STUDY. INTERACT. LIVE. MET International at Boston University An academic experience in the heart of Boston

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1 STUDY. INTERACT. LIVE. MET International at Boston University An academic experience in the heart of Boston

2 WHY BOSTON? Vibrant, historic & cultural Thriving business capital Center of innovation & technology Research opportunities in IT, electronics, engineering & finance 60+ colleges & universities 250,000+ students 100+ museums & cultural sites Live concerts, sports & more 2

3 DISCOVER BOSTON UNIVERSITY An international, comprehensive private research university #32 in the world U.S. News & World Report (Best Global Universities 2015) #64 in the world Times Higher Education (World Universities 2015) #41 in the U.S. U.S. News & World Report (Best National Universities 2015) 4 th largest independent university in the U.S. 32,000 students; 10,000 faculty and staff More than 250 programs of study Member of the Association of American Universities Entrepreneurial streak and commitment to international learning 3

4 BOSTON UNIVERSITY MET COLLEGE Metropolitan College (MET) is one of the 17 degree-granting schools within Boston University 60+ undergraduate, graduate, diploma, and certificate programs Full-time, part-time, and online degree-seeking students from around the world Innovative and entrepreneurial academic environment Serves a special role in developing new programs at BU 4

5 WHY MET INTERNATIONAL? Select MET courses from a variety of disciplines or deepen knowledge within one field Take classes on an urban campus right in the heart of Boston Learn alongside a diverse student body in a rigorous academic environment Participate in the BU community by joining one of 450+ student organizations Receive an official BU transcript upon successful completion of program, and possible certificate Connect with your MET International Program Administrator: your institutional point of contact and students advisor after admission Enjoy all that Boston has to offer from sporting events to music and theater, there is always something new to experience 5

6 STUDENT SERVICES TEAM The MET International Office: Acts as a direct connection with students home institutions Contains two full-time student services staff Gives a comprehensive student orientation Offers academic advising, including pre-arrival support Kristen Molter Senior Program Administrator Conducts mid-term review meetings to ensure student success Provides additional resources and non-academic support Crystal Day Program Administrator 6

7 DATES & DEADLINES Fall semester starts early September and ends mid-december Spring semester starts mid-january and ends early May Deadline to apply for Fall: April 15 Deadline to apply for Spring: October 1 Official University Calendar Orientation Dates at bottom of page 7

8 ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS Permission from home institution Demonstrated proof of English proficiency TOEFL: 560 PBT/84 IBT (W22/S23/L18/R21) or IELTS: 7.0 (of the four sub-scores, no more than two may be lower than 7.0, and none may be lower than 6.5) Suggested academic grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale Clean disciplinary record ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATE PROGRAMS Be matriculated in graduate level programming Have completed at least one semester of graduate course work prior to studying in Boston Completed equivalent of a US bachelor s degree; 240 ECTS credits TOEFL PBT not accepted Prerequisite courses or evidence of proficiency in specific areas of study 8

9 ADMISSIONS PROCESS Step 1: The International Office at home institution provides MET International with a list of nominated students. Step 2: Students provide all application materials to the International Office at home institution. Step 3: MET International and BU academic department review application materials and MET International distributes admissions decisions. Step 4: Admitted students receive an I-20 from MET International, which allows the student to apply for an F1 visa at US consulate or embassy. Step 5: Admitted students must attend mandatory orientation activities. 9

10 APPLICATION PROCESS MET International s application binders with instructions in January for the Fall semester, and in July for Spring of the following year. This gives your office 3 to 4 months to work with your students prior to our deadline. Eligible students need to complete an online application. A printed copy of the online application and all supporting documents should be collected by your office and sent to MET International by a trackable courier service. MET International does not need a complete application in hand on the day of the deadline, but the application should be postmarked by that day. We operate on a rolling basis. Students who apply sooner will be processed sooner. From receipt of a complete application to admission decision we need approximately 2 weeks. I-20 issuance may take up to 6 weeks from the day an application is received, but is often printed sooner. If anyone is at risk of missing the application deadline, please contact your designated Program Administrator at MET International. 10

