HOW DO I GET TO WHITTIER COLLEGE FROM THE AIRPORT? 

We recommend that you take either “Prime Time” or “Super Shuttle,” an airport shuttle (minibus type vehicle) service, which will pick you up from the airport terminal and drop you off at the College (or the Whittier Radisson). The shuttle services runs 24 hours a day and serve all of the major Los Angeles area airports. (Note that you do not need to know the directions to the College, just tell the driver your destination and s/he will find the directions).
You can make advanced reservations with Super Shuttle by calling (323) 775-6600 or with Prime Time by calling (310) 342-7200. If you are coming into Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), you can reach Super Shuttle via a courtesy phone in the baggage claim area (dial 56735 on the courtesy phone). The fare to Whittier College from LAX is around $40.00 with Super Shuttle and is likely to be cheaper with Prime Time.

Cabs and rental cars are also available at the airport. Cabs are more expensive than the shuttle services. However, if you are coming with family and want to have a car for the few days that they will be here, you may rent one at the airport. The driver must hold an International Driving License (a license from your own country will not be accepted) and the person must hold a credit card valid in the U.S. (Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover are the major credit cards).

WHAT WILL HAPPEN WHEN I ARRIVE? 
Saturday, September 1st has been left open for you to arrive at Whittier, move into your room and settle in. A current International Student and the International Admission Counselor will be at the Office of Admission to assist you in moving in. If you have relatives in the area or family members who will accompany you, you are free to make your own plans once you have checked into your residence hall room.

WHAT WILL HAPPEN THE FIRST DAY? 
On Sunday, September 2nd, you will start Orientation by attending a special session designed to address the special needs of International Students as the transition from one setting to another. This session will be held early Sunday morning. We will inform you about the location once you arrive to school. At that time, you will have the opportunity to meet current International Students and become acquainted with your fellow entering International Students. Later in the day you will be joining the entering domestic students for the rest of your Orientation.

WHERE WILL I LIVE?
Housing arrangements will be mailed to you in July. You will find out which residence hall you will be living in, your room number and your roommate’s name, home address and telephone number.

HOW MUCH MONEY SHOULD I BRING WITH ME?
You should bring the equivalent of $1,000 US when you first arrive. You should carry at least $300 in cash and the remainder in traveler’s checks. Remember that you will need the money for books and personal expenses, as well as to open a bank account after your arrival. You can exchange foreign currency at local banks or at the airport (confirm this with the bank when you open your account).

Please know that your passport will function as your primary form of identification until you obtain a College ID card at registration. If you have other forms of identification, such as an International Driving License, you may want to bring that with you.

WHEN DO I REGISTER FOR CLASSES?
Orientation will continue through Wednesday, September 5th and you will register during orientation. During this time you will meet your assigned Faculty Mentor and go through the mentoring and advisement process prior to registering for courses. If you have any questions regarding majors and classes, be sure to talk to your faculty mentor before you register. Classes will begin on Thursday, September 6th.

WHEN AND HOW DO I PAY MY BILLS?
You will need to pay the balance on your account by September 4th. By the time you register, you will be expected to have paid your fall semester charges to the College: tuition and fees plus housing minus any financial aid you have received and the tuition and housing deposits you have sent. Detailed information on billing amounts and procedures will be sent to you by the business office in July. Upon receipt of that information, you may contact Darryl Foy at dfoy@whittier.edu in case you have specific questions pertaining to your bill.

In order for the payment to take place, you should wire your funds to Whittier College through the international banking system. We strongly recommend you wire your funds by Monday August 20th. Wiring funds is usually the most efficient way to meet payment deadlines, since it can be done prior to your arrival. To do this, contact your local banker to inquire about the availability of this service and please allow enough time for this process to take place. You will need to provide them with the following information:

The amount of dollars you wish to wire

Wire to:
Bank of America Credit to: Whittier College
San Francisco, CA Account No.: 14598 06083
ABA No. 121 000 358 Credit for: (your name)

Paying your bills by credit card is also an option that is available to you. Although you need not present the actual credit card, we will require the following information: type of credit card, account number, expiration date, and the name of the account holder as it appears on the card. Whittier College accepts Visa, MasterCard, and Discover cards and you are advised to check with the bank issuing the credit card for validity in the U.S.

