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Written by Administrator

Thursday, 09 March 2006

FAQ's

We understand as potential/new students at the UMR; you will have a LOT of questions that you might want answered. This FAQ contains a lot of valuable information, which is a must-read, before you come here. Please go through this FAQ in detail before you fire a question off to the IA.

Admission & Financial Assistance

After receiving Admission:

Coming to UMR:

Renting Apartment:

Living in Rolla

Miscellaneous Faqs

Admission & Financial Assistance

1. I have a GRE score of x, TOEFL score of y, GPA of z. Can you tell me my chances of getting admission and financial aid?
A. We CANNOT make an honest evaluation of your chances of admission (much less financial aid) based on your academic performance, test scores, projects, work experience. We suggest that you contact the faculty or staff of your department and the admission committee through email; they can give you more accurate information regarding your admission status. We further encourage you to keep in touch with the admissions committee, letting them know that you are interested and are waiting for their response.

2. Will I get funding when I get to UMR
This one's probably the most frequently asked question. It is possible to arrive at the University and then find TA (Teaching Assistantship), RA (Research Assistantship) or some form of campus job. Compared to other departments, the chances of getting financial aid in the computer science department are relatively less. However, you should NOT assume that you will definitely be able to secure funding and should be prepared financially in such case.

Securing an RA position depends on finding a professor who is:
a) willing (would be willing if his/her research interests match yours)
b) able (would be able if has enough research grants) to fund your study.

It is not necessary that you find a professor who meets both conditions. You will most likely but not necessarily get RA if you enroll in PhD program, since you would be able to make substantial contribution to your professor's research. Note that it is possible to get RA with professors outside your department; however his work must be related to your program of study (you must check with your department).

The same goes for TA positions too. TA positions are decided before the start of the semester.

3. Is it possible to get TA before I get to the University?
A. Yes it is, provided you received admission. You need to contact the faculty and department regarding this.

A. Yes it is, provided you received admission. You need to contact the faculty and department regarding this.

4. Is it possible to get RA before I get to the University?
A. Yes it is. We suggest you email professors who are working in your area of interest. We suggest that you describe your experience in his research areas and attach resume (in text format only), but please keep it short and to the point. Note that most professors probably get dozens of such mails daily, so don't be surprised if you don't receive a reply. Contacting department representatives in your department could be useful as they could tell you about the current funding situation in your department.

5. Will it help if I come early and talk to the professors?
A. Sure it could help; this depends on the professors and the funding they have. Remember, there is NO GUARANTEE that you'll be able to secure funding even if you arrive early.

6. Can I work on-campus?
A. If you are on F-1 visa, you can work on-campus during the semester (up to 20 hours per week) and up to 40 hours per week during summer and winter break. There are a number of on-campus jobs available. You could earn about $250 per month, which would cover your living expenses. On-campus jobs do not cover tuition, which will probably be your single largest expenditure.

7. Can I work off-campus?
A. You cannot work off-campus without authorization from the INS and International Student Services.

After receiving Admission:

8. What are credit hours?
Credit hours are the number of hours every week that you are required to attend for a course / subject. Each course usually is three credit hours. So every week you attend three hours of classes for that particular course.

9. How many credit hours does a student register for?
As per university guidelines a student registers for minimum 9 credit hours (3 courses) during regular semesters and for 3 credit hours (one course/research work) in summer.

10. What are the requirements for completing the course?
For a masters degree a students has to complete 30 credit hours (9 credit hours for 3 regular semester and 3 credit hours in the graduating semester)

11. What is the Fee Structure?
International students have to pay the 'Non-resident Gradate Students' fees (Instate fees + Out state fees). Currently the instate fees are $150 per credit hour. And out state fees is $450 per credit hour. http://campus.umr.edu/cashier/calculator.html

12. Are there any other fees?
There are other fees like IT fee, Health fee, and Activity fees. The students also purchase health insurance every semester.

13. What is the total fee that will be charged from an international student?
Our estimate is that you will be required to pay approximately $6800 per semester at UMR.

14. What is the form of financial assistantships available?
Students may receive financial assistantship in the form of a Research Assistantship (RA) or Teaching assistantship (TA).
RA - Professors conducting research activities may recruit students to assist them in their research work. For any such student who is hired, the out state fees are waived. He receives a stipend of approximately $3000 per semester. But the student still has to pay the instate fees.
TA- Teaching assistantships are decided by the college. They are usually given out before the year starts along with the I20 (to students with outstanding qualifications or to PhD Students).

