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Welcome
Welcome to Pittsburgh, and to the COS Program. We are extremely pleased that you have decided to become a member of our department; we think it's a very special collection of faculty and students, and we hope you will too. If you have any questions please don't hesitate to send me email. We hope you have a good summer, and look forward to having you with us in the fall.
-COS Program Manager (Connie Herold)
Things Every Incoming Student Needs to Know
Important Dates
See the Activities and Dates page for:
Orientation Information
- Computation, Organizations and Societ (COS) Immigration Course.
- Software Engineering (SE) Immigration Course.
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School of Computer Science (SCS) Immigration Course.
- Campus-wide graduate student orientation.
Action Items
- ARRIVING TO CMU
How to get to Campus: http://www.cmu.edu/home/visitors/directions.html
- SCS COMPUTER ACCOUNT
Once your Data Sheet (downloadable as a pdf) is received you will be assigned an SCS computer account on a general purpose machine. This will allow you to transfer your files and to send/receive email here. (Once you are aligned with a specific project/advisor you will apply for additional accounts as needed).
To apply for your computer account:
- Fill out the Graduate Student Data Sheet mentioned previously, indicating three ranked choices for desired user ID, and return to me via email. Your userid cannot be more than 8 characters and should not be only your lastname. Additional information is available on the facilities pages.
- The SCS Computer Account application will also be forwarded to you in hard copy. Please fill out, sign, and return to me for our records.
I'll request the account be set up when I receive #1, but it will be only temporary until I receive #2.
- ANDREW ACCOUNT
You will also need an account on the university Andrew network to view your student account, register for courses, sign up for health insurance, etc. This is automatically assigned when you are entered into the Student Information System. You can find out your Andrew login (it's not the same as your CSD account, unfortunately) by fingering yourfirstname.yourlastname@andrew.cmu.edu. The password is the first 8 digits of your US social security number, or your student ID number if you do not have an SSN. (International students should contact me by email to find out your student ID number.)
- FINANCIAL SUPPORT
Once your Admission Process has been completed, please contact the COS Program Manager (Monika De Reno (mdereno [at] cs [dot] cmu [dot] edu)) regarding your Monthly Payroll and Visa assistance. She will have the necessary forms ready for you and put you in touch with the ISRI Business Office Manager - Helen Higgins.
- VISA
If you are not a U.S. Citizen you will receive the I-20 Form, which will allow you to obtain the F-1 student visa. However, the I-20 CANNOT BE ISSUED until we receive a completed International Student Information Form from you. Please note that you are not required to provide any proof of financial support unless you have legal dependents (spouse and/or children). In that case you may be required to show that you have additional funds available to support the dependents.
If you are already in the U.S.; you will request a transfer through your Foreign Student Advisor rather than receiving a new I-20 form. For additional information regarding visas you may want to visit the Office of International Education website.
International students will also receive information with your I-20 Form regarding the International Student Orientation program sponsored by the Office of International Education. While this program is not mandatory, it is strongly suggested that you attend, especially if you have not previously resided in the US. If you are not able to attend during this period, you will be required to attend an orientation session before the end of the first week of the semester in order for your enrollment to be complete, and to maintain your valid visa status. An important part of the orientation are instructions of how to obtain a social security number which you will need in order to receive your monthly stipend.
COS Program will allow for a part-time enrollment only for a one year. If you require visa assistance please contact the COS Program Manager (Monika De Reno).
- PARKING
You may apply on-line at http://bizservweb.pc.cc.cmu.edu/parking/. Click on "Applying for an Annual or Universal Parking Permit" and follow the instructions. You will receive notification by email of the results of your request.
- HEALTH INSURANCE
Enrollment will no longer be offering payroll deduction as a means to pay for your health insurance. CMU has partnered with TMS to offer a 9-month, interest-free payment plan to help students afford their health insurance premiums. To participate, you need to enroll in Health Insurance as usual with the Health Department and then visit www.afford.com to enroll in the TMS payment plan. The plan has a small enrollment fee of $25.00, begins in September and ends in May. This plan is exclusively for the health insurance premium. I encourage you to visit their web site at www.afford.com or call 1-800-722-4867 to speak with an Education Payment Counselor.
