WELCOME TO THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA A GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH WELCOMES MORE THAN 1, INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS RESEARCH SCHOLARS FROM 150 COUNTRIES AROUND THE WORLD.
WHAT MAKES USF SUCH AN ATTRACTIVE OPTION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS? • Our student-focused learning environment, which includes a 28:1 student-to-faculty ratio and an average freshman class size of 33 students • Our commitment to creating undergraduate research opportunities—which means you can be an active part of solving real-world problems related to your field of study • Our value and affordability—the chance to earn a highly respected degree at costs that compare favorably to many other U.S. institutions
• Our diverse, dynamic community that celebrates and encourages the exploration of different cultures • Our location in Tampa, Florida, which offers extensive research, employment, entertainment and cultural-enrichment opportunities, as well as an international airport
H FLORIDA ,600 S AND 200 M MORE THAN “USF gives you a high-quality education and helps you reach your career aspirations by offering you many opportunities such as financial aid, research positions and assistantships. Studying at USF is a valuable life experience and involves you in a great multicultural environment.” —Shirley, electrical engineering major from Colombia
We are so pleased that you’ve chosen to learn more about USF, and we are prepared to assist you in any way we can. The information in this brochure will introduce you to the offerings and opportunities here, but we also invite you to find additional information and details at www.usf.edu.
USF IS CONSISTENTLY CITED BY THE PRINCETON REVIEW AS ONE OF THE TOP-RATED INSTITUTIONS FOR UNDERGRADUATE EDUCATION IN THE U.S. No matter which of USF’s more than 100 majors and concentrations you choose, you’ll find talented professors, extensive resources (such as state-of-the-art labs and cutting-edge technology), and fascinating opportunities to conduct research and apply your classroom learning in real-world settings—in the U.S. and around the globe.
With extraordinary access to undergraduate research opportunities, our students are active learners, working on meaningful, life-changing projects such as: • Investigating the impact of hurricanes, typhoons and other cyclones • Searching for new treatments for Alzheimer’s • Developing robot-assisted search and rescue teams • Writing business plans for their own start-up companies • Developing new strategies to teach reading to schoolchildren
AVAILABLE PROGRAMS Undergraduate Programs and Majors Africana Studies American Studies Anthropology Applied Science (A.S. degree req’d.) Architecture** Art Art History Studio Art Behavioral Healthcare Adult and Community Services Behavioral Health Research Applied Behavior Analysis Children’s Mental Health Biology* Cell and Molecular Biology Environmental Biology Integrative Animal Biology Marine Biology Biomedical Sciences Business Accounting Advertising Economics* Finance General Business International Business Management Management Information Systems Marketing Chemistry Biochemistry Health Professions Classics Communication Culture & Media Health Organizational Performance Studies Public Advocacy Relational Communication Science & Disorders Deaf Studies Interpreter Training Language, Speech & Hearing Computer Science Criminology Dance Ballet Modern Dance Studies
Economics* Education Early Childhood Elementary Exceptional Student Physical Secondary English Foreign Language Mathematics Science Social Science Engineering* Chemical Civil Computer Electrical General Industrial Mechanical English Creative Writing Literary Studies Professional Writing, Rhetoric & Technical Environmental Science & Policy French French – International Studies & Business General Studies Geography Geology German Gerontology Health Sciences History Honors College Research Humanities Information Studies Interdisciplinary Classical Civilizations Interdisciplinary Natural Sciences Interdisciplinary Social Sciences International Studies Italian Long Term Care Administration Mass Communication Advertising Journalism/Magazine Production News News Editorial Programming & Production Public Relations Mathematics*
Medical Technology Microbiology Music Composition Jazz Studies Performance Music Education Music Studies Nursing Philosophy Physics Political Science Pre-Professional Advisory Programs Pre-Allopathic Medicine Pre-Chiropractic Pre-Dentistry Pre-Law Pre-Medical Sciences Pre-Optometry Pre-Osteopathic Medicine Pre-Pharmacy Pre-Physical Therapy Pre-Physician’s Assistant Pre-Podiatry Pre-Veterinary Psychology Public Health* Religious Studies Russian Social Work Sociology Spanish Spanish – International Studies & Business Statistics Theatre Design Performance Theatre Arts Women’s Studies * 5-year master’s program ** Master’s only (2+4 program)
For more information on the undergraduate programs of study available at USF, visit www.registrar.usf.edu/admissions/majors. And if you wish to stay at USF to complete post-graduate studies, we offer programs in fields ranging from marine science to medicine to architecture to public health. Learn more at www.grad.usf.edu.
