First credit card in USA

DISCOVER IT Credit Card

1. Easy to get it(You can get it even though you have no credit records, like me)
2. No annual fee ($0)
3. High cash back point(up to %15)
4. You can get $50 once you get it

I finally got my Social Security Number a week later I started first summer intership. I was not interested at all for SSN at the first time but began to realize how important credit is in US society(Can't apply auto loan/financing without good credit...).  I saw many people who gained mileages enough to buy round air plane tickets to South Korea(about 7,500 mileages, equal to $2,000 value). So I too applied about 7 different credit cards for mileage purpose. And about two weeks later, I received letters from seven credit card companies saying "Unfortunately,......".All were rejected..One of my lawer friend said all of my rejection would harm my credit score and I would less likely get any credit card for a year.. I was so frustrated.. I just gave up getting credit card and starting to build my credit..

About few months later, one of my chinese colleage recommended me "Discover It"  credit card and said it is the best card. Based on my previous experience, I was not sure if I could get approved but he strongly said I would. He became my refferal and I finally got my first credit card!

Like my case, Discover It credit card is relatevely easy to get approved. It is a great credit card for those of who want to start to build their credit like me. On top of that, this credit card will give you and refferal $50 signing bonus(if you open it through reffal email link).Also there is no anuual fee on this card and it gives you maximum 15% of cash back for your spending.

Please let me know if you want me to be your refferal. My email is :

namheekang@hotmail.com

Following picture is about cashback bonus that I have received:

미국에서 처음으로 신용카드 만들기~

어렵게 잡은 여름 유급인턴을 통해 본인도 Social Security Number를 취득하게 되었습니다! 처음엔 아무 감흥없이 그냥 가지고 있었는데 최근 미국에서 신용의 중요성을 인지하게 된 후(신용없인 자동차 할부 구매가 하늘에서 별따기ㅠ) 신용카드에 관심을 갖게 되었습니다. 주위에 신용카드에 빠삭한 형은 진작에 신용 쌓아서 아맥스다 머다 신용카드 만들어 단번에 4,5만 항공마일리지를 받고있었습니다.
형을 보면서 나또한 공짜로 한국행 비행기표 하나 받아보겠다고 항공마일리지에 눈이멀어 여기저기 항공마일리지 주는 신용카드를 신청했었습니다. 한 7군데정도 막 신청했는데(제가 미쳤었나봐요ㅠㅠ) 모두 리젝먹었습니다ㅠ 나중에 주위에 변호사 지인분을 통해서 안 이야기지만, 신용카드를 리젝먹을수록 신용점수가 깍이게 되고, 그분이 말씀하시길 이 신용의 세계에서 나는 이미 '송장과 같다'라고 하셨습니다. 망했다 하고 포기하고 있었는데, 같이 일하는 중국인 친구가 자기가 처음 만들어서 지금까지 쓰고있고, 자기 생각에는 최고의 신용카드라며 저에게 이메일로 한 신용카드 신청서를 보내주었습니다. 그것이 바로 "Discover it". 친구 도움으로 신청서를 작성하고 필요한 정보를 제공한 끝에 마침내 처음으로 신용카드를 발급받았습니다!!!
제 경우처럼, Discover it은 비교적 수월하게 받을 수 있는 신용카드입니다(심지어 저처럼 신용기록이 전무하여도) 이 카드의 가장 큰 장점은, 연회비가 없다는점, 비교적 높은 Cash back, 또 발급률이 괜찮다 입니다. 저처럼 소셜넘버를 받은지 얼마 안되었다면, 아마 신용조회가 안될 수 도 있을텐데(신용조회가 가능하려면 소셜넘버를 받은 후 일정기간이 지나야 한다고 합니다), 가까운 Social Security Office 에 가셔서 소셜넘어 증명서를 발급받으셔서, 현재 주소지가 찍힌 은행 빌이나 보험증등과 함께 팩스나 이메일로 추가서류보내라 할 때 보내주면 거의 100% 받으실 수 있을 것 입니다.
아, 그리고 이 카드의 또한가지 좋은점은 바로, referral로 부터 이메일을 받아(저처럼) 신규 가입을 하게 되면, referral과 가입자 모두 50불을 받게됩니다!!!! 굿딜이죠??? 저와 중국인 친구 모두 50불씩 보너스를 받았답니다!

