INCOMING EXCHANGE STUDENT APPLICATION BULLETIN 2013-­‐2014 UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-­‐CHAMPAIGN Study Abroad Office – Student International Academic Affairs International Programs and Studies mailing address 115 International Studies Building 910 South Fifth Street Champaign, IL 61820 U.S.A. phone +1 (217) 333-­‐6322 ~ fax +1 (217) 244-­‐0249 web http://studyabroad.illinois.edu/exchange/prospective/index.aspx We are excited that you are applying to the University of Illinois at Urbana-­‐Champaign. Please take a few minutes to review this Application Bulletin thoroughly before starting your application. page 2 • Deadlines …………………………………………………………………………………………………. •
Minimum Eligibility Requirements …………………………………………………………… page 2 •
Components of a Completed Application ………………………………………………........ page 2 •
Mailing Address ………………………………………………………………………………………… page 3 •
Application Checklist (description) ……………………………………………………………. page 3 •
International Non-­‐degree Exchange Application Form ……………………………….. page 3 •
Copy of Passport’s Personal Information Page ……………………………………………. page 4 •
Declaration and Certification of Finances for Non-­‐degree Exchange Students page 4 •
Certification Statement from Financial Institution ……………………………………… page 5 •
Academic Transcripts ………………………………………………………………………………... page 6 •
Evidence of English Language Proficiency ………………………………………………….. page 6 •
List of Courses that you are Interested in …………………………………………………… page 7 •
Portfolio or Audition Tape …………………………………………………………………………. page 9 •
Letters of Recommendation ………………………………………………………………………. page 9 •
Personal Statement …………………………………………………………………………………… page 9 •
Estimated Dates ………………………………………………………………………………………... page 10 •
Estimated Student Fees ……………………………………………………………………………... page 10 •
Housing Options ……………………………………………………………………………………….. page 11 •
Application Checklist (cover sheet to be included with application) ……………. page 15 •
Tentative Course List ………………………………………………………………………………… page 16 Study Abroad Office – Student International Academic Affairs Updated: December 2012 1 DEADLINES Fall and Academic Year (August start): March 1, 2013 •
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We will begin processing completed applications on February 15, 2013. Expected date of acceptance: late May-­‐early June 2013 •
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We will begin processing completed applications on August 15, 2013 Expected date of acceptance: late October-­‐early November 2013 •
Completion of one year of university education prior to commencement of exchange at the University of Illinois at Urbana-­‐Champaign; •
English language proficiency (see section on “Evidence of English Language Proficiency” below); •
Certified evidence of US$8,450 for one semester and US$16,900 for two semesters; •
Enrolled full-­‐time at an institution that has a bilateral student exchange agreement with the University of Illinois at Urbana-­‐Champaign. Spring and Calendar Year (January start): SEPTEMBER 1, 2013 You must submit completed applications by the deadline. We may consider applications received or completed after the published deadlines, but they will be reviewed at our discretion. We cannot guarantee a timely review of application materials, issuance of final acceptance documentation, and visa paperwork for applications received or completed after the deadline. MINIMUM ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS • 3.0 out of a 4.0 grade point average or a "B" average in all courses; COMPONENTS OF A COMPLETED APPLICATION •
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Application Checklist International Non-­‐Degree Exchange Application Form Copy of Passport Personal Information Page Declaration and Certification of Financial Support Certification Statement from Financial Institution Academic Transcripts Evidence of English Language Proficiency List of Interested Courses Portfolio or Audition Tape (Architecture, Art & Design, Landscape Architecture, and Music only) Two Letters of Recommendation (recommended, but not required) Personal Statement (recommended, but not required) Study Abroad Office – Student International Academic Affairs Updated: December 2012 2 Please review the following pages for a detailed explanation of each component. MAILING ADDRESS Please send completed applications to: TATIANA NIKOLAEVA Study Abroad Office University of Illinois at Urbana-­‐Champaign 115 International Studies Building 910 South Fifth Street Champaign, IL 61820 USA APPLICATION CHECKLIST Please use the Application Checklist as the cover page to your application. Please check off the list of all documents submitted. Be sure to complete the section on English language proficiency requirement (see section on “Evidence of English Language Proficiency” below). Please also include the address of your home university’s international office. We will send acceptances to your home university. The Application Checklist is included at the back of this Bulletin. INTERNATIONAL NON-­‐DEGREE EXCHANGE APPLICATION FORM The application form must be downloaded new each semester as changes may be made in-­‐
between semesters. Please do not retain application forms from previous semesters. The Application Form can be downloaded from http://admissions.illinois.edu/pdf/nondegexapp06.pdf. Please download and print all three pages. IMPORTANT •