“USF HAS OPENED SO MANY DOORS FOR ME, GIVEN ME SO MANY OPPORTUNITIES. NOT ONLY DID I RECEIVE EXCELLENT PREPARATION FOR LAW SCHOOL, I WAS ALSO ELECTED AS VICE PRESIDENT OF THE USF STUDENT BODY. THROUGH ME, YOU CAN SEE HOW USF EMBRACES INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS.” —Bruno, double major in political science and Spanish from Brazil
ENJOY THE WORLD OUTSIDE THE CLASSROOM In addition to our high-quality academic programs, USF offers a vibrant campus community. In the fall semester of 2011, more than 1,700 international students took classes at USF. As a result, you’ll find USF to be a welcoming “home.” Our Intercultural Organization, for instance, sponsors a wide range of social and cultural events, from guest lectures to picnics and parties. And our annual International Week, held each spring, is a festive, week-long celebration of cultural diversity, including events such as soccer tournaments, film festivals, dance performances and a “Showcase of Flags.”
OTHER USF STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS INCLUDE: African Students Association Asian Students in America (ASIA) Association of Filipino Students Black Student Union (BSU) Caribbean Cultural Exchange (CCE) Chinese Culture and Language Club Club de Creole Club de Espanol Hindu Students Council
Japanese Club at USF Latin American Student Association (LASA) Mexican American Student Association (MASA) Muslim Students Association (MSA) Pakistani Students Association Russian Club Students of India Association Taiwanese Student Association Vietnamese Student Association
Find a complete list at http://involvement.usf.edu/orgs.htm.
TOP 10 NON-U.S. COUNTRIES REPRESENTED ON USF’S CAMPUS 7. CANADA 10. UNITED KINGDOM 9. TURKEY
6. SOUTH KOREA 1. CHINA 3. SAUDI ARABIA 2. INDIA 8. VIETNAM
USF 5. VENEZUELA 4. COLOMBIA
A RESOURCE JUST FOR YOU USF’s office of International Services is available specifically for your use and assistance. Start by visiting us online at http://global.usf.edu/isss, where you can find information on everything from immigration issues to on-campus employment. You can also find important links and contact information, and download forms that are commonly needed by international students. Once you’re a USF student, you’ll find that International Services continues to offer valuable support, including orientation programs, welcome receptions, monthly parties, and workshops on employment, career planning, cultural adjustment and other topics relevant to international students.
USF provides a wide range of on-campus housing options, all of which put you within walking distance from your classes and USF’s many campus activities. Learn more at www.housing.usf.edu.
A SUPERIOR EDUCATION + INCREDIBLE OPPORTUNITIES=
A GREAT VALUE
Pursuing a degree is an investment in your future, and USF offers a tremendous value. Our costs compare favorably to many U.S. institutions, and international students are eligible for academic scholarships, which help make USF even more affordable. (For more information about scholarship opportunities, visit www.usf.edu/admissions/scholarships.html.) Of course, the quality of the education you’ll receive here—and the kinds of future success it can lead to—make a USF degree all the more valuable. Just look at the achievements of our graduates: You’ll find more than 250,000 USF alumni living and working in all 50 states and 130 foreign countries. They’re accepted into prestigious medical schools, law schools, dental schools and graduate schools, attending institutions such as Harvard, Stanford, Columbia and London School of Economics. They’re also pursuing successful careers in leading organizations and companies such as IBM, Lockheed Martin, Merrill Lynch and NASA.
