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The Social Security card and the number on it the Social Security Number is YOUR LIFE IN THE USA. Period. There are no two ways to it. On of the first things you do on reaching the US is to apply for this card. Generally. folks in the university and registration dept will arrange for the INS to come down and let you guys apply for this SSN in school itself.IF you are in a hurry then you can go to the local office and apply. You will have to arrange fo a ride to this office as it will be far off.
The card takes 2 weeks to arrive by mail to your house. Be sure to give the address of a friend wgheree you are staying temporarily, unless you already have a permanent address.,b> Remember, no one must even know the number else you are screwed. Remember on the form, MMN stands for MOTHERS MAIDEN NAME.It is a practice to use this as passwords on most places.You will know this soon.
It is a good idea to stay at a friends place till you get housing. India associations in most schools arrange for this. if not , you got to fend for your self. try mailing indian students there for this purpose. you may give this address for the SSN application.
Im not going to comment on how you must find housing.just ask around.its no big deal.
This is a must have card.Reasons are
1) Almost always your application is accepted on the first shot.
2)can apply over phone or web www.americanexpress.com or 1-800-678-0745 (toll free.remember 1800 is toll free in USA)
3)Credit limit is GOOD $2200 (convert that just to know how big that is Rs 90,000+ as of July 2000)
4)yOU get DEALS on airline tickets Continental Airlines. It is a must have.Saves lot of money on this front.
5)final word : GO GET IT
Downside:
Not accepted for purchases on all places.but 80% of the places accept it.
1) This is good to have.As it is universally accepted.
2) Depends on where you apply, the limit is different. 250$- more....
3) as Sachin says " I got my VISA CARD now you Go GET IT......
2) Depends on where you apply, the limit is different. 250$- more....
3) you get deals on american airlines. good to have.
2)some people lie and fill the form saying they are US citizens,
3)my word : NEVER DO THAT.NEVER LIE IN THE USA. YOU MAY GET IN TROUBLE.
i got rejected 4 times coz i did not lie...but thats ok.
4) they say they give 1% of your purchase back to you. you neve get that much
dont fall for this . MARKETING GIMMICK.
You can apply for the cards directly on web site or phone or via your bank. Dont go for companies which offer credit cards just like that. THe card may still be VISA or mastercard...but the company may cheat you... so apply from your bank ...thats the safest or directly from the web/phone of the company itself.
You must open a bank account within the first few days of reaching your college town. you may want to find out branches in other parts of state / country / world. in small college towns like College station, LAfayette thje banks are local to the city /state.
Also inquire for:
There are 2 types of accounts: checking and savings
generally checking is FREE and has low min balance.
IF you have aid, it is taken care of generally.
I used ATT for 10 months. service is good but is expensive in terms of taxes and service charge. the call is generally 55cents per min. But there are 15-20% taxes. This will kill you.
MCI is not better.maybe more expensive.
If you want a permanent carried, ATT maybe one to go for.
i recommend you try some phone cards like