Please print or type clearly. Please make sure that we can read what is written on the application form. •
Date format is MONTH/ DAY/ YEAR •
E-­‐mail address must be valid for the duration of the application cycle and exchange at Illinois. This is the address that we will use to communicate with you. •
Country of Legal Permanent Residence refers to the country, other than your primary national citizenship, where you have Permanent Residence status. For example, if you were born and have citizenship in China, but have Permanent Residence status (not full citizenship status) in Australia, your Country of Citizenship is “China” and Country of Legal Permanent Residence is “Australia." Study Abroad Office – Student International Academic Affairs Updated: December 2012 3 •
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Make sure city or place of birth written on application matches exactly what is in passport. Please do not list larger/well-­‐known cities in place of what is actually on passport. For example, someone might consider their place of birth to be London and write that on the application—and it might actually be London or greater London generally speaking—but if Lambeth (not London) is on passport, then you must state Lambeth as your place of birth in your application form. Make sure the name in the passport exactly matches the name written on the application. However, if the name in the passport has special non-­‐English features (umlaut, tilde, etc.), write your name in English on the application without special characters. When special characters are involved (written in passport), the name that is entered on the DS-­‐2019 (a visa support document that you will receive as part of your acceptance) and in the University system is required to match the passport name minus special features (this is in conformance with longstanding US Dept. of State policy). Accordingly, for example, a native spelling with a single “o” (with or without a special feature) cannot be changed or transliterated to English as “oe” and the like. COPY OF PASSPORT’S PERSONAL INFORMATION PAGE To verify the identity of each applicant and to ensure accuracy of personal information, you must include a copy of the personal information page of your passport. Please make sure that your name, place of birth, date of birth, and other details are completely legible on the passport copy. A passport copy is sometimes faded and difficult to read, especially after having been copied or faxed. Passports need to be valid up to six months after the date of your intended departure from the United States. For example, if you plan to remain in the U.S. through June 2014, your passport must be valid until at least December 2014. DECLARATION AND CERTIFICATION OF FINANCES FOR NON-­‐DEGREE EXCHANGE STUDENTS In order for the University of Illinois to issue a DS-­‐2019 visa authorization form, the U.S. government requires every applicant to submit evidence of financial support. You must verify your source(s) of funding and submit a Declaration and Certification of Finances for Non-­‐
Degree Exchange Students form. All applicants must complete and submit the Declaration and Certification of Finances form. If you are self-­‐supported, i.e. you are financially independent, you must complete and sign the form. If you have a financial sponsor (e.g., a parent, a relative, or government agency), supporting your participation in the exchange, your sponsor(s) must sign the form. If you have multiple sponsors, each sponsor must sign the document. If your study abroad expenses are covered by your home university’s or a government agency’s scholarship, please fill out the upper portion of the Declaration and Certification of Finances for Non-­‐Degree Exchange Students. For the Name of Student/Guarantor/Sponsor portion, please Study Abroad Office – Student International Academic Affairs Updated: December 2012 4 list the scholarship agency. Note that the official scholarship letter must be enclosed with your application. The Declaration and Certification of Finances for Non-­‐Degree Exchange Students form is attached to the International Non-­‐Degree Exchange Application Form (as explained above). CERTIFICATION STATEMENT FROM FINANCIAL INSTITUTION The Declaration and Certification of Finances for Non-­‐Degree Exchange Students MUST be accompanied by a statement from your bank or your sponsor's bank on bank letterhead which states: "XXXX (insert full name), a client of our bank, has the equivalent of XXXX (insert US dollar amount depending on the term that you will study at UIUC: $8,450 for one semester, $16,900 for two semesters) in an account with this bank as of XXXX (insert date). “ If you are using personal funds, a statement from your bank must accompany the Declaration and Certification of Finances form. If a sponsor is funding your exchange, a statement from your sponsor's bank must accompany the Declaration and Certification of Finances From. Make sure the financial sponsor names match the names on the bank letter and/or account statements. NOTES •
The content of the Certification Statement must be written as stated above. •
If the financial support documents are in any language other than English, you must provide an official translation. •
Scanned, faxed, photocopied, or original documents are acceptable. •
