Who am I ?

I am Pruthviraj Munadrgi, graduated this June 2024 as 'Masters in computer Science'

I am only helping because, when I came here alone, not knowing anyone, i didnt know any whatsapp groups existed, left alone with lots of questions. untill 4 months, I met few amazing people.

more about me here

your contribution to this page is most welcome here

if you have a question, create an new issue

Where to Live

There are several housing options available for students:

keep in mind that there is no commission for finding houses

there will be initial applicaton fee, you'll be asked to pay the first month rent, last month rent and security deposit(it will be refunded at the end)

yes, you can share a room with another person, but they have to be added in the lease document. this may cost additional $50 on the rent. but it is safe to include them in the lease document. If the managmant gets to know they you had a person living under the same roof, without having them on the lease, will lead to fine or termination of the lease. (yes this happened, the fine was huge, then they had to vacate the house)

there are mainly 3 official Drexel affiliated housing 🤮 Chestnut Square (I lived here initially, Here is my personal review, give a 👍), The Summit and University Crossings. I would not recomend that

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• Zillow Real estate company. Websites zillow.com has a listing of appartments.
• spotted is what i used, I lived in 3836 Spring Garden, Philadelphia spotted in universitycity request a tour and apply.

things to consider while looking for a appartments

• Proximity to Drexel University Consider how close the apartment is to the Drexel University campus. Living within walking distance or a short commute can save time on transportation.
• Safety Research the safety of the neighborhood. Look for low crime rates and safe streets. there are police patrol in some aras
• most of the studnts live in Powelton, Pearl St, Baring St, Hamilton St, Spring Garden St (I lived here), Brandywine St and Haverford Ave. Try to stay within 39 th street, it gets shady beond this
• Rental Costs Determine your budget and look for apartments that fit within it. Consider not only the rent but also utilities (water, electricity, internet) which may or may not be included. I lived in 3bed, 3bath, I paid $630 only for rent
• Furnished vs. Unfurnished Decide if you prefer a furnished or unfurnished apartment. Furnished apartments may be convenient for international students who don't want to buy furniture immediately.
• Local Services and Shops Look for nearby grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants, and other essential services. Convenience can make daily life easier.

Crime

there is an other web page to see live crime like armed robbery and prisoner escpaed (kitten stuck on a tree) citizen app app is also avalable to give live updates

local transportation

most used is Drexel shuttle

they have few fixed routes

• Powelton/Spring Garden Route Operates Monday-Friday and Weekends

  Monday to Friday and Saturday &T Sunday have different schedule

  bus schedule and stops here
• Dragon Route (Center City Loop)
• Queen Lane Route (East Falls Loop)
• University of Pennsylvania Bus (East / West)

official stite : here

• Indego – Philly's Bike Share it is a Subscription based bybycle rental. both regular bycycle and electric powered bybycle is avalable. Indego pass i feel the Subscription is a little expencive. but good thing you ride and park it, we dont have to worry about bycycle Maintenance.
• uber you know this
• Lyft just like uber

Public transportation (paid)

• SEPTA Subway (Market-Frankford Line) $2 hop in anywere, drop out anywere
  • Runs east-west through Philadelphia, connecting major neighborhoods and transit hubs.
  • Links to regional rail lines and other SEPTA services.
• SEPTA Subway (Broad Street Line)
  • Runs north-south through Philadelphia, serving key areas including sports complexes and city hall.
  • Provides connections to the Market-Frankford Line and regional rail.
• SEPTA Regional Rail
  • Connects Philadelphia to suburbs and surrounding areas with multiple lines serving various destinations.
  • Includes routes such as the Lansdale/Doylestown Line and the Wilmington/Newark Line.
• SEPTA Bus Services
  • Offers extensive coverage throughout Philadelphia and surrounding regions with numerous routes.
  • Provides access to neighborhoods, shopping areas, and major transit centers.
• SEPTA Trolley Services
  • Operates on four lines (Routes 10, 11, 13, 15) connecting neighborhoods in Philadelphia and parts of Delaware County.
  • Provides a vintage-style, surface-level transit option.

safety

Yes it is shady sometimes

ideal to carry a pepper spray

travel in group (follow the script from movie Stree 2018)

Approximate expenditure

the below cost is per head

• house rent: $630 🏠(one room in 3 bed, 3 bath apartment)
• electricity: $35 (peco, we get total bill from $60 to $130 in winter, it gets too cold here)
• home internet: $20 🌐 (Verizon internet router, we took $60 plan)
• mobile plan: $25 (Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, Mint Mobile)
• groceries: $150 to $200 (🥕🫛🥔, butter, paneer 🧈 and Chicken 🍗) (Invite for dinner, I love to learn cooking)

total will fall around $870+ (excluding clothes 🥾 shopping and ice-cream 🍧)

check if the mobile operator has student plan.

Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile will have offers on mobile device where if you sign a contract for a year, they will give you a brand new phone (sim locked ofcource) but works like a regular phone, works out cheaper than buying a new phone 📱

if you live far, $2 for septa (bus, trolly, metro) every time you get on and change to another

Where to Find Part-Time Jobs

legally you are supposed to work on-campus jobs only

you can only wotk for 20 hours a week as a full time student

usual minimum pay is $13 can go up to $18 for hour

• Teaching assistant (COURSE ASSISTANT): I have only seen for Computer science (CS, AI, ML) studnts, I do not know for other cources. open the link, at the last line this application is for course assistants only you will need recomendation from drexel faculty. works best if you apply after your first quarter, so that you can write an email to the faculty saying "hello professor, i took your course, i would likr to apply for course assistant position, your recomendation will be helpful, bla, bla bla ".
• as a student we an also work as "student worker" at campus dining, there is a companu called as Aramark they hire people to work (they do background check, HR will look at your papers thingu and all). here is how and were to apply, we live in 'university city' its an local area like 'Kuvempunagar', the pin code is 19104. you need to use the term called as 'Student Worker' link to CAREER aramark with filter
• Starbucks: located at '65 N 34th St, Philadelphia, PA 19104'. apply here for the post called 'student worker' (pre order for coffee here )

what next after securing a part time job

Lot of people are asked if its too much to take on while being in first quarter

I would strongly suggest apply and get the job. then you will have optin to take up the shift or not

you can choose not to take shift if you have exams coming up or assignments are due or need time for a going on a date 😏

Procedure for Getting a Social Security Number (SSN)

1. Eligibility You must have secured on-campus employment or a co-op position to apply for an SSN. The SSN is used to report your wages to the government and determine eligibility for social security benefits.
2. Job Offer Letter Obtain a job offer letter from your employer, which should include:
   • Employer’s name
   • Number of hours per week
   • Employment start date
3. Request SSN Support Letter Email your job offer letter to the International Students and Scholars Services (ISSS) at Drexel (isss@drexel.edu) to request a support letter for your SSN application.
4. Application Process
   • Visit the Social Security Administration (SSA) office with your job offer letter, SSN support letter from ISSS, passport, visa, I-94, and I-20 or DS-2019.
   • Complete the SSN application form (SS-5).
   • you will need to carry
     1. offer letter
     2. passport
     3. I20
     4. Lease document (for address verification)
     5. support letter (from ISSS)
     6. college addmission letter
5. Processing Time It may take up to three weeks to receive your SSN after applying. It will come to your house mail box.

Importance of Credit Cards

• Building Credit History: Establishing a credit history in the U.S. is crucial for future financial decisions, such as renting an apartment, buying a car, or applying for loans.
• Convenience and Security: Credit cards offer a secure and convenient way to manage your finances, with the added benefit of fraud protection.
• Financial Benefits: Many credit cards offer rewards, such as cash back, travel points, or other perks that can be beneficial for students

I started using Discover card as my first credit card, as it did not have ant previous record of credit score

and one of my senior was kind enough to share a referal code, I got $100 so did they
this offer still exist
use this link https://refer.discover.com/s/pruthvigudduraj9 each of us will get $100 (sign up bonus for you, referal bonus for me)

once we get credit score, we can apply for better credit cards (may take 9 months to ge the first score).
for more information, its called FICO Score.

