[10/Jul/2008:14:59:31] <Katy Dugan> Hello Michael
[10/Jul/2008:15:00:31] <Michael Zander> Hi
[10/Jul/2008:15:00:50] <Katy Dugan> How are you today?
[10/Jul/2008:15:01:26] <Michael Zander> Not bad, how about yourself?
[10/Jul/2008:15:02:41] <Katy Dugan> I am doing fine. This is a busy time for us in the admissions office!
[10/Jul/2008:15:06:01] <Bridget Jakub> Hi Michael and Katy!
[10/Jul/2008:15:06:18] <Bridget Jakub> Katy, thanks for helping out while I found a computer that allowed me to login!
[10/Jul/2008:15:06:23] <Bridget Jakub> :)
[10/Jul/2008:15:07:47] <Katy Dugan> No problem...just let me know if you need help!
[10/Jul/2008:15:08:30] <Bridget Jakub> Thanks!
[10/Jul/2008:15:08:46] <Bridget Jakub> Michael, please feel free to send out any questions you might have
[10/Jul/2008:15:08:54] <Bridget Jakub> about moving to and/or living in Pittsburgh
[10/Jul/2008:15:10:48] <Bridget Jakub> Hello Chapel! Welcome to our housing chat.
[10/Jul/2008:15:11:18] <Chapel> Hi All
[10/Jul/2008:15:11:22] <Bridget Jakub> Please feel free to type any questions you have for me regarding housing in Pittsburgh
[10/Jul/2008:15:11:57] <Bridget Jakub> Hello Fatima - welcome to the housing chat!
[10/Jul/2008:15:12:24] <Fatima Deme> Hello
[10/Jul/2008:15:12:34] <Bridget Jakub> Where is everyone located today? (I'm here on campus in Pittsburgh!)
[10/Jul/2008:15:12:50] <Fatima Deme> i am in Dakar, Senegal
[10/Jul/2008:15:13:10] <Michael Zander> Arizona
[10/Jul/2008:15:13:33] <Bridget Jakub> Hello Ozge - welcome to the chat!
[10/Jul/2008:15:13:41] <Ozge> hello
[10/Jul/2008:15:14:27] <Bridget Jakub> Truly a global chat, today
[10/Jul/2008:15:14:55] <Bridget Jakub> Besides being a great time to ask any questions about housing
[10/Jul/2008:15:15:06] <Bridget Jakub> This is also a great forum for getting to know your future classmates
[10/Jul/2008:15:15:58] <Bridget Jakub> I've been living in the City of Pittsburgh for 10 years now - about as long as I've worked at Carnegie Mellon
[10/Jul/2008:15:16:49] <Bridget Jakub> I am also enrolled part-time in the Master of Public Management program at the Heinz School
[10/Jul/2008:15:17:05] <Bridget Jakub> Please feel free to introduce yourself to the group if you like
[10/Jul/2008:15:17:10] <Bridget Jakub> :)
[10/Jul/2008:15:17:32] <Fatima Deme> I will be joining the MISM program
[10/Jul/2008:15:18:11] <Bridget Jakub> That's great, Fatima! We have what may be our largest class yet of MISM students starting this August!
[10/Jul/2008:15:19:12] <Chapel> me too for MISM program
[10/Jul/2008:15:19:43] <Fatima Deme> Yes, i got to see that in the facebook group. I think people from overseas might be joining the chat an hour late casue the GMT time that was posted is an hour off
[10/Jul/2008:15:19:58] <Fatima Deme> * cause
[10/Jul/2008:15:21:10] <Steven> hi everyone
[10/Jul/2008:15:21:11] <Bridget Jakub> So, that's 2 MISM students! Michael and Ozge, what programs will you be starting?
[10/Jul/2008:15:21:21] <Michael Zander> So, a question: What basic course of action would you suggest for obtaining housing for those of us who won't be in Pittsburgh until orientation?
