Most Often Asked Questions
DO I HAVE TO PASS ANY PLACEMENT EXAMS ONCE I'VE BEEN ACCEPTED INTO A PROGRAM?
If you are an undergraduate student, you must take the English Placement Test (EPT) before
you can take any English courses and the Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) test before you can
take any mathematics courses.
WILL THE U.S. UNIVERSITY/DEPARTMENT RECOGNIZE PREVIOUS STUDIES IN MY COUNTRY AND GIVE ME
CREDIT FOR COURSES COMPLETED OUTSIDE THE U.S.?
You have to submit transcripts showing all courses you have taken in your country. These
transcripts will be evaluated based on your projected course of study. You will be given
credits for appropriate courses taken at your home institution.
WILL THIS SHORTEN THE LENGTH OF MY PROGRAM IN THE UNITED STATES?
Yes. This will shorten the length of your program in the United States.
THE U.S. UNIVERSITY/DEPARTMENT RECOGNIZE PREVIOUS STUDIES IN MY COUNTRY AND GIVE
ME CREDIT FOR COURSES COMPLETED OUTSIDE THE U.S.?
You have to submit transcripts showing all courses you have taken in your country. These
transcripts will be evaluated based on your projected course of study. You will be given
credit for appropriate courses taken at your home institution.
DO I CHOOSE AN ADVISOR FOR MY PROGRAM IN THE STATES?
Yes. You can choose your academic advisor.
WHAT HAPPENS IF I WANT TO CHANGE MY ACADEMIC ADVISOR?
If you want to change an academic advisor you can choose someone else in your academic
department.
DESCRIBE FACULTY-STUDENT RELATIONSHIPS.
Less formal, less flexibility in timetable that professor gives.
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Employment FAQ
CAN I APPLY FOR WORK DURING THE FIRST YEAR OF STUDIES? IS WORK ON CAMPUS READILY AVAILABLE
TO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS?
Students on F-1 visas can work on campus after one quarter in the U.S. and off-campus after
one year in the U.S. Students on J-1 visas can only work with the sponsor's permission and
according to their specifications.
CAN MY SPOUSE APPLY FOR WORK? HOW SOON AFTER ARRIVAL CAN A J-2 REQUEST A WORK PERMIT?
J-2 dependents may apply to the INS for permission to accept employment provided that earned income
will be used to support the family's recreational and cultural activities and related travel.
Employment will not be authorized if this income is needed to support the J-1 student. A J-2 can
apply for work upon arrival to the U.S.
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Finance FAQ
CAN I OPEN A U.S. BANK ACCOUNT FROM MY COUNTRY BEFORE I ARRIVE ON CAMPUS?
Yes. Consult ISS for the best method to do it.
CAN AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT APPLY FOR A LOAN FROM A U.S. BANK?
No.
CAN I EASILY OBTAIN A CREDIT CARD?
Yes.
MUST I PAY THE ENTIRE YEARS TUITION AT REGISTRATION, OR CAN I PAY IN INSTALLMENTS?
The University is on the quarter system with three regular quarters: Fall, Winter, and Spring.
Students pay for their tuition at the beginning of each quarter.
CAN I TRANSFER MY TUITION DIRECTLY TO THE UNIVERSITY'S BANK ACCOUNT?
No, but you can transfer funds to another institution in the US, such as banks or credit unions.
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Housing FAQ
DOES CSUSB HAVE ON-CAMPUS HOUSING?
Yes, there are dorms available for both domestic and international students.
DOES CSUSB HAVE HOUSING FOR MARRIED COUPLES?
No.
DOES THE SCHOOL HAVE DAY CARE FACILITIES AND SCHOOLS NEARBY FOR DEPENDANTS?
Yes to both questions.
WHERE CAN I LIVE IF THE DORMS CLOSE FOR THE MAJOR HOLIDAYS?
The dorms are open all year around.
SHOULD I BRING MY OWN COMPUTER OR ARE COMPUTERS READILY AVAILABLE ON CAMPUS?
The university has computer labs available for students in different facilities.
WHAT KIND OF SAFETY MEASURES EXIST ON CAMPUS?
The university provides campus security officers to maintain a safer environment.
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Insurance FAQ
HOW MUCH WILL CAR INSURANCE COST?
Cost varies according to age, gender, and Make-up. $2000 per year is the average.
DO I HAVE TO HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE?
Yes. Health Insurance is mandatory.
IS THE UNIVERSITY'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM SUFFICIENT? DOES IT COVER EVERYTHING?
Yes.
