Before Applying
9th
Year:
Be sure to take the necessary courses if your goal is to attend a 2-year
college or 4 year college in the United States or Canada.
Most colleges require:
q
4
years of English
q
3
years of math, natural science & social science
q
2
years of the same foreign language
q
4
academic electives
Colleges usually do not include classes in religion, office
procedures, vocational training or food & nutrition when they calculate your
grade point average, so concentrate on getting the highest grades possible in
the academic classes. Most colleges
require at least at 3.0 average in these academic classes and SAT I scores.
11th Year: Now is the time to begin focusing
on what you want out of your college or vocational education. An honest and
thoughtful self-evaluation can reveal what you should look for in schools.
Answering the following questions before you begin the application process can
help you find the school which is right for you:
q
Why
do you want an education? Why are you planning to go to a college?
q
What
is the main consideration in your choice of a college? Rigorous academics?
Inexpensive education? Unusual major? Proximity to home? Size of college?
q
Which
interests do you want to pursue in college or vocational school? Do your
interests require any special facilities, programs, or opportunities? Are you
more interested in career preparation, technical training, or general knowledge?
Once you have answered these questions, now you are ready to:
11th Year Fall:
q
Begin
research on colleges or trade schools. Try some of the web sites listed later in
this handbook. Visit the web sites
of colleges that interest you – send for catalogs.
q
Take any SAT preparation courses offered. Check with your
school for any programs they may have. There are computer programs and books
that will also help you prepare for the test.
q
Most colleges are looking for well-rounded students and will
ask you to tell them of any extracurricular, volunteer, and leadership
activities you are involved in and special talents you may have-now is the time
to expand these.
q
Keep your grades up! These
last 2 years’ grades are the most important to colleges.
11th Year Spring:
q
Begin narrowing your school choices. Consider:
Where is the school? How easy will it be to fly back & forth to the Bahamas? What percentage of the student body is from a foreign country? If the percentage is high, this indicates the school is one that will welcome you and provide special services and clubs to meet your needs as an international student. Is financial aid available to international students? What size campus would you be most comfortable in? Some colleges and universities have a student body of over 40,000!
q
Try to visit one or several of your choices now or in the
summer (if you cannot visit in person, you may visit many campuses via the
Internet).
q
Send for applications.
q
Take 1st SAT (in May at Forest Heights or
online?). You must register with
the College Board in March to take the test in May. You may do this on the Internet, at the College Board Web
site: www.collegeboard.org .
It is important to take this test more than once for practice. On an
average, scores usually increase by 40 points with each sitting because you
become more familiar with the test and what it requires of you.
This increase could be the determining factor in your acceptance.
11th Year Summer:
q Try to estimate cost of attending college or trade school (look in college catalogs for their estimated costs).
q Research possible sources of financial help (loans, grants, scholarships) – US immigration requires schools to verify that there are adequate financial resources for each foreign applicant before the school can issue a Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20A).
q Work and save your money.
q Look over applications; make note of the application deadline for each school (i.e.: the deadline for the fall semester in all schools in the Florida State System is April 1st).
q
Practice writing any essays or personal statements that may be
required.
Applying
12th Year Fall:
q Complete applications (have someone proofread forms & any essays) and mail before deadlines.
q Upon receipt of your application, colleges will send you the Declaration and Certification of Finances form. This must be filled out accurately and sent in along with proof of sufficient funds to cover the cost of attending. The college must receive these at least 2 months prior to your entry date. Once you have been found eligible, financially & academically, the college will issue you your Form I-20A.
12th
Year Winter:
q Take final SAT in December. Remember to register for the test in October! Be sure to indicate on the form the schools you would like your scores sent to.
q Complete & mail any financial aid forms (for scholarships, grants, loans, etc.).