[10/Jul/2008:15:21:37] <Michael Zander> I'll also be MISM
[10/Jul/2008:15:21:40] <Bridget Jakub> Fatima, I am sorry the time is incorrect. I will try to have that corrected and a message sent
[10/Jul/2008:15:21:51] <Bridget Jakub> before tomorrow's chat in case that is also incorrect
[10/Jul/2008:15:22:15] <Ozge> i will be studying MISM too
[10/Jul/2008:15:22:27] <Bridget Jakub> Michael, if you are looking for roommate, the CMU Community Housing
[10/Jul/2008:15:22:33] <Bridget Jakub> roommate matching service is one way
[10/Jul/2008:15:22:43] <Bridget Jakub> to connect with someone who may have a place lined up already
[10/Jul/2008:15:22:57] <Bridget Jakub> But, generally, it is a good idea to see a place before signing a lease
[10/Jul/2008:15:23:13] <Bridget Jakub> Apartments near campus turn over with the academic year
[10/Jul/2008:15:23:25] <Bridget Jakub> So, even if you arrive during orientation, you will probably be able to find housing
[10/Jul/2008:15:23:47] <Bridget Jakub> Some area landlords have leases that cater to students, too - starting in mid-August
[10/Jul/2008:15:24:00] <Bridget Jakub> Rather than exclusivly on either August 1 or September 1
[10/Jul/2008:15:24:07] <Michael Zander> Apparently the roommate matching service no longer exists, according to Community Housing
[10/Jul/2008:15:24:34] <Steven> Hi bridget, I will be in town from the 16th to the 18th to look for a place to live. Do you have any suggestion?
[10/Jul/2008:15:24:37] <Bridget Jakub> Oh - I'm sorry I suggested it then! It was still there when I checked for students starting in May
[10/Jul/2008:15:24:42] <Bridget Jakub> I apologize!
[10/Jul/2008:15:25:02] <Chapel> Bridget, I would like to know if there is any temporary accomodation available before we actually find an apartment
[10/Jul/2008:15:25:04] <Michael Zander> The website mentions it, but when I emailed them for further details, they told me it was discontinued
[10/Jul/2008:15:25:51] <Bridget Jakub> All - community house can sometimes suggest good temporary housing options (besides hotels) while you look for your own place
[10/Jul/2008:15:26:13] <Bridget Jakub> "community housing" - not "community house"
[10/Jul/2008:15:26:18] <Bridget Jakub> sorry about that
[10/Jul/2008:15:26:29] <Chapel> and how long can we get that temporary housing facility?
[10/Jul/2008:15:26:45] <Bridget Jakub> Hi Steven. Since you know what dates you will be here, you might want to try to set up appointments to see apartments
[10/Jul/2008:15:27:01] <Bridget Jakub> before you arrive. Then you'll have a nice schedule of apartments to view before you even get here.
[10/Jul/2008:15:27:32] <Bridget Jakub> Chapel, the time you might get temporary housing varies depending on the demand for housing and the time you need it.
[10/Jul/2008:15:30:09] <Bridget Jakub> If you think you'll need temp housing, try to contact Community Housing with the dates you need it as early as possible
[10/Jul/2008:15:30:26] <Bridget Jakub> So, is everyone here entering MISM in August?
[10/Jul/2008:15:30:44] <Fatima> I already faxed my application for temporary housing, will i be receiving a reply or anything ?
[10/Jul/2008:15:31:03] <Bridget Jakub> Fatima, I'm not sure what the process is after you fax the request.
[10/Jul/2008:15:31:19] <Bridget Jakub> I'll try to call over and find out during a lull in the chat today
[10/Jul/2008:15:31:43] <Fatima> ok. What are the best neighborhoods for students
[10/Jul/2008:15:33:22] <Bridget Jakub> The Community Housing staff person is out of the office until Monday of next week.
[10/Jul/2008:15:33:43] <Bridget Jakub> You might want to try emailing them in the meantime - commhous@andrew.cmu.edu
[10/Jul/2008:15:34:12] <Bridget Jakub> Fatima, many students decide to live in the neighborhoods of Oakland (North Oakland, specifically)
[10/Jul/2008:15:34:20] <Bridget Jakub> Also Squirrel Hill and Shadyside are popular
[10/Jul/2008:15:34:31] <Ozge> Can you please correct me: CMU provides only transitional housing (for international students) between August 1 and 10, right? I mean we cannot ask from Community Housing other dates than those?
