International Students

Diablo Valley CollegePleasant Hill, California, USA

Orientation to DVC (things you need to know to become a successful student

)

Important Policies

Discussion on certificate, associate degree, and transfer requirements

Unit

Lower Division (0XX, 1XX, 2XX)/Upper Division (3XX, 4XX)

Prerequisites/Co-requisites

G.E.- General Education

Major Preparation

Articulation Agreements

P/NP (Pass/No Pass)

Web Advisor (online class registration)

Web CT (for online classes)

Student Choice (SC) grade option

Assessment

You determine your own academic schedule and manage your own time.

You are responsible for finding out about deadlines, graduation and transfer requirements, and for tracking your own progress.

Plan on spending 2-3 study hours outside of class for every hour you spend in class (e.g. if you take 15 units, you will be in class about 15 hours per week; add another 30-45 hours per week for study outside of class, for a total of 45-60 hours per week for school).

Counseling visits are not mandatory, but are strongly encouraged at least once per semester. Call or visit the Counseling Center to set up an appointment with the International Student Counselor: 925-685-1230, extension 2276/2278.

AA/AS Freshman/Sophomore

60 Units

Certificate 12 – 30 Units

BA/BS Junior/Senior60-80 Unitsafter transfer

MA/MS 2+ Years60-90 Units

Ed.D/Ph.D/ Normally requires Professional School 3-5 years of

full-time work after MA /MS

Contra Costa College (CCC) Los Medanos College (LMC) Diablo Valley College (DVC) &

San Ramon Campus (SRC)

DVC Off-Campus Locations: CSU East Bay Contra Costa Campus (CSUEB) Semester Abroad Programs in:

London, Florence, Paris, Madrid, and more!F-1 international students may take units at

LMC or CCC without prior permission, but they must take at least 6 units at DVC/SRC and be enrolled in a total of at least 12 units.

CONTRA COSTA COLLEGECONTRA COSTA COLLEGE

SAN RAMON CAMPUSSAN RAMON CAMPUS

LOS MEDANOS COLLEGELOS MEDANOS COLLEGE

Calendar Calendar

o DVC uses the Semester system (Fall & Spring Semester)

o Each semester is 18 weeks in length

o Day, evening, weekend, late-starting, and online courses available (F-1

students: Only one online class if taking only 12 units; cannot take all

night classes)

o Summer sessions are condensed (3-, 6-, or 7-weeks long) Schedule of Classes (published each term, available online)Schedule of Classes (published each term, available online)

Contains:Contains:

o List of classes offered for a specific term (i.e. Spring 2010)

o Calendar of important deadlines; pay attention to these!

o Registration information

Important Dates Important Dates

• 1st day of instruction (If you do not attend, you might be dropped!)

• Last day to “add” a course

• Last day to drop for a full refund

• Last day to drop a course without it appearing on your transcript

• Pass/No Pass deadline

• Last day to withdraw from a course and receive “W” grade

• Final exam schedule

• Application deadline for certificate and/or associate degree

Catalog (published Catalog (published onceonce a year, also online version) a year, also online version)Contains:Contains:

o course descriptions for all DVC courseso regulations, policies, and procedureso certificate, degree, and transfer General Education

requirementso services available to studentso Information on extracurricular activitieso list of DVC facultyo college calendar

Counseling Center, across from the LibraryAcademic, Career, Personal Counseling

International Student Admissions & Services, 210 Student Services BuildingSupport and immigration advising for F-1 students

DSS – Disability Support Services, 2nd floor Student Services Building Students with Disabilities Permanent or Temporary Learning Skills Classes Accommodations per ADA

Career & Employment Services, 1st floor Student Services Building Cooperative Education Volunteer Opportunities Job Search Strategies

Transfer Center, in the Counseling Center Assessment Center, 1st floor Student Services

Building

Scholarship Office, 1st floor Student Services Building

The Learning Center - Math Lab, across from the

Counseling Center

English Writing Lab, in the Learning Center

Computer Center, 1st floor of the Library

Tutoring Center, in the Learning Center and the 1st

floor of the Library

Take advantage of student services, especially counseling

Know how to select courses and manage time (consider taking

COUN-120, Student Success; it is transferable to UC and CSU)

Get to know your instructors (office hours)

Be an active learner in class: Sit near the front, take good

notes, ask questions

Use the Library and the Learning Center

Get to know other students; joining a student club is a good

way to do this!

Enrollment -- $215/unit for non-residents

Student Union -- $1/unit ($10 max/year)

Books (expect to pay several hundred dollars per semester)

Materials fees (for some classes)

Other fees:

Parking (if applicable)

Student Activity Card (optional) $7

International Student Health Insurance (see ISAS for

details)

ALL FEES ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT

NOTICE! Check the DVC website for current

information on fees.

