Buying checks/money orders payable in US funds

[Nife]

Hello!
 

I'm trying to apply for graduate housing, but I'm required to send a check/money order payable in USDs along with my application. 

 

I went to several banks and even a bureau de change yesterday to try to buy a check or request a money order, but apparently you can't actually do a transaction like that. 

 

I'm not sure if they understand what I was trying to ask them for, to be honest. 

 

Have any of you managed to send a fee of any kind to your university in this fashion (check/money order)?

 

Thanks!