Where to Get Groceries

Here are some grocery stores near Drexel University:

• Mario's Market Food Pantry:Free food stuff 🎉, it is an on-campus food pantry at Drexel University, designed to support students, staff, and faculty experiencing food insecurity.
  But keep in mind that 99% of the food is from donation, they will be at the border of experation, so take only what you need, consume it within a week, come back again for more stuff.
  The pantry offers a variety of food items, including non-perishable canned and boxed goods, as well as refrigerated food.
  The inventory is supported by University budgets and early fundraising efforts.
  Address: Rush Building 30 N 33rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19104 . they restock on thursday, I usually get the canned food like 'canned tomato' for my curry and rasam (with rice), canned Tuna (fish), small packs of rice is also avalable. official information
• International Foods & Spices:popularly knos as 'IFS', This grocery store stocks Indian & South Asian,Address: 4203 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104 . its closed on Tuesday
• GIANT Heirloom Market:Address: 3401 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104 . bread, basic vegitables, chips, sause.
• one of a farmers market: it is a very stall beside walking path. like our local indian fruit stall. you will get fresh fruits and berries .Address: 3998-3982 Locust Walk, Philadelphia, PA 19104 . tomato and cucuber is very cheaper compared to other stores carry cash .
• GIANT: the bigger and my personal Favorite. 60 N 23rd St, Philadelphia, PA 19103 huge super market, has more verity (may Favoriteplace for shoping grocerie )
• Dana Mandi 2: Massive Indian grocerie store 325 S 69th St, Upper Darby, PA 19082 reaching here is little tedious, but far better variety
• ACME Markets: store is big, but some items may have added tax while billing. 4001 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104 I felt its a little expencive
• Makkah Market:popular for Halal food and meat, you will also get spices, herbs (I havent seen vegitables here ).Address: 4249 Walnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19104 . (please invite me for Biryani).
• Patel Brothers: Indian Groceries, very big, but you will need a car to reach here because it is very far. 1907 Street Rd, Bensalem, PA 19020 you name it, they have it. frozen chikku, shreded coconut, dosa batter, banana leaf, tinned jackfruit and many more

while shopping in Giant I strongly recomend you to signup for a bonus card (create a free account)

you will get a barcode, scan the barcode before you scan your item. (there will be price difference for vegetables and fruits)

else you can just use the below barcode (its free to create an account, there is no use of the app once you create account)

Where to Get other stuff (cloths, pans & utensils)

most common plce to shop for students (with our budget😅)

• Ross Dress for Less:Clothing store, Address: 701 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19106 . popplar for shoe and girls purse
• Burlington:Address: 833 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19107 . I love kitchen utensils here, frying pan
• Fashion District Philadelphia: cluster of shops, H&M, Primark and many. Address 901 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19107
• Dollar Tree: most items for $1.25. Address 2601 W Girard Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19130 cloth hanger, Aluminum Foil, paper plates, Ceramic bowl, Ceramic plate

Where to eat out

Here are some places for social gathering:

• Amma's South Indian Cuisine:best for dine in, good south indian food. Dosa, veg and non-veg tali. Address: 1518 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19102 . its close to city hall
• Virasat Haveli: my personal Favorite. Better North Indian food. I recomend "Chicken tandoori platter". Address 4051 Market St, Philadelphia, PA 19104 ask for 'Indian spicy' for each dish for our spice
• Thanal Indian Tavern: good veg options. recomended "spicy gobi manchuri". Address 1939 Arch St, Philadelphia, PA 19103
• Fadó Irish Pub: there is no entry fee (you will need passport for age verification), better crowd on weekends, there will be music and you can dance. Address 1500 Locust St, Philadelphia, PA 19102 mostly english music
• Morgan's Pier: place to hangout (drink and chill) Address: 221 N Christopher Columbus Blvd, Philadelphia, PA 19106 . you will be sitting next to Delaware River which seperates Philadelphia and New Jersey.

Health insurence

Drexel University offers a health insurance plan through UnitedHealthcare.

Mandatory Health Insurance

All full-time students at Drexel University, including international students, are required to have health insurance. You must either enroll in the Drexel-sponsored health insurance plan or provide proof of comparable coverage to waive the university plan

in other basic words, how it works is, you buy an insurance, Drexel says its valid or not, if it is valid and they accept it. you are left in peace, if not they will do a another mess

Drexel-Sponsored Health Insurance Plan

Drexel University offers a health insurance plan through UnitedHealthcare, known as the Dragon Plan. This plan provides comprehensive coverage, including emergency and non-emergency care, inpatient and outpatient services, mental health and substance abuse treatment, and coverage for pre-existing conditions further reading here

Costs

The annual cost for the Dragon Plan for the 2023-2024 academic year is $2,958 for individual students. Additional costs apply if you need coverage for dependents