11 APPLICATION DOCUMENTS Online application, printed just before submitting the course selection needs an advisor s signature and should be returned in its entirety to your office along with the following supporting documents: International Student Data Form (ISDF) only the most recent version will be accepted. Please use only what is provided in the application binder. Transcripts should be original, official and showing all college-level coursework completed since high school. TOEFL or IELTS official score reports are sent electronically to MET International using TOEFL DI code The British Council will mail official score reports. We also accept the official student copy. Website printouts are not acceptable. If you have a special case, e.g. a student who completed a degree in an Anglophone country, please contact your MET International Program Administrator. These scenarios are handled on a case-by-case basis. Copy of passport photo page passport must be valid for at least 6 months from start of classes on BU s campus. If passport is expired, or will soon expire, student should renew before applying. If student s new passport is pending, this will not delay the admission decision but will halt the immigration process. Copy of any US immigration documentation due at a later date, if the student has been in the US during the past 6 months or plans to be in the US prior to their studies at Boston University, e.g. summer school at a different institution, to be immediately followed by a semester with MET International. 11

12 APPLICATION DOCUMENTS, CONT. Financial documentation due at a later date, but can be handed in at the time of the initial application. Every student needs to demonstrate a minimum amount of funding to receive an I-20 immigration document from Boston University. Affidavit of support if the bank letter is not in the student s name, the person providing the funding must complete this form. Your school or a government institution can also provide letters of financial support, especially useful if you will be billed by Boston University for some or all student expenses. A letter of support should be on institutional letterhead and list the full name of the student and amount of funding for a given semester or period of time. There is no limit to the number of sources of support a student may have. Please discuss your billing needs with your MET International Program Administrator. We will prompt BU s central billing office to invoice your institution. If you do not contact us, the student is considered responsible for all charges. Students applying at the graduate level additionally need to submit: Letter(s) of recommendation a template is provided with our application, but other letters are also acceptable. Resume and Statement of Purpose submitted through online application, although student is welcome to include a formatted version at the time they hand you their printed online application and supporting documents. 12

13 UNDERGRADUATE COURSE SUBJECTS Finance Computer Science/ Information Technology Management Marketing Criminal Justice Economics English Literature Chemistry History Urban Affairs Psychology Mathematics Biology/Biotechnology Sociology 13

14 COURSE SELECTION, UNDERGRAD. MET International undergraduate students must take a minimum of 12 credits (3 courses) and a maximum of 20 credits (5 courses) per semester. Usually classes are in the evening, from 6:00pm to 8:45pm. These are the instructions we provide the students in the online application: View the University Class Schedule Select college MET classes numbered up to 599, sections A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2, D1, D2, E1, E2, E3. Biomedical students can add GMS classes in department BT numbered up to 599, sections A1, B1, C1, D1. Take careful note of the column Open Seats. If this number is 0, the class is full. You need to select a class with open seats. 14

15 COURSE SELECTION, GRADUATE MET International graduate students must select 16 credits (4 courses) that fulfill their certificate program requirements. Most certificates consist of two core courses and two elective courses. Usually classes are in the evening, from 6:00pm to 8:45pm. These are the instructions we provide the students in the online application: Select your Certificate Follow the Program Requirements Check courses against the University Class Schedule to make sure the class you want to add is scheduled for your intended semester and has open seats. You can add MET classes that meet your certificate requirements with sections A1, A2, B1, B2, C1, C2, D1, D2, E1, E2, E3. 15

16 COURSE SELECTION, ALL All students are eligible to add up to 2 credits of fitness and recreation classes (college PDP) at no additional cost, unless otherwise specified by the course listing. PDP class attendance is mandatory and results in a pass or fail grade that will appear on the transcript but does not impact the GPA calculation. COMMON MISTAKES THAT RESULT IN AN INCOMPLETE SCHEDULE Selecting academic courses outside of college MET (or GMS, department BT) Selecting courses that are not offered in a particular semester Note that all courses listed on the MET website should have a semester marker designating whether they are running. Undergraduate students choosing courses numbered above 599 Listing a section that does not exist or is in conflict with another course request Listing a section that is not mentioned as allowable in the instructions, such as O1, XP, or BNR. 16

