International Student Guide to

The Catholic University of America

R E A S O N . FA I T H . S E RV I C E .

THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA

Welcome
The Catholic University of America has a long and strong commitment to global education and welcomes applications from international students. Our location in Washington, D.C., offers you a broad educational and living experience, with access to the rich culture and diversity of this cosmopolitan city. Capitol Hill, the Smithsonian Institute, the National Zoo and the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts are just minutes away on the Metrorail, a modern subway system that stops at the CUA campus. Private and coeducational, The Catholic University of America has 12 schools, all of which offer graduate degrees and/or professional degrees. Undergraduate degrees are awarded by seven schools architecture and planning, arts and sciences, engineering, music, nursing, philosophy, and Metropolitan College. Catholic University excels in offering to its students a welcoming and cooperative learning environment with personalized attention from its faculty and staff. This attention is the reason many students give for choosing to attend CUA. Faculty are dedicated to nurturing the whole person, preparing students for success in life. The shared Catholic identity is an essential, binding element of the CUA community, which embraces members of other faith groups as well. Students from approximately 90 countries currently come to Catholic University for the challenge and opportunity it offers. We invite you to join them!

Application Deadline
International students are encouraged to submit completed applications as soon as possible. International applicants living outside the United States should submit complete applications early enough to leave ample time for all necessary immigration documents to be sent if they are admitted to the university. For Freshman Applicants For fall: Feb. 15 For spring: Nov. 15 For Transfer and Graduate Applicants For fall: July 15 For spring: Oct. 15

Application Checklist/Requirements
For Freshman Applicants
The CUA Undergraduate Application for Admission Essay $55 Nonrefundable Application Fee (Do not send cash. Submit a check or money order payable in U.S. currency to The Catholic University of America.) Official High School Academic Records (If not in English, records must be an official translation.) Official SAT, ACT, IELTS and/or TOEFL scores Letter of Recommendation

For Transfer Applicants

The CUA Undergraduate Application for Admission Essay $55 Nonrefundable Application Fee (Do not send cash. Submit a check or money order payable in U.S. currency to The Catholic University of America.) Official College Transcripts (If not in English, records must be an official translation.) Official High School Academic Records (If not in English, records must be an official translation.) Official SAT, ACT, IELTS and/or TOEFL scores Letter of Recommendation

For Graduate Applicants

The CUA Graduate Application for Admission Personal Statement $55 Nonrefundable Application Fee (Do not send cash. Submit a check or money order payable in U.S. currency to The Catholic University of America.) Official College Transcripts (If not in English, records must be an official translation.) Official TOEFL scores and/or IELTS Three Letters of Recommendation Other materials may be required. Please visit the school or department of interest at http://www.cua.edu for further information.

Please make a copy of completed application before mailing to CUA.

The Catholic University of America supports students in the transition to and from college life, empowering students to become active participants and leaders in their community.

Required Documents
Official Academic Records
Students must submit official transcripts of all previous education equivalent to secondary and postsecondary education in the United States. Education that is completed at institutions outside of the United States, as shown by official documents, may be accepted as equivalent to educational experience in the United States. If the transcripts/records are not in English, applicants must submit an officially assessed transcript from a professional crediting organization such as World Education Services. http://www.wes.org

Financial Documentation for Academic Funding

The Catholic University of America strictly complies with U.S. immigration laws concerning international students. In order to be issued visa documentation, which is needed to apply for a student visa at a U.S. consulate, and to maintain student status once in the United States, applicants must provide written proof that they have adequate funds to meet the expenses incurred while studying in the United States. International students must submit one of the following to confirm financial support: A duly notarized statement of support from the students sponsor and evidence of the sponsors financial resources dated no more than 90 days prior to submission of application for admission. The three most recent consecutive bank statements documenting availability of the required funds must also be submitted. An official letter of award from the students government or other sponsoring organization indicating the terms of the support and the amount of funding they are providing. Students who are supporting themselves using their own funds must submit three recent official bank statements of their own personal account dated within 90 days of applying for admission that document the availability of required funds. In addition, students must submit a letter from their bank that includes the name of the account holder, date the account was opened, total deposits in the 90 days preceding submission of application for admission or 90-day average balance, current balance, bank letterhead, and original signature of a bank official. All tuition and associated fees must be paid prior to the beginning of each semester. Before CUA can issue immigration documents, students must show proof of financial support for the first year. In order to receive a student visa at a U.S. consulate, admitted students must be able to document not only that their financial resources cover the costs of the first year of study, but that they have a reasonable expectation that they can cover the continued costs of study at CUA for the remainder of the academic program.

