SPSCC International Viewbook

S O UTH P U G E T S O U N D C OM M UNIT Y COL L EGE O l y m p i a , Wa s h i n g t o n , U . S . A .

Aspen Prize

for community college excellence

Top 150 - 2021

US News and World Report

Washington is no. 1 state in the US

2019

Wallet Hub

SPSCC is one of the Best Community Colleges in the US

2019

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DREAMS AMPLIFIED

FACTS AND PROFILES

6,162

WELCOMING INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS FROM

STUDENTS

24 COUNTRIES

109 International 1,333 Running Start

22:1

GENDER Female 54% Male 36% Unreported 10%

Student to Faculty Ratio average graduating GPA of international students

91%

of our international students graduate and transfer to universities to earn a bachelor’s degree

50.7%

15%

6.5%

5%

22.8%

Caucasian

Multi-racial

Asian

Hispanic

Other

61%

of stude

nts are

2

3.5

25

or youn

ger

TRA TRAN FROM HANOI, VIETNAM “The best thing about studying at SPSCC are the opportunities to get involved in school events that help to develop my leadership skills.

Working as a SPSCC Campus Activities Board Member boosts my confidence.”

Associate in Business, 2019

BINGQI LIAN FROM TIAJIN, CHINA

Associate in Arts, 2019; University of Maryland-College Park transfer 2020

“SPSCC was a great place to start my studies in Public Health.”

Multicultural Celebration Event

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AMPLIFIED GRADUATION AND TRANSFER SUCCESS VANESSA ENENDU

NIGERIA, WEST AFRICA Associate in Nursing, 2020

“SPSCC goes above and beyond to help international students.”

HELEN RIZZARDI SAO PAULO, BRAZIL

Associate in Arts, 2019, St. Cloud State University Transfer, 2020

“The best thing about studying at SPSCC are the friendly staff and the diverse student body.

The people here are wonderful and it feels just like home!”

4

LUCAS LEE

SOUTH KOREA

Associate in Science, 2021

“SPSCC values international students as they help students get settled academically and culturally. SPSCC staff always keep in contact with the international students with kindness and consideration.

They provide emotional support to students while we are away from our home countries and families.”

LIA MATIAS

DOMINICAN REPUBLIC

Associate in Business, 2021

“After graduating from a bilingual high school in Dominican Republic, I have always wanted to move to the US which provides education and learning opportunities in English. I was convinced that SPSCC provides a college experience full of support, so I decided to fly 14 hours away from home and study at SPSCC.” 5

CHOOSE SUCCESS

ADMISSIONS

STEPS TO ENROLL

1. Create an account.

spscc.edu/international/apply

Select a quarter term start and create an account in the online system.

2. Complete the application and pay $60 application fee.

Enter personal information, select an academic program, upload the required documents, and pay the non-refundable $60.00 USD fee.

ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Must be 16 years old or older to apply.

A bank statement or letter from government sponsor.

Bank statement must be current and show a minimum balance of $21,777.

A copy of your passport photo page.

Proof of English Proficiency.

An English exam score is not required for admission into the Intensive English Program. Students who choose to provide an accepted English proficiency score will place directly into our college or high school completion program (TOEFL 61/173/500 or IELTS 5.5 or Duolingo 90). For a complete list of ways students can meet our English proficiency requirements, please visit the college website.

AFTER YOU APPLY After you submit your application and it is complete, an acceptance package will be sent within two business days by express mail. This package contains: ♦ SPSCC admission letter ♦ I-20 form that confirms your acceptance as an international student in the U.S. applying for a student visa You will need to pay a SEVIS and visa fee to make an interview appointment with the U.S. Consular Office in your home country. Present the complete admissions package to them during your interview.

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3. Obtain your student visa Pay your SEVIS fee. Check your local U.S. embassy or consulate for required documents for your visa interview and schedule an F-1 visa appointment. Present the complete admissions package to them during your interview.

4. Plan your arrival Make flight arrangements no later than the date reported on your I20. Submit a New Student Arrival Form and Housing Application to International Student Services.

5. Attend orientation International Student Orientation is required for all new students. During orientation you will make new friends, take a placement test, plan your classes with your academic advisor, register for classes and pay your tuition and fees.

