Top 10 must things do by an F1 or J1 Student as soon as they enter the USA Website: http://www.crackthequant.com/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CrackTheQuant Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/CrackTheQuant Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/CrackTheQuant

1. 10 things that every F1/J1
Student should do

2. 1. Get a job [GRA or GTA or GA or OPS]
• You should aim for a GRA or GTA or GA position.
• Start searching for these positions before you land and schedule a
meeting.
• GRA, GTA or GA pays your tuition fees.
• Try for a grader or any OPS position in different depts, If you ran out
options.
• Apply for as many positions as you can.

3. 2. Open a Bank Account
• Open within one week of your Arrival.
• Look for any Referrals and Promotions.
• Go for Paperless statements.
• Request for Free Cheques.
• Important Banks
• Bank of America
• Wells Fargo
• Chase
• US Bank

4. 3. Google Voice & Google FI
• Try looking into Google FI for phone connection.
• Can use WiFi to talk over the phone.
• $20 – unlimited calls within USA and 1 GB Data.
• Other phone service?
• Register your Google Voice number at http://www.google.com/voice
• Unlimited calls and texts free within USA.
• 1cent per minute calls to India/Bangladesh/Pakistan.

5. 4. Driver’s License
• Important task overlooked by many students.
• Give your written exam before the classes start.
• Can get material for free online.
• Get a mentor and learn driving.
• Give exam within one year before your learner’s expire.
• You may need car during internship.
• Will help you in building good history for auto insurance.
• Will be your first togo Id Proof. [ID proof is must here]
• Go for it even though if you have an Intl Driver’s License.

6. 5. Apply for a Credit Card
• Building Credit history is very important in USA.
• Look for good cashback deals or miles.
• I would prefer the first one to be cashback instead of miles.
• Recommended to go with company that you have your Checking
account.
• May need a security deposit of $300. [Don’t hesitate to give a
deposit].
• Get at least two credit cards before your graduation.
• Keep an eye on spending.

7. 6. Amazon Account
• Open an Amazon Account before the school starts.
• It is free for 6 months for the students with free 2 day shipping.
• After 6 months till 2 years they charge $49 per year for students.
• You can order all your stationery and household mini furniture stuff
from Amazon.
• They have very good deals for students in the Fall semester.
• Free Amazon music, Amazon prime and unlimited photos storage.

8. 7. Free rides in Uber and Lyft
• Its an hassle without transportation in USA.
• Open an account with Uber and Lyft to get free rides for the first few
months.
• Go as group to split the rates.
• Have a look into referral programs.

9. 8. Join a student organization
• It’s good to join a Student Organization that suits your interest.
• You will have a good scope to build connections.
• You can improve your communication skills.
• You will be exposed to American culture.
• You can attend seminars for free and have free food 
• You can find many University Affiliated Student Org groups in
Facebook.

10. 9. Know the deals
• Its easy to save money in USA if you know what to buy and when to
buy.
• Subscribe to deals sites to get more deals in your area.
• www.deals2buy.com
• www.retailmenot.com
• www.groupon.com
• Note: Don’t be tempted for every deal
• Look for sales group in your area for any used items.
• Don’t buy everything new.

11. 10. Budget Planner
• Its hard to maintain a strict budget and save money if you are a
newbie.
• Plan your budget for the month.
• Use apps like
• GoodBudget Budget Planner
• iSpending
• Mint
• Get habituated to save money.
• Use Splitwise to maintain your expenses if you are in a shared
accommodation.