Those who study in the United States are well aware that at this time of the year, university students, like most other Americans, are subject to "March Madness". This is the name of the final tournament of the national basketball championship among the teams of the First Division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). It runs from mid-March to early April.

After the Super Bowl, the NCAA Division I men's basketball tournament or "March Madness" or "The Big Dance" is the most anticipated sporting event of the year. Of course, other sports (baseball) and leagues (NBA) can argue with this opinion, but it is shared by many, and in this article I argue this position.

"March Madness" is the tournament's most famous nickname, which refers to the huge number of games that were played over two weeks, a bunch of upsets and the sincere emotions of the players for whom this tournament is the best chance to prove themselves and continue their careers, and for others, this is the last chance to play their favorite game before the start of “adulthood”.

During the “March Madness” period, the Internet connection speed even drops, because so many fans watch matches online. According to the latest available data, in 2018, in-game ad revenue exceeded $1.32 billion. Last year, 97 million fans followed the tournament.

1.Work on March Madness Day

2.Bracket’s busted

3.There’s a chance

We offer answers to the questions that are most often asked by those wishing to understand this purely American sporting event. If you go to study in the United States next year, then in March you may be rooting for your university team.

Americans are incredibly loyal to their colleges and universities. It doesn't matter whether a person just entered the university or graduated 30 years ago, he is, without any doubt, an avid fan of his university team, considers it the best and the only one that deserves the championship title.

These are exciting competitions. Compared to the professional championship, there are fewer playoff matches in the student championship, the struggle is sharper, and the final tournament is much faster. Even if their favorite teams don't make it to the finals, Americans still watch every game. Why? It's simple: unlike professional athletes, students do not play for money, but defend the honor of their educational institutions and just love basketball.

In total, more than 300 university teams play in the NCAA Division I. On Qualifying Sunday - this year it falls on March 17 - a special commission announces 68 teams that will enter the so-called men's bracket. Eight of them will play preliminary games, and the four winners will advance to the main tournament, which includes 64 teams. Another commission announces 64 teams of the women's draw.

4.Live dangerously

5.Finish above you

6.This is madness?

In both the men's and women's tournaments, 32 teams advance to the final tournament as the winners of their respective conference championships. (Conferences are groupings of universities, usually organized geographically.) The selection committee names the rest of the teams based on the number of victories and how strong their rivals were. Tournament brackets are divided into four regions.

The commission "seeds" the best teams in each region under the first numbers, the next four - under the second, and so on. In the first round, the first seeded team plays the 16th seeded team, while the second seed plays the 15th seed. In other words, the strongest play the outsiders first. Teams from the middle of the grid are approximately equal in strength.

The second major reason for the huge popularity of March Madness is that no one knows for sure who will be the champion.

This spring, the men's teams of Duke University and the University of North Carolina are considered the strongest. They often claim the championship title, and they all have a glorious history. The teams of the University of Virginia and the University of Gongaz are not far behind. Stirring up interest in March Madness is the possible appearance of Cinderellas, those who have not previously achieved major success, but defeat teams that were considered invincible.

7.Gloat about it

8.Better bracket

9.Gambling

Last year, Loyola University Chicago's men's team, seeded 11th in their region, made it to the final four. The University of Virginia team, number 1 in its region, lost in the first round to the 16th club, the University of Maryland from Baltimore (this happened for the first time in the history of the tournament). This year, the 12th seeded University of Oregon can beat the established favorites and become, as ambitious newcomers are called, “the destroyer of tournament grids”. Although the victory was predicted primarily for the number 1, Duke University, this team almost lost in the second round to the University of Central Florida, seeded 9th. In other words, everything is possible in this tournament.

As for the women's teams, the top four are the University of Louisville Cardinals, the University of Notre Dame Fighting Irish, the Baylor University Lady Bears and the Mississippi State University Bulldogs. Popular teams that have not been successful before are the Hoosiers from Indiana University and another Lady Bears from the University of Missouri.

Many will be surprised to learn that the Madness has not always been the premier college basketball tournament. In the middle of the last century, the National Invitation Tournament (NIT) was much more prestigious than the NCAA tournament. For those who are more or less familiar with college basketball, yes, this is the same NIT that now has a reputation as a repechage tournament. In the 1950s, the NCAA basketball tournament began to gain prestige after the NCAA began requiring conference champions to play in their own tournament.

