Important Checklist...

Note:

1. Everything listed here is just for information purposes.
2. There is no such thing as "authentic" information here. The articles listed here may or may not help you. It is up to the individual to decide what to do and what not to do.
3. We sincerely hope this list comes handy to all the new students.

Books : (Very important, this is where you will save money)
Get in touch with your advisor and get a list of text books. Also, get good general reference books that you already have. Optionally, you might want to get dictionary, calculator, cookbooks, recipes from mother etc.

Clothes :
T-shirts and shorts (very common in the warmer areas and even in cold areas in spring and summer)
Full sleeve shirts (not too much in vogue except in formal occasions)
1/2 sleeved shirts (Make sure that most of the shirts are of the type that do not require ironing.)
2 sweaters (one full and one half, DONOT buy a winter jacket or overcoat, it is better bought here!)
Track-suit (if you are the sports-enthusiast kind)
Suit and ties (suit not absolutely necessary, you can do without one). Suits would not be worn till you have your first job interview or major presentation, often around a year or more later. Most people buy this when they visit home the first time, which usually occurs earlier than their first need for a suit. Even otherwise, suits are not a must for interviews and unless you have one we suggest that you don't buy one. Please note that even a sidey suit here costs $100. A good one would be for approx. $ 150 - 200
Traditional wear is a matter of choice, though it is hardly required. Guys might want to get a pair of kurta-pajamas. Ladies probably might want to get a few salwar-suits, a couple of saris and/or any other traditional apparel.
2-3 jeans (most common)
2-3 formal trousers (Used rarely)
Belts (one formal leather belt and the others as you please)
Turkish towels and napkins
Laundry is usually done every two weeks though some with enthusiasm do it every week and some do it even less frequently. So get enough underclothes, socks, shirts/Tees, jeans etc. to last you 2-3 weeks. The more underwear and socks you get the better.
Please do not try to get any stud winter clothing from India. It will be useless and a waste of money.

Footwear :
Sneakers (they are used a lot.).
Good formal leather shoes (Not necessary, but are much cheaper in India)
Chappals / sandals .(Again depends on what you feel comfortable in)
5-6 pairs of socks

Linen :
1-2 double bed sized bed sheet
1 pillow, blanket (These can be left if space/weight is a consideration.) They are available quite cheap here. Do not get too much linen. The beds here are usually larger than the beds back home, and the bed sheets and bedspreads that you get from home fit very poorly. It is better to buy these items here.

Cosmetics :
Shaving blades (get a good stock)
Brush and toothpastes
Soap (get a couple of bars of bathing soap till you go for your first groceries here)
Combs and hair oil
Small mirror (just in case)
Nail cutter
Small scissors
Safety pin bunch
Mini-sewing kit with some buttons

Medicines :
2 pairs of extra spectacles. (Excessively expensive here)
Ask your family doctor for a list of Medicines to carry along when you come here.
Complete important check-ups and vaccinations like MMR, Hepatitis B, TB, Chest X-ray, Eyes, Dental etc.. Complete the health documentation that you may have to submit when you arrive here.

Utensils :
Most graduate students cook in their apartments. So you will need all the basic stuff needed for cooking.
A large (for 3-4 people) pressure cooker with spare gaskets and safety valves is probably the most important kitchen item you can get. A 3 liter one should be sufficient but you might want to consider a larger size.
A few steel or non-stick vessels to cook vegetables in. There is a lot of non-stick cookware available here but it is not very cheap (unless bought second-hand).
Dinner plates, small plates, bowls, spoons, tumblers, knives, forks (all these either 1 or 2)
cooking tongs
Ladles for serving, sauce pan, frying pan, strainer.
Cutting board ( Plastic or wooden)

Food Items :
Get tea/coffee if you are a regular drinker (until you shift to Beer :-) )
Get a couple of bags each of haldi, red chilly powder, garam masala, dhania powder, pickle bottles (preferably sealed ones),pav bhaji masala, biryani masala etc..etc.. Bring approx 1 month supply of masalas
Some quantity of rice, dal, pulses etc. that you plan to cook so that you don't have to run to the Indian stores on the very first day.

Money :
For off-campus housing you'll be required to pay an initial deposit (one month's rent) and first month's rent in advance.
Plus there will be initial expenses in settling down during the first month. All this can add up to around $1200 or more (Keeping on the safe side).
Traveler's cheques and personal drafts are easy to use and should pose no problem at all.