Financial support documents must NOT be older than six months from the beginning of the intended term of attendance. •
If you are applying to begin in the Fall semester (August), you may not submit bank certifications dated before February of the same year. •
If you are applying to begin in the Spring semester (January), you may not submit bank certifications dated before July of the preceding year. •
If a certification statement from a financial institution cannot be obtained, the following alternative documents are acceptable: o Loan or award letters stamped or certified by a lending institution or government official; o Original bank statements issued directly from the bank. •
The following documents are NOT acceptable: o Bank letters not certified by the bank; o Internet bank statements; o Bank letters or statements without the name of the account holder; o Loan or award letters from a previous year; Study Abroad Office – Student International Academic Affairs Updated: December 2012 5 o Letters which do not specify the availability of at least the minimum amount per semester. ACADEMIC TRANSCRIPTS All applicants must submit official records for all university-­‐level course work (transcripts, certificates, etc.). If you completed less than one year of university level work, you will need to include official records of post-­‐secondary institutional courses (e.g. GCE A-­‐level results) as well. If the official records are in a language other than English, your records must be accompanied by an officially certified English translation. All educational records must be certified by an officer of the educational institution issuing the documents, a U.S. consulate official, or local government official. Uncertified copies (fax or notary public) will NOT be accepted. EVIDENCE OF ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY Minimum requirements for proficiency in English apply to all students, unless: •
You completed all secondary (years 9-­‐12) and post-­‐secondary schooling in Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec), Great Britain, Ireland, and New Zealand; •
The English proficiency requirement is waived by agreement between the University of Illinois at Urbana-­‐Champaign and your home university; •
You have successfully completed a minimum of two academic years of full-­‐time study at the secondary or university level in a country where English is the primary language (not just one of the official languages or the language of instruction) immediately prior to the proposed date of enrollment at the University of Illinois at Urbana-­‐Champaign. If you do not meet the above criteria, you will need to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores to the University of Illinois at Urbana-­‐Champaign. Please note that TOEFL or IELTS scores must be less than two years old from the first day of class for the proposed term of entry. English Proficiency Minimum Score* Limited Status Full Status Test Admission** Admission TOEFL IBT 79 79-­‐102 Greater than 102 TOEFL CBT 213 213-­‐253 Greater than 253 TOEFL PBT 550 550-­‐610 Greater than 610 IELTS 6.5 total score with a minimum score of 6 on all four modules 6.5 total score with a minimum score of 6 on all four modules Greater than 6.5 Study Abroad Office – Student International Academic Affairs Updated: December 2012 6 * The College of Engineering and the College of Media require a minimum score of 100 IBT ** Students will be expected to the University of Illinois at Urbana-­‐Champaign English Placement Test upon arrival on campus. The English Placement Test will determine whether you need to take a sequence of English as a Second Language (ESL) courses. If TOEFL scores are required for your program, you should have the original score report sent by ETS directly to: Office of Undergraduate Admissions University of Illinois at Urbana-­‐Champaign 901 West Illinois Street Urbana, Illinois 61801 USA institution code 1836, department code 00. LIST OF COURSES THAT YOU ARE INTERESTED IN This form needs to be completed for each semester that you plan to attend the University of Illinois at Urbana-­‐Champaign. Before completing the form, please read through this entire section and be fully aware of the restrictions on courses offered at the University of Illinois at Urbana-­‐Champaign. The following programs/departments/schools/colleges are NOT open to exchange students admitted through the Campus Study Abroad Office. Courses offered through these programs/ departments/schools/colleges are not available for enrollment by students admitted through the Campus Study Abroad Office. •
Department of Advertising (ADV courses) •
Division of Broadcast Journalism (JOUR courses) •
College of Business (ACCY, BADM, and FIN courses) •
Department of Bioengineering (College of Engineering) •
Division of General Studies •
Graduate College •
School of Labor and Employment Relations (LER courses) •
College of Law (LAW courses) •
Graduate School of Library and Information Science (LIS courses) •
College of Medicine •
Technology and Management Program (TGMT courses) •
College of Veterinary Medicine •
Any internships, co-­‐op programs, or teaching practicums in local schools. Study Abroad Office – Student International Academic Affairs Updated: December 2012 7 The following departments/colleges experience high enrollment demand. Consequently, you will need to have maximum flexibility in course choices from these departments. If you need a specific course from one of the following departments below in order to stay on track with your studies, you should strongly consider whether the University of Illinois at Urbana-­‐
