₦airaland Forum

Snazzygirl:
Bros, I never said SSN is the ONLY means of identification. I agree with you that ITIN can serve the same purpose, but how does that apply to the context right now? How many international students have ITIN? The average intl student focuses on the SSN, because we all want to work. As for BofA giving undocumented immigrants "unsecured credit cards" without proper identification, I disagree sir

Well I don't know about it being secured or not. My point was, you can still get a credit card and have a credit history without an SSN. BTW, a secured credit card is probably a better option for someone learning to manage their finances and those get upgraded to unsecured after a while

Snazzygirl:
Loooool. Uncle Stewee, there is no way this is a fact. Federal law requires that everybody opening an account in the US must be properly identified. The mode of identification used by banks in the US is the SSN. No bank will issue a credit card to a non resident alien without SSN. Also, there is no relationship between getting a credit card and debit card use. Maybe you are referring to the "Secured credit card" which is just a "glorified debit card" whose activity is shared with the major credit bureaus to build credit history.

Not true. BofA does, infact with undocumented immigrants..and SSN is not the only means of identification also,ITIN can serve the same purpose.

Stewee:
Ermmm... You don't need a SSN to to get approved a credit card! I know this for a fact!
So far you have been making transactions with your debit card, after three months you can qualify for one. If you've had a lot of cash flow with your debit card they can even waive the 3months requirement and issue you one sharp sharp.

I believe that's just for Bank of America

DARKLIGHT:
Gurus, can someone take a minimum of 7 credit hours courses in a semester?

Graduate-9 hours minimum, UG- 12 hours minimum

DARKLIGHT:
What's the best service provider to use in US? What's the cost per month? With the phone and sim, how much? With only a sim, how much?

'Best' really depends on where you stay but Verizon and AT&T generally have good service and coverage. Simple mobile,Metro pcs,Boost etc offer more affordable plans from $30-$60 for single(non-family plan) customers since they piggyback on those top tier providers.

DARKLIGHT:
Is it advisable for one to take loan in US for his studies?

No! It should be your very last option.

DARKLIGHT:
If someone is living off campus and has a doctor in US, can the person get a health insurance waiver?

Depends on your school policy regarding that..Contact them.

bigfrancis21:
Can one land a job using CPT? Because then the student is still in school and is not expected to be working while in school. A few students are lucky to obtain job offers on completion of their 3-month internship or CPT period but their start date is usually after their last semester of graduation, then during which the student can start on OPT while the company sorts out their H1B visa sponsorship. Because basically, you cannot go on CPT after you've graduated, only when you're still in school.

I don't think CPT is a valid work authorization permit for international students. OPT is.

CPT is a 'valid work authorization permit'; just for a limited time(usually you can take up to 2 semesters for CPT full time, and more if you're doing pre-OPT). Now, when you're on CPT, you still have to be enrolled full-time;only that this time it's your job that is counting as credits. In fact it shows up on your transcript, and you're graded for it (Pass/Fail). The grading is done when after you're done, you write a report on what you did. Schools have their different policies regarding how long you can go on CPT however, but yes you can work 40 hours a week!

A lot of employers in Engineering typically like to have you back after your CPT term is exhausted; if you leave a good impression and they are not having issues themselves forcing them to downsize.
It's always a very good idea to get a really good employer, and to start searching as early as the end of your first semester because of recruiting calendars.

In some cases, you can transition to OPT from CPT, if you take classes-say online while on CPT.

zeezahbee:
OPT is an optional training and it run for 12-17 months depends on your course. You can only start OPT after you graduate. You are required to leave the USA 60days after the end of OPT

Summer internship could be CPT, you could earn credit for it. It could also be called IT ( like naija IT) and you resume the next semester to continue classes. The summer internship will be a job related to your course and it could also be unpaid.

OPT = after graduation

Summer internship ( CPT or iT ) = before graduation

@sirriddy adding to the above..If you land a job on CPT and your CPT expires, but your employer still wants to keep you for a little longer, you can take part of your OPT time (Pre-OPT).

BloodyMitch:
Yes they do, They asked us to purchase ours or theirs whichever one that pleases you.

Perfect for you!

DeeTus:
@Bigfrancis, CNN is just a cable news network. Having no credit card history does not make someone irresponsible.