12th Year Spring:
q Make final selection & mail in acceptance
q Arrange for all final official transcripts, diplomas, and/or certificates to be sent directly from your present and any previous school to the Office of Admissions of the college. Since BGCSE certificates are not issued until the December after your 12th year, you should ask the Testing and Evaluation Section of the Ministry of Education and Youth to send your results to your college.
q Proof of required immunizations are required by Florida, and most other states. Be sure you get these and complete and return the medical forms sent to you. Most colleges will not allow you to register for classes until these are received!
q Florida, and most other state colleges, requires that you have medical insurance adequate to meet the expenses in case of medical emergencies and will not allow you to register until you comply. Usually, you can purchase insurance from the college. If you have your own policy, you will need to have your insurance company complete and return an Insurance Compliance Certification Form, documenting that the coverage meets state and college requirements.
q Apply for on campus housing early-space generally fills up rapidly
Apply for your passport & visa. Do this as EARLY as possible. However, you may not apply until you are within 90 days of leaving the Bahamas. The visa office at the US embassy in Nassau is only open from 9:00-11:00 AM and the lines become longer as the summer progresses. Students applying in July & August report having to get in line as early as 4:00 AM! Even then, you may not get in on the first day so be sure you have a place to stay. Remember, also, that the fee of $100 must be in all US or in all Bahamian currency and exact change is required. Go to the embassy web site (http://usembassy.state.gov/nassau/wwwstudentvisa.html) for complete information on visa requirements and how to apply. You may also call with questions, but only on Mondays or Wednesdays between the hours of 2PM-4PM.
12th Year Summer:
q Work and save your money! As you will read in another section, there are probably expenses involved in attending school in the United States that you and your family may not be aware of.
q Take any college preparatory classes, especially in reading and writing, that may be offered. Look for any on-line classes, also.
q Make sure all of your immigration papers and finances are in order
q If possible, visit your college to familiarize yourself with the campus and its surrounding community. See if you can make an appointment now to see your counselor once school begins. Investigate methods of transportation (bus lines, metros). Look for housing if you plan to live off campus. Arrange for the hook-up of needed utilities (see section on Housing in handbook for more details). Apply for a Social Security number (you may also do this once you arrive at school). You may want to find a bank and open a checking account and/or get an ATM card.
YOUR RESPONSIBILITIES AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT
(compiled from the “International Student Handbook”, Florida International University)
Once you have been accepted at a college and before you begin your first semester, it is important that you be aware of the many complex immigration laws and regulations that will relate to your legal status as a foreign student in the United States. Your college will probably have international student advisors to assist you and answer your questions, but IT IS YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO KNOW AND ABIDE BY THE LAW IN ORDER TO MAINTAIN VALID LEGAL STATUS. First, you need to familiarize yourself with immigration documents and terminology:
IMMIGRATION DOCUMENTS
q Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F_1) Students-This form is required in order to obtain F_1 visa status. The form is issued by the school to fully admitted, degree-seeking students who have shown sufficient funds to cover their studies in the U.S.
q
Passport-a document
issued by a government to identify a person as a citizen of a particular country
and allow the bearer to travel abroad and permit reentry to the home country.
The visa is stamped on the passport. U.S. immigration law requires
that nonimmigrants have valid passports to enter the U.S. and that passports
remain valid through the time that the bearer is in the U.S.
q
F_1 Visa- The stamp
issued by the U.S. Embassy allowing the bearer to enter the U.S. as a student on
F_1 status
q
I-94 (Arrival/Departure
Record)- Form used to document entry to and departure from the U.S. of all
foreigners. At entry, this form is stamped according to the person’s visa
classification. The date or period through which the bearer is authorized to
remain in the U.S. is also noted on this form.
q INS Admission Number-is a unique 11-digit number found on the I-94 used by INS (Immigration and Naturalization Service) to document entries and exits from the country. It is also used in INS data base to track employment, practical training, school transfer and other INS procedures.
