DO I HAVE TO PASS ANY PLACEMENT EXAMS ONCE I'VE BEEN ACCEPTED INTO A PROGRAM?

If you are an undergraduate student, you must take the English Placement Test (EPT) before you can take any English courses and the Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) test before you can take any mathematics courses.

WILL THE U.S. UNIVERSITY/DEPARTMENT RECOGNIZE PREVIOUS STUDIES IN MY COUNTRY AND GIVE ME CREDIT FOR COURSES COMPLETED OUTSIDE THE U.S.?

You have to submit transcripts showing all courses you have taken in your country. These transcripts will be evaluated based on your projected course of study. You will be given credits for appropriate courses taken at your home institution.

WILL THIS SHORTEN THE LENGTH OF MY PROGRAM IN THE UNITED STATES?

Yes, this will shorten the length of your program. The amount it charges will depend on which of your previous courses will meet which of your majors' requirements.

DO I CHOOSE AN ADVISOR FOR MY PROGRAM IN THE STATES?

You choose your advisor from your department's faculty. At the orientation, we will arrange to have a faculty advisor to meet with you.

WHAT HAPPENS IF I WANT TO CHANGE MY ACADEMIC ADVISOR?

If you want to change an academic advisor you can choose someone else from the department of your major.

DESCRIBE FACULTY-STUDENT RELATIONSHIPS.

The faculty/student relationship in the CSUSB is less formal yet has less flexibility in the time table that professor gives.

CAN I APPLY FOR WORK DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF STUDIES? IS WORK ON CAMPUS READILY AVAILABLE TO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS?

Students on F-1 visas can work on campus after one quarter in the U.S. and off-campus after one year in the U.S. Students on J-1 visas can only work with the sponsor's permission and according to their specifications.

CAN MY SPOUSE APPLY FOR WORK? HOW SOON AFTER ARRIVAL CAN A J-2 REQUEST A WORK PERMIT?

J-2 dependents may apply to the INS for permission to accept employment provided that earned income will be used to support the family's recreational and cultural activities and related travel. Employment will not be authorized if this income is needed to support the J-1 student. A J-2 can apply for work upon arrival to the U.S.

CAN AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT APPLY FOR A LOAN FROM A U.S. BANK?

No.

CAN I EASILY OBTAIN A CREDIT CARD?

Yes, there are vendors on campus that will offer student credit cards with less restrictions.

MUST I PAY THE ENTIRE YEARS TUITION AT REGISTRATION, OR CAN I PAY IN INSTALLMENTS?

The University is on the quarter system with three regular quarters: Fall, Winter, and Spring. Students pay for their tuition at the beginning of each quarter.

CAN I TRANSFER MY TUITION DIRECTLY TO THE UNIVERSITY'S BANK ACCOUNT?

No, but you can transfer funds to another institution in the US, such as banks or credit unions.

DOES CSUSB HAVE ON-CAMPUS HOUSING?

Yes, there are dorms and apartments available for both domestic and international students. Visit Housing Office for details.

DOES CSUSB HAVE HOUSING FOR MARRIED COUPLES?

No.

DOES THE SCHOOL HAVE DAY CARE FACILITIES AND SCHOOLS NEARBY FOR DEPENDANTS?

Yes, there is a Children Center on campus for day care and some of the nearby schools for your dependants.

WHERE CAN I LIVE IF THE DORMS CLOSE FOR THE MAJOR HOLIDAYS?

The dorms are open all year around.

SHOULD I BRING MY OWN COMPUTER OR ARE COMPUTERS READILY AVAILABLE ON CAMPUS?

The university has quite a few computer labs available on campus for students.

WHAT KIND OF SAFETY MEASURES EXIST ON CAMPUS?

The university provides campus security officers to maintain a safer environment. You can call campus security for our on-campus escort service that will provide you with someone to escort you to your car at night.

HOW MUCH WILL CAR INSURANCE COST?

The cost of auto insurance varies according to age, gender, and Make-up of the vehicle. $2000 per year is the average.

DO I HAVE TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE?

Yes. Health Insurance is mandatory.

IS THE UNIVERSITY'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM SUFFICIENT? DOES IT COVER EVERYTHING?

Yes.

