New Student Guide: Preparing for Pepperdine University
As Pepperdine University’s official recruitment partner in China, HYP Global has prepared this guide to help incoming students understand the documents, packing requirements, entry procedures, and practical arrangements associated with beginning their studies in the United States.
As Pepperdine University’s official recruitment partner in China, HYP Global has prepared this guide to help incoming students understand the documents, packing requirements, entry procedures, and practical arrangements associated with beginning their studies in the United States.
Pepperdine University is located in Malibu, California. After receiving an Offer Letter and an F-1 Nonimmigrant Student Visa, students should prepare their travel documents, understand relevant U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) requirements, and become familiar with the practical tasks they will need to complete after arriving in the United States.
The information below reflects the requirements and guidance available when the original article was prepared. Students should confirm current health, immigration, customs, airline, transportation, and banking requirements with the relevant official authorities before traveling.
1. Documents Required for Entry
Identification and academic documents are essential for entering the United States and completing university registration.
Students should keep all original documents in a carry-on bag and never place them in checked luggage. Preparing two or three additional copies of important documents is also recommended.
Travel Document Checklist
Category | Documents and Requirements |
Identification and Entry Documents | Passport: The passport should have at least six months of remaining validity.Form I-20: Print the form and sign and date it by hand.Admission documents: Bring the Offer Letter and any Scholarship Letter issued by Pepperdine University. |
Academic Records | Bring sealed Chinese and English copies of the graduation certificate, degree certificate, or certificate of current enrollment.Students should also carry official transcripts and available TOEFL, IELTS, GMAT, GRE, or SAT score reports. These documents may be needed if an administrative hold must be resolved during registration. |
Financial and Customs Documents | Bring a bank statement and documentation of the parents’ employment and income when applicable.Carry only a limited amount of U.S. currency for emergencies. Cash or other monetary instruments totaling more than USD 10,000 must be declared to U.S. customs.Students may also bring an international Visa or Mastercard and passport-style photographs with white backgrounds. |
Health and Immunization Records | Students were advised to visit a local International Travel Health Care Center to obtain an International Travel Health Examination Certificate, commonly known as the red booklet, and an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, commonly known as the yellow booklet.The Pepperdine health requirements listed in the source included Tdap, MMR, Varicella, Meningococcal vaccination, tuberculosis testing, and an approved COVID-19 vaccine. Detailed requirements are outlined below.  |
Health Requirements Listed in the Source
Tdap: One dose after age seven or within the previous ten years.
MMR: Two doses of the Measles, Mumps, and Rubella vaccine.
Varicella: Two doses of the chickenpox vaccine.
Meningococcal vaccine: One dose administered after age 16. The source stated that this was not mandatory for students over age 21 or those living off campus.
Tuberculosis testing: An Interferon-Gamma Release Assay (IGRA) blood test. Students with a positive result were required to provide a chest X-ray.
COVID-19 vaccination: A vaccine recognized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) or the World Health Organization (WHO), as required when the source article was prepared.
Students should verify the health requirements for their specific enrollment term through the Pepperdine Student Health Center.
2. Carry-On and Checked Luggage
Students should prioritize essential items and avoid bringing products that are readily available in the United States.
Packing Recommendations
Category | Recommended Items and Precautions |
Carry-On Essentials | Bring a black or blue pen, travel neck pillow, eye mask, earplugs, disposable slippers, and a warm jacket for the flight.Travel-size toothpaste, a toothbrush, a comb, and skincare products may also be carried. Individual liquid containers should generally not exceed 100 milliliters.Mobile power banks must be placed in carry-on luggage and comply with the airline’s capacity requirements. Students may also bring charging cables, data cables, and a U.S.-compatible plug adapter.  |
Medicine and Health Supplies | Students may bring a limited personal supply of commonly used cold, stomach, allergy, and other medications.Do not carry prohibited or restricted medicines. Check product ingredients carefully, particularly for substances such as ephedrine or codeine. Certain formulations of Contac cold medicine, compound licorice tablets, medicated oils, and cough syrups may be restricted. Medicines should remain in their original packaging, with supporting documentation when necessary. |
Personal Items and Electronics | Consider bringing spare eyeglasses, contact lenses, U.S.-compatible plug adapters, a multi-outlet power strip, and additional phone charging cables.Avoid bringing electrical appliances that are incompatible with the U.S. 110–120V system. Hair dryers, curling irons, and similar items can be purchased after arrival from retailers such as Target or Walmart. |
Food and Kitchen Supplies | Avoid bringing meat products, including fresh, processed, or dried meat, as well as fresh vegetables, fruits, and eggs.Commercially packaged dry seasonings may be considered if they comply with current CBP requirements. Students should check the ingredients and packaging carefully.Pots, pans, and other kitchen supplies are widely available from Target and Asian supermarkets, so students generally do not need to bring them from China. |
3. Essential Tasks After Arrival
After arriving at Pepperdine University and completing the move-in process, students should arrange transportation, mobile service, and banking.
