WIXLIB

Getting settledTo find housing, students can accessArtCenter’s off-campus housing website atoffcampushousing.artcenter.edu. This securesite lists apartments, houses, rooms for rentand studios available in the Pasadena area.Students can also find roommates using thissite. Accepted students receive a passwordto the site in their acceptance packet.More complete housing information will besent upon admission.Other online resources derentals.comFor assistance with your housingresearch, contact the Center for theStudent Experience at 626 396-2323 orhousing@artcenter.edu.Driving in CaliforniaIf you are a visitor to California 18 years ofage or older, and have a valid driver licensefrom your home state or country, you candrive in this state without getting a Californiadriver license as long as your home statelicense remains valid.If you become a California resident, youmust get a California driver license within 10days. Residency is established by voting ina California election, paying resident tuition,filing for a homeowner’s property tax exemption, or any other privilege or benefit notordinarily extended to nonresidents.How to apply for a California driver licenseAuto insuranceThe Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV)requires acceptable birth date and legalpresence documents, a Social Securitynumber and proof that you are in the UnitedStates legally. International students arenot required to have a U.S. Social Securitynumber.Vehicles driven on California roads arerequired by law to carry liability autoinsurance—a minimum of 15,000 for injury/death to one person; 30,000 for injury/death to more than one person; and 5,000for damage to property—that proves financial responsibility for any damage or injurycaused by a traffic accident, regardless offault. You must carry proof of insurance atall times when driving. If you do not haveacceptable proof of liability and have anaccident, you may lose your driver license forup to four years. Bring documents (translatedinto English, if necessary) confirming yourprevious good driving record from your homestate or country. Insurance companies willreview your previous records to determineinsurance rates.Finding a local DMV officeVisit the DMV website at dmv.ca.gov tolocate the DMV office nearest you. Study theCalifornia Driver Handbook to prepare for thewritten and driving tests. The handbook isavailable online at dmv.ca.gov or at any DMVoffice. We recommend you call 800 777-0133to schedule an appointment with a localDMV office to avoid having to wait in line.State Farm Insurance181 E. Glenarm St., Unit #108Pasadena, CA 91105626 765-9440statefarm.comRoad serviceAAA Automobile Clubof Southern California800 400-4222calif.aaa.comPasadena DMV Office49 S. Rosemead Blvd.Pasadena, CA 91107800 777-0133dmv.ca.govAutomobile insurance companiesPasadena AAA offers a special group rate toArtCenter. Identify yourself as an ArtCenterstudent.ArtCenter does not endorse any specificinsurance company, but the following companies are often used by students:Many insurance companies also offer roadside assistance services. Check with yourinsurance agent.Registering a vehicle in CaliforniaAAA Automobile Clubof Southern California801 E. Union St.Pasadena, CA 91101626 795-0601calif.aaa.comFreeway Service Patrol (FSP)If you purchase a vehicle from a dealership,they will normally handle registration foryou. If you purchase a vehicle from a privateparty, be aware that you are responsible fortransferring the vehicle registration with theDMV within 10 days of purchase.Out-of-state vehiclesIf you own a vehicle registered in anotherstate or country, you must register the vehiclewith the DMV in California within 20 days ofestablishing residency here.10Farmers Insurance501 S. Marengo Ave.Pasadena, CA 91101626 765-0288farmers.comAllstate980 S. Arroyo Pkwy., Suite 260Pasadena, CA 91105626 356-0634allstate.com11This program is a free service of privatelyowned tow trucks that patrol designatedroutes on congested urban California freeways. FSP operates during peak hours, andall day in predetermined freeway construction zones. FSP can be reached by calling511 and saying "Motorist Aid" from yourphone or by calling from a freeway call box.For more information, visit:metro.net/projects/fsp

