choice).
Casuals: Jeans (number of your choice, but at least 4 is recommended), T-shirts & sweats (6+), flannel shirts (2+), shorts (for outdoor, indoor, sports use) (number of your choice).
Footwear: Sneakers, formal shoes, leather chappals/ sandals/ loafers, bathroom slippers.
Undergarments: About 14 sets of undergarments and socks-preferably cotton.
Miscellaneous: Towel (1+), napkins (optional), leather belts (2+), a good jacket (pref. leather), handkerchiefs (6+),
traditional Indian dresses (1+).
Winter wear: Sweaters (medium quality, at most 2), muffler/ scarf, woolen cap(monkey cap),and gloves.
Linen: Bed sheets (double bed size, 2), pillow covers (big, 2), shawl/ light blanket (for spring/ summer use). You will all be purchasing a comforter or sleeping bag so don't worry about blanket.
Indian Clothes: At least one sets of Indian wear as we have many Indian functions organized by ISA. Men: Get your kurta and Women: Everyone has a WIDE range to choose from! So get anything traditional that you are comfortable in. Maybe one saree, 2 kurtas or dresses, or 'chaniya choli'. ) Again, this is upto the student.
Do carry at least ONE jacket or wind cheater, and an umbrella if possible.
Note: All above mentioned items can be purchased in the US, but they might be expensive compared to India. Indian clothes (especially cottons) have a tendency to shrink when washed in a washing machine here, so please be careful with sizes.
KITCHEN:
Utensils: Non-stick pan (1/2), non-stick tava, pressure cooker (for 3 people)(get spare gaskets and safety valves), spoons, forks, GOOD knives, cups, glasses, a melamine (microwaveable) set consisting of plates, soup-bowls and regular bowl.
Foodstuffs: Condiments and spices (small quantities of standard masalas), turmeric powder, chilli powder. Please pack everything to be leak-proof.
PLEASE LABEL ALL THE MASALAS WITH "PROCESSED FOOD" TO AVOID ANY TROUBLE.
I-94 :
I-94 is a very important document and it has to be in your possession all through your stay in the US. You will need your I-94 to get your Social Security Number (SSN), driving license and for other official purposes. A student without SSN cannot work on campus or be funded or get any credit cards. SSN is for identification purposes and it will show up your complete records if a government official checks on it. Make sure you print your I-94 and store it along with your passport because that way it is safe.
DRIVING LICENSE:
International Driving Permit (IDP) along with your domestic (Indian) driver's license is an added advantage for obtaining a driver's license here. If you have your IDP along with your domestic (Indian) driving license all that you have to do is, take a computerized test. If you do not have IDP, you are required to give a computerized test and a physical driving test. The required documents for the license are passports, I-20, birth certificate (in English) and 2 address proof (these can be your lease and bank statement) . On clearing the test, you will get the US license valid across all places in US.
NOTE: Please be advised that "Birth Certificate" (In English) is a must to obtain a driver's license.
TRANSCRIPTS:
Degree certificates are not required during the first semester of classes at MSU. But they should be produced by the beginning of second semester. With special permission from the Office of Graduate Studies you can put off that too. Especially for students from Mumbai University for whom results come out very late, the students can be exempted from producing the final semester mark sheets during admission and also the degree certificate can be submitted probably within a year of admission to MSU. Please get in touch with Office of Graduate Studies with your personal cases in this regard. Their decision however will be the final one.
MISCELLANEOUS:
Toilette: Toothbrush, toothpaste, tongue-cleaners (if using), soap, a complete shaving kit (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). You can buy shampoo, talcum powder etc later.
Study Materials & Stationery: We recommend you to not bring any books. Most of the professors here have their own preference of book that are sold in the US. Used books can be brought online and reference books and material is easily available online and in the library. Microtip pencils + refills (2), good pens (2), eraser, stapler & staples, drawing accessories (if required), a notebook and a backpack. (Most of the stationary is optional. (Mostly you need not bring any books as the courses may demand a book recommended by the professor).
Medicines: Medicines with prescriptions for standard minor ailments like fever, cold, cough, stomachache, indigestion, vomiting etc. Also personal medication (if any) and medical history papers. Antiseptic cream, Relaxyl etc. Spare spectacles/ contact lenses. Get a complete medical checkup done before getting here. Glasses are very expensive in the US.
Other: Needles & thread, buttons, photos of deities (if religious-minded), family photos, umbrella, 'Indian' ethnic stuff (gifts/ personal use). An up-to-date address book of all your acquaintances/ friends/ relatives in the USA - Canada region.