[10/Jul/2008:15:34:56] <Bridget Jakub> All are close to campus, and offer apartments within walking distance or close to public transportation and/or the CMU shuttle
[10/Jul/2008:15:37:04] <Fatima> Tahnks
[10/Jul/2008:15:39:05] <Bridget Jakub> Ozge, you are correct - I should have been more clear with that information
[10/Jul/2008:15:39:12] <Bridget Jakub> Thank you for mentioning this.
[10/Jul/2008:15:39:31] <Bridget Jakub> If you need temporary housing on dates other than those, or you are not an international student,
[10/Jul/2008:15:39:49] <Bridget Jakub> Community Housing has a list of local hotels posted - some may offer a discount if you mention
[10/Jul/2008:15:40:06] <Bridget Jakub> that you are affiliated with Carnegie Mellon. (I cannot promise they will - but it doesn't hurt to ask!)
[10/Jul/2008:15:44:27] <Ozge> A question for MISM students: has anyone received his/her Andrew ID? I want to access the housing database but since I don't have an id yet I cannot register
[10/Jul/2008:15:45:55] <Bridget Jakub> Ozge, I believe that the Andrew IDs have not yet been sent out to incoming students
[10/Jul/2008:15:46:11] <Bridget Jakub> They will probably be sent in the next 2 weeks or so.
[10/Jul/2008:15:46:29] <Bridget Jakub> I will check in with the person sending that information to make sure we're on track for that timeline
[10/Jul/2008:15:46:43] <Ozge> okay, thanks Bridget
[10/Jul/2008:15:46:58] <Bridget Jakub> Until then, you can request a guest login following the instructions on the admitted student website housing page
[10/Jul/2008:15:47:40] <Bridget Jakub> The creation of a guest login is not automatic, though, so with the community housing staff member out of the office this week, you might not hear back right away
[10/Jul/2008:15:47:48] <Bridget Jakub> Still, I encourage you to email the request
[10/Jul/2008:15:48:01] <Ozge> I tried that, but a couple of months ago, no one has replied back:)
[10/Jul/2008:15:48:06] <Bridget Jakub> Other options for online apartment searches are also listed on the admitted student website
[10/Jul/2008:15:48:25] <Bridget Jakub> Ozge, I heard that from a few other students who began classes this summer, too
[10/Jul/2008:15:48:39] <Bridget Jakub> Try to send your request again - they might have been having a problem at that time
[10/Jul/2008:15:48:46] <Bridget Jakub> with creating the guest logins
[10/Jul/2008:15:49:02] <Bridget Jakub> I'll also see what can be done to speed up the distribution of Andrew Account info to you
[10/Jul/2008:15:49:07] <Bridget Jakub> That way, you won't need the guest login!
[10/Jul/2008:15:50:27] <Ozge> thank you, we will really appreciate that:)
[10/Jul/2008:15:51:53] <Bridget Jakub> You're welcome, Ozge!
[10/Jul/2008:15:52:03] <Bridget Jakub> Hello Varun! Welcome to the housing chat!
[10/Jul/2008:15:52:16] <Varun Reddy> Hi Bridget
[10/Jul/2008:15:52:21] <Varun Reddy> Hi everyone
[10/Jul/2008:15:52:51] <Michael Zander> Hi
[10/Jul/2008:15:53:05] <Ozge> hi
[10/Jul/2008:15:54:12] <Bridget Jakub> Varun, we have incoming students (so far, all MISM students) from all over the world with us right now
[10/Jul/2008:15:54:41] <Varun Reddy> ok
[10/Jul/2008:15:54:47] <Varun Reddy> Briget - Do the incoming graduate students have any facilities available for temporary accomadation till they eventually find one?
[10/Jul/2008:15:54:51] <Bridget Jakub> What program are you joiningWhat program are you in?
[10/Jul/2008:15:54:58] <Bridget Jakub> oops!