Banking servicesDocuments needed to open a bankingaccount are a current driver license and/ora major credit card. International studentsmust also present a valid passport.Ask your home bank if they have a sisterbranch or related bank in Los Angeles.ArtCenter does not endorse specific banks,but below are a few local banking options.Banks in PasadenaBank of America399 E. Colorado Blvd.Pasadena, CA 91101626 683-8324bankofamerica.comChase Bank860 E. Colorado Blvd.Pasadena, CA 91101626 795-5177chase.comCitibank161 W. California Blvd.Pasadena, CA 91105626 219-7036citibank.comWells Fargo Bank350 W. Colorado Blvd.Pasadena, CA 91105626 449-3661wellsfargo.com12Exploring Los AngelesCurrency exchangeExchange rates and currency exchangefor U.S. dollars:x-rates.comInternational Currency Express, Inc.427 N. Camden Dr., Suite GBeverly Hills, CA 90210310 278-6628International Currency Exchange boothsare located in the departures and arrival hallsof several terminals at Los AngelesInternational Airport. For exchange rates, call310 646-0553 or visit iceplc.com.Check cashing and checking accountsPlan to use traveler’s checks until you haveopened an account with a local bank. Manybanks require that you show a valid Californiadriver license before opening an account.A cashier’s check from another state will take10–15 days to clear. ArtCenter will acceptpersonal checks for tuition and art supplies.Monthly Service Fees:Many banks will waive their monthly servicefee if you keep a minimum balance in yourchecking or savings account. Be aware ofthat amount, and keep at least that total inyour account at all times.Overdraft Protection:This option protects you from bouncingchecks. Your bank will automatically transfermoney from your savings account to covera large check amount. Many banks offer thisservice at no additional charge.Check Limits:Some banks limit how many checks youcan write each month. Make sure you knowhow many checks you can write to avoidbeing charged an extra fee.Cash/ATM machinesBanks charge extra fees if you use cashmachines at banks other than your own. Youmay want to open an account with a bankthat has offices in many locations and citiesin the Los Angeles area. An ATM is availableat Hillside Campus, outside the StudentStore, and at South Campus, in the 870,950 and 1111 Buildings.Wiring funds to ArtCenter for tuitionand feesIf you want to wire funds to pay ArtCentertuition, use the following information:Wells Fargo Bank1000 Lakes Dr.West Covina, CA 91790Account Number 400-0022293ABA Number 121-000-248Make sure your name (not your parents’names) is on the transfer information.Do not send your tuition deposit bywire transfer.Student health insuranceAll ArtCenter students are automaticallycovered by student health insurance atthe time of registration. This is not anoptional plan; it is offered at no cost to eachstudent as a benefit of being a studenthere. A copy of your health insurance policywill be provided at orientation.13Your educational experience at ArtCenterwill extend beyond the classroom and intoPasadena and Los Angeles. Pasadenais a vibrant city with a population of about140,000. Known as a “City of Learning,”Pasadena contains the second-highest concentration of art, cultural and educationalinstitutions in the United States. Pasadenahas a rich architectural and design historythat includes works by Frank Lloyd Wright,the Greene brothers, Wallace Neff andartisans of the Arroyo Craftsman style.It also hosts an impressive collection ofcultural institutions including: the NortonSimon Museum; The Huntington Library,Art Collection and Botanical Gardens; theArmory Center for the Arts; and the USCPacific Asia Museum.Located just minutes from campus, thecity of Los Angeles is home to a thrivingart scene with some 350 art galleries andseveral world-class museums includingthe Getty Center, the Los Angeles CountyMuseum of Art and the Museum ofContemporary Art. Each neighborhoodand district—from downtown to BeverlyHills, from Hollywood to Santa Monica—has something unique to offer.Following are some websites that can helpyou explore and take advantage of thecultural and recreational resources availableto you.

International studentsGeneral resourcesCultural guidesFilm and cinema informationPasadena Official Visitor's can Film Institute Film Festival(AFI Fest)afifest.comDiscover Los Angeles (Official Site)discoverlosangeles.comJuxtapoz Art & Culture Magazinejuxtapoz.comCraigslist Los Angeleslosangeles.craigslist.orgLA Weeklylaweekly.comNewsLos Angeles Department of Cultural Affairsculturela.orgLos Angeles Timeslatimes.comKPCC / LAistkpcc.org / laist.comPasadena Star-Newspasadenastarnews.comPasadena Nowpasadenanow.comPasadena Weeklypasadenaweekly.comTime Out Los Angelestimeout.com/los-angelesArtist and gallery informationArtSlantartslant.com/laAmerican ia.orgFilm Independentfilmindependent.orgLaemmle Theaterslaemmle.comNew Beverly Cinemathenewbev.comOutfestoutfest.orgPasadena International Film Festivalpasadenafilmfestival.orgVisual Art Sourcevisualartsource.comCSE’s International Advisor is available forgeneral assistance regarding adjusting tolife in the U.S. and for advising on enrollment,employment and other matters related tointernational students. For more informationregarding programs and services, admittedincoming and current students should contactthe International Advisor by calling 626 3962370, via email at international@artcenter.eduor by visiting inside.artcenter.edu.For accepted international Fall students,ArtCenter also offers Design CultureImmersion, a six-week summer programthat provides an intensive introduction tolife at ArtCenter. Included is a design classfor course credit, an immersive Englishlanguage class and activities that introducestudents to Pasadena and Los Angeles.Prospective international students shouldcontact the Office of Admissions at626 396-2373 or admissions@artcenter.edu.Artillery magazineartillerymag.comFor Your Artforyourart.com14The Center for the Student Experience(CSE) provides the support services, adviceand social activities essential to everystudent’s ArtCenter journey. CSE alsocoordinates assistance for internationalstudents enrolled in ArtCenter degreeprograms. Students receive detailedinformation at the time of admission.15

ArtCenter contactsPasadena mapBERKSHIREHillside Campus1700 Lida StreetPasadena, CA 91103LINDSouth Campus (870 Building)870 S. Raymond AvenuePasadena, CA 91105AVISCOLORADOGOLD LINEARROYORAYMONDL LYCOLORAD OD EL M ARCALI FORNI AS OU T H CAM P U SGLENARMGOLDL I N E International Students626 396-2370international@artcenter.eduFor a map of the shuttle route betweenHillside and South Campuses, visitartcentershuttle.com16LOS ROBLESFAIR OA KSLINHOOffice of Admissions626 396-2373admissions@artcenter.eduCenter for the StudentExperience (CSE)626 396-2323cse@artcenter.eduORANGE GROVEHI LLSI DE CA M P U SMain Switchboard626 396-2200Housing Information626 396-2323housing@artcenter.eduROSE B OW LDA VIST ASouth Campus (1111 Building)1111 S. Arroyo ParkwayPasadena, CA 91105LI DANORT HTASouth Campus (950 Building)950 S. Raymond AvenuePasadena, CA 91105

ArtCenter College of Design1700 Lida StreetPasadena, California91103626 396-2200 ArtCenter College of Design 4757 01 1M 0119artcenter.edu

include a counseling appointment, which must be scheduled separately. Tobacco- and smoke-free campus In our ongoing e2orts to promote wellness across the College, ArtCenter became a tobacco- and smoke-free campus as of anuary 2019. Prohibited items include cigarettes, vapes, e-cigarettes, cigars, pipes, cannabis, hookahs and chewing tobacco.