Discover it 카드에 가입을 원하시는 분들은 저에게 이메일 주세요. 제가 referral이 되어서 이메일 보내드릴께요~!!!

namheekang@hotmail.com 

으로 보내시면 됩니다. 아래는 간략한 Discover it 카드 설명입니다.

아래는 글쓴이가 올해 받은 캐쉬백 보너스 입니다~

Feb. 02. 2014 업데이트.

방금 referral 해 드린 분이 알려주신 최근 Discover It 카드의 딜입니다. 참고하세요~!

http://www.techbargains.com/news_displayItem.cfm/388119

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Nov. 22. 2014 업데이트.

블로그 보시고 메일 많이 보내 주셔서 감사드립니다. 저번달에 두 분 추천해 드렸는데 모두 승인받으셨다고 연락이 왔습니다. 두 분 모두 축하드려요.

디스커버카드로 시작한 크레딧 쌓기가 어느덧 1년 반이 지나고 지금 가지고 있게 된 신용카드가 5개나 되었네요. 한국-미국 아시아나 왕복권을 살 수 있을정도의 마일리지도 가지게 되었어요. 처음 크레딧 시작하시는 분들 힘내시고 여러 혜택 누리시길 바랍니다!

New York City to Boston bus

Bus from NYC to Boston

1. Peter Pan Express

     1) Fare : $1 ~ $50 (Fare will be varied depends on when you buy a ticket)
     2) Duration : 4:20~5:00
     3) Departure at : Port Authority Bus Terminal 625 8th Avenue & W 42nd Street
     4) Arrive at : 700 Atlantic Avenue,South Station
     5) Others : WIFI available



2. Go buses

     1) Fare : $10 ~ $20
     2) Duration : 4:20~5:00
     3) Departure at : 8th Avenue & 31st Street, Northwest Corner Opposite Penn Station
     4) Arrive at : - Cambridge ( Alewife Bus Station Red Line Alewife Brook Parkway)
                       - Newton(Riverside Bus Station Green Line 335 Grove Street
     5) Others : WIFI available



3. Bolt bus

     1) Fare : $1 ~ $50
     2) Duration : 4:15
     3) Departure at : New York 33rd and 7th by Sbarro's
     4) Arrive at : 700 Atlantic Avenue, South station
     5) Others : WIFI available, reserved seating



4. Megabus


     1) Fare : $1 ~ $50
     2) Duration : 4:15
     3) Departure at : New York 34st street and between 11th and 12th avenue
     4) Arrive at : 700 Atlantic Avenue, South station
     5) Others : WIFI available, two floors



5. Grayhound


     1) Fare : $9 ~ $35.95
     2) Duration : 4:20~7:20
     3) Departure at :  Port Authority Bus Terminal 625 8th Avenue & W 42nd Street
     4) Arrive at : 700 Atlantic Avenue, South station
     5) Others : WIFI available



6. Fung Wah Bus

     1) Fare : $15 ~ $25
     2) Duration : 4:20
     3) Departure at : 139 Canal Street, New York
     4) Arrive at : 700 Atlantic Avenue, South station
     5) Others : WIFI available

Megabus, Adirondack Trailways NYC to Albany

There are a couple of buses going from New York city to Albany or vice versa: Megabus, Adirondack Trailways, Grayhound or Chinese bus. I usually take Megabus just because it is most likely cheaper, having wifi service inside the bus. However, sometimes Adirondack Trailways or Grayhound is cheaper and convenient. I've never taken Chinese bus yet but I heard it is also cheap but not preferable.


1. Megabus

You can go various places from NYC by taking Megabus: Boston, Philadelphia, Buffalo etc. The bus has second floor, most seats are located in second floor. Seats are pretty comfortable and you can use WIFI in the bus during your journey, although it is very slow.
You can buy a ticket only in their website(www.megabus.com), and take your bus at 34St., 11Ave. in Manhattan(about 10 minutes from Penn station).

Fare is different from when you buy a ticket. If you buy a ticket earlier than other people, you would only pay $1. However, it would cost more than $22~25 if you buy it later than most of buyers. Here is an example for fares going from NYC to Albany.