IMMIGRATION TERMINOLOGY
q Designated School Official (DSO)- The term used by the INS to refer to the person(s) who administer the F program in the college. The DSO is usually the international student advisor.
q F-1 Status-Means that a student is classified and authorized by INS to be in the U.S. for the principal purpose of pursuing a full course of study at an academic institution in the U.S. There are sections of the law and regulations that define what F_1 students can and cannot do while in the U.S. and students must abide them in order to maintain their legal status.
q Duration of Status (D/S)- A notation specified on the Form I-94 and refers to the period during which the bearer of the I-94 is authorized to remain in the U.S. until he/she completes his/her program of study in an educational institution, and any periods of authorized practical training, plus 60 days, if still applicable, to depart the U.S.
q School Transfer- The immigration procedure which an F-1 student is required to complete when changing from one U.S. institution to another OR when changing from one educational level to another (e.g., from bachelor’s to master’s). Failure to complete this procedure puts a student “out –of-status”.
q Practical training- Refers to employment, which is related to student’s major or field of study. Students MUST have been on valid F-1 status for at least 9 consecutive months in order to be eligible for practical training and the INS or a college advisor must authorize the training.
q Reinstatement-The immigration procedure which an F-1 student must complete when he/she fails to remain in lawful status or overstays his/her authorized period of stay in the U.S
q Program Extension- The immigration procedure which an F-1 student must complete when he/she must remain in the U.S. longer than the time originally estimated for completion of his/her program as stated on his/her I-20
In order to remain in lawful status, as a non-immigrant student you must remember to:
1. Have a passport that is valid at all times.
2. Attend the school you were authorized to attend.
3. Be registered full-time for each academic semester as defined by INS. For undergraduate students, this means registration for at least 12 credits per semester, and for graduate students, this means registration for at least 9 credits per semester. NOTE: You are not required to be registered for classes during the summer unless you have been admitted to your college for the summer term.
4. Maintain good academic standing as per INS regulations and your college’s policy and make normal progress towards completing your degree.
5. Follow appropriate procedures to notify INS if you transfer schools or if you change from one educational level to another.
6. File for a Program Extension in a timely manner if you must remain in the U.S. longer than the time estimated for completion of your program as stated on your I-20.
7. Check your documents to be sure they are in order before leaving the U.S., even for a brief trip, and be sure to have the proper documents to re-enter the U.S.
8. Limit on-campus employment or any authorized off-campus employment to a total of 20 hours per week during the academic semester.
9. Obtain proper authorization before engaging in any off-campus employment.
10. Obtain a “sailing permit” if you are returning home permanently and have earned income in the U.S.
11. File income tax forms in a timely manner each tax year, whether or not income was earned for that specific year.
12. Report any change of address to INS.
If you have any questions on any aspect of INS law and
regulations related to your status, please contact the INS, your
advisor/counselor, the Student Affairs office, or your college’s International
Student Services organization. Please bear in mind that although you may have
friends or acquaintances telling you about one immigration matter or another, it
is to your best interest to verify any information given you.
Because of the
terrorists’ attacks on September 11, international students are advised that
visa regulations are being strictly enforced.
COLLEGE APPLICATION WEB SITES TO TRY
(prepared by Sharon Kossack, Ph.D., Florida International University)
q Apply (Princeton Review): An application accepted by more than 500 colleges. http://www.review.com/
q Coalition for Christian Colleges and Universities: If you are looking for “Christ-centered education”, you’ll find links to Coalition member institutions here. http://www.cccu.org/
q College Admission and Scholarship Counseling: An internet based service which assists students in identifying colleges which meet their individual needs and are likely to offer scholarships and/or attractive financial aid packages. http://www.college-scholarships.com/ssac.htm
q College Link: College resource site that allows students to apply electronically to more than 1,000 colleges and universities. http://www.collegelink.com/clnk/customize/
q College Night: General information, articles, and links for students and parents. Power Students Network: Comprehensive information on how to “Get into, pay for, and survive your dream college”, college life info, free newsletter, free scholarship searches, college profiles, and more. Well done. http://www.collegenight.com/home.html
q Community College Web: Probably the most comprehensive site dealing with 2-year community colleges. http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/cc/
q GoCollege: Another pretty comprehensive information page for college-bound students, with a free college search, free scholarship search, and something that sets it apart from many similar sites – free online ACT and SAT practice tests!
