Community College and ESL Programs for International Students
- Aims Community College
Greeley, Colorado - Bellevue College
Bellevue, Washington - Cerritos College
Norwalk, California - City College of San Francisco
San Francisco, California - Glendale Community College
Glendale, Arizona - Phoenix College
Phoenix, Arizona - Rio Salado Community College
Tempe, Arizona - Sierra College
Rocklin, California
Community College
Q & A
Deciding to study abroad is a very important decision and students should begin their planning very early. First, I encourage students to think about their personal and educational goals before beginning their college search. This will help in finding a campus and program that will meet your needs. As I work with potential students and current students there are certain questions that often come up. Since my College, Sierra College is a community college; some of these questions and answers are specific to the issue of transfer. The following is a list of common questions and answers regarding international education:
1. Where are you located?
Sometimes, students are looking for a campus located near a specific city
and they do not realize how large the United States is. You may wish to
consult a map and limit your search to a specific state. Searching one
state is much easier than searching the entire country.
2. What is a community college?
A community college offers courses that are equal to the first two years
of study towards a Bachelors degree. So, students can complete their first
two years at a community college and then transfer to a university to
complete their Bachelor’s degree for their final two years. This
is of great benefit for international students because it is less expensive,
the class size is smaller, and faculty members are more accessible to
students
3. Where can I transfer after I complete
my first two years of college at a community college?
Many students wish to transfer to “famous” universities from
community college. While that may be a possibility for some, students
must know that the most popular universities are also the most competitive.
The good news is that there are many fine universities students can transfer
to, they just haven’t had a chance to learn about them yet. A counselor
at the college should be able to help you through this process.
4. What are the costs?
You should find out what the cost of tuition and fees are. Depending on
the state and location, prices will vary. You may wish to find out how
much a college charges per unit, that will make comparing prices much
easier.
5. How do I apply?
Each campus has it’s own processes. When you contact a college,
you should request an application packet. There you should find a brochure,
fee sheet, housing information and application.
6. The application says I must provide
proof of financial support, what does that mean?
United States law requires schools to receive proof from students that
they have financial resources to pay for their education. Schools will
need to review this information for meeting the financial responsibilities
before issuing an I-20.
7. What are the steps I need to take in
order to become a student?
Follow the steps on the application, if you need help, contact the International
Students Office at the campus you are applying. They should offer you
the assistance that you need to complete the application and supply the
appropriate supporting documents.
8. What are the deadlines?
The deadlines are established by each college and is usually listed in
the application and the brochure
9. What is an I-20 and when will I get
mine?
An I-20 is issued by the accepting college and enables a student to apply
for a student visa (F-1). Student visas may only be obtained outside of
the United States and are issued at Consular Offices and Embassies. Colleges
may accept a student and issue an I-20 when their admission qualifications
are met.
10. What is the TOEFL score?
The Test of English as a Foreign Language exam is used to meet admission
criteria. It is not used for placement purposes. Most students will take
placement assessment tests upon their arrival at their college
11. May I work while I am in the United
States on a student visa?
Students may be eligible to work on campus for a limited number of hours.
You must keep in mind that the purpose of an F-1 visa is for study, not
work. Students should check with their campus for additional information
12. Is health insurance needed?
Health care in the United States is extremely expensive and it is suggested
that students carry health insurance. Many campuses now have mandatory
health insurance coverage that students must purchase.
13. Do you have on-campus housing?
Housing options may vary. Some have on-campus housing, host family programs
or housing listings. You should plan for housing far in advance.
It is also suggested that you consider if a campus has an international students office. An international students office can offer much assistance to students. They can help with academic advising, INS status issues, questions about the culture and they can help you adjust to living in America. I wish you the very best – this is a very exciting adventure!