Alternative Health Insurance Options (I am not recomending them, just to give you guys an idea)

when in doubt, always email the drexel health, to check if this falls under requiremnet before purchase

Several providers offer health insurance plans that may meet Drexel's requirements and could be more affordable than the university-sponsored plan:

• I came across another wellaway
• Visitor Insurance: Offers various plans for international students that can be cheaper than university-sponsored plans. They provide comprehensive coverage and can assist with the waiver process
• International Student Insurance (ISI): Provides reliable and affordable plans designed to meet visa requirements and university standards. They offer multiple plan levels to suit different budgets and needs

Waiving the Drexel Plan

If you choose to use an alternative health insurance plan, it must meet specific criteria set by Drexel University. The alternative plan must:

• Provide coverage for emergency and non-emergency care in the Drexel area.
• Include mental health and substance abuse coverage.
• Offer a policy year maximum of at least $500,000.
• Be provided by a company licensed to do business in the U.S. with a U.S. claims payment office and phone number.

Applying for a Waiver

To apply for a waiver, you need to submit proof of your alternative insurance plan to Drexel University by the specified deadline. The university will review your plan to ensure it meets their requirements. If approved, you will not be enrolled in the Drexel-sponsored plan, and the premium will not be charged to your student account

By understanding these requirements and exploring your options, you can make an informed decision about your health insurance coverage while studying at Drexel University.

I took Drexel insurence, it was hassle-free

I am a little free now, not come to Philadelphia yet, what to do ?

here are the things I would recommend

• map your couse:I would strongly suggest you to plan all your coueces, Create a map, Which subject to take in which quarter, Using term master schedule. link: Term Master Schedule . keep an eye, course may have prerequisite
• please dont be 🫏hole Selfish once you come here. let's embrace inclusivity and collaboration, fostering a community where sharing and connection thrive.

cources related quesions

close perspective from Master in Computer Science

1. Q: Can we add or drop courses after we submit it:
   you can drop any time (it's called web-drop) till the class start
   There is also one more You can drop out of class after first class (one class) suppose you didn't like it or some other reason
   worst case: there is one more option called "couese withdrawal", doing this when student are 100% sure student are gonna get F, doing so the student will lose mostly 80% of course fee or full (I don't know), but not a F, neither the credits will be counted.
2. Q: I am planning to take different courses and wanted to know if I can, what other option do I have :
   You can If your pre requsits are wavered You won't have restrictions to take other cource
   But by the end of your masters you will need to take all the required coursed
   For example If you are persuing masters in computer science
   You should meet all your course requirements by the end (after 1.5 year course ) The order Dosent matter
   You will also have to have 45 credits minimum
   Keep in mind that some courcces are not given In perticualr quarters
   (I would recommend taking different, last time not many took computer networks, but it was a core, there were not many seats in the class for all the students The other subject was bad 🤮 )
   
3. Q: after registering for courses when do we have to pay the fees for the quarter?:
   Within 2 weeks of registration.
   Else there will be a small fine
   Don't worry
   This fine can be wavered on the first fee
   Once you come here, go to office and tell that it's your first time paying fee You can get it wavered
4. Q: how do we know how much to pay? Like where is it mentioned?:
   3 courses will be around $13,000
   It will be in Drexel one connect website
   Billing+Financial Aid -> Account Balances and eBills -> Current Balances

5. There are few chances if the cource don't have minimum registration, they may cancel the cource for that quarter

   Q: then what do we do:
   No (you don't have to worry much at this point )
   You'll get a mail if the cource is canceled
6. Q: What to do if the class is full ?:
   apply to waiting list
   you will receive a mail sayig there is a slot
   you will have 24 hours to register, else your waiting spot goes to next person
   yes, there is a high chance you will get if you are in waiting list
7. Q: did you buy any textbooks or reference books for any of the courses?:
   No.
   Sometimes the professors will only give the pdf (very rare that you will have to use textbook )
   Mostly its Google search, Papaer reading
   Youtube and other media
8. Q: Operating systems or computer network (more doable preferred) ?:
   

   CS 543 Operating Systems (I have heard its bad)

   CS 544 Computer Networks too good, taught by Brian Mitchell (he is one of my favorite in whole Drexel life 🤩)