“HOW TO GET IN” WEB SITES
q ACT (American CollegeTest) Home Page: The ACT test is considered a substitute for the SAT and many Midwest and Southern colleges prefer it. They have an informative page. http://www.act.org/
q College Board Onlinee: College Board, the people who bring you the SAT, offer you everything you could ever want to know about the SAT. http://www.collegeboard.com/
q MAX THE TEST: Perhaps the best SAT/ACT prep program on the internet. http://www.maxthetest.com./
“HOW TO STAY IN” WEB SITES
q
Cynthia Good’s College and Career Planning Page:
Lots of good links to college, scholarship, career, and study skills
sites. http://www.fallriver.mec.edu/goodhomepg.html
OTHER SOURCES OF FINANCIAL AID
q Apply for loan from the Government Loan Scholarship Programme of the Bahamian government. You may be eligible for up to $20,000 a year. The interest rate is 8% a year, however, you pay only 4% while you are in school and the government pays the other 4%. You must begin repaying the loan 15 months after you graduate and you have 15 years in which to completely repay the loan. The address for an application is: Ministry of Education, Youth and Sports, Attention Scholarship and Tertiary Education Section, P.O. Box N 3913, Nassau, Bahamas. You are strongly advised to apply for this loan early as applications are usually due in Nassau by the end of February.
q If you have an U.S. passport or have dual Bahamian/U.S. citizenship, check with your international advisor to see if you may be eligible for U.S. government sponsored scholarships, grants and loans
q Even though you are not eligible for U.S. government financial aid programs, many colleges provide tuition discounts (scholarships) to international students in need of financial aid. This is something to consider when selecting a college. If you have a special talent in athletics, music, art, leadership, etc., a college may offer you a tuition discount scholarship. This is why it is important to emphasize your talents and extra curricular activities when filling out your application. Many colleges want to diversify their student body and may offer tuition discounts just because you are from another country. This happened to a Pathfinder scholarship recipient. She was designated “international student of the year” by her college and provided free housing!
WEB SITES TO TRY
q Collegelink: Free scholarship and search information. http://collegelink.com/clnk/scholarship
q ExPAN: The College Board’s free scholarship search program. http://www.collegeboard.org/fundfinder/html/ssrchtop.html
q InternationalStudent.com: An excellent information page for international students interested in studying in the U.S. with a link to an affiliated site with information about scholarships for international students. http:www.InternationalStudent.com
q Help for International students: A service which helps international students select, apply to and gain admission to United States boarding schools, colleges, and universities. International Education Financial Aid (IEFA) is the premier Internet resource for financial aid information for international students wishing to study in a foreign country. To qualify for one of its loans, you must already be enrolled in a school and have a U.S. citizen or permanent resident willing to co-sign your loan.
q
Another good source of aid information is: Funding for U.S. study:
A Guide for Foreign Nationals, from the Institute of International Education,
809 UN Plaza, New York, NY 10017-3580.
SETTLING IN
HOUSING: on campus
If you plan to live on campus, you must apply very early! Acceptance to a college does not mean guaranteed campus housing. Campus accommodations are very limited at most colleges. Some colleges do not give freshman the choice of living on or off campus; they require that freshman live on campus only. In any case, you will be given a personal questionnaire to fill out which will ask you many questions about your life style preferences (i.e. do you smoke, like to stay up late, have parties, eat in or out, do you practice a religion, are you neat or messy, prefer a co-ed dorm, etc.). They will also ask questions about your study habits (i.e. what time of day or night do you prefer to study, do you need quiet in order to study, do you study best alone or with others, etc.). It is very important that you answer this questionnaire honestly so that you are paired with a compatible roommate! If you find that you and your roommate(s) do not get along and it interferes with your ability to study, you should contact your school’s housing office. They may be able to make other arrangements for you then or, at least, during the next term.
HOUSING: off campus
If you prefer to, or must live off campus, your school’s housing office will probably be able to assist you . Some students may rent an apartment on their own; some students share an apartment with other students; and still, some may rent rooms in a local resident’s house. Make sure you check the apartment and neighborhood before making any final arrangements. The following are some questions you should ask:
q How much is the rent? When is it due?
q What is included in the rent payment? Utilities, electricity, phone, cable?
q Who do you call for emergency repairs? Who is responsible for paying for repairs?
q Do you require a security deposit (an advance payment of money, usually equal to one month’s rent, to guarantee the acceptable condition of the apartment when you move out)? Will the security deposit be returned when I move out? What are the conditions for its return?