15. Are there any other form of financial help available?
A student is allowed to work on campus for 20 hours every week. The pay for such a job is approximately $5 per hour. The job does NOT qualify for a fee waiver.

16. What is the procedure for securing a Research Assistantship?
Our experience that that very few international students at UMR get financial assistantship in first semester, (Ceramics, metallurgy, Transportation may be an exception) so a RA is allotted from the second semester onwards by interested faculty members. The availability of RA varies among different majors and also among sub-fields of the major concentration area. For information it is recommended to contact representatives of respective departments

17. What is the ranking of the university?>
Different agencies have different ranking schemes. The ranking of the major field of concentration is what matters. There is no University ranking.

There are other fees like IT fee, Health fee, and Activity fees. The students also purchase health insurance every semester.

13. What is the total fee that will be charged from an international student?
Our estimate is that you will be required to pay approximately $6800 per semester at UMR.

14. What is the form of financial assistantships available?
Students may receive financial assistantship in the form of a Research Assistantship (RA) or Teaching assistantship (TA).
RA - Professors conducting research activities may recruit students to assist them in their research work. For any such student who is hired, the out state fees are waived. He receives a stipend of approximately $3000 per semester. But the student still has to pay the instate fees.
TA- Teaching assistantships are decided by the college. They are usually given out before the year starts along with the I20 (to students with outstanding qualifications or to PhD Students).

15. Are there any other form of financial help available?
A student is allowed to work on campus for 20 hours every week. The pay for such a job is approximately $5 per hour. The job does NOT qualify for a fee waiver.

16. What is the procedure for securing a Research Assistantship?
Our experience that that very few international students at UMR get financial assistantship in first semester, (Ceramics, metallurgy, Transportation may be an exception) so a RA is allotted from the second semester onwards by interested faculty members. The availability of RA varies among different majors and also among sub-fields of the major concentration area. For information it is recommended to contact representatives of respective departments

17. What is the ranking of the university?>
Different agencies have different ranking schemes. The ranking of the major field of concentration is what matters. There is no University ranking.

Our estimate is that you will be required to pay approximately $6800 per semester at UMR.

14. What is the form of financial assistantships available?
Students may receive financial assistantship in the form of a Research Assistantship (RA) or Teaching assistantship (TA).
RA - Professors conducting research activities may recruit students to assist them in their research work. For any such student who is hired, the out state fees are waived. He receives a stipend of approximately $3000 per semester. But the student still has to pay the instate fees.
TA- Teaching assistantships are decided by the college. They are usually given out before the year starts along with the I20 (to students with outstanding qualifications or to PhD Students).

15. Are there any other form of financial help available?
A student is allowed to work on campus for 20 hours every week. The pay for such a job is approximately $5 per hour. The job does NOT qualify for a fee waiver.

16. What is the procedure for securing a Research Assistantship?
Our experience that that very few international students at UMR get financial assistantship in first semester, (Ceramics, metallurgy, Transportation may be an exception) so a RA is allotted from the second semester onwards by interested faculty members. The availability of RA varies among different majors and also among sub-fields of the major concentration area. For information it is recommended to contact representatives of respective departments

17. What is the ranking of the university?>
Different agencies have different ranking schemes. The ranking of the major field of concentration is what matters. There is no University ranking.

Students may receive financial assistantship in the form of a Research Assistantship (RA) or Teaching assistantship (TA).
RA - Professors conducting research activities may recruit students to assist them in their research work. For any such student who is hired, the out state fees are waived. He receives a stipend of approximately $3000 per semester. But the student still has to pay the instate fees.
TA- Teaching assistantships are decided by the college. They are usually given out before the year starts along with the I20 (to students with outstanding qualifications or to PhD Students).

15. Are there any other form of financial help available?
A student is allowed to work on campus for 20 hours every week. The pay for such a job is approximately $5 per hour. The job does NOT qualify for a fee waiver.

16. What is the procedure for securing a Research Assistantship?
Our experience that that very few international students at UMR get financial assistantship in first semester, (Ceramics, metallurgy, Transportation may be an exception) so a RA is allotted from the second semester onwards by interested faculty members. The availability of RA varies among different majors and also among sub-fields of the major concentration area. For information it is recommended to contact representatives of respective departments

17. What is the ranking of the university?>
Different agencies have different ranking schemes. The ranking of the major field of concentration is what matters. There is no University ranking.

