Where will you live when you arrive on campus? Will your electrical appliances work? Is it cold or hot in New Jersey? Where will you store your belongings? See answers to those questions and more below.
PRE-ARRIVAL PREPARATION
What to Bring
In carry-on baggage:
- All essential identification documents:
-- Unexpired passport (including valid F-1 visa)
-- Form I-20
-- Proof of payment of I-901 SEVIS fee
-- Financial records
-- Proof of admission or enrollment/registration
-- Medical insurance cards and medical records
-- Airline tickets, credit cards, important phone numbers and addresses- The Rutgers ISSS contact information can be found here
- You should print and bring your destination address with you, written in English
- Electronics such as laptop, travel adaptor plug, headphones, iPad, USB cord for charger, etc. – these can also be purchased in the US
- At least 1 month supply of personal prescriptions/medications
Other recommendations for your carry-on:
- Items of personal value to stay connected with home and share your culture and identity with your new friends
- Snacks, tissues, personal sanitary items for the plane ride (i.e. hand sanitizer, toothbrush and toothpaste, feminine products, painkillers)
- Change of clothes (if you have long travel times - this can be refreshing)
- It can be helpful to have a small amount of US dollars (between $50-$100 USD) with you to make immediate purchases, such as food at the airport or train tickets. We do not recommend carrying large amounts of cash on you
What Not to Bring
- Check specific airline restrictions for what you are allowed to pack
- Notebooks, textbooks, bed linens/sheets, toiletries etc.- these can easily be obtained in the US
- Very expensive items that cannot be replaced if lost (jewelry etc.)
Do not worry - you will be able to purchase many common items inside of the US! Knowing this can help you save room in your suitcase for more essential items. During orientation, Rutgers offers shopping trips to local department stores like Target to give you time to buy dorm items. ISSS also offers regular trips to the grocery store.
For information on getting to Rutgers from the airport, see Getting to Campus from the Airport.
Additional Information
Climate and Clothing +
New Jersey has a variable climate: cold winters with periodic snow falls, hot summers, and some very pleasant periods in between. The temperature frequently drops to between 15°C and -12°C in the winter (November to March) and rises to between 32°C and 37°C in the summer (April to October). Therefore, you will need a full range of clothing while living in New Jersey.
Jackets, scarves, gloves, and boots are essential for the winter months, and waterproof jackets and umbrellas are essential in rainy weather.
Housing +
On-campus undergraduate students
Check your admissions materials for on-campus housing information, or visit Rutgers Residence Life. If you plan to live on campus, promptly submit a completed housing application form online. Housing assignments are made on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Most undergraduates living in university residence halls are required to take their meals in university dining facilities.
Note that most undergraduate residence halls are closed during Thanksgiving, winter, and spring breaks (you will be able to leave your belongings in the residence hall), meaning you cannot stay there at that time. However, there are now several halls that remain open during school breaks. If you will need housing during breaks, you should indicate this in the designated area on the housing application.
All students must move out of their rooms after the academic year is complete, typically in early May. For a list of international student on-campus housing FAQs, please visit here.
Information about possible COVID temporary housing will soon be confirmed on our Alerts page.
On-campus graduate students
Graduate student housing information is noted in the graduate admissions packet. Housing assignments are made on a first-come, first-serve basis. Contact Residence Life and to review a list of graduate student on-campus housing FAQs.
Off-campus students (graduate and undergraduate)
Student can choose to live off-campus, either alone or with roommates. These locations are not managed by Rutgers.
For an unfurnished one-bedroom apartment near Rutgers–New Brunswick, prices range from about $850-$1,100 per month and do not always include utilities such as heat and electricity in the rent price. The Off-Campus Living and Community Partnerships office provides listings of available rentals as well as some onsite assistants, but you are responsible for obtaining your own accommodations.
Researching your future living space is important. Click here to learn about safety when living off-campus, and here for information about important "things to consider" before renting.
You can access off-campus rental listings, maps and tenant rights information online. You should expect to take at least one full week to find off-campus housing after you arrive.
Housing for RBHS- Newark students
RBHS students located in Newark can find additional information regarding on-campus housing here
Electrical Appliances +
Electricity is set at 110 volts and 60 cycles in the US. Your country may have different voltage than the US. If you bring electrical appliances with you, you may need an adapter to fit the electrical outlets, because the shape of the plugs on your device will not match the holes in the walls. Sometimes, it is best to purchase appliances after arrival.
Storage during School Breaks +
Most residence halls allow students to keep belongings in their rooms during Thanksgiving, spring, and winter breaks; however this may vary. Rutgers does not have its own storage unit for students to store their belongings during school breaks. If you need storage space during winter or summer breaks while you are outside of the U.S., we recommend that you store your belongings at a local storage unit. Some storage units in the area include:
- Public Storage (Edison, New Jersey)
- Access Self Storage (North Brunswick, New Jersey)
- Life Storage (Piscataway, New Jersey)
If you have friends or family who live in the local area, consider asking them to store your belongings at their house.