Major-Related Courses Only

Related to Particular Occupational Skill

See DVC Catalog & Addendum for required courses, or…

DVC Website (under Degrees/Certificates)

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS: 60 CSU transferable units (minimum) 2.40 GPA minimum, higher GPA needed for some majors and

colleges Complete All of Area A & Area B-4; must be “C” or higher each class Summer limitations for some CSU’s American History & Institutions Requirement

“double count” with Area C or D Strongly advised to complete all lower division major preparation

courses Complete 39 unit GE pattern Some CSU’s have special requirements Some majors (i.e. Nursing) have additional admissions requirements Many popular programs are impacted, i.e. there are more applicants

than the department can accommodate See www.csumentor.edu for more information

ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS: 60 UC transferable units (minimum) GPA of 2.8; a higher GPA will be needed for certain universities

& majors Complete work with “C” or better in:

- English 122 and 2nd English composition course- Transferable Math course- 4 additional transferable courses from at least 2 areas (Humanities, Social Sciences, Natural Sciences)

UC ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS

Complete IGETC only for low-unit majors Majors in Engineering, Computer Science, Architecture, and the

Sciences need to see a counselor right away for academic planning

Strongly advised to complete all lower division major preparation courses

See http://uctransfer.universityofcalifornia.edu for more information

General Education Pattern for UC and CSU UC: Some Restrictions (Check page 4 of form) Need minimum 60 transferable units Complete prior to transfer (otherwise, you will

face problems) Complete IGETC only for low-unit majors (see

page 4 of form for programs that do not accept or recommend IGETC)

Majors in Engineering, Computer Science, Architecture, Business and the Sciences (high unit majors) need to see a counselor as soon as possible for academic planning

DVC has limited articulation with some private universities

in California, and no articulation agreements with out-of-

state universities

Private campuses vary in size

Typically, private institutions have smaller class sizes than

CSU & UC

Private institutions costs average about $30,000 + per year Scholarships might be available for international students at

private universities Learn more at www.aiccumentor.org or

www.collegesource.org

Basic Degree Requirements: Satisfactory completion of a minimum of 60 units of degree applicable

coursework Overall GPA of 2.0 or higher in degree-applicable coursework At least 12 units of degree-applicable coursework earned at DVC

General Education Requirements Option 1: DVC GE Requirements Option 2: IGETC GE Transfer Curriculum Option 3: CSU GE Requirements All three options also require American Institutions, Ecology of Human

Health, and Physical Education

Major/Area of Emphasis Requirement Completion of courses listed as the major area of emphasis Consult the DVC catalog or website for details

Link to other Bay Area Community College Programs: www.bacareerguide.org

Create a list of potential majors

Review course descriptions for each major (see www.assist.org for

CSU and UC majors)

Find out the careers/jobs related to the majorEnroll in introductory courses in potential majors (e.g. ENGIN 110 Intro to Engineering; SOCIO 120 Intro to Sociology, BUS 109 Intro to Business)

Useful Websites to Explore Majors:www.assist.org/ www.princetonreview.com/college/research/majors/majorSearch.asponline.onetcenter.org

Plan ahead -- if possible know your major and where you want to

transfer before you begin at DVC. Keep records. Have your own set of transcripts and exam scores from

high school and college; keep copies of all of your DVC syllabuses.

Find out the requirements for General Education and major

preparation.

Check the Transfer Center for workshops, visits by university

representatives, etc.

Meet with a counselor regularly -- we recommend once a semester.

Pay attention to details -- especially deadlines. Participate in Transfer Admission Guarantee programs: UC Davis,

Irvine, Santa Barbara, Merced, and Santa Cruz allow F-1 international students to use TAG. Some restrictions may apply; see a counselor for further information.

12 Units = full time status One unit = two hours of study time (or

more, depending on the class, your level of proficiency/knowledge, etc.)

Quality, not Quantity will help you reach your goal

REMEMBER: F-1 international students must COMPLETE at least 12 units each semester to remain in legal immigration status.

You must take Math and English assessment tests before enrolling in any DVC Math or English class.

Selecting Your First English Course Prerequisite: ENGL 116 and 118 for ENGL 122, or appropriate

score on the DVC English assessment. Select English classes appropriate for you according to your

assessment results. You may take the English assessment twice per semester.

Mathematics Course (see flowchart in Schedule of Classes) Prerequisite: Check the DVC catalog/course description. Admissions & Records - High School Transcripts/Exam scores for

Prerequisite Waiver requests. Select Math courses appropriate for your academic goal.

Section Numbers:Identifies individual coursesOff-campus locations (SRC, CSUEB)

10 Minutes between Classes▪ UnitUnit Value Varies (most classes 3-5 units) 19 units Maximum at Registration without permission

from Dean of Counseling; may ask permission to take more AFTER first semester’s grades have posted on your transcript.

See online Schedule at www.dvc.edu/schedule

CHEM-120 General College Chemistry - (LR) - 5 Units

Prereq: CHEM 108 or appropriate chemistry skill level demonstrated through Chemistry Diagnostic Test or equivalent; MATH 120 or appropriate placement through Math assessment process or equivalent.

Recom: Eligibility for Engl 122. Note: Calculator used in this course

2563 MW 9:30-10:45am PS 275 Cruise, T. 8/18 – 12/15

MW 11:00-1:50pm PS 205

Grade Code:LR = only letter grades will be assignedP/NP = only pass/no pass grades will be assignedSC = either credit/no credit or a letter grade will be assigned

you will have to decide what you want before the sixth week of the term and submit forms for P/NP option to Admissions

F-1 international students must complete at least 12 units each semester. Classes to Choose:

English Math Major and/or General Education Personal Interest/Fun Classes

Other Choices Career 110 - Career & Life Planning Career 130– Career & Major Exploration Counseling 120 - Student Success Counseling 130 - Ensuring Transfer Success

What to do if classes are full? Late Add Codes/Schedule Request Form

Remember to have alternative courses, days/times as “back up” choices