new student information summer 2012

New Student Information Summer 2012

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WELCOME!

欢迎

chào mừng

환영 歓迎

Khush Amdaydexoş

New Student Information Contents

Page Number Content

3 – 5 Important Dates and Required Events

6 – 8 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about ELI Enrollment

9 – 12 Pre-Arrival Travel Guide

13 F1 Student Responsibilities

14 ELI Attendance Policy

15 Health Insurance Requirements for F1 and J1 Students

16 Immunization Requirements for All Students

17 Tuition for Dropped Courses

18 ELI Student Daily Class Schedule – Summer and Fall 2012

2

Important Dates and Required Events – Page 1

Required Event Date, Time, Location Event DescriptionFirst Day F1 Students Can Enter U.S. See Page 9

April 18, 2012 Students can enter U.S. no earlier than 30 days before the program start date (#3) on their I-20.

New Student Orientation May 16, 201212:00 – 4:00, Johnson Center, George’s (4th Floor)

• Meet teachers and students• Receive important ELI

information• Take a university tour• Receive Mason ID card

Placement Test May 17, 20129:00 – 12:00, Lecture Hall Room 1

Students take test to determine Core and OCS level. Students find out their score at Registration.

Email Activation May 18, 201210:00 – 12:00Innovation Hall, Room 222

Students activate their George Mason Email. Student must have an active account to register for Summer 2012 classes.

Information Fair May 18, 201212:00 – 1:30Student Union Bldg I, Lounge

Students get information about student services and activities at George Mason.

3


Required Event Date, Time, Location Event Description

Registration May 21, 201211:00 – 12:00Student Union 2, Rooms 3,4,5

Students register for Core, OCS, Elective and other classes

Social Event May 21, 201212:00 – 1:30Student Union 2, Corner Pocket

Students meet International Friendship Club members and friends of the ELI

Health Insurance Payment Deadline See Page 15

May 21, 2012at Registration OR by June 4, 2012 in the ELI Office

J1 students and F1 students who do NOT have a scholarship must buy George Mason Health Insurance. International Insurance is not accepted.

First Day of Classes May 22, 2012Core: 9:30 – 12:10OCS: 1:30 – 3:10

Students will receive their class schedules at registration. Students must take the Placement Test and attend Registration first.

4


Required Event Date, Time, Location Event Description

Visa Documents DeadlineSee Page 13

May 25, 2012in ELI Office

Students must submit an address form, a copy of their I-94 card, a copy of the visa page in their passport, and a copy of their stamped I-20 (if they have an F1).

Last day to drop a class for full refund See Page 17

June 1, 2012in ELI Office

Students must drop by June 1 for a full refund. New F1 students must take full time classes and CANNOT drop Core, OCS, or some transition level classes.

Tuition Payment DeadlineSee Page 11

June 4, 2012in Cash Office

Students will receive a bill in their class by June 1. George Mason does not accept VISA

Financial Guarantee Deadline

June 4, 2012in ELI Office

Students with an Embassy Scholarship must submit their financial guarantee by June 4.

Immunization DeadlineSee Page 16

July 1, 2012in Student Health Services

Students must complete immunization records by July 1.

5

Frequently Asked Questions about ELI Enrollment – Page 1

Question AnswerWhen can I enter the U.S? If you have an F1 visa, you can enter on or after April 18, 2012. Do not try to

travel before April 18. You might have problems at the U.S. airport! See Page 9

When do I start ELI? You must be at ELI on May 16 to attend Orientation. You must take the placement test the next day, May 17.

Can I come late? No. If you arrive late, you must transfer to another program.

What papers (documents) must I give to ELI?

You must submit these documents to ELI by May 25:•Your address form (You will receive a form to complete at Orientation)•A copy of your I-94 card (the small white card in your passport)•A copy of the visa page in your passport•A copy of your stamped I-20 (if you have an F1 visa) See Page 13

How do I know my level? You will take the placement test on May 17 to determine your CORE and OCS level. You will find out your test score at Registration on May 21.

What classes will I take? • If you have an F1 visa, you will take a CORE class (12 hours each week) and an OCS class (8 hours each week). You can choose to take an elective class. **In the Summer, a Core and an OCS are full-time. In the fall, a CORE class, an OCS class, and two elective classes are full-time.**

• If you do not have an F1 visa, you can take part-time classes. See Page 17-18

6


Question AnswerCan I drop a class? • If you have an F1 visa, you must be full-time and take a CORE and OCS

class. You can only drop an ELECTIVE class.

