First Semester

First Few Days

This page mainly covers information required for students traveling from Nepal to join Texas A&M University. If you have already been in the United States for some time you might not need to go through all the following information.

TAMU App: If you haven’t done it already, install the official TAMU app. It has a variety of features for students to explore. Most commonly used feature would be that of bus routes. You should be able to see the bus schedules and also be able to track the buses in real time. The names might be new to you and so I would suggest you to ask seniors in/near your apartment complexes for common routes for the first time.

ISS Terra Dotta: International Student Services (ISS) at Texas A&M uses Terra Dotta site to process all the International Student's requests so make sure you visit the site. The link is attached below:

https://tamu-iss.terradotta.com/

The Campus: The college campus is the third largest in the country and can be really overwhelming for new students. We’ve all been there, but the good thing is that you will only have to remember routes to a few buildings that are relevant to your field of study and that will not take time. Till then, do not hesitate in asking anyone on the campus for help. Oh and always use a ‘maps’ app. (I know Google apps to have a fair number of our common buildings registered).

Orientation*: Lots of students and staff members come together in the week and plan a considerable number of presentations that will help ease your transition into Aggieland. These will include meals and opportunities to interact with various clubs on-campus. Extremely helpful and it’s recommended that you take the whole day out of your schedule and attend every stall you can. You should have a department orientation too.

Campus Tours*: A small tour of the most common buildings on campus and also brief information about the traditions and history of the school.

MSC/Trigon area: The Memorial Student Centre is a building that you will have to visit time and again. It has a small art gallery, various food joints and air hockey/pool tables in the basement (there’s so much more). Another important thing to note is that the MSC/Trigon area is where almost all of the buses stop, so try to make this the first place you memorize.

ISS*(a 5-7 minute walk from MSC/Trigon): You will want to go for the ISS check-in soon after you land. Ideally, book a favorable slot before you arrive in the United States so you can be done soon and be able to register for your classes. Do not miss out on the documents they have asked for (the passport, admit letter, your transcripts as far as I remember, please confirm.)

General Services Complex: There is a lot to do at the GSC and considering the fact that it’s located away from our usual spots, try to complete all your tasks in one trip. To get there, take bus no. 6 from the MSC and again, do not forget the documents you need.

1. ID card: Be prepared to get your ID card picture taken. Make sure you remember your UIN and check for details on your card once you receive it.

2. Heartland ECSI: It is mandatory for all students to set up their direct deposits with Heartland. You will need a bank account before you do this. (Please contact ISS or ask about this in NSA's group chat for more details)

3. Submit your transcripts and (provisional) degree certificate at the Admissions office to clear your hold.

Holds: To be able to register for classes, you will have to clear your holds (vaccination/test holds). Once removed, you will be able to register for classes. Use your howdy portal – my records – Add/Drop Classes to search for your classes and register. 

Bank: You will want to open a bank account soon as having a debit card does make your life easier. Besides, you will most likely have cash on hand that you would want to deposit. It’s a fairly simple process and you will usually just need your passport and UIN (call up a bank and confirm!). There are various bank options available. Members of NSA will also help you with the information to set up Bank Accounts.

Sim Cards and mobile plans: AT&T, Verizon, and T-mobile are reliable networks in the US but they are expensive. Visible and Mint Mobile work perfectly in College Station and also have cheaper rates. 

Apartment Choice: 

The most common apartments current NSA members reside are: 

1. The London Apartments

2. Reville Ranch Apartments

3. Eastmark Apartments

4. The Wick (Willowick Apartments) 

5. The Trails at Wolf Pen

6.  and others... Please join NSA's Discord server to communicate with other NSA members and decide your place.

On-Campus Jobs and Scholarships

A few guidelines on on-campus jobs, scholarships and financial aid at Texas A&M University.

Funding, Scholarships and Student Worker Positions

Will I get funding and what are the types of assistantships that I can get?

