Requirements

  • Cornell To-Do List
  • Apply for the required visa (F-1 or J-1)
  • Confirm your housing and transportation arrangements to your new home

Cornell To-Do List

  • Obtain your ID, NetID, and Cornell Email.
  • Decide whether to live on-campus or off-campus.
  • Decide whether to subscribe to the school’s Meal Plan or purchase Big Red Bucks (tax-exempt, meaning you save 8% sales tax). Cornell’s dining options are among the best in U.S. universities, with a variety of meal choices and prices that are slightly lower than off-campus alternatives. While the Meal Plan may not save you a lot of money, a “light” Meal Plan is worth considering as an alternative if you’re feeling lazy or want to try different options.
  • Complete a medical examination form. For Taiwanese students, besides needing to make an appointment for the physical, you may also be required to receive certain designated vaccines. Since everyone’s vaccination history is different, please refer to the instructions on the physical form and bring your vaccination record when making your appointment.
  • If you want to save money, you can wait until the Student Health Plan (SHP) goes into effect on August 1. Then, get any required vaccines for free at on-campus Cornell Health. However, if you do not meet the immunization requirements by September 20, the school will fine you $100! For details, see New student health requirements.

Apply for the Required Visa (F-1 or J-1)

Please start the application process as early as possible, and allow at least three months as a safe preparation window. (There was a period when AIT provided an interview waiver service for F-2 visas, but please check current information for details.)

Mobile Carriers

Decide whether to purchase a U.S. prepaid phone SIM card while you are still in Taiwan. Major U.S. carriers include AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. If you prefer a virtual SIM, you might also consider signing up for Google Fi, which offers unlimited plans in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico.

Student Health Plan (SHP)

  • The coverage starts on August 1, 2024. If you need health insurance before then, you must purchase it separately. Therefore, before the start of classes, you will be without health insurance in the U.S., so it is recommended to address any medical needs in Taiwan first.
  • It is advisable to obtain your Natural Person Certificate in Taiwan; assess the pros and cons of terminating your Taiwanese health insurance, and decide whether to renew it.
  • Cornell’s Student Health Plan does not include dental or vision coverage by default. If needed, you can purchase additional dental and vision insurance. (Dental insurance costs around NT$200+.)

Air Tickets

Do not book a flight earlier than the earliest entry date specified on your I-20 or DS-2019.

Suggested Packing Items

Essentially, you can easily find a packing checklist through Google by searching for “packing checklist for studying abroad”. Don’t worry! Ithaca is not a barren place (although sometimes it may feel a bit desolate, haha). Almost all daily necessities can be purchased locally or obtained via secondhand communities. Below is a list of items that are “a hassle not to bring” and items that are “harder to buy or have a significant price difference” if not brought.

  • Valid passport, visa, and I-20 or DS-2019.
  • Documents requested on the To-Do List, including photos, health records, transcripts, etc.
  • Cash and bank cards. It is recommended to have an enabled overseas credit card; until your local account is set up, rely on these for living expenses. If you are receiving scholarships from the university or the Taiwanese government, bring enough cash (or maintain sufficient credit card limit) to cover approximately 2-4 weeks of living expenses.
  • Contact information for your residence in Taiwan and emergency contacts (sometimes required on forms).
  • If you have a driver’s license, be sure to also obtain an International Driving Permit along with an accident-free record; these will be needed for car rentals and auto insurance.
  • Notebooks (especially unruled notebooks).
  • If you prefer Japanese stationery or correction tapes, bring them along.
  • L-shaped document folders. Note: The standard paper size in the U.S. is not A4 (210mm × 297mm) but letter size (215.9mm × 279.4mm). Therefore, aside from L-fold folders, other types of folders may not fit standard U.S. dimensions and can be omitted.
  • Spare glasses and contact lenses.
  • Since Cornell has many slopes, be sure to bring a comfortable pair of walking shoes.
  • If you prefer Taiwanese or Japanese brands for personal hygiene, cosmetics, or moisturizers, bring them with you.
  • If you have a lean or petite frame (e.g., height <150 cm), consider packing a few well-fitting clothing items. Although local shopping is an option, it might take time to find the right sizes. The same goes for women’s shoe sizes below 6.
  • Cute styles of clothing and doll shoes.

Items You Do Not Need or Should Not Bring

Do Not Bring

(Brand preferences aside)

  • Over-the-counter medications can be easily purchased at pharmacies or grocery stores. (For instance, you might not be able to buy Panadol or cold relief drinks abroad.)
  • Bedding, as they take up a lot of luggage space and inexpensive versions are available at local stores.
  • All winter gear, unless you have a large suitcase with plenty of extra space.
  • Sanitary pads. In the U.S., there are many affordable options of tampons (if you aren’t accustomed to using them in Taiwan, you might consider giving them a try).