As a final option you may bring a cashier’s check with you, payable to Whittier College.

WHEN WILL I OPEN A BANK ACCOUNT, GO SHOPPING, ETC?
You will have plenty of time throughout Orientation to open bank accounts, set up your telephone service and get yourself settled. Bank and telephone representatives will also be on campus Sunday September 3rd to assist new students so you can open a bank account and set up your phone service right here on campus that day. You will have time during the course of Orientation Week to attend to personal business and go shopping. It is advisable that you wait until your roommate has moved in before you decide what to purchase for your room and other such matters. Residence hall staff at the College often organizes shopping trips for entering students during Orientation Week.

WHAT SHOULD I BRING?
You might want to bring with you a few essentials for the first few days. See enclosed list for items to probably have in your possession at College. Below is a list of things suggested by past International Students:

Linens, sheets, pillow cases Bath Towels
Personal grooming items Essential medications
Calculator, Stationary items Personal items (photographs, journals, etc)
Alarm clock

There are other items that you will probably need that you may not be able to bring with you. You can send these things ahead in a box or buy them after you get here:

Pillows, mattress pads Blankets, comforters
Hangers Umbrella

HOW CAN I SEND MY BELONGINGS AHEAD OF TIME? 
If you wish to send a box ahead so that you do have excess baggage when you travel, please address and ship to:

(Your name)
(Your residence hall, room number)
C/o Physical Plant
Whittier College
13406 East Philadelphia St.
Whittier, CA 90608
USA

WHAT IF I GET SICK AFTER I ARRIVE? 
Most health insurance plans you have in your home country will not be valid in the United States. The College requires you to obtain a health insurance policy through our contractor, which will cover you from August 23, 2006 through August 23, 2007. You will be billed for this with your other fees due to the College and an estimate is included in the fees previously mentioned. (Your July mailing from the Business Office will have the details).

WHO IS MY CONTACT PERSON AT THE COLLEGE?
You may contact Darryl Foy, International Admission Counselor. He can be reached at (562) 907-4238 during normal business hours (8:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.). If an emergency should arise, you or your family can reach Campus Safety 24 hours a day at (562) 907-4211. See you in September!

WHAT SHOULD I BRING FROM WHERE? 
Use this list as a guideline of things to possibly bring from home or buy in the U.S. Keep in mind the size of your room and that you will be sharing it with your roommate.

You will be loaned linens, sheets, pillow, pillowcase, and blanket upon your arrival at school. This will give you time to go purchase some for your own room.

FROM HOME 
Passport, visa, I-20
Money as previously described
Clothes
Personal grooming items (comb, brush, toothbrush, toothpaste, shampoo, deodorant, feminine hygiene etc)
Personal items (photographs, journals, memorable items from home, music, CD player, alarm clock, watch, etc)
Essential medication
Bath towel
Backpack

AT SCHOOL 
Linens, sheets, mattress pad, pillow, pillowcase, blanket
Books
Stationary items (pens, paper, notebook, calculator, etc)
Lamps
Hangers
Jacket
Umbrella
Other clothes
Computer supplies (optional, the school has computer facilities)
Fan
Laundry detergent, fabric softener

A few places you can buy things once you get to school (we can get you directions):
Bookstore
Target- a one stop shop, has everything from clothes, food, office supplies, etc
RiteAid- pharmacy, drug store
Ralphs- grocery store
Old Navy- clothing store

Keep in mind that the residence halls are usually pretty warm during the start and end of school especially. Whittier averages about 75-85 degrees during summer days but can drop down to 50 degrees at night. During the winter, there is some rain, no snow, and the temperature is around 60 degrees during the day and 38-45 degrees in the evening.