HOW MUCH WOULD A STUDENT PAY FOR HEALTH INSURANCE ANNUALLY?
$430.00 per year.
HOW MUCH COULD A STUDENT WITH 1 OR 2 DEPENDENTS EXPECT TO PAY ANNUALLY FOR HEALTH INSURANCE?
A student has to buy health insurance for himself, which totals up to $430.00 per
year, plus: $1,390.00 per year for spouse, $802.00 per year for one child, $1594.00
per year for two or more children.
WILL THE UNIVERSITY'S HEALTH INSURANCE COVER ME IMMEDIATELY UPON ARRIVAL?
Yes. If you enroll in the program prior to your arrival.
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Some Helpful Tips
WHAT ACADEMIC TIPS CAN YOU GIVE TO NEW INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS?
Be involved in campus activities. Understand the University "Honor Code" and the
dangers of plagiarism. Take advantage of conversation classes and language labs. Start taking
notes in English from the beginning. Do not translate them back into your native language. Remember
that a paper you can turn into a professor is expected to be the final, best product you can produce.
Nothing should be hand written. University study is considered a full-time job in the U.S. Faculty
expects study to be your first priority.
GENERAL TIPS: YOU MUST ATTEND CAMPUS ORIENTATION BEFORE REGISTRATION. TO GET THE CLASSES
YOU WANT AT THE TIMES YOU WANT, GET HERE EARLY!
Books are expensive. You are expected to buy and read all books assigned. You can buy many books
second hand if you arrive on campus early before they run out. Most American undergraduate students
are much younger than their international student counterparts. Living in an undergraduate dorm can
therefore be quite a cultural awakening! A few international students have become dorm resident
assistants and earn a small income.
Safety and AIDS awareness will be discussed during orientation.
Please pay close attention. The drinking age in many States is 21 and I.D. is required to get into bars.
FINANCE TIPS:
Banking in the United States is different than in other countries. No overdraft is allowed;
No post-dated checks can be written. Understand the difference between credit and charge cards.
Be careful to write dates correctly on your checks American style; i.e. Month/Day/Year and not
day/month/year as in other countries. Checks have been returned and fines paid to the bank for
such mistakes. Students should know that everyone on an F-1 must file a 1040-R Form, even if
they earned nothing. Get careful guidance about tax law and how they affect you. Attend the
workshop on taxes which is offered every year.
Car purchase: No need to buy a car in the big cities with good public transportation. Not a good idea
to buy from a dealer. Check ads. Car insurance varies from state to state. Insurance can be a large
expense, even more than the price of the car. The price of insurance can vary between different areas
in the same city. AAA offers a relatively cheap insurance policy (about $500/year) but only for one
year and for only holders of a J class visa (Not F class). It is suggested purchasing the equivalent
of the AAA care service insurance instead which is important because it usually takes this time from
the day you register at the University until your health insurance goes into effect. Bring extra money
at the beginning because sometimes grants for those students who come with grants and social security
numbers take some time to be processed. If you bring in $10,000 or more, you should declare this at U.S.
Customs upon entering. Keep this receipt because it will be useful and it will help explain where this
money came from when you go to open a bank account and for U.S. tax purposes as an exemption.
SURVIVING CULTURE SHOCK:
It is a good idea to make friends with other international students and domestic students. Get used
to the language from the beginning. Learn politeness and to behave according to US norms. Be
aware of political correctness.
HEALTH INSURANCE TIPS:
Have as many medical tests, check-ups, X-rays, dental work, etc done in your country before departure
since it is much cheaper and may not be covered in the US. You will be required to have proof of shots
for mumps, diphtheria, and rubella.
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Transfer FAQ
DO I NEED TO TAKE TOEFL EXAM IF I HAVE EARNED A.A. OR ABOVE IN THE REQUIRED GENERAL EDUCATION CLASS
IN ENGLISH?
All undergraduate and graduate applicants whose native language is not English are required to take and
pass the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for entrance to the university. Students who have
completed three full years in a U.S. college or university, or have graduated from a four-year
degree-granting institution in which English is the language of instruction, may be considered
for exception from the TOEFL requirement.
DO I NEED TO TAKE THE ENTRY LEVEL MATH (ELM) OR ENGLISH PLACEMENT TEST (EPT)?
Transfer students are exempt from the ELM and EPT if they have earned at least a C grade or better in
the required GE class in Math or English.
DO D GRADES TRANSFER?