Champaign is the right location for you. •
Architecture (College of Fine & Applied Arts) — limited access to studio classes •
Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering (College of Liberal Arts & Sciences) •
Chemistry (College of Library Arts & Sciences) •
Economics (College of Library Arts & Sciences) — VERY limited enrollment •
College of Education •
Electrical and Computer Engineering (College of Engineering) •
Kinesiology (College of Applied Health Sciences) — VERY limited enrollment •
Landscape Architecture (College of Fine & Applied Arts) — enrollment in studio classes must be pre-­‐arranged •
Mechanical Science and Engineering (College of Engineering) •
Political Science (College of Library Arts & Sciences) •
Sociology (College of Library Arts & Sciences) •
You should enroll in courses at a variety of levels. You are strongly discouraged from taking more than three courses at the 300-­‐level or higher. •
We do not recommend taking more than three courses in your major, especially in engineering and the sciences. •
You must enroll in at least 12 credit hours per semester to maintain full-­‐time status. •
Undergraduate students are limited to courses at the 100-­‐ to 400-­‐levels; enrollment in courses at the 500-­‐level or higher are by permission only and permission may not be granted. Please note that certain 400-­‐level courses are considered graduate-­‐
level courses and may not be available to undergraduate students. •
To facilitate academic advising, you should limit your course choices to 2-­‐3 academic departments. You can find the List of Interested Courses form at the back of this Bulletin. To complete the form, please use the Course Schedule found on http://courses.illinois.edu/cis/index.html. If you are applying for Fall 2013, you may need to use the Fall 2012 Course Schedule as a guide of what could be tentatively offered in Fall 2013. If you are applying for Spring 2014, you will likely need to use the Course Schedule for Spring 2013 as a guide of what could be tentatively offered in Spring 2014. Please consider the following as you identify courses of interest and as you work with your home university on your study plan: Study Abroad Office – Student International Academic Affairs Updated: December 2012 8 NOTE: •
This form is NOT a registration form. It is used to anticipate the subjects that you are interested in and to ensure that your application is submitted to the most compatible college. •
This form is NOT used to reserve seats for you in classes. Registration will begin after Illinois accepts you and sends you your acceptance packet. In many cases, you will not complete your enrollment until you arrive on campus. •
Please be advised that the University of Illinois at Urbana-­‐Champaign cannot guarantee enrollment in classes, even if the home university requires that course. PORTFOLIO OR AUDITION TAPE Applicants to the following programs are required to submit an audition tape or portfolio: •
School of Architecture, http://www.arch.uiuc.edu/admissions/undergrad/faq/#2-­‐2 •
School of Art & Design, http://www.art.illinois.edu/content/undergraduate/admissions/transfer/ and scroll down to "Portfolio Review" •
Department of Landscape Architecture •
School of Music, http://music.illinois.edu/prospective-­‐students/audition-­‐requirements LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION Recommendations are not required. However, you should submit two letters of recommendation if you are applying to competitive programs, such as Engineering. The letters of recommendation should be from your academic advisor and/or university instructors. Recommendations should, at a minimum, address the following questions: 1. How long and in what capacity have you known this student? 2. What is your assessment of this student's academic motivation and performance? Does this student perform to his/her abilities? 3. How would you describe this student in terms of maturity, responsibility, honesty, and character? 4. Does this student have your recommendation to participate on an overseas program? Do you have any reservations? PERSONAL STATEMENT We recommend that you include a personal statement as part of your application to present a stronger case for passing the review at the college level. Your personal statement should be 1-­‐2 pages, double-­‐spaced and address the following topics: Study Abroad Office – Student International Academic Affairs Updated: December 2012 9 1. Motivations for participating in the exchange with the University of Illinois 2. Long-­‐term goals and how studying abroad/studying at the University of Illinois would help you meet those goals. ESTIMATED DATES Most orientations, academic briefings, course registration, and immigration check-­‐ins will take place one week before the start of classes. If you are accepted to start in August, you will be required to arrive on the Urbana-­‐Champaign campus by the Tuesday before the start of classes. If you are accepted to start in January, you will be required to arrive on campus by the Wednesday before the start of classes. Please do not purchase your airline tickets until you have been formally accepted by the University of Illinois at Urbana-­‐Champaign. Please note that you will be required to remain at the University of Illinois at Urbana-­‐Champaign until you complete all your final exams and assignments. Actual dates will be provided in each student's acceptance packet. Future semester dates can be found here: http://www.senate.illinois.edu/a_calendar.asp. ESTIMATED STUDENT FEES Agreements with the University of Illinois at Urbana-­‐Champaign provide tuition waiver and PARTIAL fee waivers. Fees that are not waived cover services that all students have access to. All international students will be required to pay a one-­‐time New International Student Fee. For 2012-­‐2013, the fee was $50. In addition, most incoming exchange students will be required to pay the following campus fees: •