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FUNDING SUCCESS

COST, SCHOLARSHIPS, CAMPUS JOBS, AND INTERNSHIPS

2020-21 ANNUAL TUITION COSTS ESTIMATED COSTS

QUARTER

ANNUAL

$3,823

$11,469

$280

$840

$1,890

$5,670

Medical Insurance (required)

$432

$1,728

Personal Expenses

$690

$2,070

$7,115

$21,777

Tuition (15 credit hours) Books Homestay

TOTAL On-campus jobs allow you to work part-time around your class schedule.

You can earn extra money for living expenses while gaining work experience without leaving campus.

VY TRAN

from Vietnam SPSCC 2019 Student Employee of the Year

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FINANCIAL AID Work in the U.S.

International students can earn money and gain work experience attending SPSCC. Full-time students can work on campus up to 19 hours a week. Students can also gain work experience in their field of study through Curricular and Optional Practical Training (CPT/OPT). For information about student employment opportunities visit: spscc.edu/students/employment

Scholarships

International students can apply for scholarships ranging from $500 to $4,000 before and after arriving on campus. Last year, SPSCC awarded more than 500 scholarships to students. There are two opportunities each year to apply for scholarships (Fall and Spring). When it’s time to transfer to a 4-year university, some schools offer a special scholarship based on GPA when transferring from SPSCC. Steps to apply for scholarships 1. Apply for Admission to SPSCC 2. Complete an online application here: spscc.edu/foundation/scholarships To complete your scholarship application, you will need to prepare: ♦ Biographical Essay: Prepare a one page personal essay on the topic of yourself, your journey, and what your education at SPSCC means for you.

Here are a few things you probably didn’t know about applying for scholarships at SPSCC: ♦ About 72% of SPSCC scholarships do not have a minimum GPA requirement. ♦ Recommendation letters and transcripts are now optional; and ♦ You fill out just one application and you’ll be matched with any scholarship you qualify for.

SPSCC helps students build their skills, fine-tune their resumes, and connect to exciting internships and career opportunities before and after graduation.

DREW CASSIDY 9

FUTURES AMPLIFIED

ACADEMIC PATHWAY PROGRAMS

Pathways allows you to take classes related to your major of interest and earn your degree faster to graduate and transfer to a university. ● Certificate ● AAS: Associate in Applied Science ● *AA: Associate in Arts (transfer degree); AS: Associate in Science (transfer degree)

Arts and Communications Art ● Communication Studies ● Drama ● English ● Film ● Music ● Philosophy ●

Automotive, Welding, and Machining Machining Technologies ● ● Automotive Technology ● ● Welding Technology ● ●

Business, Finance, and Office Administration

Accounting ● ● Business ● Business Administration ● ● Economics ● Entrepreneurship ● Office Technology & Administration ● ●

Cultural Studies

Anthropology ● History ● Humanities ● International/Intercultural Studies ● Languages ●

Food, Beverage Arts, and Hospitality Culinary Arts ● ●

Healthcare

Allied Health ● ● ● Dental Assisting ● ● Medical Assisting ● Medical Coding & Billing ● pre-Medicine ● Naturopathic Medicine ● Nursing ● ● Nutrition ● Physical Therapy ● pre-Veterinary Medicine ●

Information Technology

Architecture, Engineering & Construction Technology ● ● ● Computer Science ● Cybersecurity and Network Administration ● Information Systems ● Information Technology Computer Support ● ● Software Development ●

Science, Engineering, and Math Astronomy ● Biology ● Botany ● Chemistry ● Earth Science ● Engineering ● Environmental Science ● Geology ● Math ● Oceanography ● Physics ●

Social Services and Education Government, Public, and Non-Profit Administration Criminal Justice ● pre-Law ● Paralegal ● ● Political Science ●

Learn more about majors, learning communities, and course requirements at spscc.edu/areas

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Early Childhood Education ● ● ● Education ● Parent Education ● Psychology ● Sociology ● Social Work ●

ENGLISH AMPLIFIED

INTENSIVE ENGLISH PROGRAM

SPSCC has a wide variety of classes designed to improve your English language and study skills and prepare you for the U.S. university classroom. Start at the right level for you.

You will take the SPSCC English Assessment to determine your basic English proficiency.

TOEFL or IELTS are not required. You will complete this assessment at orientation. Each level is 12 weeks long.

The program offers six levels of language instruction from beginning to advanced. Students typically complete the Intensive English Program in four levels or less and begin taking college classes.

LEVEL 1 Beginning LEVEL 2 Intermediate Beginning LEVEL 3 High Beginning LEVEL 4 Low Intermediate LEVEL 5 High Intermediate LEVEL 6 Advanced New terms begin in September, January, April, and July.