Yes. Transferable courses in which you have received a D grade will transfer to CSUSB. However, a C grade
is required in selected general education (ENGLISH AND MATH) courses in addition to a 2.4 grade point
average in all transferable course work to be eligible for undergraduate admission to CSUSB.
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT CLASSES TRANSFER?
A maximum of 70 transferable semester units (105 quarter units) of work taken at a community/junior
college can be applied toward the requirements for the bachelor degree from the university. No upper
division credit may be allowed for courses taken in a community/junior college. No credit may be allowed
for professional courses in education taken at a community/junior college. The Office of Admissions and
Records will evaluate previous college work for its applicability and the requirements of the University.
All undergraduate degree candidates will be issued a CREDIT SUMMARY, indicating requirements which remain
unfilled.
I HAVE AN AA/AS DEGREE. AREN'T MY GENERAL EDUCATION (GE) REQUIREMENTS COMPLETED?
There is no guarantee that an AA/AS degree will include all of the lower division CSUSB general education
requirements. Consult with your community college counselor and CSUSB admissions counselor, and CSUSB admissions.
HOW SOON AFTER BEGINNING STUDYING CAN I TRANSFER TO ANOTHER SCHOOLS?
You have to have at least 56 transferable quarter units to be able to transfer.
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Transportation & Licence FAQ
WILL I BE MET BY A UNIVERSITY REPRESENTATIVE?
A Peer Advisor from International Student Services (ISS) will meet you at LAX or Ontario Airport if you request this
service in advance.
WHAT TYPE OF PUBLIC TRANSPORTATION EXISTS IN THE CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO?
There are several means of transportation to and from campus. Public bus lines connect San Bernardino
to surrounding communities. Interested students have the option of forming a CSUSB car pool or vanpool;
sharing with others who live in the area will save money. For information call (909) 880-5193 and ISS
will assist you in finding others who are interested in sharing rides.
IS THE UNIVERSITY'S HEALTH INSURANCE PROGRAM SUFFICIENT? DOES IT COVER EVERYTHING?
Yes.
CAN I GET AROUND WITH MY INTERNATIONAL DRIVER'S LICENSE OR SHOULD I TAKE OUT A CALIFORNIA STATE LICENSE?
An international Driver's License is valid in California when accompanied by a Driver's License from your
home country. An international Driver's License is good for only one year from the time you arrived in the
U.S. Your driver's license also serves as identification in transaction such as cashing a check or picking
up registered mail. If you do not plan to drive you may obtain an Identification Card, in place of a Driver's
License, from the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).
HOW DO I GET A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER?
The ISS Office will invite the officers from Social Security Office to help new international students apply for
their social security card. You can also come to the ISS Office to request a letter of verification and apply your
social security card by yourself.
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VISA FAQ
I'M FINISHING MY BA, INTENSIVE ENGLISH, ETC PROGRAM IN THE UNITED STATES AND HAVE AN F-1
VISA. I'D LIKE TO CONTINUE FOR ANOTHER DEGREE, PROGRAM. DO I NEED TO LEAVE THE U.S. AFTER
COMPLETING THE FIRST DEGREE IN ORDER TO GET A NEW VISA ISSUED FOR THE SECOND?
No. You simply apply for admissions to a degree granting Institution. Once admitted, a new
I-20 is issued a copy of which is sent to INS.
IF I ENTER ON A GOVERNMENT SPONSORED J-1 VISA, CAN I SWITCH TO A UNIVERSITY SPONSORED
J-1 VISA ONCE I AM IN THE UNITED STATES?
Yes. However if you are under the two year residence rule you still have to return to your
country after completion of your studies.
CAN A F-2 SWITCH TO F-1 FROM WITHIN THE US? CAN A J-2 SWITCH TO A J-1 IN THE SAME WAY?
Yes, in both cases. However, the J-1 must have a sponsor.
CAN SOMEONE ON A WORK/DIPLOMATIC VISA ALSO STUDY? CAN THEY SWITCH FROM A WORK TO STUDENT VISA FROM
WITHIN THE UNITED STATES?
Yes. It is not difficult to do, except in cases where I-94 specifically states that you cannot become a student.
IF MY SPOUSE ENTERS ON A J-2 VISA, CAN HE/SHE STUDY FULL TIME OR PART-TIME?
She/he can study part-time. However, it is to her/his advantage to change status to J-1 if she/he has a sponsor.
COULD I GET THE NAMES OF OTHER STUDENTS FROM MY COUNTRY WHO ARE STUDYING OR WHO HAVE STUDIED AT CSUSB?
Yes. ISS will be glad to have them contact you.
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