Dependent Information
Students must document support for spouses and/or children accompanying them. The estimated annual cost is $6,000 for an adult dependent and $4,000 for each dependent child. Please submit a completed Dependent Information Form found online. http://admissions.cua.edu/forms

Transferring Sponsorship of F-1 or J-1 Immigration Status to CUA

Students admitted to an academic program at CUA must: 1. Submit copies of current passport, I-94 card and I-20 or DS-2019. 2. Submit evidence of financial ability to cover the costs associated with studying at CUA (see previous section). 3. Have current school release students SEVIS record to CUA. CUAs Office of Admissions will issue a new I-20 or DS-2019 for the academic program at CUA. This documents that the student is beginning a new program. Please note that at this stage of the process, a transfer is not yet completed. To finalize the transfer, students must report to International Student and Scholar Services within 10 days of the start of class. Students who fail to report to ISSS will not have their transfer finalized. Their legal status in the United States may be jeopardized.

Required Documents, contd.

Standardized Tests
For freshman applicants, scores from the SAT, ACT, IELTS and/or TOEFL are required. For transfer and graduate applicants, the TOEFL is required. Some graduate programs require scores from the Graduate Record Exam. CUA Codes: SAT Code5104 TOEFL Code5104 ACT Code0654 GRE Code5104 IELTS scores should be sent directly to CUA No single factor in the consideration of an applicant from abroad is more important than the ability to read, write, speak and understand the English language. To ensure that a candidate comes to the United States with adequate competency in English, Catholic University requires all applicants whose native language is not English to take the TOEFL or IELTS before they can be considered for admission.

Tuition and Fees

The cost of tuition and room and board at Catholic University for the academic year is itemized and explained online. http://international.cua.edu/students

Health Insurance
All students must be covered by health insurance. Students are charged yearly for coverage offered by the university unless proof of comparable coverage is submitted. Catholic Universitys health insurance policy, enrollment deadlines and procedures for waiving CUAs insurance plan are found online. http://studentinsurance.cua.edu

CUA Services
International Student and Scholar Services
International Student and Scholar Services, a part of the center for Global Education, serves as the primary resource for information on immigration issues, visa applications, cultural adjustments and international activities at the university. The office also advocates for international students and scholars throughout their stay at CUA. http://international.cua.edu

Housing and Residential Services

All freshmen and sophomores must live on campus, unless permission is granted for students to live with family members in the local area. Campus living provides opportunities for international students to meet new people and develop personal relationships and lasting friendships. There is a range of living options from which to choose. First-year students typically live in residence halls where two students share a room. Other living options include suite-style and apartment-style accommodations with several or no roommates. Each residence hall is staffed with resident assistants who work to promote balanced, healthy, happy living environments for the student residents. Graduate students looking for housing should refer to the housing Web site for information on off-campus living. Food services are available to students living on campus. The university operates several cafeterias and eateries. Freshmen and sophomores who reside on campus must participate in one of the universitys meal plan options. http://housing.cua.edu

Health Services
The Health Services Center on campus provides primary health care to all students on campus, with an emphasis on health maintenance and illness prevention. The center provides students with emergency health services, diagnostic tests and some prescriptions. http://health.cua.edu

English as a Second Language

This intensive English program assists international students who need the support of further training in English. The intensive language course for international students covers all language skills, as well as American culture and American literature. http://english.cua.edu/IEP

Opportunities at CUA
Campus Ministry
The mission of Campus Ministry at Catholic University is to meet the spiritual needs of the university community. Though most of our students are Roman Catholic, Campus Ministry aids all members of the student community regardless of denomination. Catholic religious services are held on campus in the universitys various chapels. http://ministry.cua.edu

Faculty Adviser
Each student is assigned a faculty adviser in the students field of interest. This faculty member helps students plan their academic program, monitor their academic success and handle academic-related matters that arise throughout their course of study.

Sports, Clubs and Leisure Activities

With more than 100 clubs and organizations, Catholic University makes it easy to pursue interests in virtually every field and activity imaginable. Catholic University participates in intercollegiate athletics. There are 21 mens and womens varsity sports on campus, including football, basketball, baseball, cross country and track, softball, field hockey, soccer, lacrosse, and volleyball.