[10/Jul/2008:15:55:04] <Varun Reddy> Well i am in for the MSISM program
[10/Jul/2008:15:55:18] <Bridget Jakub> (someone asked me a question here in the office midway through that last sentence - sorry about that)
[10/Jul/2008:15:55:29] <Varun Reddy> thats ok
[10/Jul/2008:15:55:50] <Bridget Jakub> Varun, the university provides temporary housing only for international students between August 1 and August 10
[10/Jul/2008:15:55:51] <Amrita Bhortake> hi everyone...good afternoon
[10/Jul/2008:15:56:06] <Bridget Jakub> There is information on the admitted student website on the "housing" page regarding this
[10/Jul/2008:15:56:24] <Bridget Jakub> Send in a request if this timeframe meets you needs and you are an international student
[10/Jul/2008:15:56:41] <Bridget Jakub> otherwise, they also provide a list of local hotels where you can find short-term accomodations
[10/Jul/2008:15:56:55] <Bridget Jakub> Hello Amrita! Welcome to the housing chat
[10/Jul/2008:15:57:04] <Varun Reddy> sure Bridget ...I will go through that!!
[10/Jul/2008:15:57:29] <Bridget Jakub> Amrita, where are you located in the world?
[10/Jul/2008:15:57:43] <Bridget Jakub> I'm here on campus in Pittsburgh! :)
[10/Jul/2008:15:57:52] <Amrita Bhortake> thanks Bridget
[10/Jul/2008:15:58:33] <Amrita Bhortake> I'm from Florida...but currently I'm in Fredricksburg, Virginia
[10/Jul/2008:15:58:52] <Amrita Bhortake> :)
[10/Jul/2008:15:59:07] <Amrita Bhortake> I was in Pittsburgh 2 days ago
[10/Jul/2008:15:59:39] <Amrita Bhortake> I wanted to come and see the campus and meet u guys but was just there for a day
[10/Jul/2008:15:59:43] <Varun Reddy> hey Ozge..i see you were earlier asking about recieving the andrew ids...i just got mine today...
[10/Jul/2008:15:59:53] <Amrita Bhortake> HJad come in to finalise on my housing sitUATION
[10/Jul/2008:15:59:58] <Amrita Bhortake> sorry
[10/Jul/2008:16:00:03] <Amrita Bhortake> situation
[10/Jul/2008:16:00:08] <Bridget Jakub> Amrita, that's great - were you able to find a place to live while you were here?
[10/Jul/2008:16:00:21] <Amrita Bhortake> yes, I did
[10/Jul/2008:16:00:29] <Amrita Bhortake> the agent did give me some trouble
[10/Jul/2008:16:00:39] <Amrita Bhortake> but i think he'll keep the place for me
[10/Jul/2008:16:00:50] <Amrita Bhortake> I got an apartment on Ellsworth Ave
[10/Jul/2008:16:00:53] <Bridget Jakub> I hope he does!
[10/Jul/2008:16:01:04] <Amrita Bhortake> do you think its a good choice for location?
[10/Jul/2008:16:01:09] <Bridget Jakub> Ellsworth Ave is a nice location - so much to do right there and close to campus!
[10/Jul/2008:16:01:33] <Amrita Bhortake> yes, thats what I thought too. I liked the apartment a lot too
[10/Jul/2008:16:01:36] <Bridget Jakub> Nice restaurants, shops, and other amenities
[10/Jul/2008:16:01:43] <Varun Reddy> Bridget- Could you suggest what the best way would be to go around finding an appartment?]
[10/Jul/2008:16:01:44] <Amrita Bhortake> yup
[10/Jul/2008:16:02:00] <Bridget Jakub> Varun, one place to start is the Community Housing website
[10/Jul/2008:16:02:13] <Varun Reddy> ok
[10/Jul/2008:16:02:19] <Bridget Jakub> Since you already have your Andrew account, you should be able to login and search their housing listings
[10/Jul/2008:16:02:31] <Bridget Jakub> We have a link to their site from the admitted student website's housing page
[10/Jul/2008:16:02:37] <Varun Reddy> ok...gr8
[10/Jul/2008:16:02:44] <Ozge> Varun, it's great, I hope I will recieve my ID very soon, too
[10/Jul/2008:16:03:35] <Bridget Jakub> Other places to look for listings are suggested on the housing page (near the bottom)
[10/Jul/2008:16:03:55] <Bridget Jakub> So, make sure you read the whole housing page on the admitted student website - we tried to pack a lot of info on there!