“USF HAS DONE SOME GROUNDBREAKING RESEARCH IN FIELDS RANGING FROM MEDICINE TO MARINE BIOLOGY. USF ALSO OFFERS UNDERGRADUATES AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE A PART OF THE RESEARCH TEAMS. THIS NOT ONLY BROADENS THE STUDENT’S UNDERSTANDING, BUT ALSO GIVES THEM A TASTE OF THEIR RESPECTIVE FIELD.” —Shadab, microbiology major from India
ESTIMATED COSTS OF UNDERGRADUATE ATTENDANCE FOR NON-FLORIDA RESIDENTS* Full-time tuition and fees $16,260* Housing/meals
$8,960
Books/supplies
$1,000
Other expenses
$4,100
Total
$30,320
*Figures are based on 2012-2013 cost of attendance estimates. USF does offer competitive, merit-based scholarships to international freshmen and transfer students who demonstrate high academic potential. You will need to provide appropriate visa/immigration documentation to the International Services Office prior to receiving funds.
Explore our searchable database of available scholarships at www.usf.edu/scholarships.
APPLYING TO USF When you’re ready to take advantage of all the opportunities that USF offers, you’ll find that our admissions website for international students, www.usf.edu/international, provides comprehensive information about the application and admission process. But here are some of the basics.
APPLICATION DEADLINES Priority scholarship consideration Summer semester (May) Fall semester (August) Spring semester (January)
January 2 March 1 June 1 October 1
NOTE: All supporting documents (including academic records and test scores) should be submitted by the deadline dates above. International students living outside the U.S. may apply up to one year prior to the term of entry. In fact, USF recommends applying before the deadlines above, since additional time is usually required for submission of academic documents, evaluation and immigration-related matters.
CHECKLIST OF REQUIRED ITEMS TO APPLY TO USF Completed application for admission (online preferred) Non-refundable application fee Official secondary transcripts or academic records Certified English translation of secondary transcripts Official SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or ACT (Academic College Test) score IELTS or TOEFL score (for applicants whose first language is not English)* Financial Support Form (for students who need an F-1 or J-1 Visa) Copies of immigration documents, if currently in the U.S. on a temporary visa (for example, H-4, L-2, E-2 or I-485) *International applicants from non-English-speaking countries must provide a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 or a minimum TOEFL score of 79 (internet-based test) or 550 (written test), taken within two years of the desired term of entry.
TRANSFER APPLICANTS To apply as an international transfer student, you must have completed a minimum of 12 semester hours of postsecondary work after graduation from high school (secondary level education). Postsecondary academic credentials awarded from non-U.S. colleges or universities must be submitted with a Foreign Credential Evaluation, along with an official transcript from the issuing institution. Transfer applicants may also be required to submit an IELTS or TOEFL score if their first language is not English.
INTO USF The INTO USF international study center, based at USF’s Tampa campus, offers a range of innovative, year-long preparation courses that provide international students with the specific academic, English and cultural skills needed for successful study in American universities. In particular, the Pathways programs at INTO USF are designed for students who want to enroll in an undergraduate or graduate degree program, but want or need additional academic and language support in order to succeed during their first year. Learn more about the opportunities of INTO USF at www.intohigher.com/usf.
TWO GREAT REASONS TO ATTEND A UNIVERSITY IN TAMPA, FLORIDA Tampa has been ranked by Forbes Magazine as “15th Best in the Nation for Business and Careers.” USF has built internship partnerships with a number of Tampa businesses and organizations, ranging from JPMorgan Chase to Tampa General Hospital. TAMPA, FLORIDA Tampa is recognized by the U.S. Census Bureau as one of the top five most diverse and integrated urban areas in the country. As such, you’ll find a wide variety of cultural and recreational opportunities perfect for students. (Be sure to visit Ybor City, an area of Tampa that reflects Cuban, Spanish and Italian history, and offers live entertainment, outdoor cafés and great ethnic restaurants.)
DISCOVER
REMARKABLE
OPPORTUNITIES
4202 East Fowler Avenue Tampa, Florida 33620-6900 T: +001 (813) 974-3350 F: +001 (813) 974-9689 www.usf.edu/international intladmissions@usf.edu
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