• Letter of admission and housing contract. These two items are essential as they prove you have been accepted into the University and that you have a place to stay. At immigration you may be asked to validate your admission to the University, and having these documents in possession will help.
• When bringing your passport, check that it's expiration date is valid for a few months after your arrival into the United States.  If this is not the case, make sure you notify the Pakistani Embassy and have them issue you a new passport as soon as possible.
• Determine whether your visa is "multiple entry" or not.  If your visa is not "multiple entry" understand that it will become invalid if you leave the United States.
• Make sure that you bring your I-20 or SEVIS form (issued by the University).  Without this you will not be allowed to enter the United States.
• Keep your I-94 departure record safely inside your passport (you will receive your I-94 upon arriving in the United States).  Do not lose your I-94 record as it can cause problem when you are ready to leave the United States.
• Bring documents proving that you have financial resources in the United States from which you will be able to support yourself during your stay.  Have your latest bank statements along with a certified letter from your bank showing your amount of funds in US dollars with the latest exchange rate.
• Make sure to photocopy all of the above documents; being a new student, these are all the documents which can be used to identify you.  Also, keep your photocopies in a different place in case of lost luggage.

• Bring your standardized test scores. Chances are that the University has received them during the application process, but in case you have not been given waivers for elementary courses it will be safer to bring copies.
• Having a credit card with you for the initial days at the University is a good idea, even better is to come with some cash.  If you are coming directly to the University, bring around $250-300 cash (small bills are preferred).  Since you will hopefully be opening a bank account upon reaching the University you can always deposit or wire money into your account without taking the risk of traveling with a lot of money (You need not worry about housing or food expenses since you will be living in the dorms).  If you are under 18 years of age, opening a bank account may pose a problem.  If this is the case, make sure you have an adult open the account for you.
• If you have gotten in touch with your roommate, make sure to ask him/her what they intend to bring to the dorm room, in order to avoid duplicate items.  Dorms are small, so be sure not to bring too much with you.
• Make sure to bring pictures of your family and friends.
• Passport sized photos are also very handy to have.
• Purchase an international phone card or buy one at the airport (though more expensive).  Make sure to keep important phone numbers with you on hand.  Do not lose them in case you are in need of help and need to contact your relatives or friends.

*Information taken from PSA's website of University of Michigan

• Please travel with only the most necessary items. Once you begin packing you will notice that your 'necessary items' are more than you expected.  Items like towels, bed sheets and pillows are obviously available here, so please don't bother bringing them.
• If you wear prescription glasses, bring two pairs with you with the latest prescription, if possible.  Purchasing glasses in the United States can be very expensive.
• If you are bringing any electronics from Pakistan, please remember that the voltage in the United States is different.  The United States uses 110-120 volts @ 60 cycles, so bring an adapter if you have electronics which run at 220 volts.

What Not To Bring:

• It is not important to bring any of your own textbooks since classes at the University follow their own required texts closely.  Even if you feel your books may help you revise some topics, you can almost always find the same books at one of the libraries on campus.
• Don't bring any stationary. You can purchase these things on campus at moderate prices.
• Don't bring more than $10,000 cash as you will be required to declare it at immigration.

Medical/Dental:

• If possible, get your medical and dental checkups done in Pakistan unless there is a certain reason not to.

Orientation:

• Orientation will cover everything you need to know about the University.  It will cover everything from student insurance to peer pressure to how to get around campus to where you can buy your books. Attend all the orientation activities because it is a good time to not only get used to the campus but it is also a good way to meet other international students like yourself.  Orientation is extremely important, do not miss it!