Transportation and a California Driver License
Campus Shuttle and Rideshare Services
Pepperdine’s Malibu campus is walkable, and students may also use the university’s complimentary shuttle service.
According to the route information referenced in the original article:
The Blue Line served the undergraduate area around Seaver College.
The Orange Line connected students with the graduate schools.
When using Uber or Lyft, students should select a clearly identifiable campus building as the pickup or drop-off point.
Applying for a California Driver License
Students planning to apply for a California driver license should follow the procedures of the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
Make an appointment: Schedule an appointment through the official DMV website before visiting an office to reduce waiting time.
Knowledge test: The California DMV offered the written knowledge test in Chinese. Students could review the relevant traffic rules and practice questions in advance.
Behind-the-wheel test: Students should practice driving on roads near the university before taking the road test.
A valid Chinese driver’s license does not automatically convert into a California license. Applicants must follow the DMV application process and pass the required tests.
Mobile Phone Service
Major mobile carriers included AT&T, T-Mobile, and Verizon. Sprint had merged with T-Mobile by the time referenced in the source.
Students can search for a nearby retail location after arrival. Bringing a passport and Student ID is recommended when opening a mobile account.
Because Wi-Fi is available throughout the Pepperdine campus, students can select a mobile data plan based on their individual usage rather than purchasing an unnecessarily expensive package.
Banking
After completing New Student Orientation (NSO), students may visit a nearby bank to open a personal checking account and obtain a debit card.
Common banks in the Greater Los Angeles area include:
Bank of America
Wells Fargo
Chase
Students should bring their passport, Form I-20, Student ID, local residential address, and a small amount of cash for an initial deposit if required.
Students may also ask about credit card options, although eligibility and documentation requirements vary by financial institution.
Official Information
4. Frequently Asked Questions
Does Pepperdine require students to complete a physical examination in China and submit the red and yellow health booklets?
The source stated that Pepperdine University did not require students to submit a Chinese physical examination report before enrollment. Students were required to submit the university’s designated immunization documentation and tuberculosis test results by the applicable deadline.
The original guidance nevertheless recommended visiting an International Travel Health Care Center to complete a physical examination and obtain the red and yellow health booklets for travel-related health documentation.
Students should confirm current university and exit-health requirements before departure.
Is it easy to purchase contact lenses or prescription glasses in the United States?
Purchasing prescription glasses or contact lenses in the United States generally requires a valid prescription issued after an eye examination.
Because the examination and eyewear can be relatively expensive and time-consuming, international students may find it helpful to bring spare glasses, sufficient contact lenses, and necessary care products from China.
What happens if a student’s IGRA tuberculosis test is positive?
According to the requirements described in the source, a student with a positive Interferon-Gamma Release Assay result would need to provide the Pepperdine Student Health Center with a chest X-ray report completed within the previous six months.
The chest X-ray would be used to rule out active tuberculosis. If the result was normal, the student could follow the university’s instructions to complete the required questionnaire and resolve the associated health hold.
How can new students obtain a Pepperdine Student ID Card?
Students were advised to upload a compliant identification photograph online before traveling, following Pepperdine University’s instructions.
During New Student Orientation, students could bring their passport to Campus Card Services and collect a Student ID Card displaying their photograph and student identification number.
The card could be used for campus access, dining services, and library borrowing.
Is a Social Security Number required to open a U.S. bank account?
International students can generally open a checking account and obtain a debit card without a Social Security Number (SSN), although individual bank requirements may vary.
F-1 students who have not obtained authorized employment, such as a Teaching Assistant or Research Assistant position, may not yet have an SSN.
Students should bring their passport, Form I-20, Pepperdine Offer Letter or Student ID, and proof of a U.S. residential address. They should confirm the bank’s documentation requirements before visiting a branch.
