<p>^I haven’t seen any “DD” yet to validate this</p>
<p>^^Keep looking. DD is used often enough. </p>
<p>A comprehensive guide to CC abbreviations is found here:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/52585-abbreviation-thread.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/52585-abbreviation-thread.html</a></p>
<p>I have two Ds and an S who are typically DDs and DS, but are sometimes EDs and ES (Exasperating Daughters and Son) and occasionally IDs and IS (Irritating Daughters and Son). I’ve always wondered whether I should amend the prefix initial to reflect their current statuses?</p>
<p>I have often wondered what parents would react if lets say a student with lower stats was admitted to Harvard, and by lower stats I mean ACT 27-30, 3.5-3.8Gpa. Would you automatically think that your son/daughter deserved that spot? Or would you actually feel proud of the student for their accomplishment?</p>
<p>I was wondering how easy it is to open a bank account for a freshman? What kind of documents are required for international students? Can the bank also issue a credit card ?</p>
<p>papadelilou - many banks in the area have accounts geared toward college students so it shouldn’t be a problem - these accounts often have no fees and some have the option of letting parents be part of the account should you want to monitor it or be able to add money easily. Not sure about documents but I’m guessing a passport would be helpful. Bank of America - although large and corporate - is right in the square and offers college student accounts.</p>
<p>thank you overwhelmedma
Do you know if taking a mobile phone subscription requires a prior bank account ?</p>
<p>I believe you must have a bank account but I don’t think it matters for how long. You could do prepaid minutes initially. I recommend verizon which seems to have better reception at Harvard. ATT can be pretty bad.</p>
<p>Question: I’m an incoming freshman, and already have a Wells Fargo account. I was wondering whether any of you would advise getting a new account (from Bank of America or another local bank in Cambridge) or sticking with my current account? thanks:)</p>
<p>RE: Getting a cell phone - I believe you need a SSN and a credit history to do “postpaid” cellular (i.e. they bill you every month). You don’t need that to get a prepaid (you buy minutes in advance) account.</p>
<p>RE: Wells Fargo - they don’t have any locations in Boston, and neither does Wachovia. It will make deposits/withdrawals much easier if you get an account at one of the (many!) Cambridge banks.</p>
<p>papad </p>
<p>You can check the mobile phone carriers websites or email them for their requirements. Some of the big providers are AT&T, Verizon, and Sprint. Right now only AT&T provides service for Iphones. While I have heard rumors of complaints about AT&T reception on campus in the past, S has said his has been fine–reception quality sometimes can be more a function of the phone than the carrier.</p>
<p>In terms of the Cambridge banking scene, while there are many banks around the Yard to choose from, I would think you would want to consider Bank of America (B of A), Citizens Bank (a local bank), and the Harvard University Credit Union (HUECU) where only Harvard faculty, employees, students, and alumni, as well as individuals at some other local non-profits can be member owners. All of the banks have student banking packages.</p>
<p>B of A probably has the largest market share among H students simply because that bank has the most cash dispensing machines (ATMs ) and is in so many of H students hometown communities allowing parents to easily make deposits to their S/Ds account if need be. Having said that, I would not say B of A has the most competitive fees or the best service. As far as freshman accessing cash from an ATM, all of the above banks are convenient from the Yard.</p>
<p>Many will tell you HUECU is much better in terms of personal service and responsiveness, and their student banking packagechecking, savings, credit card, internet banking is a good one. As a credit union, their transaction fees in general are often waived or considerably less than commercial banks and interest rates are much more advantageous.</p>
<p>You can Google: Harvard University Credit Union and once you are on the site, type international students in the search box to view the information you need. It should be easy for your daughter to open an account with them right now from your country if you all are interested. It is probably not a bad idea to ring them up to discuss your options. You can Google the other banks as well.</p>
<p>We preferred to get banking arrangements set up (from home) a few weeks before the start of school freshman year so that S would have immediate access to cash and use of his own credit card the day he arrived in Cambridge.</p>
<p>If you are going to Cambridge freshman move-in-day, you can certainly wait until then to set up banking arrangements, see things for yourself, and choose the options you deem best for your daughter and your family.</p>
<p>I would only caution that new deposits (other than cash, travelers checks, or wire transfers) from out of state or out of country may take a number of days to clear before the student can actually withdraw those funds. It is probably a good idea to check in advance with the banks you are considering on their policies as to when your daughter can have full access to her deposited funds</p>
<p>^that was SO helpful:D thank you so much for the input:):)
just one more question: there is a citibank near harvard square-- do u think that would be a good option for a student?:)</p>
<p>re ATT unless you have an I-phone the reception really is bad, I have had both and with the I-phone it’s tolerable but not with a cheaper phone.
re Credit Union - the main issue is that the are mush more limited in scope and many people who use them also have a second account with a larger bank so if you have a credit card from a home bank they would be a good second banking option but I wouldn’t use them as your only option.
I don’t believe there is citibank in cambridge or boston - major banks in the square are bank of america and citizens bank - all the others are local banks.</p>
<p>There is a Citibank in Harvard Square - next to the Chipotle.</p>
<p>Other banks include: Sovereign Bank, Cambridge Savings, Cambridge Trust (a favorite of mine because their ATM gives out $10 bills), Citizens’ Bank (which happens to play a significant role in The Departed!), + Bank of America (notable for having TWO ATMs in the Square). There are probably a few more that I’m forgetting (I remember hearing that TD Banknorth wanted to put up a branch…).</p>
<p>One nifty option (without a location in the Square, unfortunately) is Danversbank. They have a rewards checking account which, if you jump through the hoops, pays 4% interest and allows you to use ANY ATM and get your fees refunded. They have a location close to the Central Square T stop on Mass Ave.</p>
<p>Thank you all for the great info. In fact it appears that a SS number is required to get a Credit card. How do you get one ?</p>
<p>^ You must be an american citizen. I am suggesting that you contact credit card companies directly and ask how this can be achieved. Then maybe also contact the Harvard University Credit Union. </p>
<p><a href=“https://www.huecu.org/our-credit-cards/[/url]”>https://www.huecu.org/our-credit-cards/</a>
<a href=“https://www.huecu.org/eligibility/[/url]”>https://www.huecu.org/eligibility/</a></p>
<p>It looks to me like you would be able to get one through them.</p>
<p>You <em>do not</em> need to be an American citizen to get a social security number!</p>
<p>[International</a> Students And Social Security Numbers](<a href=“http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10181.html]International”>http://www.ssa.gov/pubs/10181.html)</p>
<p>That said, you will have a hard time getting a normal credit card with a brand new SSN and no credit history. The Harvard Credit Union would be a good place to start - or you could just use a debit card.</p>
<p>ws59: great info about huecu and banks in general. I have just sent them an email. Smoda, thanks for the links</p>
<p>^^ sorry for the bad advice on the ss number</p>
<p>BTW reading that link JFM provided does not make getting a ss number as an international look easy of even likely from my point of view.</p>