Getting funding depends on the department you are joining. Some offer it, some don't. We're sorry but while we can provide you with information that will be helpful to assist you, we do not have details of assistantships that are currently available. There are mainly 4 forms of financial support that students can get.

1. Scholarships: This is awarded by either a department or an organization (like International Student Services, Former Students Association, etc.). If you get a scholarship, then you will get to pay tuition at in-state rate. Certain departments offer scholarships to all incoming international students as a way to help them in their first year of study. 

2. Teaching Assistantship (commonly known as TA): These are awarded by a department and it is for the requirement of professors who take large classes. You will have to assist in grading, teaching, etc. for undergraduate students. TA pays between $900-1200 a month, and you get your full tuition waived. You may have to only pay the fees (stuff like sports fee, transport fee, etc. that the department won't pay). This is generally the only assistantship that you can get in the first semester. Keep in mind that a professor can only recommend a student for TA. It is the department's final decision on who they want to give it to. A professor can't directly help you on this, so contact the department for TA availabilities.

3. Graduate Assistantship Research (GAR - also called Research Assistant or RA): These are offered by individual professors when you work under them on a research project. You will get your tuition, and in some cases your fee, waived. (If you're lucky you won't pay anything at all). You also get paid anything between $750-2200. You will have to contact individual Profs for this, but you have a better chance only from the second semester onwards.

4. Graduate Assistantship Non-Teaching (GANT - Also called GA): This is similar to scholarships and is offered by departments and organizations. Generally for folks who are to work as web programmers for their website or something like that. Tuition (and sometimes fee) is waived. Pays about $700-1400 a month. This has to be followed by looking at the websites and University public listservs regularly.

How will I manage my expenses if I do not get an assistantship? Can I work on campus?

Even if you don't get an assistantship right away, you can still work as a 'Student Worker'. There are many positions that open up during the Fall semester and you are pretty sure to find something. 

What should I keep in mind when I apply for a Student Worker position?

Important things to note for Student Worker positions for Intl' students:

• You are allowed to work ONLY inside the campus. That means you can't work in an establishment that is not part of Texas A&M University , even if it pays you a lot more. Don't violate this rule. You will be deported if caught!

• You are allowed to work for a maximum of 20 hours per week. This is strict. The only exception is break weeks (the weeks in between semesters), when you may be allowed to work full time (40 hours), if your hiring department agrees.

• Your work permit has to be authorized by the International Student Services (ISS). This is normally taken care of by the department that hires you.

• Your pay scale will vary from $7.25 (State minimum) to up till $12. The higher paying jobs are mainly for web programmers so it will be a good idea to learn some web programming before you come here.

Is there anyway I can search for a job before I reach TAMU?

Jobs that are posted by various departments are generally put on this website:

https://jobsforaggies.tamu.edu/

You need to login with your NetID and you can look at the various positions available. REMEMBER to look only for on-campus jobs. This website posts positions for all students, so it may include off-campus positions which you cannot apply for.

It's enough that you look for a job after coming here. You can go through the site, but you won't be able to apply without being here, as in most cases you have to submit an application form, or may have to meet with them for an interview.

What kind of jobs (positions) are available?

There are a lot of job profiles available that include:

• Food Services (many take this as you get a good pay $7.5/hr and a free meal)

• Web Programmer (highest paid @ $10/hr-$12/hr)

• Lab Assistant (assist undergrad lab - about $7.25/hr-$8.5/hr)

• Library Assistant (lowest paid $7.25/hr, but easiest and relaxed job)

• Article writers (for TAMU's newspaper Battalion - pays @ $25 per article)

• Office Assistant (file papers, attend calls, carry small boxes - @$7-$8)

• Administrative Assistant (more or less like office assistant)

The information on this page was referenced from the IGSA's website (Indian Graduate Students Association at Texas A&M University). The link to the page is: https://igsatamu.com/index.html