Items You Cannot Bring

  • Agricultural or livestock products such as fruits, vegetables, seeds, and meat. As a rule, any item with visible meat content on the packaging is prohibited. To avoid unnecessary trouble, steer clear of these items.

Departure and Entry

  • Before departing Taiwan, you can apply for automated clearance service to save time in line.
  • When entering the U.S., you will need to fill out a customs declaration form (CBP Declaration Form), which is typically distributed by the flight crew before landing. If the total value you are carrying exceeds $10,000, you must also fill out Customs Form 4790. Gifts priced higher than $100 each may be subject to tax, while used personal items such as clothing, laptops, and cameras generally are not.

Public Transportation / Travel Guide

The simplest way to get to Ithaca (for details, please refer to the ‘Off-Campus Transportation’ section):

  • Upon entry, transfer directly to the Ithaca local airport.
  • Arrive via New York, then take a bus to Ithaca.
  • Arrange for a charter service to take you directly to Ithaca.

Off-Campus Transportation (Air)

Ithaca has an airport Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport that serves only domestic flights. It is located north of the Cornell campus, with around 4 daily departures. A bus route (TCAT Route 32) connects the airport to downtown. Currently, there are four airports that offer direct flights to Ithaca:

  • JFK, NYC
  • Philadelphia, PHL
  • Washington - Dulles, IAD
  • Detroit, DTW

Although Syracuse offers Trailways bus service, there are only two departures per day (around 4 or 5 PM), with a travel time of 1.5-2.5 hours.

  • If you are carrying a lot of luggage, you might consider taking a taxi or Uber/Lyft from Syracuse airport directly to your Ithaca accommodation, to minimize the hassle of moving your luggage. Taxi fares are generally fixed without peak or off-peak differences, approximately $130; Uber or Lyft may be slightly cheaper in off-peak times—around $80 one way—but can surge during peak times.

Charter Services

“Long Journey” – A company run by Chinese entrepreneurs offering charter services along the East Coast. As long as the roads are open and drivable, they will operate. The one-way fare from JFK to Ithaca is approximately USD 550. Although expensive, it is the most convenient and effective option. (Bookings are made solely via WeChat: fyzq2509.)

Off-Campus Transportation (Rail)

  • Ithaca does not have a passenger rail service. The closest train station is in Syracuse; Amtrak operates routes from New York City through Albany, Syracuse, Rochester, and Buffalo. Check schedules and book tickets here.

Off-Campus Transportation (Bus)

  • In recent years, road-based public transportation in Ithaca has developed well. Currently, four companies offer bus services between Ithaca and nearby cities: Shortline, Greyhound, Trailways NY, and Big Red Bullet, as well as Cornell C2C, a campus shuttle service.
  • For bus schedules and ticketing, please visit Wanderu.
  • Many bus companies offer student discounts—check their websites or ask at the ticket counter when purchasing.
  • Shortline (a brand under Coach USA): Its routes cover New York City and surrounding areas. During most of the semester, many bus routes stop at the Cornell campus, making it very convenient. Ithaca’s Greyhound Bus Terminal is about a 15-20 minute walk from downtown Ithaca. In New York City, the boarding point is at Port Authority.
  • Greyhound: Operates nationwide. Ithaca’s station is the same as Shortline, and New York City’s pickup point is also at Port Authority.
  • Trailways NY: Routes cover upstate New York. Ithaca’s bus stop is the same as for Greyhound and Shortline.
  • Cornell C2C (Campus-to-Campus): A shuttle service connecting the New York and Ithaca campuses. Because it is a direct service, travel time is shorter, but the fare is slightly higher. In New York, pickup points include the Cornell Club or Weill Cornell Medical College, both accessible by subway. The bus offers coffee, snacks, fruit, electrical outlets, and restrooms. Reservations must be made in advance and a phone number provided.
  • Ourbus: Ourbus offers the cheapest tickets, especially because they use dynamic pricing – the earlier you book, the cheaper the fare; however, if you book late, it could be more expensive than Shortline. There are fewer trips per day, and during long holiday periods there may be extra services. You can download the app to purchase tickets and use them as your ticket. Additionally, Ourbus membership can save you $15 per ticket, which is very cost-effective for frequent riders. First-time purchases also come with a $10 discount.
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Last updated 26 Mar 2025, 20:03 -0400 . history