General Info
Admission
In general, students with TOEFL score 79 and above will get admission or students with very good academic credentials plus TOEFL score of minimum 16 in each band. Some students still get admission without TOEFL score, but, they have to enter MSU as ESL (English as a second language) program. After successful completion of ESL, then go to their respective curriculum.

GRE score is needed for MS program, and, if applying for graduate assistantships in departments other than your major.

Travel

• Keep all your important documents and articles like passport, I-20, admission letter, traveler's checks, one set of clothing, toilet kit, etc. in your hand baggage as a safety measure - just in case your luggage is delayed by a day or two. Carry some cash of smaller denominations ($1, $5 etc.) with you so that it comes in handy during your travel. Keep a copy of your visa, passport, I-20, admission letter and other important documents in the baggage that you check-in.
• Arrive in Murray at least 8-9 days before classes begin. New student orientation generally a week before the classes start. Students without funding, are advised to arrive by early August (at least 2 weeks before the classes begin), to try for alternate sources of funding.
• Book your flights to Nashville, Tennessee, preferably arriving here on a weekend. Do let us know well in advance about the date and time of your arrival at Nashville Airport. We can make arrangements to pick you up. (Alternate airport is Paducah [code: PAH] which has good connections from Chicago)
• Do not forget to call up your airlines (and not the travel agent) and confirm your flights two/three days before your departure.

Housing

• It is very important for the students coming to Murray State to try and make prior arrangement for their accommodation. Getting accommodation in August is very difficult as most of the other international students are also trying for them. The ISA will make every effort to find each new student at least temporary accommodation, however, we are often unable to do this for everyone. It is advisable that you at least try to get in touch with some of the new students who are coming to Murray State and jointly apply for an apartment.
• You would have received the housing application form and mailing instructions in a separate letter from the International Student Office. If you wish to take up on-campus graduate housing, complete the housing application, enclose the deposit, and mail it to the Housing office at the earliest. There are several apartment complexes for students located close to school.

Sincerely,
President, ISA