Checklists and guides for the long journey

Work only the time bucket you still have—visa, housing, cabin bag, and first-week setup.

Start with · Open the bucket that matches days until arrival

Day-by-day calm sequence: CBP → housing → DSO check-in → bank → SIM → food.

Start with · Immigration check-in before shopping trips

Days ~15–45: finish status leftovers, banking, and one campus habit before midterms.

Start with · Confirm SEVIS check-in is recorded before job hunting

Term dates, assessment milestones, full-time load, and when not to book travel.

Start with · Import your campus academic calendar first

Leave and return mid-program with a travel signature, exam-safe tickets, and a re-entry pack.

Start with · Confirm exam dates before you buy flights

OPT filing windows, honest employer start dates, and EAD before day one of work.

Start with · Add program end date, then book a DSO OPT overview

Decision checklist (deposits, conditions, accept/decline)—not Shortlist rows or Cost calculator math.

Start with · Mirror offer schools in Shortlist, then run this gate

Year-one categories + monthly review—enter amounts in Cost calculator; move money via Remittances/Banking.

Start with · Lock categories, then open Cost calculator

What counts as real money and where to search—track dollars in Funding path; borrow via Loans.

Start with · Count only awards you have in writing

Whether to borrow, gap size, cosigner, and plan B—not the Loans how-to playbook.

Start with · Size year-one need minus proven funds first

Term season + skill/cadence habits—readiness in Campus jobs; CPT/OPT how-to in Jobs; OPT dates in Graduation.

Start with · Pick this term’s season (skills / paycheck / internship / finish)

Your buy/have/skip/wait board—not Shopping store routes or Food grocery loops; dollars stay in Budget/Cost.

Start with · Set phase, inventory housing, cap Need at ≤10