Megabus going from NYC to Albany has two destinations. One is SUNY Albany and another is Rensselaer Station. It takes 2hours 45minutes to Rensselaer Station and 3hours 5minutes to SUNY Albany(without traffic). Normally, it takes longer than it is supposed to be because of traffic in NYC.

The schedules going from Albany to NYC are similar and you would land off at 34St., 11Ave.(same place where you took it). You can check your schedules and fare on Megabus website(www.megabus.com).



2. Adirondack Trailways 

The fare of Adirondack Trailways  is fixed. It is always either $35~39(online) or $44~45(offline). Unlike Megabus, Adirondack Trailways stops by Albany downtown bus terminal. If you want to go downtown Albany, I would recommend this bus rather than Megabus. It also goes to SUNY Albany but you should check its schedule before you buy ticket because there are only few lines gong to SUNY Albany during the day.
You can take it at 42St., Port Authority Bus Terminal in Mahattan(about 5minutes from Penn Station). You can buy a ticket either on website (http://www.trailwaysny.com/) or at ticket box.

OPT processing time and way to make it process faster

You can check your case status on USCIS homepage:

http://www.uscis.gov/portal/site/uscis

Q1) When can I see my case status?

: You may be able to check your case status within 30 days after you have received your receipt number. In my case, it took almost 30 days to see my case status.


Q2) When can I receive the receipt number?

: You may receive it as soon as your case is filed through email if you submitted the Form G-1145. In my case, I had not received any e-notification although I submitted the Form G-1145. Instead, I received it through official mail. It took about 10 days.


Q3) How long does it take to go to the next step?

I cannot tell...My case was in Initial Review for a week, then certainly the status changed to the Post Decision Activity.

Following is the processing time for my case:

Oct. 10, 2012 : Requested new I-20 for OPT
Oct. 25, 2012 : Issued new I-20
Nov. 6, 2012 : Sent the application to Vermont office(Overnight Express mail)
Nov. 7, 2012 : Arrived at Vermont office
Nov. 21,2012 : Receive receipt number through official mail.
Dec. 1,2012 : Case status check was firstly available. "Initial Review"
Dec. 5,2012 : Case status changed. "Post Decision Activity"
Dec. 6,2012 : Case Status changed. "Card/Document Production"
Dec. 14,2012 : Received EAD card.


Q4) Will an expedited or an offer letter from a company make OPT process faster?

: Positive. In my case, I sent the offer letter from my current company with my application. I believe it helped me to get EAD card faster then other students(almost 40 days).

I did not send an expedited mail although I wrote it because my international adviser did not recommend me. She said the offer letter will be fine. But the expedited mail is not good idea since it might give USCIS people an idea that I have not enough money to study USA, which could be a reason to reject my case.


Following is an example of the expedited letter:
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From. NHK

Piedmont Drive, APT. 191B

Port Jefferson, NY, 11734

To. Immigration Officer

USCIS

Attn: AOS

2501 S. State Hwy. 121, Business Suite 400

Lewisville, TX 75067

Subject : Request to Expedite I-765 application based on financial loss

Dear Immigration Office,

Regarding the above-mentioned matter, I would request your attention. Due to the financial situation, I request USCIS to expedite my application.

I recently got a job offer from the company named XXXXXXX. I am hired as a full-time employee in the position of TD Test Development engineer. The company wants me to start my work on January 7, 2013 and I am expected to join the company’s training program on the beginning day. If my starting day is delayed, the company should execute this training program once again only for me. This is financial loss and waste of time for the company.

This is life-time opportunity for me. The company might not want to hire me anymore if my I-765 application is delayed. I will lose this great opportunity and be in serious financial problems. I cannot afford moving expense without being supported by the company. I am now really worried of daily expenses, medical insurance, food, paying off rent for 1 bedroom apartment.

Therefore, I would sincerely request you to expedite my I-765 application. In order to support this expedite request, I am sending the offer letter from Globalfoundries along with my I-765 application documents. Thanks again for your understanding in this matter.

