Build the plan
Do not use one generic study-abroad checklist.
Your course, campus, nationality, application location and intake determine which instructions apply. Begin with official immigration and university sources, save the version you used, and keep dates beside every requirement.
Keep the admission record consistent
Save the school, programme, campus, intake, I-20 details and funding documents together. Use the international student office for school-specific instructions and the current U.S. Department of State guidance for the visa process.
Compare offers by net cost
Add tuition, fees, housing, insurance, transport, flights and setup costs for the full academic year. Record scholarships and assistantships separately, including renewal conditions and deadlines.
Check housing before signing
Ask about lease dates, guarantor requirements, deposits, utilities, furnished status, distance and early-termination terms. The university's housing office or provider contract should confirm what is actually available.
Questions to resolve before paying
- Which campus and term appear on the I-20?
- Which scholarship conditions affect the second year?
- What does the lease require from an international student without U.S. credit history?