Table of Contents

  1. I've been accepted to the University of Tulsa, when will I receive the I-20 ?
  2. May I work on campus ?
  3. Do I need a car ?
  4. Do I need a Social Security Number and how do I get one ?
  5. What is the weather in Tulsa like ?
  6. How can I maintain my F-1 (student) visa status ?
  7. If I need help while I'm away from my family, what do I do ? ?
  8. How can I meet and socialize with other students to make new friends ??
  9. Why do I have to purchase medical (health) insurance ??

I've been accepted to the University of Tulsa, when will I receive the I-20 ?

The I-20 is prepared and sent from the International Student Services Office as soon as possible after acceptance to the University. If TRANSFERRING from another U.S. school, a completed transfer form is required from your current university before the I-20 is issued. Transfer I-20s are generally not mailed to students, but may be picked up on arrival to Commerce, from the International Student Office.

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May I work on campus?

Yes, but not off-campus without Immigration and Naturalization Service approval--see International Student Advisor regarding off-campus employment. Student employment jobs are available on campus in a limited supply. Graduate Assistantships are available through many departments on campus. You can check a list of vacancies in each department, as you like.

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Do I need a car?

It is not necessary, but desirable. There is limited transportation inside the city offered by Tulsa Transit. Greyhound offers busses, which run between cities throughout the U.S. Friends, also, usually offer rides for special occasions and errands. If you buy a car, you are required by law to have:

 1. A driver's license for the car.

 2. The car must be registered.

 3. Liability Insurance 

4. University Parking Sticker

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Do I need a Social Security Number and how do I get one ?

As a student, you are eligible to work on campus, so a Social Security Number is required for employment. It is also used as your school I.D. number when you receive it. To obtain card, contact the Social Security Administration Office in Tulsa, OK, or go with the International Student Advisor at the beginning of the semester.

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What is the weather in Tulsa like?

The city of Tulsa lies along the Arkansas River at an elevation of 700 feet above sea level. The surrounding terrain is gently rolling.
At latitude 36 degrees, Tulsa is far enough north to escape the long periods of heat in summer, yet far enough south to miss the extreme cold of winter. The influence of warm moist air from the Gulf of Mexico is often noted, due to the high humidity, but the climate is essentially continental characterized by rapid changes in temperature. Generally the winter months are mild. Temperatures occasionally fall below zero but only last a very short time. Temperatures of 100 degrees or higher are often experienced from late July to early September, but are usually accompanied by low relative humidity and a good southerly breeze. The fall season is long with a great number of pleasant, sunny days and cool, bracing nights.
Rainfall is ample for most agricultural pursuits and is distributed favorably throughout the year. Spring is the wettest season, having an abundance of rain in the form of showers and thunderstorms.
The steady rains of fall are a contrast to the spring and summer showers and provide a good supply of moisture and more ideal conditions for the growth of winter grains and pastures. The greatest amounts of snow are received in January and early March. The snow is usually light and only remains on the ground for brief periods.
The average date of the last 32-degree temperature occurrence is late March and the average date of the first 32-degree occurrence is early November. The average growing season is 216 days.
The Tulsa area is occasionally subjected to large hail and violent windstorms, which occur mostly during the spring and early summer, although occurrences have been noted throughout the year.
Prevailing surface winds are southerly during most of the year. Heavy fogs are infrequent. Sunshine is abundant. The prevalence of good flying weather throughout the year has contributed to the development of Tulsa as an aviation center.

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How can I maintain my F-1 (student) visa status?

It's easy as 1-2-3! 1) Take at least 12 college credit hours or 20 intensive English contact hours every quarter. 2) Keep your I-20 current and correct at all times. 3) Do not accept off campus employment unless authorized by the INS for a special program. See Immigration.

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If I need help while I'm away from my family, what do I do?

Call or come in to the International Student Services Office. Our mission is to serve the international students attending the University of Tulsa, and we can help with almost any problem. If we can't help, we can direct you to the people who can.

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How can I meet and socialize with other students to make new friends?

This is easy! Come by the AIS meetings to find out about our scheduled activities, join the AIS (Association of International Students), ask us to arrange an American conversation partner, or join a school sport. More options may be available, come and ask us!

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Why do I have to purchase medical (health) insurance?

Unlike many countries, the federal government does not support the health system in the U.S. for the most part. Each individual must pay the cost of any medical appointment or treatment, which is very expensive. In fact, those costs are even too much for most Americans to pay right out of their pocket. Therefore, the insurance system is used to manage those costs. With insurance, you would only need to pay a small portion of any medical appointment or treatment out of your pocket.

F-1 visa holders are required to have medical insurance while in the U.S. Students can buy an insurance policy through the University of Tulsa. However, if the student prefers to buy an insurance policy from a company in their home country, the student must have coverage while residing in the United States.
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The Association of International Students.
Copyright © 2001 [ University of Tulsa]. All rights reserved.
Revised: June 19, 2001 .