A student is allowed to work on campus for 20 hours every week. The pay for such a job is approximately $5 per hour. The job does NOT qualify for a fee waiver.

16. What is the procedure for securing a Research Assistantship?
Our experience that that very few international students at UMR get financial assistantship in first semester, (Ceramics, metallurgy, Transportation may be an exception) so a RA is allotted from the second semester onwards by interested faculty members. The availability of RA varies among different majors and also among sub-fields of the major concentration area. For information it is recommended to contact representatives of respective departments

17. What is the ranking of the university?>
Different agencies have different ranking schemes. The ranking of the major field of concentration is what matters. There is no University ranking.

Our experience that that very few international students at UMR get financial assistantship in first semester, (Ceramics, metallurgy, Transportation may be an exception) so a RA is allotted from the second semester onwards by interested faculty members. The availability of RA varies among different majors and also among sub-fields of the major concentration area. For information it is recommended to contact representatives of respective departments

17. What is the ranking of the university?>
Different agencies have different ranking schemes. The ranking of the major field of concentration is what matters. There is no University ranking.

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Different agencies have different ranking schemes. The ranking of the major field of concentration is what matters. There is no University ranking.

18. 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 also might find the following web site useful: http://usapply.tripod.com/

19. Do I need to get any inoculations or immunizations before coming to UMR?
A. You need MMR vaccinations and proof that you don't have tuberculosis (Mantoux, PPD, Tuberculin skin test and chest X-rays). However you can also get your MMR vaccinations and TB tests here at the Student Health Services for a fee.

Coming to UMR:

20. When should I arrive in UMR?

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. Please arrive between 21th July and 6 th August to benefit from our pick up arrangements. Coming earlier could be helpful if you are interested in meeting with faculty. If you decide to arrive early, keep in mind that:
- some professors might be on vacation.
- You will have to budget for your longer stay in US and also you will easily be spending extra for your pick up alone.
If you need to arrive later than the date specified on your I-20, we strongly suggest informing the International Affairs Office ( ia[at]umr[dot]edu ) and your department as well.

However we do encourage you to come before the specified date on the I-20 because you will have to attend the mandatory International student orientation, undergo english language testing (if required on the I-20) and you will have a chance to settle in before the classes start.

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. Please arrive between 21th July and 6 th August to benefit from our pick up arrangements. Coming earlier could be helpful if you are interested in meeting with faculty. If you decide to arrive early, keep in mind that:
- some professors might be on vacation.
- You will have to budget for your longer stay in US and also you will easily be spending extra for your pick up alone.
If you need to arrive later than the date specified on your I-20, we strongly suggest informing the International Affairs Office ( ia[at]umr[dot]edu ) and your department as well.

However we do encourage you to come before the specified date on the I-20 because you will have to attend the mandatory International student orientation, undergo english language testing (if required on the I-20) and you will have a chance to settle in before the classes start.

Best Ways to get from Airport to Rolla
- USA Express
- GreyHound

21. How much money should I carry with me?
If you do not have aid, you must carry at least the tuition fee (which is listed in your I-20) and living expenses for the first semester. There may be few additional fees not included in your tuition fee.

If you do 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 two month's expenses (and more if you're arriving here early).
Getting $1500 apart from the Fee for the School should be a sufficient amount to last for a semester.

22. What are the Living Expenses?
According to our estimates, $ 250 would be a good number for a month. This includes rent, food and utilities.

23. Should I take the TSE before coming to UMR?
The University requires that all TAs take the TSE or the Speak Test administered by the University. If you have not taken the TSE in India, you can take the speak test once you get here. The speak test is free of cost for the students of UMR.

24. Can I have email address of other students coming to the UMR?
Unfortunately, university guidelines do not permit us to give out email address that we have on mailing lists. But you can contact other new students through the yahoo mailing group. Join the group at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/umr-india-prospects/.

25. How do I transfer from one department to another?
You will have to reapply to the new department or pursue it as a second major. You should contact the department and your advisor after coming here and enrolling.

26. What Books should I carry?
Check out the Books section under the things to get section of the website. Books are really costly here, so we will advice to get as many books as possible.List of Books

27. How is the Weather at Rolla?
Rolla gets very cold from December till Feb. The temperatures remain below the freezing levels for most of this period. For the rest of the year it is pleasant. Don't get winter clothes/ leather jackets/ shoes etc from India. If you are interested in knowing more about the weather check out this link: http://weather.yahoo.com/forecast/USMO0768.html

28. Should I carry Medicines and Health Insurance?
You will need to purchase insurance here on campus. Insurance coverage from India doesn't apply here, so don't bother getting one. Fall semester 2007 (Aug-Dec) insurance will cost $438 per student. Insurance is available for spouses and children, if they are coming with you. Get medicines for common ailments like cold, fever, cough etc.