Miscellaneous :
Get a driving license and an IDP (International Driving Permit)
Some kind of Insurance from India might be helpful for the first 15 days till you get enrolled in the Health insurance plan here.
Get at least $800 if you get paid within one month of arriving and at around $1500 if you get paid after a month and a half of arrival (If U have an assistantship).
Get your application material if you wish to reactivate your applications at a better place for the following quarter/year
Get a set of transcripts in case you apply all over again for a PhD.
B.E./ B.Tech. Degree Certificate (laminate it in thin plastic if possible )
Get 2-3 passport-size snaps
Get an address/phone diary with all important contacts
Have a set of copies of visa, passport and I-20 in each piece of luggage.
Get an umbrella as it rains quite frequently here
If you are getting a camera have it endorsed on your passport
Have an RBI permit ready for the dollars you are carrying on you.
Take all your Hindi/other song cassettes
Get a good leather purse that has several sections of 'visiting card' size. You'll need those for the bunch of credit cards/key cards/id s etc you'll accumulate in no time here. You will definitely have 5-6 different cards in your wallet at all times
Carry medical prescription for all medicines you bring
If you have glasses, get a thorough eye-check-up and get 2 extra pairs of glasses. Good spectacles can cost anything upto $100.
Keep passport, visa and i-20 and other admission documents in the handbag you'll carry on your shoulders all the time.
Confirm your ticket a couple of days prior to the flight directly through the airlines you are flying no matter how reputed your travel agent is.
Let me repeat this, get a driver's license and an IDP. Learn good driving. This is very important. You cannot live in the U.S. unless you can drive and you have a driving license.
Things you should not get: Clothes hangers (you might get a couple for starters, but they are of a different size here), electrical appliances, blank note books etc.
Get all kinds of first aid medicines, with prescriptions. (Actually, we never get to use them, but its good to have around.)
Remember it is 110 volts ac here. So electric appliances will not work here.
GIVE power of attorney to your father, make all bank accounts joint. Opening an NRI account might be a good idea if you want to transfer money to India(Though not necessary).

Things To Be Done In Advance :
Certain things have to be done in advance, i.e., as soon as you get your aid - much before the flight.
Apply for Visa. Finish Emigration / Income Tax clearance.
Bump any jobs you may have got.
Send your acceptance letter by three modes - FAX, phone, letter and maybe e-mail.
Block air tickets
Learn typing
Learn driving
Learn to cook
Apply for bank loan (if necessary)
Make your passport valid for 6 months more than your stay indicated in your I-20
Get medical checkup done (Hepatitis B normally takes 6 months for 3 doses)
Get cassettes recorded which you may like to take with you
Contact the ISA giving your flight #, time & date of arrival; we will pick you up & give temporary accommodation if necessary.

After landing in the US :
Once you are out of the plane go straight to the immigration counter - rush for them to beat the queue. It might take 0.5 -1 hour here. Keep your I-20, passport, admission & aid letters ready. They might ask a few questions like - is this your first time in the US? Student? F-1 visa? Which University? They will attach an I-94 card to your visa
Go to the baggage are to fetch your luggage. Pick up a cart (you get this at a machine for $1-$3) to carry the bags. Then pick up your bags as they come out on the conveyor (suitable eye-catching labels help here). If you don't get your baggage inform the inquiry section - you may have to wait 0.5-1 hour here.
Cart your baggage to nearby Customs. If asked tell them that you are a student, F-1 visa, school, dept., coming to US for the first time. If asked to open the baggage do so slowly - do not mess up the place. If asked about the "podi"s tell them that they are "dried Indian spices" to make traditional Indian food like curry. Rarely might they ask you to go to the agris. Dept. - that is a pain. If asked about "vibuthi" tell them that it is holy Hindu powder used for prayer.
Note: In most cases you will NOT be asked to open your boxes at all & will be simply waved through.
Now go & wait at the nearest exit for the guys who are supposed to pick you up. If nobody turns up after some time (say 0.5 hour) make a call / collect call (at the public phone dial a '0', get the operator & ask for a collect call) to the ISA member in charge or any friends here, OR
Go & ask for an announcement to be made over the PA system, OR
Get a card, write your name & hold it up.
Never leave your baggage unattended. Don't go out of the airport until somebody comes & picks you up. If you have doubts about the guy who comes to pick you up, don't hesitate to ask for his ID. [All this is of course being a little extra cautious]
Once you reach your friend's house (or other destination) call home & inform them of reaching safely.

A few things of importance in after (arrival) life:
Get your University ID card (UI ID), go to your Student advisor/advisor - register for classes.
All further information will be given through International Services Office (ISO) through their orientation programs.