Don't rely so much on CNN.

In america, it does unfortunately. No credit=bad credit

zeezahbee:
go to insubuy.com or ISoa.org

You should get something for around $35-40 per month

@BloodyMitch, check if your school accepts external insurance first..but yeah those are good places to buy insurance.

kobe79:
@ above

Nothing comes as emergency/surprise to those who save, plan and are conscious of the future.

i know it is more difficult for intl student as per jobs and thst is reason why that CAtegory doesnt NEED it.

Say for eg you get a call from home and you cannot comfortably pay for a ticket comfortably from your pocketthen there is a big problem with your purpose and vision as per the American dream

Referral bonus one gets is not enough motivation to get a category of people into what they do not NEED

In as much as I don't encourage people to get a credit card when they can't manage their finances yet, buying a house is not something everybody can bring out cash and pay for.

SantaClause:
Can someone car a used car as low as $2000 - $4000 If yes what kinda of car would that be?

Your best bet for that is craigslist.
You can get a decent Nissan or Toyota within that range. Would be high mileage though..

zeezahbee:
I know right. Once he said the approval is 3k, I was thinking credit history should be move fast.

I want to build it to get a car and some other stuff. I figured credit helps a lot

Actually, the rate of increase in score is not really proportional to your credit limit(CL). Rather on things like; on-time payment of balances(make sure to pay all by due date), credit utilization(ideally keep below 10% of your credit limit but not 0%), taking loans(student or car loans-probably a long shot), time/age of credit history(which you can't really do anything about).
If you get a credit card now, you will prob get an APR in the 5%-15% range for a new car in December. One tip though is look around well before then(use truecars.com,autotrader.com) and try and get around the holiday season in December for the best deals!
When you get the car itself and you start making payments, it's a good credit building platform as well.

Like you said, good credit score/history will eventually help you and save you money in the long run.

zeezahbee:
3k Na debt ooo anyways abeg send me d link. Zeezahunique at yahoo dot com, thank you

The one I was seeing wanted to give me $300 so I just stick to my debit jejely.

Will they actually approve me for 3k Since am a first timer ?

I actually need to build my credit before December.

Before December?? building credit to a reasonable score and with good history takes years of paying off your balances completely by your due date...there are some tricks though to making your score go up fast.

bigfrancis21:
Who hasn't gotten a credit card yet? Or have you applied and you were denied? Or you would like to add another credit card to an existing one that you have?

Credit card applications are often very tough for foreign students in the US because they often lack a prior credit history to get their applications the approved. But if applying through a direct/referral link, it is easier and you are often approved immediately.

For every international student, after opening a bank account and obtaining your SSN the next necessary step is to obtain a credit card to start building your credit history to be able to buy a car or house after graduation.

To apply for a credit card, you can send me a blank email using your email and I will send you the direct link for instant approval. $50 cash bonus will also be given to you after application. I was recently approved for a $3,000 credit card.


This is for those already in the US who have an SSN and are in school.

Good idea but you need to be financially responsible to manage credit card(s), or you're going to find yourself in real crisis.....the earlier the better though like you said. I assume that's Chase freedom or Discover it for students ?

HoneyBronzed:
silver spring. Close to Glemont metro. Would have preferred close to Silver Spring metro tho.

Oh okay..for your budget, your best bet might be sharing apartment with someone going to/currently attending UMD.

portelli:
house make una no vexoo, this is my first time of booking flight, I was asked on the booking platform ' the frequent flyer programme and number ' please how can I identify that?

You don't have to fill that part if you don't intend to accumulate travel miles with the airline i.e. if you don't plan of flying alot on that airline later, you probably don't need it..just leave it empty.

bbdd:
I know a couple of friends who got in through usmle
Will ask them for concrete info.

However, off hand I know that usmle is divided into three parts.
Step 1, step 2, step 3
Step 1 is available in Ghana but the remaining steps must be written in the US. Step 1 is a clinical knowledge step which is called CK.
Step 2 is clinical skills which is called CS.

Step 2 is the most important as that is what you need to fulfil a requirement for ecf certification. (will confirm the full name)
IMGs or international medical graduates must have this certification before search and matching can be done. It's a long painstaking process this is just what I know.