29. Do you have RELIGIOUS PLACES at Rolla?
ST Louis is a multi-cultural community where many religions exist side by side. Temples, Mosques, Gurudwaras, are all located in St Louis. Churches are located in Rolla itself.

30. How should I carry my tuition fee and other expenses?
A. For expenses while traveling, carry either cash or traveler’s cheques (TC) (Try to get TCs in less than $100 denominations, as these are easily acceptable). For tuition fee and expenses at UMR, you can carry a single Demand Draft (DD) in your name. You can pay tuition fee to UMR through the bank account that you create, once you arrive here.

Renting Apartment:

31. Can I find an apartment after I reach UMR and how long will it take?
A. Of course you can. Finding an apartment depends on when you reach here, your preferences and your ability to find roommates. During this time you will be provided with temporary accommodation at an apartment with the present Indian students. Typically finding an apartment takes 2 to 4 weeks. Students coming in spring, find it more difficult to find a roommate.

Roommates and Apartments
Once a number of students have contacted us about housing and/or roommates, we'll send out emails to groups of people so that you may contact each other. Another good source of contacting others is the UMRFALL2004 Yahoo Group and online accomodation listings through the india association website. http://web.umr.edu/~india/prospective_students.html

32. Can you book an apartment for me?
A. No, we cannot. We can only arrange your accommodation for the first week and you have to find an apartment by then.

33. I don't know anyone; can IA find roommates for me?
A. Don't worry; most of us didn't know each other before we got here. You can wait till you come here. Usually most Indians find Indian roommates.

34. What is the duration of the lease?
A. The lease may be signed for 1 year or in some cases 6 months depending on the owner's rental policy.

35. How many roommates can I have?
A. The maximum number people that can share an apartment depend on the owner's policy and are listed in the rental agreement. Generally, two are allowed in a single bedroom apartment while four are allowed in 2 bedroom apartment.

36. How much would be the rent and deposit?
A. Depending on factors such as number of rooms, furnished/unfurnished, closeness to campus, paid/unpaid utilities and other facilities, the rent can vary anywhere between $200 to $700 which can be shared between the roommates. The deposit is usually one month rent.

37. Are apartments furnished?
A. It depends, furnished apartments cost more. Unfurnished apartments are equipped with refrigerator, cooking range (conventional oven + burners or hot plates) and maybe a dishwasher. The apartments are carpeted, and have closets. Furnished apartments have couch, beds, dining table etc. apart from the above.

Living in Rolla

38. What are the average living expenses?
A. You should expect to spend approximately:

A. You should expect to spend approximately:

$100-$200 per month, apartment/house rent + utilities
$75-$150 per month, food and supplies
$30-$60 per month, miscellaneous expenses

Note that this would be the minimum that you would need to spend.

The above list does not include international or long distance calls. This depends on your usage. You can purchase phone cards online to call India or long distance within US. International cards may cost anywhere between 25 cents to 50 cents and 2 to 5 cents for long distance calls within US. Apart from cost per minute, you should look for hidden charges such as connection fee, rounding minutes, weekly/monthly charges etc. The card quality might depend on the price, time and day (you may get better quality on weekdays than on weekends) you call. You can also buy calling plans with phone companies. We suggest that you familiarize yourself with the plan and the expenditure before you buy the plan. Currently, the approximate cost for these plans is 55 cents or above for international calls and 5 cents or above. You can make international and long distance calls through internet too at competitive prices but the quality depends on the bandwidth (ISP) and the company providing the voice service.

39. Will we have to cook our own food? If so, what should we carry for cooking purposes?
A. Yes, you will probably have to cook your own food. Most of us here cook. Pressure cooker/Pressure pan is the most important utensil that you need to get. Do not forget extra safety valves and gaskets. You might want to get some kitchenware as well such as frying pans, serving spoons, plates etc though you can buy all that after you come here. When buying these utensils, make sure they are big enough to cook for 4 people.