• If you do NOT have an F1 visa, you can drop any class.

To drop a class, you must complete a drop form in the ELI office by June 1, 2012. See Page 17

How much do classes cost? Full-time tuition for Summer 2012 is $4,300 (total for Core and OCS). All new F1 students must take full-time classes. An optional elective costs $430. See Page 11

When do I pay tuition? The tuition payment deadline is June 4, 2012. You will receive a bill in your CORE class by June 1. Note that George Mason does not accept VISA.

I have an embassy scholarship. What do I need to give ELI?

You must submit an official financial guarantee to ELI by June 4, 2012.

Do I have to buy George Mason Health Insurance?

If you have an F1 visa and you do NOT have an embassy scholarship, you must buy Health Insurance. See Page 15

Do I have to complete Immunization records?

Yes. All students must complete immunization records by July 1, 2012. If you do not submit your immunization records by the deadline, the university will put a HOLD on your account and charge you a $25 fee. When you have a HOLD, you cannot receive documents from the ELI office or register for classes. Sometime, if you have a HOLD, you have to stop going to classes. See Page 16

7


Question AnswerHow do I complete my immunization records?

You and your doctor must complete the George Mason Immunization Form. See Page 16 or find the form at http://shs.gmu.edu/immunizations.You should bring any history of your immunization records when you arrive in the U.S.

If I am an F1 student, how many absences can I have?

If you have an F1 visa, you must attend all classes regularly and complete all major assignments. If you miss too many classes or fail to do your assignments, you will lose your F1 visa status. See Page 14

Do I have to tell ELI if I move?

Yes. If you move, come into the ELI office to complete an address form no later than 10 days after you move. See Page 13

Can I work? If you have an F1 visa, you can work 20 hours each week at the university during the semester and 40 hours during breaks between semesters. You cannot work outside of the university. See Page 13

How do I get housing at George Mason?

You must have your George Mason ID number and submit your housing application at http://housing.gmu.edu. Contact us at [email protected] for your ID#. See Page 10

What is the closest airport to George Mason?

Washington Dulles International Airport is 15 miles northwest of the university. Ronald Reagan National Airport is 15 miles east of the university. See Page 9

Do you have more questions? Please contact us at 703-993-3660 or [email protected]

http://shs.gmu.edu/immunizations

Travel Pre-Arrival Guide – Page 1

TRAVEL DATE - If you have an F1 visa, do not travel before April 18, 2012. You may have problems at the airport if you try to enter the U.S. before this date.

F1 VISA APPLICATION – If you are an F1 student, you received F1 Visa Application information with your admission packet. Contact the U.S. consulate in your country for more information on visa application requirements. You can also find information at: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html. If you receive I-20s forms from several different schools, it is very important that you enter the US with the I-20 of the school you really want to attend!

WASHINGTON DC AIRPORTS

•Washington Dulles International Airport – Dulles Airport is located about 15 miles northwest of George Mason. Most flights from overseas land there. There is a Foreign Visitors’ Desk just outside the Customs Hall. The Dulles Flyer Taxi can take you to the Fairfax area for approximately $40.

•Ronald Reagan National Airport – Reagan National Airport is mainly used for flights in the U.S. It is about 15 miles east of George Mason. A Travelers’ Aid Desk and Foreign Currency Exchange can be found there. Taxis are available to take you to the university for approximately $40.

9


AT THE AIRPORT - Show your I-20, passport, I-94, and customs declaration form to security. You should then receive a stamp on your I-94 and I-20. Check that you have these stamped documents before leaving security!

HOUSING (contact Cloud Spurlock at [email protected] for more information).

George Mason Dormitories – Dormitories have limited space available. You received housing information with your admission documents. You must have your George Mason ID number and submit your housing application at http://housing.gmu.edu. Contact us at [email protected] for your ID#.

Off-campus Housing – If you plan to live off campus, you may want to check the website for off-campus housing: http://och.gmu.edu.

Local Area Hotels – If you have not made housing arrangements before you come, you should plan to arrive a few days early. Here is a list of hotels that are close by: http://www.gmu.edu/resources/welcome/hotel.html

10


Money – Bring enough money with you to cover at least your first month’s expenses. Traveler’s checks in U.S. dollars are the most convenient and safest form of currency. Credit cards are also accepted at most places. The chart below shows expenses for the summer:

Item Cost Due Date Where to Pay

Class Tuition $4,300 (full-time)+ $430 for an optional elective

June 4, 2012 (by 5:00 p.m.)

