<p>I will be attending CMU starting Fall 07.</p>
<p>yeah it might be a weird question but,</p>
<p>ALL of my family are in Korea, and i need the ACTUAL bank account so that they can make transactions to me.</p>
<p>Is there bank in Pittsburgh that is conncected to CMU? or do i need to just find one there?</p>
<p>Does school account(PlaidCa$h) work just like bank account? (like having saving and checking account, being able to write a check, trasferring and stuff)</p>
<p>My son is a freshman at CMU. Last year we received info from a couple of banks that have ATMS on the campus. I know that at least one bank (PNC) has a small branch on the campus. You might go to the PNC website and read about their services for CMU students. I can't remember the name of the other bank that is also close.</p>
<p>Anyway, congrats on getting into CMU! It's a great school.</p>
<p>I think PNC is the one with the branch in the University Center.</p>
<p>And no, Plaidcash is not exactly like a bank account. You send them a check and then you can access the money with your ID. No check writing, no savings accounts. However I think it is usable at some off campus places too.</p>
<p>Plaidcash is pretty much just for use on campus and some surrounding places like coffee shops, some of the vending machines in wean, etc. Don't put much money in your plaidcash though unless you have a specific reason. PNC has the most ATM's on campus (one in wean, multiple in the UC, etc etc) so if you just want an account for spending $ then they are probably the most present on campus.</p>
<p>Yes, open up a PNC account. They are all over Pittsburgh and on campus.</p>
<p>I was in a similar situation while I was at CMU. Detailed information on the US banking system, local area banks, and how to open an account is provided during the international students' orientation week. Opening an account is actually fairly easy. However, you may have to pay certain banking fees to transfer money in and out of the States. International transfers may be also taxed in your home country (I don't know if that's the case in Korea though, maybe not).</p>
<p>Plaid cash is pretty pointless if you don't mind either linking your checking account with PNC to your student id card or just carrying around two pieces of plastic. It costs money to open an account, and if you put money in a meal plan after freshman year, you get a bonus amount if you put enough in- not so with plaid cash. Opening a banking account should be easy, and PNC and Citizen's bank both have ATMs on campus.</p>
<p>Thanks you all</p>
<p>actually i am not exactly internatinal student (having citizenship) and live in Illinois now, but all my family members are in Korea. </p>
<p>I have a bank account here, but apprently i need to close it and bring all the money to Pittsburgh in hand lol</p>
<p>anyhoo thanks guys for helping me out, I really appreciate it.</p>