[10/Jul/2008:16:04:13] <Bridget Jakub> Craigslist.com is another place to check for housing listings
[10/Jul/2008:16:05:34] <Varun Reddy> I have been sniffing around craigslist a lot and some other realtor agent websites as well...But i would surely do as you suggested ...
[10/Jul/2008:16:06:54] <Bridget Jakub> Sounds like you're on the right track, Varun
[10/Jul/2008:16:10:04] <Amrita Bhortake> Bridget, is there something I should know about the lease terms?
[10/Jul/2008:16:10:30] <Amrita Bhortake> something that I should keep in mind before signing the lease?
[10/Jul/2008:16:10:43] <Bridget Jakub> Amrita, that's a great question
[10/Jul/2008:16:10:54] <Bridget Jakub> Make sure you know what is and is *not* included in your monthly rent
[10/Jul/2008:16:11:04] <Amrita Bhortake> ok
[10/Jul/2008:16:11:33] <Amrita Bhortake> Will it come up in the lease?
[10/Jul/2008:16:11:43] <Bridget Jakub> For example, if heat is not included, you will have a separate bill for that - same goes for electric, cable or satellite television, land-line telephone, etc.
[10/Jul/2008:16:12:21] <Amrita Bhortake> well, my agent told me that everything else was included except electric
[10/Jul/2008:16:12:23] <Bridget Jakub> Amrita, the lease should be very specific in these terms - at least in terms of what *is* included. If something is not mentioned in the lease, it is probably not included.
[10/Jul/2008:16:12:36] <Amrita Bhortake> oh ok
[10/Jul/2008:16:13:03] <Amrita Bhortake> but i don't think that cable and phone is included
[10/Jul/2008:16:13:13] <Bridget Jakub> That probably means heat and if the stove is run on natural gas, probably that as well - along with water (commonly included)
[10/Jul/2008:16:13:16] <Amrita Bhortake> none of the agents i spoke to were giving that
[10/Jul/2008:16:13:24] <Bridget Jakub> Cable and phone are usually not included
[10/Jul/2008:16:13:48] <Bridget Jakub> Heat is a common inclusion, though (and good to get included to avoid surprise high heating bills in the winter)
[10/Jul/2008:16:13:48] <Amrita Bhortake> yes, that's what I thought
[10/Jul/2008:16:13:54] <Bridget Jakub> especially with rising fuel costs
[10/Jul/2008:16:13:58] <Amrita Bhortake> yes
[10/Jul/2008:16:14:25] <Bridget Jakub> If the apartment is air conditioned, remember that may increase your electric bill in the warmer months
[10/Jul/2008:16:14:55] <Amrita Bhortake> No, the apartment does not have an A.C
[10/Jul/2008:16:15:04] <Bridget Jakub> You can usually call the electric company to ask about the average monthly bill (the landlord probably knows who you can call)
[10/Jul/2008:16:15:11] <Amrita Bhortake> they said I could fit in one if I wanted
[10/Jul/2008:16:15:42] <Amrita Bhortake> I'll definitely call them
[10/Jul/2008:16:15:50] <Bridget Jakub> I see - so, that's just something to keep in mind if you get a window AC unit for your apartment
[10/Jul/2008:16:16:33] <Amrita Bhortake> I asked one of the tenants, how much she pays for electric in summer
[10/Jul/2008:16:16:52] <Amrita Bhortake> and she said its about $87
[10/Jul/2008:16:17:06] <Amrita Bhortake> and other months its $25
[10/Jul/2008:16:17:55] <Amrita Bhortake> Is that all?
[10/Jul/2008:16:19:25] <Bridget Jakub> Amrita, that sounds fairly typical for an apartment.
[10/Jul/2008:16:19:35] <Amrita Bhortake> I'm a little apprehensive about the apartment
[10/Jul/2008:16:19:46] <Amrita Bhortake> I hope everything works out fine
[10/Jul/2008:16:19:51] <Amrita Bhortake> ok
[10/Jul/2008:16:20:20] <Bridget Jakub> Did the rental agent take a deposit from you or have you sign any type of agreement (not a lease, but some sort of paper)?