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Health Service Fee Transportation Fee Student Health Insurance Fee SORF Fee Krannert Fee The amounts for the above-­‐mentioned fees can be found here: http://www.registrar.illinois.edu/financial/ugrad_fees.html. Please note that the fees listed are for one semester and for undergraduate students. For a description of what each fee covers, please visit http://www.registrar.illinois.edu/financial/tuition_details.html#fees. The Health Service and Transportation Fees are required unless the agreement stipulates that Illinois' outgoing students cover those fees for the partner university’s students. All new students are automatically enrolled in the Student Health Insurance. However, if you carry and are able to demonstrate equal or better coverage, you may petition to be exempted from paying the Student Health Insurance Fee. Petitions to exempt from the Student Health Study Abroad Office – Student International Academic Affairs Updated: December 2012 10 Insurance are only taken in the first 10 days of classes after the start of the semester. You may not petition for exemption ahead of your arrival. The SORF and Krannert Fees are refundable fees. You will be billed these fees at the start of each semester, but may request a refund of these fees by a given deadline. The Study Abroad Office strongly recommends that students pay the SORF Fee since that gives you access to Student Legal Services, Tenant Union, and many other student-­‐centered resources. We also recommend that you contribute to the Krannert Fee as that fee funds many performances at the Krannert Center for the Performing Arts, allowing Champaign-­‐Urbana to be one of the most culturally vibrant venues in the region. HOUSING OPTIONS You will be responsible for arranging your own housing. The Study Abroad Office does not reserve housing for students. There are many options available to exchange students: •
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Undergraduate Residence Halls; Graduate Residence Halls; University Apartments; Private Certified Housing; and, Off-­‐campus properties that are owned and managed by independent landlords. •
Rooms are already furnished. •
Utilities are included in the housing charge, so you will not have to worry about arranging and paying additional fees for electricity, heat, water, sewage, trash removal, internet, and basic television (although you will likely need to get a digital box to decode digital programs). •
Meal plans are included in Undergraduate Residence Hall contracts, so you will not need to worry too much about groceries, cooking, or washing dishes (except for that There are pros and cons to each option, so you should carefully weigh your needs and preferences against what the different options offer. Undergraduate and Graduate Residence Halls These properties are traditional dormitories for college students. Typically, two students share a room. Increasingly, especially for those starting in August, you may be assigned to a suite where there would be three students to a room. Sherman and Daniels halls are the only two Graduate Residence Halls and are geared towards undergraduates who have completed their first-­‐year at Illinois; there are some graduate students in Sherman and Daniels. Single rooms are few and are competitive to get. Therefore, if you choose to live in one of the University's residence halls, you will need to be prepared to live in a shared room. Benefits of living in a University Residence Hall: Study Abroad Office – Student International Academic Affairs Updated: December 2012 11 occasional toast or bowl of cereal). If you are assigned to Sherman or Daniels Halls, you will not need to purchase a meal plan, although meal plans are available for purchase if you need one. •
If you choose to live in one of the Living-­‐and-­‐Learning Communities (LLC), you will find a community of other like-­‐minded students. LLCs are geared towards students with specific interest: Leadership, the Arts, Engineering and Science, Global and International Studies, Social Justice, Health Professions, as well as Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Students in these halls are typically very involved on campus and are keen to meet other students, whether international or from the US. For more information on the LLCs, visit http://housing.illinois.edu/Current/Living-­‐Learning.aspx. •
Computer labs in each hall are open 24 hours a day. •
Guaranteed laundry facilities in each hall without having to walk outside the building. •
