Frequently Asked Questions
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After Arrival

1) I've landed in the US!! What do I do now?

2)Which bank do UHCL students use and find convenient?

3) What is UHCL Orientation?

4) What are International Student and New Students orientations?

5) What is department orientation?

6) What are the dates of the above?

7) Is it mandatory/ useful to attend the orientation?

8) What is registration?

9) Do we have to register for orientation? What is the deadline to do that?

10) What is EASE Online?

11) How do I get my login & password for EASE?

12) Who are International advisors?

13) Who are faculty advisors?

14) How do we decide which courses should we take during the 1st semester?

15) How many credits can we take in a semester? How many are recommended?

16) Last day for my semester open registration ends before I reach – will I end up paying the late registration charges if I register one day later?

17) How do I get my pre-requisites waived?

18) What are the dates for course registration?


Answers

Q1: I've landed in the US!! What do I do now?
A: First of all, welcome to UHCL.
If you haven’t already done so, contact the ISA and the members will help you with your next steps, viz.:
    1. Open a bank account and deposit your DDs
    2. Meet with your international advisor, inform them of your arrival
    3. Register for your classes
    4. Pay your fees
    5. Look for roommates and apartments, if needed.
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Q2: Which bank do UHCL students use and find convenient?
A: The only bank that’s walkable distance from UHCL and our apartments is Metrobank. Since most international students who come to UHCL don’t have cars, we would advice you to open your account in Metrobank. It’s located right on Bay Area Blvd. outside the Armand Place apartments
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Q3: What is UHCL Orientation?
A:UHCL holds a day of orientation for all new students. This day is dedicated to showing the new students around UHCL, letting them get to know each other and basically just orienting the students to UHCL. UHCL seniors and several ISA members will be orientation leaders who will be aiding the orientation.
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Q4: What are International Student and New Students orientations?
A: International students need further information than the local students do. A separate international orientation is held specifically for you. This is an informational session.
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Q5: What is department orientation?
A: Some departments of UHCL might have department orientations, which give you department specific orientation.
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Q6: What are the dates of the above?
A: All these dates will be mentioned in your admission packet. Please refer those, or the UHCL website for exact dates.
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Q7: Is it mandatory/ useful to attend the orientation?
A: Orientation is not mandatory, but it’s highly useful, at least to get your bearings to UHCL. We would recommend you attend all the orientations.
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Q8: What is registration?
A: The process of signing up for classes (registering) is called as registration. It can be done via EASE online, or in person by filling out a form at the International office.
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Q9: Do we have to register for orientation? What is the deadline to do that?
A: There’s no need to register for orientation. It is open to all students.
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Q10: What is EASE Online?
A: EASE online is the online system by which UHCL students and applicants can check their admission status, register for classes, check their grades etc.
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Q11: How do I get my login & password for EASE?
A: You can login to EASE online using your student id.
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Q12: Who are International advisors?
A: International advisors are UHCL staff dedicated to International students. They help you with your application packets, contact you in case any files are missing from your application, and you can contact them for any queries. You can talk to any of the four International advisors we have. Please check UHCL website for contact information.
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Q13: Who are faculty advisors?
A: Each student is assigned a faculty advisor. Faculty advisors help you with any questions you have about your academics, with filing your CPS (candidate plan of study), course waivers, etc. You can turn to them for any academic questions/ advice you need.
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Q14: How do we decide which courses should we take during the 1st semester?
A: You can choose the courses depending on your interest after looking at the course listing on your school website. You can also take advice from seniors after reaching here. Course registration can be done after you reach UHCL.
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Q15: How many credits can we take in a semester? How many are recommended?
A: As an international student, you have to take minimum 9 credits (3 courses) and maximum 15 credits (5 courses).
It is recommended that you take only 3 courses at least in the first semester, as the work load will be very high, and its very different from what you are used to. Once you get used to the US academic system, you can decide to take more courses in the following semesters.
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Q16: Last day for my semester open registration ends before I reach – will I end up paying the late registration charges if I register one day later?
A: Usually you can waive off your late registration fees if you’re International, and can prove that you reached here too late for the open registration. You can show your flight details to get this fee waived off. This can be done at the International office.
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Q17: How do I get my pre-requisites waived?
A: Bring a copy of your undergraduate syllabus to the International office, and the academic advising office. They will check if the courses you have taken are sufficient to get your pre-requisites waived. You can also talk to your faculty to help your get your pre- requisites waived
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Q18: What are the dates for course registration?
A: Registration can be done early, regular or late. Early registration may or may not be open to new students. Late registration has an additional late registration fee. For exact dates, please check UHCL Website.
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Note : If you are not satisfied with any of the answers provided here, you can post in your question on the Discussion Board of ISAUHCL for further clarification. All the ISA members are willing to help you on the discussion board.Also check the previous questions asked, so that you wont repeat the same question. For suggestions mail webmaster (AT) isauhcl.org