Also the foreign medical school in which the person who wants to apply for residency is from, must be certified among ecf certified. Also it must have certain credits.

Well, this is the little I know. I'll confirm from my resident friend by weekend.

Actually step 1 is the most important. Your score in that makes a difference when matching is done.
Also, the 3 steps are Step 1, Step2 CK and CS, Step 3
The question should be.. is the person trying to get an F-1 visa for kaplan? or is the person a US resident /citizen already?...they have liveprep,centerprep,deluxeprep,completeprep for those hoping to get an I-20 for the program.

HoneyBronzed:
my school is in Washington DC. But I dont want to live in the city tho, i'm looking at Maryland but close to the metro. I found something cheaper on Craigslist for 550monthly, all utilities included. Its a Newly finished basement apartment, I got my friend to look at it. She lives in Maryland so she knows what is obtainable. Thanks.

That's a good deal..and good your friend is here to check it out for you. What part of Maryland?
I live in the area too.

samnoah:
Friends, who knows how long it takes to clear tnrough immigration at O'Hare Int'l airport Chicago? Please help

How long is your layover?

O'Hare is huge,busy and typically takes a while to walk/take a train to the domestic gates from the international terminals..I'd say give yourself at least 2 hours to be safe(including immigration/customs stop). If it's less, you'd probably make it as well...you'd just have to do lot of walking.

GboyegaD:
Oga, you no dey check on people ni??

No vex boss...I go hola

happney65:
Una no fit use Umbrella nii? ..But on a lighter note,I think its because you Guys dont have much of Sunlight like when una dey naija nii,na wetin me think be that.I dont think it can be much Hotter than Naija..

It actually gets hotter in TX, especially Houston. Arizona is worse.

GboyegaD:
Carry am go iHoP to welcome am ooo. Abeg, tell am say pepperoni na Pork ooo cos many of my friends chop Pepperoni Pizza and dem dey tell themselves say dem no dey chop pork.

lol...the pepperoni-pork stuff is so true!

daret002:
Lol...don't be offended brother, was just trying to tell how many people he has helped and ask for your advice. The issue of standardized test has been noted.

Thanks! Appreciate

You obviously don't seem to understand what they are trying to tell you. Do you!
Simply follow the steps on this thread, and you'll be okay.
Use an agent and risk getting to a really good school, denial based on fake documentation among others. You Dad might help you take care of admission, but won't help you get a visa or survive schooling six thousand miles away...Take charge!

You can always start with the two at the same time until you're able to establish yourself in Music. There is the business side of music which is even bigger than the music itself. Take time and learn these stuffs while you're still working. Attend training/seminars and really equip yourself if you're going full-time.
You will know when you are ready to quit your day job!

HoneyBronzed:
Hey guys, please does anybody know about rent in the DC or MD area? I found a place for 707$ all utilities included except WiFi. Its actually a 3bedrroom/2bath shared apartment. I'm looking out for sth cheaper tho. Any thoughts?

Secondly, how do I get access to CraigList? My IP is blocked. I already sent them an email, yet nothing

Where is your school?

Rent is generally expensive in the DMV area. But as a student, you should get something cheaper. Try using Tor browser for craigslist, and make sure to rent with a student like you..you don't want stories that touch

Firefire:
Where is the Healing power? where is the anointing that breaks the yokes ?

Rom 8:14(NIV)
For those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God.

I'm not saying the spirit of God led him to do it or not. As Christians, we walk as the spirit directs not as man expects.

mbeenox:
Abeg make Una create trend for how to survive after schooling in US, Una don dey scare me small small

happney65:
You dont have to be discouraged broda..That is the truth..Them no dey pick money from Ground from America..But with perseverance and hardwork una go make am.

No need to be scared. @happney65 said most of it..But there are things you can start doing even from Nigeria to better position yourself.

The real journey begins after school, but once you are 'in the system', you're good!

imperiouxx:
Don't get the discussion wrong. The question wasn't about how to get visa with a course but what the course can do for you at the long run. I'm saying this from my honest heart with the way the market is in U.S.

Teaching would have be good with it but no school will employ international students who don't have higher degree mostly in science. It all boils down to "we don't file for resident permanent".

Same point I try to emphasize..but seems some don't think long term