“Americans are incredibly loyal to their colleges and universities. It doesn't matter whether a person just entered the university or graduated 30 years ago, he is, without any doubt, an avid fan of his university team, considers it the best and the only one that deserves the championship title.

10.March Madness

11.Never made one

12.But when I do

13. 5 speed

14.Only competing

15.When it it

16.What’s all the brackets

17.Not what we thought

18.You get it

19.A toast

20.Going exactly as planned

21.Watch out for me

22.You have one

23.Baylor students

24.Sum your life

25.So it begins

26.Welcome

27.No idea

28.The longer you watch March Madness

29.I call it march

30.Is here baby

31.Memes are coming

32.School playing

33.Canceled

34.At work

35.Shocker

36.Picking a bracket

37.College basket

38.Busted

39.Cancel it

40.So bored

41.What’s wrong

42.The only one

43.Not even mad

44.Just let me check

45.March Madness

46.I have no idea

47.The best moment

48.There I was

49.Filled out

50.All right

A new standard export, import, and report is available, to allow for the use of SSNVS.

The Social Security Number Verification Service (SSNVS) is one of the services offered by Social Security Administration's (SSA) Business Services Online (BSO). It allows registered users (employers and certain third-party submitters) to verify the names and Social Security Numbers (SSNs) of employees against SSA records.

With SSNVS, you may

• Verify up to 10 names and SSNs online and receive immediate results. There is no limit to the number of times the SSN Verification web page may be used within a session.
• Upload electronic files of up to 250,000 names and SSNs and usually receive results the next government business day.
• The export file is limited to 250,000 names and SSNs
• When the following information is changed for the employee, they should be sent in the next file
• SSN
• First Name
• Middle Name
• Last Name
• DOB
• Limit to Active Assignments

What is a Social Security Number?

A Social Security Number (SSN) is a 9-digit employee identification number issued by the U.S. Social Security Administration (SSA). Eligibility for an SSN is based upon a person’s eligibility to work in the United States. Those eligible for a Social Security Number include U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and qualified foreign nationals — including, in certain circumstances, students in F-1 or J-1 student status and J-1 scholars. An SSN is required by the U.S. government in some cases for tax and employment reporting purposes.

A Social Security Number Card is an important identifying document. Please make sure you keep it in a safe place to avoid identity theft. Do not carry your card with you. Keep it in a safe place with your other important papers! 

When can I apply for a Social Security Number?

F-1 Students

• The SSA recommends that you wait at least 10 business days after your SEVIS record is registered at the start of your program, so that your status is updated in all relevant government databases, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) database that the SSA checks as part of your application.
• If you have Curricular Practical Training Authorization, you can apply 30 days before the start date of your Curricular Practical Training
• If you have Optional Practical Training Authorization, you can apply after you have both your I-20 with Optional Practical Training endorsement and your Employment Authorization card
• If you are working on campus, you can apply after you receive your On-Campus Employment Letter from the Office of Global Services, but no earlier than 30 days before the start date of your on-campus job.

J-1 Students

• The SSA recommends that you wait at least 10 business days after your SEVIS record is validated at the start of your program, so that your status is updated in all relevant government databases, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) database that the SSA checks as part of your application.
• If you have Academic Training Authorization, you can apply 30 days before the start date of your Academic Training
• If you are working on-campus, you can apply after your receive your On-Campus Employment Letter from the Office of Global Services
• Please note: J-1 sponsored students who are not under Northeastern University’s J-1 Exchange Visitor Program must seek permission from their Program Sponsor to work on or off-campus.

J-1 Scholars

• The SSA recommends that you wait at least 10 business days after your SEVIS record is validated at the start of your program, so that your status is updated in all relevant government databases, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) database that the SSA checks as part of your application.
• After this, if you are receiving a U.S. salary, you should apply for the SSN as soon as possible. If you are not receiving a U.S. salary, you’re not required to apply for an SSN but can do so at any time during your program after this 10 business day window.

How do I apply for a Social Security Number?

BOSTON CAMPUS ONLY

The Social Security Administration (SSA) no longer requires appointments in order to visit an office, and has reverted to the pre-pandemic process of accepting applicants on a walk-in basis. This means you should no longer mail or fax in documents.

Additionally, the SSA has launched a new online portal: OSSNAP – Online Social Security Number Application Portal allows you to enter your personal information prior to your visit to the SSA, so that when you go to the office, the SSA representative will only need to verify your information and check your documents.

OGS strongly encourages students to complete the online application prior to visiting the SSA office in person. It will save time and speed up the process for you.