Sorry fellas if these have been asked (numerous) times already, but just read carefully though the orientation packet again and wanted to throw a couple questions up to ya ...

1. What's the whole MAILBOX situation. From my understanding its a PO Box in Miami. What good is it. Is it something you recommend?

2. Banking on the Island. Seems rather inconvient to deal in cash for two years, but they only recommend you open a savings account on the island. Question: Should we open a checking account as well or aren't checks even existant on SXM? Also if the word is "negative" on the checks do you even recommend openning an account down there?

3. ATM question. My ATM card is through a regional credit union and doesn't say CIRRUS anywhere on it. Will it be any good down there or should I open an account at a US national bank - or just wait and get a new card down on the island?

4. Microscopes. Should we be lining up microscope for 2nd semester now, or will we be able to get one off of upper classmen?

5. Tuition. My loan check is supposed to be disbursed to MEIO 22 Aug., but with all their talk of how long checks take to clear, will it clear before class startt?

6. Dorms Stuff. They give a list of a BUNCH of stuff that is not included in the dorm, is it cheaper to pick most of it up down there? Anything you don't recommend buying there for economic reasons?

Thanks and see you soon,

"Tin Cup"

__________________
"BE THE BALL"
- Chevy Chase

1. I'm wondering the same thing. Today is their last day on the 95 dollar special. We've got about a hour or so before 5 pm their time to sign up....

3. Refer to http://www.valuemd.com/viewtopic.php?t=4667

__________________
Finally beat Super Mario Bros within 7 mins.

How quickly do we need to have health insurance? I've e-mailed Nagico a couple of times, but have yet to get a response.

I have time to answer just a few of your question. First of all "The Mailbox" is a courier service based out of Miami. We can pick up our mail on Wed and Sat's. Mail goes out on Tues and Fridays. Most studentys use it but the service is not perfect. My wife recently ordered some merchandise and we never received it.

Dont worry about the microscope. Yes, there are plenty of scopes to passed along from student to student. I bought mine I think for $200 or something like that.

I hope this helps,

Todd

Before you get approved for the Health Insurance you must first get a physical and some blood work done at a local clinic.

Todd

1. What's the whole MAILBOX situation. From my understanding its a PO Box in Miami. What good is it. Is it something you recommend? Mmmmm I dunno. At first I thought, no, it was pretty worthless, but it does help to maintain a US addy for some thing. I don't use it as my primary addy, tho, I just send important things to my mom's house, then she collects it and once a month or so sends it all to me. A Miami addy is good for small purchases off Ebay or whatever. They bring the mail to the school, tho, too, so that's a good thing.

2. Banking on the Island. Seems rather inconvient to deal in cash for two years, but they only recommend you open a savings account on the island. Question: Should we open a checking account as well or aren't checks even existant on SXM? Also if the word is "negative" on the checks do you even recommend openning an account down there? So far, the ONLY benefit I have found to having a bank account here is have your GEBE (utility) bills deducted from the account. GEBE's hours are worse than the banks' hours, so it can be a pain to get there and get your bill paid on time. As far as checking accounts, NO ONE here uses checks. Most local businesses don't accept them (so I've been told), and I just don't see a need for them. You can open a US account, do your banking online and through the mail, and the ATMs here charge no fees. Only fees we have are the $1 per withdrawal our US bank charges. With using the ATM 1/2 times a week, it's hardly a drain on our budget.

3. ATM question. My ATM card is through a regional credit union and doesn't say CIRRUS anywhere on it. Will it be any good down there or should I open an account at a US national bank - or just wait and get a new card down on the island? Get a US account and a US checkcard/ATM card before you come down. I can't stress this enough. The network covers Cirrus and the other major companies, I don't remember them offhand, someone had a good post about this last week or so, listed all the island ATMs and the networks, I think...

4. Microscopes. Should we be lining up microscope for 2nd semester now, or will we be able to get one off of upper classmen? Not usually a problem. You don't need it much in 2nd anyway, you can get by sharing 2 or 3 to a scope if you need to for Histo, not sure about Micro yet (any 3rd-sems here?) Todd, were you in Micro?

5. Tuition. My loan check is supposed to be disbursed to MEIO 22 Aug., but with all their talk of how long checks take to clear, will it clear before class startt? As I have said before... you will NOT get your loan money until 10 days into the semester (meaning after classes start) at the EARLIEST. Bring some money with you. Just because it says disbursed on such-and-such date, only means the school should get it (in Miami) on that date, then it needs to be shipped here, processed, signed over to AUC, draw 10 days' worth of interest in their bank account, cut a new check to you, FedEx it back to the US, and get deposited in your US account. Simple, right?

6. Dorms Stuff. They give a list of a BUNCH of stuff that is not included in the dorm, is it cheaper to pick most of it up down there? Anything you don't recommend buying there for economic reasons? I think you can get nearly anything you need here. Just bring enough personal grooming products and medicines to get you through the 1st, semester. This includes OTC meds. I use acid-reducers (your stomach doesn't get any better in med school, ya know!) and I brought 1 semester's worth down here, but had to have more shipped through the Mailbox. I don't know how much they cost down here, but I know a box of 30 200mg ibuprofen at the drugstore was $3.00. I dunno if they sell those at the supermarket here, I've never looked.

Hope these help.

[quote="tRmedic21"][i]
5. Tuition. My loan check is supposed to be disbursed to MEIO 22 Aug., but with all their talk of how long checks take to clear, will it clear before class startt? As I have said before... you will NOT get your loan money until 10 days into the semester (meaning after classes start) at the EARLIEST. Bring some money with you. Just because it says disbursed on such-and-such date, only means the school should get it (in Miami) on that date, then it needs to be shipped here, processed, signed over to AUC, draw 10 days' worth of interest in their bank account, cut a new check to you, FedEx it back to the US, and get deposited in your US account. Simple, right?

First thanks for the response - in regards to the tuition I'm just wondering if we need to cover the tuition ($8000) until the check clears.

"Tin Cup"

__________________
"BE THE BALL"
- Chevy Chase

Nope

If you didnt make the $95 special at the mailbox dont sweat it. A one year membership is normally $99.

Todd