q Is a signed lease require? (a lease is a legally binding contract between a landlord and tenant that specifies the terms or conditions for renting and living in the apartment). How long is the lease (this is important since most leases are for a year and students generally need to rent for only 8 or 9 months!)? How will I be penalized if I break the lease? What are the terms for renewing the lease?
q Is parking available and what kind is it? (garage, parking lot, on-street-parking)?
q Are there laundry facilities on the premises or near-by?
q Where is the nearest grocery store?
q Is there public transportation (busses, subways) near-by?
q Do you permit pictures to be hung on the wall or any other improvements to be made?
When you move into an apartment or house, you will probably
be responsible for obtaining your own phone service and utilities (electricity,
natural gas, water). It is
recommended that you call the companies at least 1-2 weeks before you plan to
move in. You will probably be
required to pay a deposit for utilities before a start-up of service.
As you can see, renting your own place will be more expensive than just paying the monthly rent. Be sure you have budgeted for all the extra deposits and costs. Of course, one way to reduce your costs is to share your place with others. However, it is VERY important that you and your prospective roommates agree on how the costs will be shared before you rent. One safeguard for all of you is to see if everyone’s name can be placed on the lease contract and the utilities.
BANKING
Most financial transactions are paid by credit cards or checks in the United States and Canada. To pay your monthly bills, such as rent, electricity and telephone, a checking account is necessary. Also, opening a checking account will reduce the need of carrying large amounts of cash, and will serve as a location to directly deposit any funds received. The bank will send you a monthly statement (a record of all transactions). Banks in the U.S. will charge large fines for “bounced” checks (checks written for more money than is in the checking account). It is therefore very important that you reconcile your checkbook every time you receive a statement.
To open an account, you will need a social security card. Your Office of International Students will be able to assist you in securing a card. You will also need some form of identification. Your passport and student identification card will do.
When choosing a bank, you should consider:
q The location and convenience to school and/or housing
q Whether it has automatic teller machines (ATM’s) on campus
q Currency exchange –can you buy traveler’s checks or cash them?
q Overseas transfer of money – find out which American bank is being used by your country’s bank to complete the transfer. It may save you time and money (a percentage is deducted by each bank that handles the transfer) to have an account at a bank from the same chain or group used by your country’s bank
q Type of accounts offered by the bank – many types are offered now (i.e. credit card services, emergency transfers from savings account, etc.)
q Charge for checks and services
q Minimum required to open a checking account
q Minimum monthly balance required to avoid the bank closing your account or charging you a service charge
q Hours of operation
CREDIT CARDS
Beware! You will probably receive one or more credit cards in the mail once you are in college. Credit card companies know college students are usually short of money and deliberately target them, knowing the students are likely to use the cards up to their limit and only pay the minimum monthly payment. Since most credit card companies charge 18% or more , if you paid the minimum monthly payment on a balance of $1,000, it would take you 12 years and an extra $1,115 in interest to pay off your card! Too many students graduate being heavily in debt. This is no way to start your new life.
Suggestions:
q Try to pay off your balance each month
q Pay on time. Some card companies charge as much as $30 for late payments. In addition, if 2 payments are missed, the credit card company has the right to increase your interest above 23.9%
q Get a secured credit card. Its credit limit depends on your savings at the issuing bank
q Use a debit card instead. This card automatically deducts from your checking account
q Beware of “teaser” offers of low interest rates at the beginning, then jump to much higher rates after only a few months
q Don’t use “cash advances”. Rates on these are about 20% and some companies also charge a fee of 4% of the advance
q Shop on line for better rates. Students can find credit cards with no annual fee and interest lower than 12 %
DRIVER’S LICENSE
You may drive in most states in the United States if you have a Bahamian driver’s license, are at least 16 years old and attending college. However, having a driver’s license from the state in which you are living has advantages. A driver’s license is the best form of identification, particularly if you are writing checks in a store or attempting to cash a check. Different states have different procedures for issuing a driver’s license. Usually it involves taking a written test which covers the state’s driving regulations and laws. You can prepare for this test by obtaining a driver’s handbook from your local department of motor vehicles (DMV). Your state may also require you to take an actual driving test. All states require a simple eye sight exam. Call your local DMV to see what forms of identification you need to bring in. Florida requires two forms of identification, including a birth certificate or passport. If you do not want or need a driver’s license but would like another form of identification, the DMV also issues identification cards that look similar to driver’s licenses. These are usually accepted for check cashing.