Student Union 1, Cash Office, Room 104

Student Health Insurance (required for F1 and J1 students without scholarships)

$ 437Coverage from May 16 to August 15, 2012

May 21, 2012 at registrationOR by June 4, 2012

At Registration OR in the ELI Office, Northern Neck, Room 108

Books and Educational Supplies

$250 (approximate) Teachers will tell students when to buy books

Johnson Center, University Bookstore

On-Campus Housing (only for students who have applied for a dormitory)

$1600 – 2000 (estimate)

June 4, 2012(by 5:00 p.m.)

Student Union 1, Cash Office, Room 104

Temporary Housing and Meals for 5 days (only for students who need to stay at a hotel temporarily)

$600 – 800 (estimate)

Arrange with hotel

Arrange with hotel

11


Health – In the U.S., most strong medications require a doctor’s prescription. You should bring with you enough medication for any conditions that you have.

What to Bring – In Washington D.C, the weather is hot and humid in the summer and cold and dry in the winter. Bring clothes for all types of temperatures or plan to buy clothing when you arrive. There are many places to shop close to the university.

Dress on campus is generally very casual and comfortable. Mason has a large and active international community so you can bring your national costume to wear at ELI and university international events.

Remember to bring your driver’s license, visa documents, medical records, academic records, and important personal items.

12

F1 Student Responsibilities

If you will study in ELI with an F1 student, you must follow the rules below to keep your F1 visa status valid:

Rule What you need to doGIVE DOCUMENTS TO ELI Bring your address form, passport, and original I-20 to the office by May 25, 2012

DO NOT LET DOCUMENTS EXPIRE Make sure your passport and I-20 do not expire. The end date in your passport should be six months later than the current date. The completion of studies date on #5 of your I-20 should NOT be before you finish your studies at ELI. If you need to renew your I-20, bring an updated bank letter or scholarship letter to the ELI office before your I-20 ends.

ENTER AND LEAVE THE U.S. ON THE CORRECT DATES

You can enter the U.S. 30 days before the program start date on #5 of your I-20. When you finish your studies and go home permanently, you must leave the U.S. no later than 60 days after the semester ends.

STUDY FULL-TIME AND DO NOT MISS CLASSES

You must take full-time classes (20 hours/week). You must not miss too many classes. See the ELI Attendance Policy on Page 14 to find out how many classes you can miss each semester. If you miss too many classes, you will receive a failing grade and lose your F1 status.

KNOW THE TRANSFER REQUIREMENTS

If you want to transfer to a new school, you must have a valid F1 visa status. You can keep your F1 visa valid by attending class regularly and doing all of your work. If you plan to transfer, you must give ELI an acceptance letter and transfer form from your new school no later than 60 days after you complete your studies at ELI.

KNOW THE TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

If you plan to leave the U.S. during a break in classes, you must bring your original I-20 to the ELI office. If you are eligible to return to ELI, a school official will sign Page 3 of your I-20. This will allow you to re-enter the U.S. after your travels.

DO NOT WORK OFF-CAMPUS You can work at George Mason up to 20 hours every week during the semester and up to 40 hours during the break. You cannot work outside of the university. 13

ELI Attendance PolicyYou must attend all of your classes regularly to keep your F1 status valid. If you miss too many classes, you will fail your class and lose your F1 visa status. If you lose your F1 visa status, you must go home immediately.

The English Language Institute (ELI) Attendance Policy allows students to miss some classes each semester for sickness, family emergencies, or other personal reasons. The number of classes you can miss is different for each class. Please see the box below to find out how many times you can be absent in each class.

ClassSummer

# of classes you can missSpring or Fall

# of classes you can miss

Core 5 10

Oral Communication Skills 5 6

Elective 2 4

Preparation for Grad Study n/a 10

Experiencing Grad Study n/a 4

Transition Support n/a 6

Academic Preparation 5 n/a

High Advanced Writing 3 4

High Advanced Speaking 2 2

High Advanced Reading 3 4

14

Health Insurance Requirement for F1 and J1 Students

You do NOT need insurance if:•You have a scholarship or government sponsored program that provides insurance that meets Mason’s Student Health Insurance plan

•You or your spouse/parent has a US employer who provides insurance that meets Mason’s Student Health Insurance Plan

If you meet the requirements above, contact Johanna Byrne at 703-993-3660 or [email protected] for an exemption application form. Please apply for your waiver as early as possible and at least two weeks before the payment due date. 15

If you have an F1 or J1 visa and you do NOT have a scholarship from your embassy, you must buy George Mason Health Insurance.

