Umang - The Indian Graduate Student Association - Washington University in St. Louis

This checklist covers the tasks you should complete once you have settled into your apartment and get more familiar with St. Louis. Note that items with the red boxes are compulsory/urgent while the ones in black are optional/less urgent.

Set up your email account

The University and various student organizations will send email to your email address that is provided by Washington University. Make sure that you check those accounts periodically or forward it to the account that you use most often.

Set up your library account

Washington University Libraries provides an online system for managing your library record, renewing books and maintaining your reading history. To activate your account, visit this page.

Buy textbooks
Textbooks can be very expensive, depending on the subject. You can get textbooks at discounted price online from half.com, amazon.com, and other such places. You may also be able to borrow books from other students in your department. Ask people in your department for the best place to buy books.

Social Security Number

Having a social security number can make your life a lot easier when setting up utilities, applying for a credit card, starting cellphone service etc.

The procedure for obtaining a social security card was recently changed by the University due to change in regulations by the U.S. Government. You should ask the staff at the Office for International Students and Scholars for the exact procedure for obtaining a social security card.

Apply for a Missouri State ID/Drivers License

We encourage all students to apply for a Missouri state ID or a Drivers license. Either of these serves as a government issued photo ID and is needed to enter bars, to purchase alcohol, board flights, etc. If you don't have such an ID, you are forced to use your passport which means you have to carry it around all the time. The state ID/license is a convenient and safer alternative.

You can obtain a Missouri ID at any Department of Revenue office. For a list of locations, check the Missouri DOR site. For a driver's license, you will have to pass a written and driving test. The requirements for these can be found in a booklet that is available at the Office for International Students and Scholars.

Have some fun!

Once you have settled in, and want something to do on weekends and in your spare time, explore the neighborhood around the University and beyond. A list of some of the places to see can be found here. Also, don't forget to become an Umang member and attend our events.