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.

VoLTE/Wi-Fi Calling: Many Taiwanese carriers now offer VoLTE/Wi-Fi Calling. You can inquire at their stores to transfer your Taiwanese number to a prepaid plan that allows you to make and receive calls and texts for free over Wi-Fi in the U.S.!

Student Health Plan (SHP)

  • Coverage begins on August 1 each year (spring entrants have a different start date). If you need health insurance before then, you must purchase it separately. This means you will have no health coverage in the U.S. during your first weeks here, so it is best to take care of any medical needs in Taiwan first.
  • It is advisable to obtain your Natural Person Certificate (自然人憑證) in Taiwan; weigh the pros and cons of suspending your Taiwanese National Health Insurance and decide whether to keep paying premiums.
  • Cornell’s Student Health Plan does not include dental or vision coverage by default. If you want them, you can buy dental and vision plans separately. (Dental runs roughly US$200+ per year; premiums are adjusted annually, so check the official site.)

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.
Important: You cannot simply buy contact lenses over the counter in the U.S. You must first be examined by an optometrist and obtain a valid prescription, which is typically good for only one to two years. Bring an adequate supply from Taiwan.
  • 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.
Formal wear: While you can have tailor-made suits in Ithaca with an Asian fit, finding off-the-rack suits is more difficult, so consider whether to bring one, depending on your needs.

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.
You might be taken into a small room for further questioning, but do not panic.

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 is served by Ithaca Tompkins International Airport (ITH, formerly Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport), which handles domestic flights only. It sits just north of the Cornell campus, is very small, and handles only a handful of departures a day. TCAT Route 32 connects the airport to downtown. There are currently only two nonstop routes (airlines and routes change often, so always confirm on the airport’s website before booking):

  • New York – JFK (Delta)
  • Washington – Dulles, IAD (United)
Service at Ithaca has been shrinking for several years — the former Philadelphia (PHL) and Detroit (DTW) routes have both been discontinued. Because there are few flights and the aircraft are small, cancellations and delays are common in bad weather. If you are arriving before the semester starts, leave yourself buffer time, or consider flying into Syracuse (SYR) instead.
The closest international airport to Ithaca is located in Syracuse: Syracuse Hancock International Airport

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.
Since there is extensive bus service between Ithaca and New York City, the New York airports (JFK, EWR, or LGA) are also viable options. Public transportation is well developed, and all three airports offer easy transfers to long-distance bus boarding points; you can also take the slightly more expensive but faster GO Airlink NYC to the bus station. Taxis cost considerably more: JFK to Manhattan is a flat fare of about $70, plus tolls, tip, and peak-hour surcharges, so the total often exceeds $90. LGA and EWR are metered. Worth it if you have heavy luggage, but not if you are trying to save money.

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. There are express (Platinum) services as well as regular routes that stop in Binghamton and Owego; the express is sold online only.
  • 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.
If you have any questions or wish to share information, feel free to join the CTSA Facebook Group or email ctsa-l@cornell.edu!
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Last updated 26 Jul 2026, 01:00 -0400 . history