[10/Jul/2008:16:20:30] <Amrita Bhortake> yes, I have
[10/Jul/2008:16:20:52] <Bridget Jakub> So, that gives you legal rights in terms of getting the apartment you saw - so that should be fine
[10/Jul/2008:16:20:58] <Amrita Bhortake> I faxed him a rental application(signed it)
[10/Jul/2008:16:21:10] <Bridget Jakub> With the rest of it - living in Shadyside and such - I think you will really enjoy it!
[10/Jul/2008:16:21:31] <Bridget Jakub> Lots of young people live in Shadyside - lots of students, too!
[10/Jul/2008:16:21:32] <Amrita Bhortake> and sent him my application fee and security deposit today
[10/Jul/2008:16:21:40] <Amrita Bhortake> :)
[10/Jul/2008:16:21:41] <Bridget Jakub> Sounds like you are all set.
[10/Jul/2008:16:21:46] <Amrita Bhortake> thanks
[10/Jul/2008:16:22:04] <Amrita Bhortake> :)
[10/Jul/2008:16:22:19] <Bridget Jakub> Talking with another tenant was a good action to take, too
[10/Jul/2008:16:22:33] <Varun Reddy> Bridget - when you were talking about the housing registry ofr the temporary housing facility were you refering to the website cmu.housingregistry.us ??
[10/Jul/2008:16:22:33] <Bridget Jakub> Other tenants are more likely than the rental agent to be honest about the building
[10/Jul/2008:16:22:48] <Varun Reddy> for*
[10/Jul/2008:16:25:42] <Bridget Jakub> Varun, I was referring to the info posted at www.housing.cmu.edu/summerhousing/ - the termporary transitional housing info is what you want
[10/Jul/2008:16:26:22] <Bridget Jakub> I'm not familiar with the website you mentioned - so I'm not sure if it's affiliated with university or not
[10/Jul/2008:16:26:43] <Varun Reddy> ok
[10/Jul/2008:16:28:18] <Varun Reddy> i found it
[10/Jul/2008:16:28:29] <Amrita Bhortake> yes they are
[10/Jul/2008:16:30:30] <Bridget Jakub> Hello Romit - welcome to our online housing chat!
[10/Jul/2008:16:30:51] <Romit> Hi Bridget
[10/Jul/2008:16:31:25] <Romit> my friend has seen a good house for me - westminster apts
[10/Jul/2008:16:31:52] <Romit> however the mgmt is asking us to pay up the last 6 months rent in advance
[10/Jul/2008:16:32:06] <Romit> is it a norm there ?
[10/Jul/2008:16:32:30] <Bridget Jakub> Romit, that is a nice apartment building -
[10/Jul/2008:16:32:45] <Bridget Jakub> - however, asking for the last 6 months rent in advance is not the norm
[10/Jul/2008:16:32:46] <Romit> thats great
[10/Jul/2008:16:32:53] <Romit> ok
[10/Jul/2008:16:33:10] <Bridget Jakub> They are certainly permitted to do that - but usually a rental agent will ask for one-month's rent in advance
[10/Jul/2008:16:33:18] <Romit> they are asking this instead of a local gurantor which we cudnt arrange
[10/Jul/2008:16:33:45] <Bridget Jakub> and possibly an additional month's rent if you are permitted to have a pet (cat or dog) in the apartment
[10/Jul/2008:16:33:52] <Romit> in total we will have to pay 8 months upfront .. which seems a bit unreasonable
[10/Jul/2008:16:34:20] <Ozge> I have a question about the rental agencies in US: When we find a place through rental agency, do we pay them a fee for their service or do they get the return of their service from the landlord?
[10/Jul/2008:16:34:22] <Bridget Jakub> That does seem unusual, but I'm not familiar with all of the policies that some rental agencies may have
[10/Jul/2008:16:34:44] <Romit> ok
[10/Jul/2008:16:34:47] <Bridget Jakub> Is your friend currently living in Pittsburgh?