If there are any questions or concerns, I can be reached at

E-mail: namxxxxxx@hotmail.com

Phone: 631-428-xxxx

If you have any questions or concerns regarding this matter, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Sincerely,

Namhee Kang

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Internships in USA (With CPT)

Let say you are an international student studying in United States. It is not that easy for F-1 VISA holders working in United States, no matter it is a paid or unpaid internship. Following are simple steps you may follow to get internship opportunities in USA.

During my first semester in USA, I fortunately got an summer paid internship offer from one of research companies. Unfortunately, I had to stop working for the company on my second day because of CPT problem. I did not know about any of following steps at the time...Poor things... About a week later, I went back to Korea...

NOTICE: THIS IS A GUIDE ONLY FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO WANT OFF-CAMPUS INTERNSHIPS.

1. Finish at least more than two semesters of your study in USA. If you have studied in USA less than two semesters, you are not qualified for applying any internships(both paid and unpaid) in USA. It is illegal.

2. Make sure whether there is an undergraduate/graduate internship class in your major. This is important because you will not be able to get CPT without enrolling internship class in your school.

*CPT?

:Curricular Practical Training. Alternate work/study, internship, cooperative education, or any other type of required internship or practicum which is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school. CPT must be directly related to the major and an integral part of an established curriculum.

3. Write your resume and cover letter.

* Sample cover letter
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------

NHK

Piedmont Dr. Apt.

Port Jefferson, NY 11745

(631)428-xxxx

namheekang@hotmail.com

Mr. Kevin

Director of Manufacturing

400 Road Extension
Malta, NY 12170

(518)305-xxxx

Dear Mr. Kevin:

I learned about the TD Test Development Engineer position from my friend Young keun Im, who currently works for your company. I am highly interested in applying for the position because working at XXXXX, which is one of the famous global companies, is a great opportunity and perfect start for my career. I am currently going to Stony brook University, and expected to graduate with Bachelor in Engineering, specialized in electrical engineering on December of this year. I am a responsible, passionate, skillful and hardworking student who would be agood fit for the position of the TD Test Development Engineer position at XXXX.

My undergraduate course works and internship experiences have helped me to be ready as an engineer. I studied at University of Seoul before, and now am studying at Stony brook University as a part of dual degree program between two schools. I have taken many valuable and practical engineering courses at these two schools. Based on what I have learned, I have worked at Stryker Corporation and College of Nanoscale Science and Engineering as an intern. In the former company, I worked in Regulatory Affairs & Quality Assurance department, writing the latest endoscopy technical documents. Also, in the latter company, I worked with Dr. Huang analyzing the spectrum of a semiconductor sample by using photoluminescence and electroluminescence. From these internship experiences, I was able to learn professional ethics, current semiconductor technology trends, and how to handle the equipment.

Furthermore, I have been active in many programs and organizations. These experiences have given me a chance to improve my communication, leadership, and management skills. I was a leader at a Dale Carnegie leadership training course for a year. As a leader, I always collaborated with our team members to get through given missions. For two years during my army service, I cooperated with other soldiers to complete our missions and when I became a senior soldier, I took care of subordinates in my unit as a counselor. I also paid careful attention to my academic work at the University of Seoul and received scholarships for three semesters. I believe that these above experiences will help me to get along with other employees and accomplish challenging projects.

I feel confident that my education and experiences would make me an excellent candidate for this position. Please review my resume at your earliest convenience. Thank you for your time, and I look forward to hearing from you soon.

Sincerely,

Namhee Kang

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4. Research internship openings related with your major(you cannot do just random internships because of CPT requirements).


5. Apply as many as possible, as early as possible. If you are looking for internships during summer vacation, you must remember that many applications start from early February at earliest.


6. Once you got an offer from a company, register a summer/winner internship class and pay the tuition fee.


7. You may need a recommendation letter from your professor you enrolled for internship.


8. Bring the official offer letter from the company and your recommendation letter with you to your international adviser in your school. The offer letter has to clearly say about the employer's name, address and phone number, start date, end date, and other detail information.


9. If all of your documents are ok, the international adviser will issue new I-20 for CPT. You must bring this new I-20 on the first day of your work to process employment.


10. Learn a lot, enjoy your rest of vacation.




Good luck everybody~!!