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UNIVERSITY OF RHODE ISLAND

Master of Business Administration

Survival Guide

Welcome To The University of Rhode Island One Year MBA Program!

Here is a guide to how to prepare, and what to expect when joining URI’s MBA program (the real story from actual URI/MBA students!).

Contents
Before You Begin the Program What You Should Bring With You (Some Suggestions) Necessary travel arrangements Extras for International Students Once You Arrive In Rhode Island What You Should Expect During the Program:
Before You Begin the Program
Graduate and off campus housing
Since URI does not offer dorm housing for graduate students, the two remaining options are graduate housing and off campus housing.

Graduate Housing (http://housing.uri.edu/)
Graduate housing is coordinated through URI but run like apartment rentals. There are two locations of graduate housing, Gateway Apartments (at the entrance to URI) and Graduate Village which is located across the road Rt. 138 (off campus, about a ten minute walk to campus.) All of the apartments are unfurnished, with a stove and a refrigerator. Many students find furniture from departing tenants and local tag sales.

The costs for the various locations and apartment sizes are listed below (based on 2002 figures):

Gateway Apartments (have stove and fridge, includes heat and hot water)
1 Bedroom - $778.00, 2 Bedroom - $852.00, 3 Bedroom - $926.00

Graduate Village (No utilities included)
Two Bedroom 1st Floor $596 a month
Two Bedroom 2nd/ 3rd Floor $600 a month
Three Bedroom 1st Floor $688 a month
Three Bedroom 2nd/3rd Floor $664 a month

Please note that these apartments are rented on a first come first serve basis. Therefore, you may need to look at the "Housemate Wanted" listings on the various notice boards for apartments already rented but still needing roommates. More specific information about the leasing process can be found in the Housing Application enclosed with this guide.

Off-Campus Housing
Due to URI’s location near the ocean, it is surrounded by many summer cottages and houses which are rented out to students during the winter months. Some things to watch out for are electric heat, poor insulation, no garbage pick-up, and 9 month rentals. Since the MBA program will continue into the summer months be sure to arrange either alternate housing for those months or have a 12 month lease.

Rental agencies:
JBL Realty Inc.,
60 Angell Rd.
Narragansett, RI 02882
401 783-5183

Durkin Cottage Realty
815 Point Judith Rd.
Narragansett, RI 02882
401-789-6659

URI’s Office of Residential Life’s Commuters Office also carries listings of rental properties for students. As with the graduate housing, they do not coordinate roommates. This office will send listings through the mail. Also in the 5 Cent Cigar (URI’s newspaper), there are several listings for rentals, as well as possible roommates.

Office of Residential Life Student Housing is located in the Memorial Union.
Phone # for off-campus housing: 401-874-5393
Phone # for rental properties: 401-874-5390

Temporary Housing
If you are not able to find housing before your arrival date, temporary housing is available on a per-night basis through the office of Residential Life. Again their phone number is (401) 874-5374.

What can Financial Aid offer you?
For International students, URI does not offer Financial Aid. However, a limited number of assistantships are available for both International and U.S. students. The best way to find out about possible positions is by contacting both the Graduate Programs Office and the department you are interested in working. Most departments do not carry listings until after July 1st. It is best to continue to call up until your arrival. However, many of the students who received assistantships did not learn about openings until the start of the semester.

Assistantships
Twenty hour assistantships require you to work 20 hours a week and pay full tuition plus a stipend. Ten hour assistantships require you to work 10 hours a week and pay half tuition plus a stipend. (Due to the hectic schedule, it is not recommended that you work more than 10 hours a week.)

Contact the Graduate Programs Office 401-874-5000 if you are interested in an assistantship.

* Assistantships can also be found outside of the College of Business. It is best to call Financial Aid to see if they have any leads. Also contact other Colleges and departments after arriving.

Loans
For U.S. citizens there are many loan options available. The most common of which is the William D. Ford Direct Loan Program. This is a government subsidized loan, therefore no interest is accrued while you are a full-time student. Attached to this option, additional money is also available federal unsubsidized loans for which interest is accrued during your study.

For international and part-time students the Ford loans are not available. However, with a credit worthy U.S. citizen cosigner loans are available through MBA LOANS, a private organization run by the Graduate Management Admission Council.