HOW MUCH DOES A STUDENT PAY FOR HEALTH INSURANCE ANNUALLY?

$766.00 per year. (From 9/14/06 to 9/13/07)

HOW MUCH COULD A STUDENT WITH 1 OR 2 DEPENDENTS EXPECT TO PAY ANNUALLY FOR HEALTH INSURANCE?

A student has to buy health insurance for himself, which totals up to $766.00 per year, plus: $1,516.00 per year for spouse, $1,144.00 per year for one child, $2,488.00 per year for two or more children.

WILL THE UNIVERSITY'S HEALTH INSURANCE COVER ME IMMEDIATELY UPON ARRIVAL?

Yes. you will be covered within two weeks after your arrival.

WHAT ACADEMIC TIPS CAN YOU GIVE TO NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS?

Be involved in campus activities. Understand the University "Honor Code" and the dangers of plagiarism. Take advantage of conversation classes and language labs. Start taking notes in English from the beginning. Do not translate them back into your native language. Remember that a paper you can turn into a professor is expected to be the final, best product you can produce. Nothing should be hand written. University study is considered a full-time job in the U.S. Faculty expects study to be your first priority.

GENERAL TIPS: YOU MUST ATTEND CAMPUS ORIENTATION BEFORE REGISTRATION. TO GET THE CLASSES YOU WANT AT THE TIMES YOU WANT, GET HERE EARLY!

Books are expensive. You are expected to buy and read all books assigned. You can buy many books second hand if you arrive on campus early before they run out. Most American undergraduate students are much younger than their international student counterparts. Living in an undergraduate dorm can therefore be quite a cultural awakening! A few international students have become dorm resident assistants and earn a small income.

Safety and AIDS awareness will be discussed during orientation. Please pay close attention. The drinking age in the USA is 21 and I.D. is required to get into bars.

FINANCE TIPS:

Banking in the United States is different than in other countries. No overdraft is allowed; No post-dated checks can be written. Understand the difference between credit and charge cards.

Be careful to write dates correctly on your checks American style; i.e. Month/Day/Year and not day/month/year as in other countries. Checks have been returned and fines paid to the bank for such mistakes. Students should know that everyone on an F-1 must file a 1040-R Form, even if they earned nothing. Get careful guidance about tax law and how they affect you. Attend the workshop on taxes which is offered every year.

Car purchase: No need to buy a car in the big cities with good public transportation. Not a good idea to buy from a dealer. Check ads. Car insurance varies from state to state. Insurance can be a large expense, even more than the price of the car. The price of insurance can vary between different areas in the same city. AAA offers a relatively cheap insurance policy (about $500/year) but only for one year and for only holders of a J class visa (Not F class). It is suggested purchasing the equivalent of the AAA care service insurance instead which is important because it usually takes this time from the day you register at the University until your health insurance goes into effect. Bring extra money at the beginning because sometimes grants for those students who come with grants and social security numbers take some time to be processed. If you bring in $10,000 or more, you should declare this at U.S. Customs upon entering. Keep this receipt because it will be useful and it will help explain where this money came from when you go to open a bank account and for U.S. tax purposes as an exemption.

SURVIVING CULTURE SHOCK:

It is a good idea to make friends with other international students and domestic students. Get used to the language from the beginning. Learn politeness and to behave according to US norms. Be aware of political correctness.

HEALTH INSURANCE TIPS:

Have as many medical tests, check-ups, X-rays, dental work, etc done in your country before departure since it is much cheaper and may not be covered in the US. You will be required to have proof of shots for measles, mumps, diphtheria, and rubella.

DO I NEED TO TAKE THE TOEFL EXAM IF I HAVE EARNED A.A. OR ABOVE IN THE REQUIRED GENERAL EDUCATION CLASS IN ENGLISH?

All undergraduate and graduate applicants whose native language is not English are required to take and pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for entrance to the university. Students who have completed three full years in a U.S. college or university, or have graduated from a four-year degree-granting institution in which English is the language of instruction, may be considered for exception from the TOEFL requirement.

DO I NEED TO TAKE THE ENTRY LEVEL MATH (ELM) OR ENGLISH PLACEMENT TEST (EPT)?