PRACTICAL ADVICE FROM THOSE WHO KNOW
The following observations and advice are offered by college professors and students who are presently attending colleges, community colleges and vocational schools. Many of these students have just completed their first term as freshmen.
q All students and teachers were unanimous in their advice to, “Ask if you don’t understand!” All the students agreed that teachers, advisors and other students were anxious to help. One student said, “Leave your pride at home. Speak up for yourself, you no longer have a parent to do it for you.” Another student did say that her teachers advised that new students should not rely only on advice from older students. Sometimes they might not understand completely themselves. This is particularly true if the question is about a teacher’s or subject’s requirements. In this case, it is definitely safer to ask the teacher.
q Get to know and use your advisor. Helping you is their job! All students agreed on this point.
q Every student said how helpful their school’s International Students’ Office is. On most campuses, these offices give workshops on survival techniques such as: how to use the local methods of transportation, how to deal with all the documents you need, how to get social security cards and how to stay in compliance with U.S. immigration. Some students even reported that their International Office organized trips and parties which helped them get to know other students and the diverse cultures. This is also an office that can help find you tutors and any remedial help you may need.
q Both teachers and students wanted to emphasize how important it is to meet teachers’ deadlines for papers, reports, homework, etc. College teachers usually do not remind you of due dates or give you extensions. Most teachers will deduct a grade or half a grade for every day an assignment is late!
q All students who participated in study groups agreed that studying with a small group of students who have the same class is extremely helpful. “What you don’t understand, someone else may,”said one freshman. “It’s fun to quiz each other with questions you think the professor will ask on a test,” offered another student.
q Consider attending The College of the Bahamas or a 2 year community college in the U.S. first. Not only are they much less expensive, but it is much easier to transfer to a 4 year college as a sophomore or junior. If you do transfer, make sure all of your transferred credits are properly evaluated .
q Join clubs! This is a great way to meet other students and feel like you are part of campus life. Many colleges, particularly in the South, will have a Caribbean, or even a Bahamian students’ club. Several students said that joining Christian groups helped ease the homesickness and stress.
q As for stress, one young man who had just completed his first term advised,” Don’t freak out. Take it one day at a time. Don’t think of the requirements of the whole semester.” He added, “I thought I had to be as good as everyone else. This was not true. They (the teachers, advisors, etc.) assume you don’t know anything at first.”
Other individual pieces of advice from students are;
q While in high school, research all the colleges or schools you have an interest in and apply to all of them, not just one.
q Before leaving for college, be sure your medical records and all required shots are up to date and you have documentation to prove it.
q Have a letter or some documentation proving your enrollment in case there is any problem with immigration.
q Don’t buy airline tickets at the last minute – you will pay a lot more!
q Bahamas Air offers student discount and frequent flyer miles
q Check out the Student Advantage Card which is good on Greyhound busses, Amtrack trains and Pizza Hut. Information on this can be found on the Greyhound web site.
q Try to visit or arrive on campus early, before the term begins. Familiarize yourself with its layout so you won’t feel so lost. Once you have your schedule, locate your classrooms before your first day.
q Buying text books can be very expensive. Most schools advise to budget for at least $500 a year. Often the college bookstore runs out. Try buying your books on line: http://www.e-campus.com Their prices are usually cheaper and they will ship within 5 days. Shipping is free if you buy over $70. Other discounts are also available.
q Don’t loan your books (one kind hearted student did this and did not get her books back in time to study for a big exam!)
q Whenever you go off for holidays or breaks, have fun BUT keep in mind that you have to come back to school. One student said he made the mistake of not keeping this in mind and found it hard to “get back in the groove”!
q When you leave the U.S. for a holiday or break, be sure you have your I-20 form signed off to prevent any problem reentering school.