The CAS certificate came today!

It's a pretty, very official-looking (durr) document. A letter from Queen's came with it about what I need to apply for my student visa--my passport, a passport-sized photograph, "evidence of sufficient funds for personal maintenance for the period of your program", original of Bursary or Award letters (neither of which I got; I'm not getting any financial aid), original of educational diplomas, most recent high school transcript, letter of admission, and the certificate itself.

Basically, I can't apply yet for the visa--I need my actual transcript, and the bank account with the 'sufficient funds' has to be set up and contain said funds for at least 28 days before applying. Also, I need to actually graduate, since I need my diploma. The bank account thing gives me time to gather everything together before I apply, which is convenient.

In other words, this is going to stagnate until I graduate.

So things I need to do: email college guidance counselor about the transcript, email someone at Queen's about seeing if my College Now classes can get me any credit there, open a bank account...and wait.

Still no CAS certificate. I guess I shouldn't expect it so soon, but it'd be nice to get my visa taken care of!

I RSVPed for orientation, which is cool! I'm excited to go pick all my classes. I'm not sure what I'm going to take--so many good classes urgh--but we'll see when the time comes, right?

Not an interesting update, I know. Sorry.

My CAS has officially been received. Next step: getting the certificate. Then I can apply for my student visa!

Yeah, not much news, but the closer I get, the more excited I am.

I was sent the CAS (Confirmation for Acceptance of Studies) form to fill out on June 3rd. It’s a PDF file with a bunch of fields to fill out—last name, given name, passport number, passport expiry date, sex, Queen’s student number, birthdate, country of citizenship, birthplace, address, name of home university…not necessarily in that order, but you get the idea. Sending in the form means I’ll be sent back a CAS number when it’s been processed. The number is important because it’s issued in the form of a certificate from the BISC, which I need before I can apply for a UK student visa. The certificate also comes with extra info about applying for the visa—which I’ll need, because the student handbook makes this all seem really, really, REALLY confusing.

Of course, I had issues with the PDF; sex and home university were supposed to be drop-down menus that didn’t actually exist. So finally I was asked to just type everything up and send it that way, so I did yesterday. Of course the guy is out of the office until the 8th, so I have to wait.

I’m excited despite the CAS issues, though. I feel very cool about applying for a student visa. I’m not entirely sure why, because it’s shaping up to be a long and complicated process… Oh well. I’ll deal.

Packing Checklist (more to be added here as well)

• Hiking boots
• Running shoes (two pairs)
• Pair of lightweight gloves
• A hat
• A scarf
• Light clothing for warmer temperatures
• Slippers or house shoes
• Waterproof sandals
• Backpack/rucksack
• Camera
• Small flashlight
• Plug adapters and voltage converter for the UK
• Plug adapters and voltage converter for Europe
• Travel guides to Britain and Europe
• Personal items to make your room feel more like home (another checklist)
• An umbrella
• Portable MP3 player with headphones.
• Prescription medication
• Battery-operated travel alarm clock
• Calculator
• A small supply of stationery (writing utensils, tape, ruler, etc)

Checklist (which will undoubtedly be added to)

• Accept offer of admission
• Pay deposit
• Ensure that my passport is valid for at least six months past my "expected date of return"
• Fill out CAS
• Open a bank account with "sufficient funds"
• Obtain high school transcript
• Apply for UK student visa
• Enroll in Emergency Support Program through QUIC
• Ensure health insurance
• Pre-register for courses (at SOAR)
• Pay BISC fees in full
• Read the Student Handbook
• Read the handbook again
• Obtain NY ID card
• Obtain International Student Identity Card (ISIC)
• Buy airplane ticket to London
• Teach my parents how to use iChat and/or Skype
• Buy a laptop
• Pack (this gets a checklist of its own)
• Leave!