[10/Jul/2008:16:35:31] <Romit> he is studying in CMU , but currently he is out of pittsburgh for his internship
[10/Jul/2008:16:35:34] <Bridget Jakub> If so, your friend might know if that is common for similar buildings that rent to students
[10/Jul/2008:16:35:52] <Romit> ok
[10/Jul/2008:16:36:18] <Bridget Jakub> Hmmm. I would be nervous as well about signing the lease, but if you or your friend know others who have signed similar leases
[10/Jul/2008:16:36:27] <Bridget Jakub> at Westminster and are happy with the building
[10/Jul/2008:16:36:32] <Bridget Jakub> it might be fine
[10/Jul/2008:16:36:50] <Bridget Jakub> Ask him if he can connect you with someone who lives there now - that might be a good way to find out
[10/Jul/2008:16:37:07] <Romit> yeah .. that sounds a good idea
[10/Jul/2008:16:37:13] <Bridget Jakub> Ozge - you generally should not need to pay a rental agency
[10/Jul/2008:16:37:31] <Ozge> okay
[10/Jul/2008:16:37:33] <Bridget Jakub> Usually, the way a rental agency works is they manage an apartment building for the owner ("landlord")
[10/Jul/2008:16:38:01] <Bridget Jakub> The landlord pays the rental agency/agent to take care of things like leasing the apartments, collecting rent, building maintenance
[10/Jul/2008:16:38:23] <Bridget Jakub> Some owner/landlords will do this all directly with tenants instead of paying someone else to take care of it for them
[10/Jul/2008:16:40:12] <Ozge> thank you for the information Bridget
[10/Jul/2008:16:40:52] <Romit> Bridget thanks a lot for ur inputs , bye for now
[10/Jul/2008:16:41:11] <Bridget Jakub> You're welcome, Ozge
[10/Jul/2008:16:41:25] <Bridget Jakub> Romit - no problem! I hope to meet you in August!
[10/Jul/2008:16:41:30] <Varun Reddy> Bridget - could i ask you a question related to the health insurance forms???
[10/Jul/2008:16:41:55] <Romit> looking forward to the same
[10/Jul/2008:16:42:56] <Bridget Jakub> Varun - sure -
[10/Jul/2008:16:43:00] <Varun Reddy> well basically the form asks for a US address and since i am an international student i don't have that right now.......so what are my options????
[10/Jul/2008:16:46:50] <Bridget Jakub> Varun - I just tried calling student health services but got voice mail
[10/Jul/2008:16:47:11] <Bridget Jakub> I'm going to see if I can find some info elsewhere online - I'll be right back
[10/Jul/2008:16:47:25] <Varun Reddy> sure.....
[10/Jul/2008:16:49:56] <Bridget Jakub> Varun - I can't find any definitive info, but what I would suggest is that you send an email to student health services with your question
[10/Jul/2008:16:50:55] <Bridget Jakub> shinsure@andrew.cmu.edu is the email address for health insurance questions
[10/Jul/2008:16:51:10] <Varun Reddy> well i have done that and got an answer from Lori and she suggested that i ask my department if i could give their mail address
[10/Jul/2008:16:51:31] <Varun Reddy> Lori Smith
[10/Jul/2008:16:52:15] <Varun Reddy> and i was not sure about it so i wanted clarification on it!
[10/Jul/2008:16:52:26] <Bridget Jakub> Ah - OK
[10/Jul/2008:16:52:50] <Bridget Jakub> So, what I suggest is that you use the address we list on the "International Students" section of the admitted student website
[10/Jul/2008:16:53:16] <Ozge> I want to ask an off topic question:) Is the Admitted Students' website up to date? I am considering to buy a program laptop but I can't be sure whether the laptop models and prices are up to date.
[10/Jul/2008:16:53:24] <Bridget Jakub> It is a temporary address where you can have mail sent until you have a permanent address in Pittsburgh
[10/Jul/2008:16:54:18] <Varun Reddy> So do i need to mention specifically that i am an internation student and the mail should be held there for me???