Complete information about health insurance plans and coverage is available on-line at http://www.student affairs.cmu.edu/HealthServices/insurance/index.html -- you can find out the various plans, the costs, and enroll on-line from this site. Students who have families, and may be unable to afford the cost of the family plans, may want to consider Special Care, adultBasic and CHIP to insure their spouse and children. These are low cost options avialable through Highmark and the State of Pennsylvania for low income families.
The phone numbers for checking on CHIP coverage for children and adultBasic for adults is 1-800-543-7105. The number for SpecialCare is 1-800-791-2583. Please note that while these programs are appropriate for family members, students are not eligible for coverage under these programs because they do not include mental health benefits. Mental health benefits are required for waiver from our insurance program .The student health insurance options at Carnegie Mellon are provided through http://www.student-resources.net/Student. Student Resources underwrites over 475 student health insurance programs nationwide. Students have access to a large provider network located throughout the United States and outside of the country. All of the local hospitals including UPMC, Magee-Women's Hospital, and Children's Hospital are included in the plan. There are three options for coverage. Student Health Services has also contracted with Highmark BC/BS for the vision and dental benefit programs.
Benefits and Enrollment Information are available online http://www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/HealthServices/insurance/index.html
Requirements for Waiver of University Health Insurance: Application for waiver from the university student health insurance plan must be made to Student Health Services by the last day of the open enrollment period. Students applying for waiver must provide documentation of continuing coverage verifying that they are enrolled as the dependent, partner/spouse or principal in an employer or government-sponsored insurance plan. Additionally, the plan must meet minimum standards for coverage as set forth below:
- It must offer at least 75% coverage for in-patient and outpatient medical services in the Pittsburgh area.
- It must include mental health benefits.
- The deductible must not exceed $500 per accident or illness.
- It must offer medical benefits of at least $50,000 per accident or illness.
- It must cover pre-existing conditions.
- HOUSING
For more detailed information on housing and related issues, you may want to visit the CMU Housing Office http://www.housing.cmu.edu/ (412/268-2139) website, which can be very helpful in locating suitable apartments or houses for new students. They can provide computerized listings of spaces available to match your specific needs. If you will be looking for an apartment before you arrive, the best times are either early May or mid-July. Most leases are for one year, ending in May or August. You can sign a lease any time if the space is available - but people don't always let the landlords know whether they'll be renewing until 30 - 45 days before the end of the lease. There is usually a little overlap in August -- old leases not over until the end of August, but you need a place by mid-August -- but it's often possible to "bunk in" with older students for a few days until your place comes available.
Change of Address: Please notify the COS Program Manager (Connie Herold) of any address changes throughout your time here at Carnegie Mellon. Also update your address in the Student Information System.
- INFORMATION REGARDING REGISTERING FOR COURSES
- For schedule of courses and to register go to http://www.cmu.edu/hub/online_services.html
- ACADEMIC CALENDAR - http://www.cmu.edu/hub/calendar.html
- OFFICE OF INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION
http://www.studentaffairs.cmu.edu/oie/index.cfm to fill out your I20 form
All International Students- must attend the Orientation, which will take place on August 15 and 16, 2006.
FELLOWSHIP INFORMATION -NOW AVAILABLE!
1. DoD fellowships- known as "NDSEG" (National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate fellowship). More details can be found at http://www.asee.org/resources/fellowships/ndseg/
2. NASA fellowships- it's up to the grad student to work with the department's admin to write a proposal. More information available at http://www.nasa.gov/home/
3. Department of Energy has a fellowship, too. It's run through "Krell Institute". More information available at http://www.krellinst.org/
4. At the University level there is "FRAC" which is the Fellowship Resource & Advicing Center. Contact information for the FRAC staff can be found at: http://www.cmu.edu/frac/FRAC%20pages/FRAC_contact%20us.htm
Fellowship Resource Advising Center, Warner Hall 5th floor, cubicle 530A phone 412-268-1969 ; fax 412-268-6159
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