Guaranteed to be on or within a 5-­‐minute walk to a bus line. •
There are Resident Assistants and Resident Directors who can provide advice on any matter, 24 hours a day. •
If you are enrolled at the University of Illinois for only one semester, you can be released from your housing contract without needing to find someone to sublet the unit. NOTE: If you are at Illinois for TWO SEMESTERS, you cannot cancel your University Housing contract after the first semester on campus. You will be financially penalized for canceling the contract. This also applies to students who are initially accepted for one semester, but who then extend their stay at Illinois by one more semester. Drawbacks of living in a University Residence Hall: •
Meal plans are part of the Undergraduate Residence Hall contract. Students cannot opt out of the meal plan. Sherman and Daniels Hall contracts do not include a meal plan. •
No kitchens in the Undergraduate Residence Halls and limited cooking amenities in Sherman and Daniels Hall. •
There are rules that are enforced and that residents will need to adhere to, e.g. pertaining to underage drinking and quiet hours. •
It can be noisy. •
Students will most likely live in shared rooms. •
Students will need to share showers and bathrooms. •
Some students, in the past, have reported that living in a University Residence Hall is more expensive than living off-­‐campus. Check out University Housing rates http://housing.illinois.edu/Future/International/Affordable%20Rates.aspx. When you are accepted to Illinois and have decided on your choice of accommodation, you will be responsible for submitting the required applications and signing the necessary contracts. You will need to apply online for University Residence Hall living: http://housing.illinois.edu/Future/International/Apply%20Now.aspx. Housing placement is based largely on the availability of units and is assigned on a first-­‐come, first-­‐serve basis. Study Abroad Office – Student International Academic Affairs Updated: December 2012 12 For more information about University Housing, please visit: http://housing.illinois.edu/Future/International/Residence%20Hall%20Options.aspx. An alternative to the University Residence Halls are Private Certified Housing, http://certified.housing.uiuc.edu/. These halls are managed by external property companies, but have been "approved" by the University of Illinois. The rooms in these halls are typically bigger and more expensive. Several of these are also religiously affiliated, e.g. Newman Hall (Catholic) and Presby Hall (Presbyterian). NOTE: Private Certified Housing does not bill the University Student Account for housing charges. Rents and any associated fees have to be paid directly to the housing unit. If you are expected to receive a subsidy from the Study Abroad Office as part of your exchange, you should avoid this housing option. Off-­‐Campus Housing If you prefer a more independent living environment, you are encouraged to consider sub-­‐
leasing an off-­‐campus apartment from an Illinois student who will be studying abroad. Options can be found on the Study Abroad Housing Board, http://studyabroad.illinois.edu/resources/return/cu_housing.aspx (NetID and NetID password, which are obtained after acceptance, required to view and respond to postings). You could also consider leasing an apartment through Family and Graduate Housing, especially if you are only at Illinois for one semester. Applications are made directly with the Family and Graduate Housing leading office, http://www.housing.illinois.edu/Log%20In%20To%20Apply and look under "University Apartments." Please note that off-­‐campus apartments, including those through Family and Graduate Housing, do not bill the University Student Account for housing charges. Rents and any associated fees have to be paid directly to that property's management. If you expect to receive a subsidy from the Study Abroad Office as part of your exchange, you should avoid this housing option. Off-­‐campus housing is handled separately and independently from the University. Students will need to contact the appropriate individuals or property management companies directly to set up private housing. You are strongly encouraged to hold off signing any leases until (1) you have seen the apartment unit yourself, and (2) have had the lease/contract reviewed by the Tenant Union. If you are interested in private housing, you should arrive at least one full week before orientation. Advantages of Off-­‐Campus Housing: •
Potentially more privacy, personal space, and independence; potentially less noisy. •
Proper kitchens. •
Potentially your own bathroom or one shared with fewer residents than what you would have to in an Undergraduate Residence Hall. Study Abroad Office – Student International Academic Affairs Updated: December 2012 13 •
If you would like to live with other US college students, it is an ideal way to make local friends and be immersed in the life of US college students. •
You might have a better ability to control your own expenses, e.g. with utilities and food. •
It could potentially be easier to have guests visit. •
There will likely be fewer rules that you will need to observe, although neighbors can call the police if there is excessive noise or disruptive behavior. Disadvantages of Off-­‐Campus Housing: •
Apartment might not be furnished. •