• International Health Insurance is NOT accepted.

• COST = $437 for Summer (May 5 – August 15, 2012)

• You will pay for insurance at Registration on May 21

• At the beginning of Fall 2012, you will buy insurance again for coverage for Fall 2012 and Spring 2013

George Mason Health Insurance Information:

The Mason Student Health Insurance Plan is covered under Aetna. Plan details can be found at:https://shs.gmu.edu/insurance/documents/brochure20112012.pdf

The last day to apply for a Mason Student Health Insurance Plan is June 18, 2012.

Immunization Requirement for All StudentsGeorge Mason Immunization Requirement: All students must comply with the Commonwealth of Virginia’s Immunization Requirement: They must submit Immunization Records by the stated deadline. Students who do not meet the deadline will be charged a $25 fee and have a HOLD put on their account.

If you were born before 1957, you do not need to complete the immunization form.

Immunization Record Deadline: July 1, 2012

Complete the immunization form and fax it to StudentHealth Services at 703-993-4053. ELI sent you the formby email attachment. You can also find it here:http://shs.gmu.edu/immunizations/documents/immunizationrecordform7.pdf

For more information, visit: http://shs.gmu.edu/immunizations

If you have questions/concerns, please send an email to [email protected]

***IMPORTANT***

1.We recommend that you get your required immunizations before you come to the U.S. so that you do not have to get shots after your arrival.

2.Bring any documents that show your immunization history. If you have a booklet that shows the shots you took, bring it with you.

Immunizations Required

1.Hepatitis B must receive 3 doses of vaccine OR provide a titer report indicating positive immunity2.Tetanus and Diphtheria: Last booster within 10 years3.Two (2) doses of the MMR (Measles, Mumps, and Rubella) vaccine administered after your first birthday and after 1967 OR Titer report indicating MMR immunity is acceptable in place of vaccine documentation.4.Meningococcal Vaccine: must receive vaccine or sign waiver5.Tuberculosis Screening – Tuberculosis screening is required for all students as defined by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Virginia Department of Health. TB screening should be done within the last 12 months.

16

Tuition for Dropped Courses – Summer 2012

If you want to drop a class, you must complete a drop form in the ELI Office by June 1, 2012, to get a full refund. See the table below to find out the tuition charge for dropping classes on a specific dates.

•If you are an F1 student, you must take full-time classes. You cannot drop a CORE or OCS class. You can only drop an ELECTIVE class. Please note that in Fall 2012, you must take CORE, OCS, and ELECTIVE classes.

•If you are NOT an F1 student, you can drop any class.

Dates of Drop Tuition Charge

May 22 – June 1, 2012 No charge

June 2 – June 8, 2012 33% of your tuition

June 9 – June 15, 2012 67% of your tuition

June 16 and after 100% of your tuition

17

ELI Student Daily Schedule – Summer and Fall 2012 Summer 2012, May 16 – July 27, 2012

Fall 2012, August 22 – December 7, 2012

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

CORE Class

9:30 – 12:10

CORE Class

9:30 – 12:10

CORE Class

9:30 – 12:10

CORE Class

9:30 – 12:10

ELECTIVE CLASS

10:30 -12:10(optional)

BREAK BREAK BREAK BREAK

ORAL COMMUNICATION

SKILLS CLASS

1:30 – 3:10

ORAL COMMUNICATION

SKILLS CLASS

1:30 – 3:10

ORAL COMMUNICATION

SKILLS CLASS

1:30 – 3:10

ORAL COMMUNICATION

SKILLS CLASS

1:30 – 3:10

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday

CORE Class

10:30 – 12:20

CORE Class

8:50 – 10:20

CORE Class

10:30 – 12:20

CORE Class

8:50 – 10:20

CORE Class

10:30 – 12:20

BREAK BREAK BREAK BREAK BREAK

ELECTIVE 11:30 – 2:20

ELECTIVE 22:30 – 3:20

ORAL COMMUNICATION

SKILLS CLASS

2:50 – 4:20

ELECTIVE 11:30 – 2:20

ELECTIVE 22:30 – 3:20

ORAL COMMUNICATION

SKILLS CLASS

2:50 – 4:20

ORAL COMMUNICATION

SKILLS CLASS

1:30 – 3:2018