What, Where, When International Forum

ADMITTED INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS' FORUM: FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Q. When should I arrive at Whittier College?
A. Orientation for fall 2007 begins Saturday, September 1. We request that you arrive at Whittier College between 8:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on that day. Please proceed directly to the Office of Admission at Weingart Hall, so that we may greet you and check you in to your residence hall. If you arrive after 5:00 p.m., you will need to go to Campus Safety to receive your room key.

If you plan to arrive in Los Angeles prior to September 1, you will need to secure accommodations, as your residence hall room will not be available. You may wish to make arrangements with the Whittier Radisson Hotel for those additional days. The Radisson is within walking distance of the College. Advance reservations can be made by calling 562.945.8511, or by visiting www.radisson.com. Be sure to ask for the "Whittier College" discount.

Please fax or e-mail your travel plans to Darryl Foy by August 13, so that we know when to expect you on campus. You may send your fax or e-mail directly to 562.907.4870 or dfoy@whittier.edu.

Q. How do I get to Whittier College from the airport?
A. We recommend that you take either "Prime Time" or "Super Shuttle," an airport shuttle (minibus type vehicle) service, which will pick you up from the airport terminal and drop you off at the College (or the Whittier Radisson). The shuttle services run 24 hours a day, and serve all of the major Los Angeles area airports. (Note that you do not need to know the directions to the College, just tell the driver your destination, and s/he will find the directions).

Advance reservations can be made with Super Shuttle by calling 323.775.6600, or with Prime Time by calling 310.342.7200. If you are coming into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), you can reach Super Shuttle via a courtesy phone in the baggage claim area (dial 56735 on the courtesy phone). The fare to Whittier College from LAX is approximately $40.00 with Super Shuttle and is likely to be less with Prime Time.

Cabs and rental cars are also available at the airport. Cabs are more expensive than the shuttle services. However, if you are coming with family and want to have a car for the few days that they will be here, you may rent one at the airport. The driver must hold an International Driving License (a license from your own country will not be accepted), and the person must hold a credit card valid in the U.S. (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover are the major credit cards).

Q. What will happen when I arrive?
A. Saturday, September 1, has been left open for you to arrive at Whittier, move into your room, and settle in. A current international student and the international admission counselor will be at the Office of Admission to assist you in moving in. If you have relatives in the area or family members who will accompany you, you are free to make your own plans once you have checked into your residence hall room.

Q. What will happen the first day of Orientation?
A. On Sunday, September 2, you will start Orientation by attending a special morning session designed to address the particular needs of international students transitioning to life in the U.S. At that time, you will have the opportunity to meet current international students and become acquainted with your fellow, entering international students. Later in the day, you will join the entering domestic students for the rest of your Orientation.

Q. Where will I live on campus?
A. Housing assignments will be mailed to you in early August. You will find out which residence hall you will be living in, your room number, and your roommate's name, home address, and telephone number.

Q. How much money should I bring with me?
A. You should bring the equivalent of $1,000 US when you first arrive. You should carry at least $300 in cash and the remainder in traveler's checks. Remember that you will need the money for books and personal expenses, as well as to open a bank account after your arrival. You can exchange foreign currency at local banks or at the airport (confirm this with the bank when you open your account).

Q. What forms of identification will I need?
A. Please know that your passport will function as your primary form of identification until you obtain a College ID card at registration. If you have other forms of identification, such as an International Driving License, you may want to bring that with you.

Q. When do I register for classes?
A. Registration will occur during Orientation Week, which continues through Wednesday, September 5. Prior to registering for courses, you will meet your assigned faculty mentor and go through the advisement process, using this time to discuss any questions you have regarding majors and classes. Classes will begin on Thursday, September 6.

Q. When and how do I pay my bills?
A. You will need to pay the balance on your account by September 1. By the time you register, you will be expected to have paid your fall semester charges to the College: tuition and fees plus housing, minus any financial aid you have received and the tuition and housing deposits you have sent. Detailed information on billing amounts and procedures will be sent to you by the Business Office in July. Upon receipt of that information, you may contact Darryl Foy in case you have specific questions pertaining to your bill.

