Banking, Mail & Phones

• Banking

Upon your arrival at Rensselaer, you will want to open a bank account at one of the several U.S. banks in Troy. The most convenient bank is a branch of HSBC on the Rensselaer campus (15th Street, Troy, New York 12180). All banks in Troy have procedures for handling funds from overseas.

Also, check your home bank's procedures for transferring money to a U.S. bank. Keep in mind that personal or bank checks from abroad may require up to four weeks to clear in your U.S. account.

The following address is for direct wire transfer of funds to Rensselaer:

Bank of America

Peter D. Kiernan Plaza

Albany, NY 12207

The account information is as follows:

Account#:9429364051

ABA: 0260-0959-3

Swift Code: BOFAUS3N

Account Name: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Attn: Bursar

ALWAYS indicate the student’s name and student Rensselaer identification number with the transfer information to allow us to properly credit the account.

If you are paying by credit card, Rensselaer does not accept VISA

• Mail: Shipping Items/Belongings to the U.S.

Ship any belongings with care. If you must ship unaccompanied baggage, contract with an agent who has a corresponding agent in the U.S. who will check the baggage through customs and ship it to Troy. Students have had unpleasant and costly experiences with lost baggage in New York City and other ports because they contracted with shipping companies in their countries that had no forwarding agents or customs representation in the U.S. Insure all your shipments for `all risk’ coverage.

International parcel post will carry packages under 70 pounds (approximately 32 kilograms), usually less expensively than a shipping company. Consult your local parcel post regulations for details. The Troy Post Office will hold foreign ordinary parcels without charge up to 30 days if they are addressed to:

(Your name)

c/o General Delivery

Post Office

400 Broadway

Troy, New York 12180-9998

U.S.A.

Parcels mailed within the U.S., however, will be held only 10 days. International mail within half ounce costs $0.80 for most countries, while an aerogram costs $0.70.

To ensure that your packages go through customs without unnecessary expense or delay, obtain a copy of United States Customs Hints for Visitors from a U.S. Consular Office. This pamphlet clearly explains customs regulations.

The ISSS Office will accept your mail (letters only) until you establish a local address. Your mail should be addressed to:

(Your name)

c/o International Services for Students and Scholars

Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Academy Hall, Room 4600

110 8th Street

Troy, New York 12180-3590

U.S.A.

• U.S. Phone System

Familiarize yourself with the phone system in the U.S. so that you can use it soon after your arrival. The format for phone numbers in U.S.:

(xxx) yyy-zzzz

xxx is the area code for a region and yyy-zzzz is an individual phone number. When dialing a long distance number (from one area code to another) you have to dial '1' before the area code and number. For example, to place a call from Troy, N.Y. to Washington, D.C. the dialing sequence would be:

1-202-555-1212

When dialing a local number, you need only the individual phone number. For example: yyy-zzzz. Phone numbers with 800 or 888 in place of area code are toll free and cost nothing to the caller.

To dial an overseas number from anywhere in the U.S., the sequence is: 011- Country Code - City Code – Number

Last modified: Nov 6, 2008
International Services for Students and Scholars, Phone: (518) 276-6561, Fax: (518) 276-4839