Some loans may also be available for U.S. citizens holding permanent residence, without a cosigner, at a higher interest rate. For more information about this loan program call; 1-800-366-6227
What You Should Bring With You (Some Suggestions)
For Everyone: Financial Calculator Computer with Windows 98 Computer Disks/ School Supplies If moving from another location: Blankets/ Sheets Cooking Utensils Furniture (bed, etc.) Lamps
Necessary travel arrangements
T.F. Green Airport; Providence, Rhode Island
There is a bus from the airport to Kennedy Plaza(Providence), bus station. From Kennedy Plaza you can easily get a bus to URI. Another option could be a taxi or shuttle bus (which is like a taxi). Both these options would cost you around $50 (try and get a discount, after all you’re going to learn about negotiation during the course of the program). Some helpful phone numbers Rhode Island Public Transit Authority (RIPTA) (401) 781-9400, Airport Express (401) 521-4200, Airport Express Cab (401) 821-8850.

Logan Airport; Boston, Massachusetts
Your best bet would be to take a taxi to South Station and catch a train to Kingston. The station is about 2 miles (3.2 km) from campus and there are buses that will get you to campus. Another option would be to get on to a bus to Providence. Bonanza Bus Line has frequent services between Logan and Providence. From the Bonanza Bus Terminal, catch the shuttle for Kennedy Plaza and you know the drill from there (read above in case you’ve forgotten). Amtrak (800) 872-7245, Bonanza Bus Line (800) 23-LOGAN [(800) 235-6426]. If you’re thinking about taking a taxi from Logan to Kingston, you’d be better off buying your own car.

John F. Kennedy Airport, New York, New York
You can get to Kingston by either, bus or Amtrak. For buses, take a cab to the Port Authority Bus Station, located on 27th Street & 7th Avenue. There are numerous buses available to Providence. Once you get to the Bonanza Bus Terminal in Providence, follow the same drill as above. You can catch a train from Penn Station (34th Street & 8th Avenue). A bus from NYC to Providence would cost around $ 30 and the train from NYC to Kingston, around $40, (trains are usually more expensive). The train does stop at Kingston, the station is about 2 miles from campus.

Amtrak Trains
In addition to the above mention of Amtrak train service, there are trains running on a daily schedule to all major East Coast cities. This is a good way to travel after arriving to the states, or for sightseeing. To get train arrivals and departures call 1-800-USA RAIL or visit http://www.amtrak.com/.

International students could call the office of International Students and Scholars [(401)874-2395] for a ride to campus. They are most helpful and may even be able to arrange for a ride from Boston or New York.
Extras for International Students
We recommend you to take a look at the International Student Handbook (Adobe PDF) from the International Student Office, which was edited by KMBA class of 2001 to answer your most frequently asked questions.

The office of International Students and Scholars conducts an orientation program for international students at the beginning of the Fall semester. Contact Ms. Ann West at (401) 874-2395 for details.

Social Security Number
A Social Security Number (SS#) is essential if you intend to work on campus. The F1-visa stipulates that international students cannot work off-campus and cannot work for more than 20 hours a week. The SS# also helps while applying for credit cards, opening bank accounts etc. To apply you have to show;
  1. Proof of a job offer from your prospective employer (a letter from them will do).
  2. A letter from the International Students and Scholars.
  3. Your passport.
The nearest Social Security Administration office is in Warwick (phone # 401-822 1463). For further information contact the office of the International Students and Scholars 401-874-2395.

Getting Around
The Kingston campus is about 30 miles from Providence (the state capital). Buses travel between the campus and nearby towns. There is a train station near the campus with regularly scheduled trains for Boston and New York City. A car would be extremely useful. To drive you will need an International Drivers’ License from your own country or you could apply for a Rhode Island license when you get here. To get a license, you have to provide proof of local address and you must be over 16 years of age.

Banking and Finances
Before you leave your country, it is important to make arrangements for all your financial needs during your stay in the United States. It is usually time consuming to have funds transferred to you after you get to the US, about 4 to 6 weeks. A branch of the Rhode Island State Employees Credit Union (RISECU) is located on campus and it is fairly easy to open both checking savings accounts. Their phone number is (401) 789-0253.

