International Students at College of the Redwoods

Admissions & Records

International Students at College of the Redwoods

International Students Newsletters
October 2004	October 2004 (v2)	November 2004	December 2004	January 2005

Thank you for your interest in College of the Redwoods. We are proud of the excellent quality of our programs, and want you to share in the enthusiasm we feel about our college.

Degrees, Certificates and Transfer Programs

College of the Redwoods offers Certificates of Achievement and Associate in Science Degrees in a number of vocational programs. The Associate in Arts Degree is offered in the areas of Math/Science, Social Science, Humanities, Technical Preparation and Transfer Studies.

For students wishing to pursue a bachelor's (four-year) degree, College of the Redwoods offers a transfer program which includes the first two years of most four-year degree programs.

We are the only college near Humboldt State University and we have a close relationship with them. A large majority of our students transfer there after completion of lower division course work at College of the Redwoods.

Housing

On-campus housing is available in our coed residence halls for 150 students. A professional live-in staff is available to assist students at all times in the development and maintenance of a positive living environment. Amenities include: complete game room, television and study lounges, computer lab, cable TV, telephone jacks, 24-hour security, laundry facilities, private bathrooms for each "quad" room, and planned events. There are multiple meal plan options in our award winning cafeteria.

For more information Email: housing@redwoods.edu and visit our housing web site: http://www.redwoods.edu/eureka/housing/

Before you complete your college application, please read and follow the admission requirements checklist:

Admission Requirements

Please return your application and other required documents at least two months prior to the semester you wish to attend to allow time for the exchange of correspondence and processing your application materials. If you wish to live on campus in our residence halls, the housing contract should be returned as soon as possible. Space is limited, so early application is advised.

Check-list

The following documents are required before you will be accepted:

Completed College of the Redwoods International Students Application. Requires the free Adobe PDF reader (here)
$100 application fee.
Completed Financial Assurance Form signed by Parent or Person Financially Responsible. This form must be certified by a bank or financial institution.
The Financial Assurance Form should be accompanied by an official bank document . There must be at least $13,000 U.S. available for the first year.
Official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score report. The score should be at least 500 for paper testing or at least 173 for computer testing .
Official copies of educational records for secondary and/or college course work. All copies need to be in English . International students are eligible to apply for admission if they have completed the equivalent of a U.S. high school (secondary) education (approximately 12 years of formal education starting at the age six). Records are also required for any university level course work completed by student.

English Language Requirement

All applicants, whose native language is not English, are required to submit official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language ( TOEFL ). The minimum required score is 500 for paper testing and 173 for computer testing . The test if offered worldwide five times per year. Registration forms may be obtained at most U.S. Embassies or by writing for test dates and locations to:

Educational Testing Service
P.O. Box 6154
Princeton , NJ 08541-6154 U.S.A.
(609) 921-9000
Web site: http://www.ets.org

Inquire about ETS testing arrangements for individuals with disabilities. And read more on the ETS web site: http://www.ets.org/toefl/learners/pbt/diabilities.html .

Evaluation of International Records

College of the Redwoods does not evaluate international educational records. If you wish to have CR consider credit for course work completed at a foreign university, you may have your courses evaluated and sent to us by an international evaluation service. However, there is no guarantee the courses will be accepted toward your program of study at CR.

International evaluation services:

Center for Applied Research, Evaluation & Education, Inc.
P.O. Box 20348
Long Beach , CA 90801
Phone: (714) 237-9272
Email: evalcaree@earthlink.net

Educational Records Evaluation Service, Inc.
777 Campus Commons Road, Suite 200
Sacramento , CA 95825-8309
Phone: (916) 565-7475
Fax: (916) 565-7476
Email: edu@eres.com
Web site: www.eres.com

World Education Services , Inc.
PO Box 745
Old Chelsea Station
New York , NY 10113-0745
Phone: (800) 937-3895 or (212) 966-6311
Fax: (212) 739-6100
Email: info@wes.org
Web site: www.wes.org

New York State Department of Civil Service provides a web site with a list of foreign education evaluation services in the United States http://www.cs.state.ny.us/announ/mainpages/degrees.htm

Cost of Attendance

The approximate cost for one year is $13,000 U.S. This cost includes tuition, books and supplies, room and board, transportation and personal expenses.

A Financial Assurance Form is enclosed. It is required that the applicant and/or the sponsor submit verification that the full amount needed for at least the first year of study will be available. All applicants must provide a financial guarantee from their sponsor.

The U.S. Consul in your home country will not issue a visa until he/she is convinced that you have adequate financial resources and will continue to receive funds throughout your entire study period in the United States . You may also need to show proof of financial ability at the port of entry.

F-1 and M-1 Visa students are required to enroll in a full-time program of study (12 or more units per semester). Tuition and fees for 12 units are $2,438 per semester. There are two semesters per academic year and optional winter and summer sessions.

As College of the Redwoods is a community college, funded by the State of California , it does not offer financial assistance for new international students. There are a few scholarships for international students which you may apply for after the first semester begins.

Health Insurance

College of the Redwoods does not require International Students to have health insurance. However, we do strongly encourage our international students to purchase a health insurance policy. A plan is available for purchase by our students. You will be sent a brochure after you have submitted your application materials. A registered nurse is available to treat students with minor illnesses on campus and there are medical facilities located near the college.

For Further Information

CR application materials will give you important information about our academic programs and admission requirements and procedures. If you have any questions or need additional information, please direct them to the International Student Office below:

For Applications:

International Student Admissions
College of the Redwoods
7351 Tompkins Hill Road
Eureka , CA 95501-9300
U.S.A.
Phone: (707) 476-4177

Email: Admissions@redwoods.edu
Web site: http://www.redwoods.edu/admissions/intlstudents.asp

Important Terms and Forms

USCIS United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

DMV Department of Motor Vehicles issues California Identification Cards and Driver License.

F-1 Student Visa issued for full-time studies in academic, degree granting or language programs.

M-1 Student Visa issued for vocational training and non-degree programs.

SEVIS I-20 Certificate of eligibility for non-immigrant Student Status.

I-94 Arrival/Departure Record issued upon entry into the Unite States. The Form I-94 shows the immigration classification, the place and date of admission and the period of stay authorized. Always use the first I-94 issued even though you will receive a new I-94 card every time you re-enter the U.S. after traveling abroad.

D/S Duration of Status or the period which the student is pursuing a full course of study. This notation is stamped on both the I-94 and I-20 by the Immigration Officer at the time of admission into the U.S.

Visa Status stamp allows the bearer to apply for entry to the U.S. in a certain classification (e.g. student (F), visitor (B), temporary worker (H)). A visa does not grant the bearer the right to enter the United States .

Passport A document issued by a country to a citizen allowing that person to travel abroad and re-enter their home country.