Scholarships and Loans

The Catholic University of America offers limited financial assistance to international students. For undergraduate students, the university sometimes awards international students partial scholarships based on their course of study or past academic achievement. It should be noted, however, that the majority of international students do not receive scholarships, and often must apply for loans to cover the cost of their program. For qualified graduate students, individual schools may have money for scholarships and assistantships. These often take the form of teaching or research assistantships. The individual departments and schools award these scholarships. Please check these Web sites for information regarding outside scholarships for international students. http://international.cua.edu/students http://www.internationalscholarships.com http://www.iefa.org

Undergraduate Majors and Programs

School of Architecture and Planning
Four-year Bachelor of Science in Architecture Dual degree with Engineering

School of Arts and Sciences cont.

Mathematics* Mathematics/Physics Media Studies Medical Technology Medieval and Byzantine Studies Music Philosophy Philosophy Pre-Law Physics Politics Psychology Social Work Sociology Spanish* Spanish for International Service Theology and Religious Studies Undecided/Exploratory
* Also offered with Secondary Education Minor

Benjamin T. Rome School of Music

Composition Music Education Music History/Literature Musical Theater Performance Orchestral Instruments Organ Piano Voice

School of Arts and Sciences

Anthropology Art History Art: Studio* Biochemistry Biology* Business and Economics Accounting Economics Finance International Business International Economics and Finance Management Management Information Systems Marketing Chemical Physics Chemistry* Classical Civilization Classics Greek and Latin Drama* Education Early Childhood Elementary Secondary Education Studies English Language and Literature* Environmental Chemistry French* German* History* Latin and Classical Humanities

School of Nursing
Bachelor of Science in Nursing

School of Philosophy
Philosophy

Pre-Professional Studies
Pre-Dental Pre-Law Pre-Medicine Pre-Veterinary

University Honors Program

An Aristotelian Studium The Christian Tradition Critical Exploration of Social Reality The Environment, Energy and Policy Media, Technology and Culture Tradition and Renewal in Contemporary Catholicism

School of Engineering
Biomedical Engineering Civil Engineering Construction Environmental Structural and Geotechnical Computer Science Electrical Engineering Computer Engineering Mechanical Engineering Dual degree with Architecture

Graduate Schools
School of Architecture and Planning School of Arts and Sciences School of Canon Law School of Engineering School of Library and Information Science Benjamin T. Rome School of Music School of Nursing School of Philosophy National Catholic School of Social Service School of Theology and Religious Studies
For a complete list of graduate programs, please visit the graduate admissions Web site at http://admissions.cua.edu/graduate.

Founded more than a century ago as a graduate institution in the European tradition, Catholic University has welcomed undergraduate students since 1904.

Catholic University At a Glance

3,400 undergraduate students 3,200 graduate students 53:47 female to male ratio 98% of faculty hold highest degree in field 193-acre campus (largest in Washington, D.C.) 21 NCAA Division III intercollegiate sports 3 miles north of U.S. Capitol Building 97 foreign countries represented

Location
The university is located in northeast Washington, D.C., which is in the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. At Catholic University you can enjoy traditional college living on a well-defined, 193-acre campus and be at the heart of the nations capital in minutes. Catholic University has its own Metrorail stop adjacent to campus. For most CUA students, Washington, D.C., is an essential part of their education. The city attracts some of the worlds most interesting people. It is not only a great place to visit, but it is also a great place to live and to learn. The climate is moderate in winter and hot in summer. The average winter temperature is 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius). The average summer temperature is 92 degrees Fahrenheit (33 degrees Celsius).

For information and assistance, please contact:

The Catholic University of America Office of University Admissions 620 Michigan Ave., N.E. Washington, DC 20064 Telephone: 202-319-5305 Toll-free: 1-800-673-2772 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: http://www.cua.edu

International Student and Scholar Services:

The Catholic University of America Center for Global Education 620 Michigan Ave. N.E. Washington, DC 20064 Telephone: 202-319-5618 Fax: 202-319-6673 E-mail: [email protected] Web site: http://international.cua.edu

THE CATHOLIC UNIVERSITY OF AMERICA

Washington, D.C.

R E A S O N . FA I T H . S E RV I C E .