SPSCC Intensive English Program (IEP) advantages: ♦ Learn in small classes with qualified faculty who have experience working with students from around the world. ♦ Free tutoring and writing center support at the college. ♦ Build confidence and develop fluency with a focus on preparing for university or college programs. ♦ Gain direct admission into SPSCC academic or high school completion program after you complete the final level.

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AMPLIFIED LEARNING

HIGH SCHOOL COMPLETION AND PROGRAM PATHWAYS

HIGH SCHOOL COMPLETION SPSCC offers international students the chance to earn both a high school diploma in Washington State and an associate degree at the same time through the International High School Completion Dual Degree Program. International students who meet college level requirements take two years (or six academic quarters) of full-time, college-level courses to fulfill the requirements for an associate degree to graduate. Precollege level and intensive English classes are available for international students who do not meet academic English or college level requirements upon admission.

Program Advantages ♦ Earn a Washington State high school diploma and an associate degree at the same time. ♦ Graduate from college at an earlier age by completing an associate degree during high school age years. ♦ Gain experience in college-level coursework, which will help make the transition to a 4-year university easier to complete a bachelor’s degree. ♦ Receive a customized education plan from an international student advisor.

Program Requirements ♦ Students must be at least 16 years old when they begin classes at SPSCC. ♦ Students must graduate with an associate degree from SPSCC. ♦ Students who have already earned a high school diploma or equivalent from home country or the U.S. are not eligible.

New terms begin in September, January, April, and July.

YANPING (SHIRLEY) LI

SPSCC High School Completion Graduate 2019, and University of Washington Graduate 2021

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“I really enjoyed the exciting events and amazing and diverse classes that SPSCC offered, which provided me a super enjoyable learning environment and chance to transfer to pursue my dreams of media studies.”

PROGRAM PATHWAY OPTIONS Starting at SPSCC allows students to earn credits or a degree that will transfer to a 4-year college or university.

Start at SPSCC

Certificate

Professional Technical Degree

Associate Degree

(1 - 18 months)

(2 years)

(2 years)

Work Experience 1 year (optional)

Work Experience 1 year (optional)

Work

High Scool Completion and Associate Degree (2 years)

Work Experience 1 year (optional)

University Transfer

2+2 TRANSFER PROGRAM Our 2+2 Transfer Program allows students to complete their first two years of college at SPSCC and then transfer to a university to complete two more years and earn a bachelor’s degree.

By completing the first two years of college at SPSCC, students can: ♦ Save between $25,000 and $40,000 USD each year ♦ Earn an associate degree ♦ Gain experience in college-level coursework, making the transition to a 4-year university easier

TOP UNIVERSITY TRANSFER LOCATIONS Arizona State University California State University, East Bay California State University, Fullerton California State University, Northridge California State University, Sacramento Georgia Institute of Technology Georgia State University Illinois Institute of Technology Indiana University Mississippi State University New York University Pratt Institute, Brooklyn Purdue University San Francisco State University

State University of New York at Buffalo Syracuse University Temple University Texas A&M University The City University of New York The Evergreen State College Penn State St. Cloud State University The University of Texas, Pan American University of California, Davis University of California, San Diego University of Colorado, Denver University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities University of Nevada, Las Vegas University of New Orleans University of North Carolina Wilmington University of Oregon University of Texas at Austin University of Washington, Seattle University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire University of Wisconsin, Madison Washington State University, Pullman Western Washington University

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WASHINGTON AMPLIFIED

YOUR PATHWAY TO STATE UNIVERSITIES AND BEYOND

Dark gray areas indicate states where SPSCC international students have been accepted to top universities.

CANADA SPSCC Olympia

WASHINGTON

MT

MN

OR

WI

ID

MI PA

NV UT CA

IL

CO

IN

OH

NC AZ MS TX

GA

LA

HI

US News and World Report named Washington the #1 state in the U.S. Washington is great for education, business, and investment, coupled with natural beauty and innovation.

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MA

NY NJ

University of Washington, Seattle

Seattle skyline

Skiing, Crystal Mountain

Pike Place Market, Seattle

SOCIAL MEDIA TEAM PHOTO

Social Media Team

Mount Rainier National Park

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OLYMPIA AMPLIFIED

WE LOVE OUR STATE CAPITOL AND YOU WILL, TOO

WE L

VE

OLYMPIA

1616

5◦

280,588

January

Thurston County Population

22◦ July

Average Temperatures According to Weather Underground

SPSCC is located in Olympia, Washington’s state capital city.