[10/Jul/2008:16:54:29] <Bridget Jakub> Ozge - they should be updated. I'll double-check with the person in charge of that information on the website and if it is not updated, we'll send an email out tomorrow.
[10/Jul/2008:16:54:41] <Bridget Jakub> No email means the info should be good.
[10/Jul/2008:16:54:45] <Varun Reddy> international*
[10/Jul/2008:16:55:54] <Bridget Jakub> Varun, they do ask that you list your address specifying that you are an international student -
[10/Jul/2008:16:56:11] <Bridget Jakub> if you scroll to the very bottom of the international student page, that address is the one to use -
[10/Jul/2008:16:56:19] <Bridget Jakub> and the info on how to get your mail when you arrive is also there
[10/Jul/2008:16:56:47] <Bridget Jakub> (Carnegie Mellon will not hold mail for students moving to Pittsburgh from within the United States since they can use mail forwarding within the U.S.)
[10/Jul/2008:16:57:02] <Bridget Jakub> Does that answer your question?
[10/Jul/2008:16:57:52] <Varun Reddy> yes Bridget...thanks
[10/Jul/2008:16:58:03] <Varun Reddy> Also bridget, i wanted to ask....how long does it take for us to get a reply from the computer store at CMu if the laptop is reserved for the student???
[10/Jul/2008:16:58:20] <Varun Reddy> once i order it that is???
[10/Jul/2008:17:00:14] <Bridget Jakub> I do not know for sure how long it may be taking them to respond to orders, but in terms of timing, they generally try to have laptops ready prior to the start of orientation
[10/Jul/2008:17:00:33] <Bridget Jakub> That way, you can get your laptop set up during orientation
[10/Jul/2008:17:00:39] <Ozge> And Bridget, do you know how we will make the payment once we get the computer? (I mean do we make a cash payment in the store or will the amount be billed on our student account)
[10/Jul/2008:17:00:40] <Bridget Jakub> And be ready for the start of classes without delay!
[10/Jul/2008:17:01:54] <Amrita Bhortake> Hey Bridget, thanks a lot for all your time and help. Today's session has been very informative. Gotta go now. I will see you soon.
[10/Jul/2008:17:02:58] <Bridget Jakub> Ozge, you can ask the computer store if they will charge the cost to your student account
[10/Jul/2008:17:03:07] <Amrita Bhortake> Bye
[10/Jul/2008:17:03:25] <Bridget Jakub> They can also inform you about acceptable payment options
[10/Jul/2008:17:03:30] <Bridget Jakub> Bye Amrita!
[10/Jul/2008:17:03:50] <Bridget Jakub> Everyone, the chat is now over - and the chat server will soon shut down the chat
[10/Jul/2008:17:04:12] <Bridget Jakub> If you have any remaining questions - you can login tomorrow between 9:00 am and 11:00 am Eastern Standard Time
[10/Jul/2008:17:04:22] <Bridget Jakub> OR feel free to email us at hnzadmit@andrew.cmu.edu
[10/Jul/2008:17:04:24] <Ozge> thanks a lot Bridget, I will be joining tomorrow as well:)
[10/Jul/2008:17:04:50] <Bridget Jakub> Katy will be monitoring the chat tomorrow - I know she'll be glad to meet you in the chat!
[10/Jul/2008:17:04:59] <Bridget Jakub> Thanks everyone!
[10/Jul/2008:17:05:04] <Bridget Jakub> Bye!
[10/Jul/2008:17:05:10] <Varun Reddy> Bridget - I had actually mailed them with a query some time back ( a couple of weeks) and did not get a reply...I then sent an email with the specifications of a laptop for reservation and i haven't
[10/Jul/2008:17:05:19] <Varun Reddy> heard from the computer store...
[10/Jul/2008:17:05:38] <Ozge> Varun when did you email them?
[10/Jul/2008:17:05:46] <Varun Reddy> thats why i was asking about the timeline they usully follow to repond to orders etc...
[10/Jul/2008:17:06:33] <Varun Reddy> bye
[10/Jul/2008:17:06:38] <Varun Reddy> guys
[10/Jul/2008:17:06:43] <Varun Reddy> take care
[10/Jul/2008:17:06:44] <Ozge> bye