40. I heard that UMR is really cold in winter. What kind of winter clothes should I carry?
A. You heard right. It snows and snows hard in winter, which starts in December and the snow stays till Feb all apartments are equipped with heaters, and you won't feel the cold indoors. Carry 1 or 2 sweaters, a woolen cap, warm socks and a winter jacket. You can buy winter clothes that can withstand the Rolla winter here cheaper than in India.

41. What about laundry?
A. Washing machines and Dryers are available in most of the apartment buildings. If not, you can always find public laundry nearby. You'll need around $2 (in quarters, 1 quarter = 25 cents and 1 dollar = 100 cents) to wash and dry one load. You will probably need to do your laundry once in 2 weeks (or with a lesser frequency).

Campus Safety:

42. How safe is UMR Campus?
A. UMR Campus is very safe. Many of us spend late nights in the labs, and walk back to the apartments alone. Even the doors are rarely locked in our houses.

We hope that the above information will answer most of your queries.. If you have any more questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us. Please note that it would be highly convenient and suitable if you could email us at india [at] umr [dot] edu or any of the executive members email addresses listed in this website. It would help us to help you.

Miscellaneous Faqs:

What is “port of entry”?
A port of entry is a place where one may lawfully enter a country. Therefore “Port of entry” is the first city in USA where your flight lands. Usually you take a domestic (USA domestic) flight from the port of entry to your University City or to the city near your university. Eg: UMR students usually come to Chicago/New York/Newark and here they take a flight to St. Louis. Hence Chicago/New York/Newark will be their port of entry respectively.

What are the pick up dates?
Fall 2007 pickup dates - July 21st , 2007 to August 6th , 2007.

What is a "Student ID"?
A Student ID is a number which is printed on your admission/acceptance letter.

How much would it cost for the pickup?
US $30/- (Discounted Price sponsored by the Office of International Affairs).

How and when should I pay for the pickup?
Pay the amount (US dollar) $30/- using credit card before you start your journey to the USA Express Shuttle.

How early should I register for the pick up?
You should submit your ride request at least ONE WEEK before the Pickup else one will have late reservation consequences.

Where would be my accommodation?
Click here for accomodation details.

How do I edit my flight details if I have entered wrong information?
You have to mail us all your flight details once again to ia_edit(at)umr-india(dot)com . In your mail also highlight the change in your flight details which has to be incorporated. Your pick up details will be changed accordingly within 48hrs. After 48hrs, kindly check and confirm back if your details are correctly edited (or not).

Do I have to pay any extra amount for the pickup service if I bring 4 baggages?
Yes. International Affairs at UMR is arranging the pickup service with the help of USA Express's shuttle service. USA Express allows each passenger to travel with two suitcases and one carry-on at no extra charge. If more is to be taken, students must give a minimum of 48 hours advance notice to the USA Express. The student will be resposible for all extra fees incurred ($20 per extra piece).

Whom shall I contact for further details/questions?
Contact Deepak Challa - dkcy92(at)umr(dot)edu, the International Affairs office. What is the St. louis airport code? St. louis airport code is STL. (Kansas City airport code is MCI and kindly note that UMR - International Affairs doesn’t provide the transportation from Kansas City-Missouri. Kansas City, Missouri is 219 miles from Rolla - about 4 hrs journey by road)

Travel tips
Bring at least $150 to $200 in small cash denominations with you, in case you need U.S. money before you reach currency exchange center for miscellaneous expenses that may occur during your trip here (i.e., layovers, food, hotel rooms, etc.). Do not forget to get 10 to 15 Quarter Dollar coins; it would be required for phone calls and trolleys. Get Travelers cheques for $100 - $400, these might be very useful in your journey.
For other important travel tips to the U.S.A, please visit:
Education-USA

Should I land at Kansas City, Missouri(MO) airport whose airport code is MCI, does UMR-International Affairs provide transport from here to Rolla?
Unfortunately UMR - International Affairs doesn’t provide the transportation from Kansas City, Missouri.

What if I would like to choose my own transport?
If you choose to make other transportation arrangements with an alternative service, such as Greyhound Bus Lines, please confirm before purchasing a ticket that you are traveling on a direct route from St. Louis to Rolla. If you choose to book a transportation option other than the UMR shuttle, the contact information of those options are below:
Greyhound Bus Lines:
Telephone toll free: 1-800-231-2222
Telephone toll number: 572-364-2348 (Rolla)
Website: Greyhound (to check rates, the Departure location is St. Louis Lambert Field)
Price: $30.00

Last Updated ( Thursday, 28 June 2007 )

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