International Students
| International Student Information and Application Packet (pdf, 172KB) |
| International Commuter Student Application (for students living within 75 miles of the border). |
Admission Requirements
- Proof
of English
Proficiency.
To be
accepted
as an
international
student
at Southwestern College,
you must
be able
to speak,
read,
write,
and understand
English
at a level
that will
allow
you to
successfully
complete
the college
academic
work.
To verify
your level,
we require
that you
pass the
Test of
English
as a Foreign
Language
(TOEFL)
with a
minimum
score
of 460
paper
based
and 140
for the
computer
based.
This requirement
is waived
if you
come from
a country
that has
English
as the
primary
language
in its
educational
system.
Students
must request
that the
TOEFL
Office
send the
scores
directly
to Southwestern
Community
College,
Code number
004726
- prior
to the
stated
application
deadlines.
Test information may be obtained by writing:
TOEFL/TSE Services
Test of English as a Foreign Language
P.O. Box 6151
Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, USA
(609) 771-7100
- You must be a high school graduate from a foreign secondary school that is equivalent to an American high school and have achieved a "B" or 3.0 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale). You must also meet the placement recommendation for admission as referenced in the Country Index.
- If you graduated from a US High School you must have a minimum 2.0 GPA. If you have obtained a General Equivalency Diploma (GED), you must have passed with a minimum score of 45).
- Transfer Students – If you are transferring from a college or university in the United States you must have completed 15 semester units with a grade point average of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale). In addition, you will be required to submit a Transfer Clearance Form included in your application materials. This form is to be completed by the Designated School Official (DSO) at your current institution certifying that your are in good standing.
- Transcripts - You must request that official transcripts be sent directly to Southwestern Community College for the last three years of secondary school (high school). Transcripts must be certified English translations.
- Transcripts
of any
college
work completed
must also
be submitted
and be
a certified
English
translation.
All transcripts must be official high school and/or college transcripts and certified. PLEASE DO NOT SEND PHOTOCOPIES.
- Immigration Documents - To verify your present status, you must send a copy of your valid passport, valid visa, 1-94 form (front and back), and I-20 (pages 3 and 4).
- Financial Resources - you must provide evidence of sufficient financial support to pay for your tuition, books, supplies, and living expenses for one year. The estimated cost to attend Southwestern Community College is $18,032 per academic year (excluding summer).
- You will be required to submit a 300-500 word handwritten essay commenting on your background and educational objectives.
- You will also need to complete an international student admissions application (available on request). Applications are accepted for the Fall semester no later than April 30th. Applications for the Spring must be received by October 1st. New International Students are not admitted during the summer session.
Notification
of Acceptance
You will
receive
notification
approximately
30 days
after the
application
deadline.
Once accepted,
the college
requires
a $100 dollar
non-refundable
deposit.
Once your
deposit
is received
we will
issue an
I-20 form.
We must
receive
this deposit
no later
than 30
days from
the date
of the letter
of acceptance.
Upon arrival
and enrollment
at the college,
your deposit
will be
applied
towards
non-resident
tuition.
Enrollment
Requirements
International
Students
with an
F-1 Visa
are required
to:
- Attend a pre-registration orientation. International students are required to attend a mandatory orientation and enrollment session. Orientation is scheduled approximately two to three weeks prior to the start of the semester. Students are required to bring Form I-20, passport/visa, Form I-94.
- Take the College Assessment Placement Tests
- Receive educational advisement prior to registration
- Enroll in, maintain and complete a minimum of 12 units each semester
- Must maintain a 2.5 Grade Point Average on a 4.0 scale.
Other Requirements
- All International Students must become familiar with the regulations of the Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services and assume responsibility for complying with those regulations.
- Each International Student is required to obtain an Accident and Sickness Insurance Policy (information available at the College).
General
Information
Costs
- Tuition varies per semester. Refer to a current class schedule (Link to class schedule fee page) for current fees.
- Students must purchase textbooks and other related instructional supplies.
- Financial aid is not available for International Students.
The amounts listed below are only estimates, based on the minimum costs for a single student, per year (Fall & Spring)
- Tuition & Fees $4,796.00
- Room & Board $8,748.00
- Books & Supplies $1,260.00
- Personal $2,214.00
- *Transportation $990.00
- Health
Fees $24.00
Total $18,032.00
* This is the price for a bus/trolley pass for two semesters. If you purchase your own car, plan to spend at least $1,000 for car insurance and at least $2,000 for gas and maintenance per academic year, in addition to the purchase price of the vehicle.
** The estimated costs do not include health insurance coverage. We encourage international students to purchase health insurance designed specifically for international students. Minimum cost for one year's coverage by a U.S. health insurance company is $515.
Housing
Southwestern
College
does not
have on-campus
housing
or dormitories.
Therefore,
students
are responsible
for arranging
their own
housing
off campus.
The International
Programs
office (619/482-6504)
maintains
a list of
available
housing
in the area.
Please be
aware that
there is
a housing
shortage
in Southern
California,
and prices
tend to
be higher
than in
other parts
of the United
States.
Other resources:
Below are
listed some
web sites
and phone
numbers
of companies/organizations
that can
assist you
with planning
your arrival
to San Diego
County.
- www.signonsandiego.com - This web site offers information on apartment rentals, transportation, attractions, entertainment, weather, etc. You can also get information on temporary housing (hotels/motels) options.
- www.aptsforrent.com - This web site will help you in locating apartments that are available in the San Diego area.
- www.sdreader.com - San Diego READER magazine web site will provide you with information on roommates, rentals, cars, etc.
For
an application
or more
information
contact:
Aida
Mora, International
Student
Technician
Admissions
Office
Telephone
(619) 482-6584
Fax (619)
482-6489
E-mail: Amora@swccd.edu
Admissions Office
Telephone (619) 421-6700 ext. 5413
Fax (619) 482-6489
E-mail: Talvarez@swccd.edu