Transfer students are exempt from the ELM and EPT if they have earned at least a C grade or better in the required GE class in Math or English.

DO D GRADES TRANSFER?

Yes. Transferable courses in which you have received a D grade will transfer to CSUSB. However, a C grade is required in selected general education (ENGLISH AND MATH) courses in addition to a 2.4 grade point average in all transferable course work to be eligible for undergraduate admission to CSUSB.

HOW DO I KNOW WHAT CLASSES TRANSFER?

A maximum of 70 transferable semester units (105 quarter units) of work taken at a community/junior college can be applied toward the requirements for the bachelor degree from the university. No upper division credit may be allowed for courses taken in a community/junior college. No credit may be allowed for professional courses in education taken at a community/junior college. The Office of Admissions and Records will evaluate previous college work for its applicability and the requirements of the University. All undergraduate degree candidates will be issued a CREDIT SUMMARY (PAWS), indicating requirements which remain unfilled.

I HAVE AN AA/AS DEGREE. AREN'T MY GENERAL EDUCATION (GE) REQUIREMENTS COMPLETED?

There is no guarantee that an AA/AS degree will include all of the lower division CSUSB general education requirements. Consult with your community college counselor and CSUSB admissions.

HOW SOON AFTER BEGINNING STUDYING CAN I TRANSFER TO ANOTHER SCHOOL?

You have to have at least 56 transferable quarter units to be able to transfer.

WHAT TYPE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION EXISTS IN THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO?

There are several means of transportation to and from campus. Public bus lines connect San Bernardino to surrounding communities. Interested students have the option of forming a CSUSB car pool or vanpool; sharing with others who live in the area will save money. For information call (909) 537-5193 and IC will assist you in finding others who are interested in sharing rides.

CAN I GET AROUND WITH MY INTERNATIONAL DRIVER'S LICENSE OR SHOULD I TAKE OUT A CALIFORNIA STATE LICENSE?

An international Driver's License is valid in California when accompanied by a Driver's License from your home country. An international Driver's License is good for only one year from the time you arrived in the U.S. Your driver's license also serves as identification in transaction such as cashing a check or picking up registered mail. If you do not plan to drive you may obtain an Identification Card, in place of a Driver's License, from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

HOW DO I GET A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER?

The IC Office will invite the officers from Social Security Office to help new international students apply for their social security card. You can also come to the IC Office to request a letter of verification and apply your social security card by yourself.

I'M FINISHING MY BA, INTENSIVE ENGLISH, ETC PROGRAM IN THE UNITED STATES AND HAVE AN F-1 VISA. I'D LIKE TO CONTINUE FOR ANOTHER DEGREE, PROGRAM. DO I NEED TO LEAVE THE U.S. AFTER COMPLETING THE FIRST DEGREE IN ORDER TO GET A NEW VISA ISSUED FOR THE SECOND?

No. You simply apply for admissions to a degree granting Institution. Once admitted, a new I-20 is issued a copy of which is sent to INS.

IF I ENTER ON A GOVERNMENT SPONSORED J-1 VISA, CAN I SWITCH TO A UNIVERSITY SPONSORED J-1 VISA ONCE I AM IN THE UNITED STATES?

Yes. However if you are under the two year residence rule you still have to return to your country after completion of your studies.

CAN AN F-2 SWITCH TO F-1 FROM WITHIN THE US? CAN A J-2 SWITCH TO A J-1 IN THE SAME WAY?

Yes, in both cases. However, the J-1 must have a sponsor.

CAN SOMEONE ON A WORK/DIPLOMATIC VISA ALSO STUDY? CAN THEY SWITCH FROM A WORK TO STUDENT VISA FROM WITHIN THE UNITED STATES?

Yes. It is not difficult to do, except in cases where I-94 specifically states that you cannot become a student.

IF MY SPOUSE ENTERS ON A J-2 VISA, CAN HE/SHE STUDY FULL TIME OR PART-TIME?

She/he can study part-time. However, it is to her/his advantage to change status to J-1 if she/he has a sponsor.

COULD I GET THE NAMES OF OTHER STUDENTS FROM MY COUNTRY WHO ARE STUDYING OR WHO HAVE STUDIED AT CSUSB?

No, but IC will be glad to have them contact you.