Centrally located between Vancouver BC, Seattle, and Portland, you’ll have opportunities to enjoy these attractions and much more.

Take a nature hike at Tolmie State Park, paddle board off Percival Landing, shop downtown or at The Olympia Farmer’s Market, and tour the State Capitol. These must-see spots burst with Olympia culture.

Also explore Seattle, ocean beaches, and the mountains of the Pacific Northwest region, just about an hour away.

Skiing & Snowboarding

Hiking & Camping

Pacific Ocean Beaches

Two National Parks

Seattle & Tacoma Sports Teams

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AMPLIFIED SUPPORT

SERVICES THAT SUPPORT YOUR DRIVE FOR SUCCESS

International Student Services (ISS) helps students with admissions, visas, academic advising, immigration status, and study abroad.

Building 27, 2nd Floor

⊳ ISS: The go-to

place for the info you need

Connect and make ⊲ an impact in a safe, hate-free space

Experience culture through events & clubs like International Student Association (ISA)

⊲

⊳

Free bus pass! ⊲ No car, no problem

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Flexible spaces to study and create

THE CENTER FOR STUDENT SUCCESS

Building 22 at the Olympia Campus provides many resources to support your academic and personal needs.

⊲ Free tutors in all subject areas in Learning Support Services

⊳ Undergraduate research opportunities

▲ Educational & Career Planners and advisors keep you moving towards graduation

PARAKH HOON Political Science Professor

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AMPLIFIED ATHLETES

2020

CRANK IT UP WITH THE CLIPPERS

CLIPPER ATHLETICS Men’s Basketball keeps the music going with a third @NWACsports regional championship

spsccathletics.com

⊳

Men’s Basketball Women’s Basketball Men’s Soccer Women’s Volleyball

JOIN A U.S. COLLEGE SPORTS TEAM SPSCC Clipper Athletics offers four varsity athletic programs – Men’s Soccer, Women’s Volleyball, Women’s Basketball, and Men’s Basketball – and is a proud member of the West Region of the Northwest Athletic Conference (NWAC). The NWAC includes 36 community colleges located in Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia.

Men’s Soccer and Women’s Volleyball begin in August each year and Men’s and Women’s Basketball begins in September.

To be recruited for one of our teams, contact the Coach directly using their email address located on the Clipper Athletics website or by completing the online prospective student-athlete form: spsccathletics.com Clipper Athletics will play in the newly remodeled Health and Wellness Center on the SPSCC Campus. This facility, fully-funded by the students on campus, will be one of the finest in the NWAC and give our student-athletes a top-notch facility to participate in.

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AMPLIFIED SUPPORT

HOUSING OPTIONS

HOMESTAY PROGRAM Homestay is a great way to experience American culture.

Our diverse hosts consist of women, men, couples with children, single parents with children, retired persons, and persons who practice religion. Homestays offer you an American family experience and the opportunity to practice your English. Students are provided a fully furnished private room and most meals.

Transportation to and from campus varies, though all hosts are on a convenient bus line to SPSCC and students receive a free bus pass.

One-time Homestay Placement Fee: $550; Homestay Application fee $125 Homestay Rent: $680

APARTMENTS Rental rates for apartments are affordable and competitive. Billing your rent and utilities to your student account once per quarter leaves more time to focus on academics.

Only minutes from campus, students can enjoy safe, high-quality apartments. Apartments provide an opportunity to live with other SPSCC students within walking distance from campus. They are also close to bus lines, restaurants, and shopping. Each apartment has a shared living area, kitchen, dining room, bedrooms, and bathrooms. They also have a stove/oven, refrigerator/ freezer, washer/dryer, and dishwasher. Each apartment complex has a swimming pool, workout gym, and community center. Students must be 18 to live in an apartment, and apartments are limited.

Apartment Nonrefundable Deposit: $525 Apartment Application Fee: $125 Apartment Type

Summer

Fall

Winter

Spring

Monthly Average

3 Bedroom, 2 Bath

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Double

$1,425

$1,900

$1,425

$1,425

$475

Single

$2,550

$3,400

$2,550

$2,550

$850

See apartment photos and learn more about SPSCC Housing at spscc.edu/international/prospective/housing 23 23

2011 Mottman Road SW Olympia, WA 98512 360-596-5200

spscc.edu/international OPR 06/21 nk