Curlygrrl

You do realize epi is very research based...maybe you need to quantify ( )what research you are not interested in conducting.

Excuse my ignorance, but as someone like myself not technically proficient is that something I need to do in order to have my current phone work under ATT?

Do you recommend unlocking the phone first? Before approaching an ATT store for example.

Ok so yes I am freaking out about my being able to enter the US Hassle free- crossing by land will be driving up. As a Canadian citizen I know I do not need a visa but of course even if I had a visa it doesn't guarantee that CBP will let me enter. So I want to be prepared- at least as much as I can be. On my I-20 what my school noted down that my means of support exceeds what they noted on the same form as the estimated student cost for the term. So to my understanding that ensures that I have proven my financial standing- correct? Can the I-20 act as proof of sufficient funds to cover all expenses while in U.S.? At this point I have no other financial documents- should I change that? Second I am concerned about the following requirement: "Proof of ties/residence in country outside the U.S. which have no intentions of abandoning" What constitutes proof of ties? All my family (and friends) are in Canada. This is where I want to be. How though does one prove that? I don't own a house (I rented), don't own a car (sold it a few years back), I don't have a job (come on- I'm a student). What proof other than my word is there? My proposed dissertation is all about my city in Canada- but I don't think that proves anything. Please put this crazy person at ease. I cannot believe my courses haven't started and I am this stressed out!

Surprised no one has responded to this yet - would love to hear what GCers have to say.

Great! Thank you. One less thing to worry about.

Thank you so much! It's what I thought but wanted to be sure.

Let me start of by saying- please excuse my ignorance, but as always I turn to you GC for some insight and clarification. Ok, so I finally got my I-20 form and just paid my SEVIS. But now I am confused. Do I need to contact the American Embassy for an interview or not? I was always under the impression that while I do not need a visa that I still need to book a time for an interview. The university though sent some papers with my I-20 and one of them said that: "Citizens of Canada are not required to obtain an entry visa at a U.S. Embassy but must present a passport, the I-20 form and the SEVIS fee receipt, and must obtain an I-94 Arrival/Departure card when entering the United States in order to enter the U.S. in valid F-1 student status." So am I or am I not exempt from the interview as a Canadian citizen entering the U.S. for doctoral studies?

On GradCafe a number of posters recommend opening an account with a credit union. I have tried contacting a couple and have been told as an international student I cannot join. Do any of you know of one that will accept an international student like myself?

I will need to open an American bank account and it seems most of the students I have spoken with in my department have an account with either HSBC or Chase. When I ask for more information as to benefit of one or the other, they mention only of proximatey to campus. I turn to you on GradCafe to provide me with some insight whether pro or con regarding these two banks.

Found a one bedroom in the Westcott area and will be moving in July. So that is one thing I was able to check off my list. Now I am wondering what those of you leaving in Syracuse would recommend in regards to banking and cellphone carrier. I am an international student- so can use some insight. Thanks!

Yes that might be unfortunately true. As a Canadian that applied to American programs the same is unfortunately true. So bottom line a strong application and a strong match with the department is key regardless where you call home. When it came to me being accepted in the US what helped was establishing strong ties and recognizing a strong fit between myself and certain faculty. It's why I stress get to know the faculty at schools your considering and e-mail them! Might not work with every school but if there is a strong fit it definitely won't hurt and might even help. In my case, I only recently learned my POI became my strongest advocate in the admissions committee. If you want to go to school in Canada- apply, apply, apply! Best of luck!

Would totally disagree- the UofT Soc department I heard is falling apart. But could be good for you depending on your specific focus. Always go more for the faculty then the university. York has some strong faculty that you should consider, McGill is always known to be strong - again depending on your personal interests. There are some amazing stars in faculty across the country and you will do yourself a service by basing your search on a personal level rather than ranking. Ranking is not really used here in Canada like in the US. Best of luck with your search.

You have to be more specific than that- public health is a broad field both academically and from a job placement perspective.

Any suggestions for someone moving from Toronto to the US? What issues will I have with customs- if I drive myself or if I use PODS?