9. Q: CS570 is wavered for me as i am from CS background, can it be counted:
   Yes, it can be “UNWAVERED” and will be counted for credits
   you need to drop a mail to academic advisor
10. Q: What gpa is easily achievable:
    4 is max
    You have to keep 3 or above
    some course are sh*t
    3.45 is doable (for a back bencher like me )
    
11. Q: how is plagiarism in Drexel:
    Here in Drexel, plagiarism is taken very seriously
    So not take any other assignment
    never ever share the assignment
    not even a small chunk of code
    
    wll all have 2 strikes for plagiarism
    for the first strike its noted and reported 😠
    but for the second strike, deported 😡 (zero tolerance)
    
    I am super super super super super super serious
12. Q: QestionQuestion:
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    AnswerLine2
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    AnswerLine5

Additional miscellaneous questions

para text

• what for breakfast ?We usually have Cheerios Cheerios . with milk. Peanut butter and bread. oats.
• milk is bad compared to India the milk has no taste, its like water. Giant Whole . dosent have milk smell either.
• vegetables:less variety. what I miss the most is Okra, bitter gourd, Drumstick, Jackfruit, curry leaves. dont worry, some of it is available in International Store.
• paneer (milk product): is available in Indian store, but its far more expencive than chicken.
• Cloth washing: most apartment have in unit washer and dryer. I felt its nice because it takes 30 minutes for washing and another 60 minutes for drying. in other words, I can wash my bed sheets in the morning and use the same sheets the same afternoon. (crisp dryed). But the down side is if the cloths are not filly dried, its difficult to dry them in the room, due to AC the cloths wont dry. (If it is a little damp, I will just use iron box 😅)
• plants in room: I love plants, but not many indoor plants survive in the room, it is rare that we open the windows, limited sunlight. as far as i have seen there are very few plants which survive indoor.
  • POTHOS (Epipremnum aureum) commonly knows as money plant
  • SPIDER PLANT (Chlorophytum comosum) one of my favorite
  in other words, less 🪴
• Downloading files using torrent is bad here some of my friends recived a notice saying "copyright infringement and may include a request to cease illegal downloading, or further legal action might be taken. Bla Bla Bla ..."
• Time zone Philadelphia is in the Eastern Time Zone (ET) of the United States. This time zone is 5 hours behind Coordinated Universal Time (UTC-5)
  India, on the other hand, uses Indian Standard Time (IST), which is UTC+5:30.
  So, the time difference between Philadelphia and India varies depending on whether Daylight Saving Time is in effect in Philadelphia:
  • During Standard Time (roughly early November to mid-March):Philadelphia is 10 hours and 30 minutes behind India.
  • During Daylight Saving Time (roughly mid-March to early November):Philadelphia is 9 hours and 30 minutes behind India.
For example, if it's 12:00 PM (afternoon) in Philadelphia, it would be 10:30 PM or 9:30 PM in India, depending on whether Daylight Saving Time is in effect.

Welcome again

Starting your journey as an international student can be both exciting and daunting.
I understand the challenges international students face
It can feel incredibly lonely and homesick, especially coming from a close-knit family in India.
Having completed my master's at Drexel University, I can relate to these feelings.
It's important to remember that you're not alone in this experience. Many of us have faced similar challenges and have found ways to cope and thrive.
We are here to support you through this transition.
Don't hesitate to reach out if you need someone to talk to or if you need help navigating this new chapter.
Together, we can make this journey more enjoyable.
You should be proud of yourself, you have come this far, you will rock it.

drop an email pruthvirajam95@gmail.com no formlities "hi I am feeling low" is enough (I may not be there in Philadelphia, I can definalty connect you with people) as a friend.

official help is also avalable here at Counseling Center

I know, it may not make much sence, day light is messed up, people don't talk, they get attitude issues. The overall experience can feel like a rollercoaster ride—full of ups and downs.

THE END

If you have reached till here means you found this information helpful.

The content keeps updating, thats why I have put a last update counter on top of the page.

thank you, I do not expect anything back apart from your blessing 🙏

• because I have just finished my Masters in Computer Science in June 2024.
  and currently looking for a full time job. no positive ressponse yet. all I need your blessing. thank you .
• any leads for full job, I am here pruthvirajam95@gmail.com 🤞🏻 thank you in advance

your contribution with more answers to this page is most welcome (fork, update, push) here

if you have a question, create an new issue