You will need to buy groceries, cook your own meals, and then wash your own dishes. •
You may need to arrange your own utilities and pay for amenities such as electricity, heat, water, trash removal, sewage, internet, and TV. •
Unless you sublease an apartment from another individual, nearly all off-­‐campus apartment contracts run for 12 months (typically August to August) and it will be very difficult for you to get out of the lease without a substantial penalty. •
You will need to pay for at least one month's security deposit and the first month's rent upon signing the lease. Some landlords will ask for the first and last month's rents as well as a security deposit. •
Apartments may not be close to campus, so you will need to use public transportation to get to and from campus. You can ride the public buses for "free" (covered by Transportation Fee) with an i-­‐card. The buses run seven days a week and have late-­‐
night routes when classes are in session. •
No 24-­‐hour contact other than your landlord. •
No guarantee of laundry facilities on-­‐site or in the building. You will be responsible for locating an apartment. When deciding on an off-­‐campus apartment, you should consider the location, the availability of bus routes, accessibility, cost, duration of lease, safety of the neighborhood, and how easy it would be to get home at night, especially after the bars close. You will be responsible for verifying the validity of your lease. This can be done through the University's Tenant Union. All arrangements must be made directly with the leasing agent or the person subletting the apartment. QUESTIONS? Please contact Tatiana Nikolaeva, tnikolae@illinois.edu or sao@illinois.edu. Thank you. Study Abroad Office – Student International Academic Affairs Updated: December 2012 14 Application Checklist for International Non-­‐Degree Exchange Students Study Abroad Office-­‐Student International Academic Affairs University of Illinois at Urbana-­‐Champaign Last Name: __________________________________________ First Name: ____________________________________ Please check all items submitted and include this form on each application: International Non-­‐Degree Exchange Application Form Copy of Passport Personal Particulars Page Declaration and Certification of Finances for Non-­‐Degree Exchange Students Certification Statement from Financial Institution Academic Transcripts Evidence of English Language Proficiency* Tentative Course List Portfolio or Audition Tape (Architecture, Art & Design, Landscape Architecture, and Music only) Two Letters of Recommendation (recommended, but not required) Personal Statement (recommended, but not required) * TOEFL/IELTS scores are required from all applicants, except (circle one):
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You completed all secondary (years 9-­‐12) and post-­‐secondary schooling in Australia, Canada (excluding Quebec), Great Britain, Ireland, and New Zealand; • The English proficiency requirement is waived by agreement between the University of Illinois at Urbana-­‐Champaign and your home university; • You have successfully completed a minimum of two academic years of full-­‐time study at the secondary or university level in a country where English is the primary language (not just one of the official languages or the language of instruction) immediately prior to the proposed date o f enrollment at the University of Illinois at Urbana-­‐Champaign
Check here if TOEFL/IELTS scores not submitted. Reason(s): ____________________________________________ ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Please submit relevant supporting documents. Address of Home University International/Study Abroad Office (please print clearly): Study Abroad Office – Student International Academic Affairs Updated: December 2012 15 Tentative Course List for International Non-­‐Degree Exchange Students Study Abroad Office-­‐Student International Academic Affairs University of Illinois at Urbana-­‐Champaign Name: ________________________________________________________________________ (please print clearly) E-­‐mail: _______________________________________________________________________ (please print clearly) FIRST SEMESTER: ______________________________ (state term and year) Course Code Course Title Credits SECOND SEMESTER: _____________________________ (state term and year) Course Code Course Title Credits Please read and sign that you acknowledge the following statements: •
I understand that as a student admitted through the campus Study Abroad Office, I will not have access to restricted courses published in the Incoming Exchange Student Application Bulletin. •
I have read the instructions published in the Application Bulletin. I am aware of enrollment restrictions at the University of Illinois at Urbana-­‐Champaign and additional considerations concerning the selection of courses. Study Abroad Office – Student International Academic Affairs Updated: December 2012 16 •
I understand that this is not a registration form and is merely a listing of courses that I am interested in. I recognize that the University of Illinois at Urbana-­‐Champaign cannot guarantee registration in preferred or required courses. _________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ___________________________ Full Name Signature Study Abroad Office – Student International Academic Affairs Updated: December 2012 Date 17