In order for the payment to take place, you should wire your funds to Whittier College through the international banking system. We strongly recommend you wire your funds by August 23. Wiring funds is usually the most efficient way to meet payment deadlines, since it can be done prior to your arrival. To do this, contact your local banker to inquire about the availability of this service and please allow enough time for this process to take place. You will need to provide them with the following information:

The amount of U.S. dollars you wish to wire.

Wire to: Bank of America
San Francisco, CA
ABA No. 121 000 358

Credit to: Whittier College
Account No.: 14598 06083
Credit for: (your name)

Paying your bills by credit card is also an available option. Although you need not present the actual credit card, we will require the following information: type of credit card, account number, expiration date, and the name of the account holder as it appears on the card. Whittier College accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover cards, and you are advised to check with the bank issuing the credit card for validity in the U.S.

As a final option you may bring a cashier's check with you, payable to Whittier College.

Q. What should I bring with me to Whittier?
A. Use this list as a guideline of items to either bring from home or buy in the U.S. Keep in mind the size of your room and that you will be sharing it with your roommate. Also, please note that linens, sheets, pillow, pillowcase, and a blanket can be loaned to you upon your arrival at school, until you are able to shop for your own during the first week.

For travel to the U.S.:
Passport, visa, I-20
Money as previously described
Clothes
Personal grooming items (comb, brush, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, feminine hygiene, etc)
Personal items (photographs, journals, memorable items from home, music, CD player, alarm clock, watch, etc)
Essential medication
Bath towel
Backpack

For life at school:
Linens, sheets, mattress pad, pillow, pillowcase, blanket (mattresses are extra-long)
Books
Stationary items (pens, paper, notebook, calculator, etc)
Lamps
Hangers
Jacket
Umbrella
Other clothes
Computer supplies (optional, the school has computer facilities)
Fan
Laundry detergent, fabric softener

Local shops (directions are available through the Office of Residential Life):
Whittier College Bookstore
Target (a "department" store, with clothing, food, office supplies, housewares, linens, etc.)
RiteAid (general pharmacy and convenience store)
Ralph's (grocery store)

Q. How can I send my belongings ahead of time?
A. If you wish to send a box ahead so that you do not have excess baggage when you travel, please address and ship to:

(Your name)
(Your residence hall, room number)
C/O Physical Plant
Whittier College
13406 East Philadelphia St.
Whittier, CA 90608
USA

Q. When will I be able to open a bank account, go shopping, etc?
A. Throughout Orientation Week, there are several, allocated "free hours," during which you can open a bank account, set up your telephone service, tend to personal business, shop, and otherwise get yourself settled in. Bank and telephone representatives will also be on campus Sunday, September 2, to assist new students with setting up accounts on site. In terms of shopping for your new residence, we advise that you wait until your roommate has moved in before deciding what to purchase; additionally, residence hall staff typically organize shopping trips for entering students during Orientation Week.

Q. What's the weather like in Whittier throughout the school year?
A. Keep in mind that the residence halls are usually pretty warm, especially during the start and end of school, which falls within Southern California's summer season. Daytime Whittier temperatures in late fall and throughout spring average about 75-85 degrees Fahrenheit, but can drop down to 50 degrees at night. The winter months will generally produce some rain but no snow, and the temperature is around 60 degrees during the day and 38-45 degrees in the evening.

Q. What if I get sick after I arrive?
A. Most health insurance plans you have in your home country will not be valid in the United States. The College requires you to obtain a health insurance policy through our contractor, which will cover you from August 2007 through August 2008 You will be billed for this with your other fees due to the College and an estimate is included in the fees previously mentioned. (Your July mailing from the Business Office will have the details).

Q. Who is my contact person at the College?
A. Darryl Foy is the international admission counselor for Whittier College. He can be reached at (562) 907-4238 during normal business hours (Monday- Friday, 8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.). If an emergency should arise, however, you or your family can reach Campus Safety 24 hours a day at (562) 907-4211.