Things you may want to bring along.
Food items exclusive to your country, even though there are specialty stores in the region, besides, the writer enjoys sampling delicacies from various countries. Warm clothes are also essential during the winter months.
Once You Arrive In Rhode Island
Local Establishments
Grocery Stores:
Super Stop & Shop, Salt Pond Shopping Center, Narragansett 783-9614
Pier Supermarket, Pier Village, Narragansett 783-1456
Bonnet Market, Boston Neck Road, Bonnet Shores 789-6272
Galilee Groceries, Galilee Road, Narragansett 783-5164
Alternative Food Co-op, 332 Kingstown Road, West Kingston 789-2240 (A health Food Market)

Restaurants:
Below are listed just a few of the many restaurants located near URI:
The 108 House 515 Kingstown Road (Rt. 108) South Kingstown 783-0008
The Pump House, Kingstown Road (Rt. 108) Peace Dale 789-4944
Spain Restaurant, 1144 Ocean Road Narragansett 783-9770
Term’s Restaurant, 135 Boon Street, Narragansett 782-4242

Medical Centers
Walk-In Clinics:
South County Physicians Inc. 360 Kingstown Road Narragansett 789-1086
Wood River Health Services, Inc. 823 Main Street, Hope Valley 539-2461
Expresscare A Service of South County Hospital, 100 Kenyon Avenue , Wakefield 782-8000

Utility Companies
Pier Fuel 789-9490
Wakefield Oil O’Neill Oil Service, Inc. 789-9711

Natural Gas Companies:
Providence Gas To open/close an account- 1-800-544-4944
National Propane 783-3357

Electric Company:
Narragansett Electric 295-2681

Facilities on Campus

As a full-time MBA student, you have access to all facilities available to undergrads.
What You Should Expect During the Program:
Getting Your Student I.D.
As mentioned above, the location to get your student I.D. is in the Memorial Union. The office is located on the second floor, opposite the information booth. You will need to be registered before you will be issued an I.D. You will register for classes the first week during orientation.

Once you are registered, head to the Memorial Union. For U.S. students you will need your social security number, and a driver’s license. They will photograph you there, and you can either wait for your I.D. to print, or pick it up later.

Getting a Parking Permit
For both students living on and off-campus you will need a parking permit. This can be obtained online at http://www.uri.edu/parking/ - there is a new system for parking so please read thoroughly!

Classes- Time and Location
All of the classes for the full-time program are held at the Executive Classroom in Ballentine Hall.
The weekly schedule will be posted directly on the MBA website
You may be required to have some classes on Fridays, especially during the Fall.

Computer Skills
Computers are an integral part of the URI MBA program. For example, students are required to prepare professional looking reports and projects for most courses. Knowledge of word processing and statistical packages, such as those available with Microsoft Office, would come in handy. The computer labs on campus are equipped with both IBM and Macintosh machines. You may want to buy a computer of your own if you’re most productive at night.

Cost of Books
Your books total for the year should be around $1500. However, for some classes used text books may be available. Also, the majority of the books are purchased for the fall semester, and are used throughout the year. So plan on spending about $600 when you arrive in August.

Time Spent on Homework
The majority of studying is reading chapters from assigned text and articles. Only a few modules administer examinations, therefore other than the readings most of your work will be done on assignments. It is suggested to plan on doing between an hour and two hours for each class session, outside of class.

Individual Assignments
It is suggested that you begin your statistics project at the beginning of the fall semester. This project is very time consuming and is easiest when topics are done congruent to your class work.

For your individual directed study project, spend time during the Fall semester tailoring your subject, and doing preliminary research. Continue in the Spring with more research and pulling together the information you gathered. You will be presenting your findings at the beginning of May. Since you will have the majority of your Fridays off, this is a good time to work on your project.

Time Spent on Group Assignments
Plan on spending between 4 and 6 hours a week with your group. This time can either be on the weekends or before or after class. A large portion of your group work will take place during the statistics module in the fall semester. This is a good time to set specific meeting times. However, each group works differently, so plan to be flexible.

Most of all, enjoy your time in the program!