17 VISA PROCESS As soon as we receive an admission decision, MET International will send you an admission letter and welcome folder. These should be distributed to the students. When the I-20 is issued this will also be sent to your attention. The student needs to schedule a meeting at their closest US embassy or consulate to receive an F-1 student visa. This step cannot be completed until the I-20 is received. If there is an error on the I-20, such as misspelled name, date of birth, or gender, please contact MET International without delay. BU s International Students & Scholars Office issues the I-20 and provides immigration advising. These useful sites will help guide your students: Applying for a visa Paying your SEVIS fee Entering the US 17

18 AFTER ADMISSION Within several weeks of admission (June or November), MET International will new students a electronic welcome packet with important forms and helpful tips related to their arrival in Boston, such as: Next steps: important actions to take How to pay your bill Required Immunization & Physical form Insurance forms (to adjust cost and coverage period) On-campus housing application instructions (undergraduate students only) Buddy program and intramural sport sign-up forms Orientation schedule Please encourage your students to read their welcome packet! Many of the pre-departure questions fielded by MET International are answered in the welcome packet. Failure to complete next steps will result in consequences. 18

19 LIVING ON CAMPUS On-campus housing is available for undergraduate students during the fall/spring semesters Students living on campus typically have a double room with shared bathroom in a dormitory-style building on campus; additional room types available in summer Due to limited space, on-campus housing is not guaranteed during the academic semester; applications are taken on a first-come, first-served basis until the deadline. Dormitory regulations Non-smoking Strict policies regarding alcohol Overnight guest policy Dorms close for university breaks BU offers a variety of dining plans designed to fit students schedules, whether they live on or off-campus. Students in dormitory housing are required to take a dining plan. 19

20 LIVING ON CAMPUS, CONT. Housing application process Undergraduate students will receive detailed instructions in their welcome packet from MET International (June or November) The online housing application provided for MET International students is NOT the same as the general BU Housing application; students should wait for our ed instructions before applying The deadline to apply for on-campus housing is about 1 month from the time we instructions Any special requests, such as roommates or room style, should be directed by to the Housing office if not addressed in the application itself Please ask for patience from the students as housing assignments are not made until several weeks after the housing application deadline Housing assignments can be viewed on the Student Link when ready 20

21 LIVING OFF-CAMPUS Boston University is conveniently located in metropolitan Boston, and accessible by public transportation Off-campus residence options include: Single or shared apartments International Student Residences Short-term furnished rentals Homestay placements BU Off-Campus Services website provides apartment listings and additional resources. Admitted students will receive additional resources in their ed welcome packet. 21

22 SAFETY ON CAMPUS Boston University has its own police department, and is also serviced by the Boston & Brookline police patrol Call boxes scattered throughout campus provide students with a direct connection to the campus police Numerous campus support services include behavioral medicine care and the Sexual Assault Response & Prevention center The Student Health Center on campus is available to all BU students for primary care and referrals Boston is home to several premier U.S. hospitals 22

23 HEALTH INSURANCE & SERVICES Everyone in the state of Massachusetts is required to have health insurance International students are automatically enrolled in BU s Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) To be eligible to waive SHIP coverage, you must be enrolled under a US based plan that meets the comparable coverage requirements; in our experience it is difficult for international students to waive SHIP A comprehensive Student Health Center is located on campus and available to all students. Services include: 24-hour Walk-In Urgent Care Clinic Crisis Intervention Counselor Physical exams Immunizations Nutrition 23

24 ORIENTATION Meet MET International staff, BU faculty, and fellow classmates Learn about university resources Understand program expectations Ask questions & receive assistance Spring Semester Orientation: Mid-January Fall Semester Orientation: Late August *Orientation is mandatory for all MET International Students 24

25 CAMPUS & STUDENT LIFE Student Activities Office Student groups, programs & organized events FitRec Swim, jog, play squash, join an exercise class, practice yoga, cycle, dance & more Agganis Arena Hockey games, ice shows, concerts, and sporting events right on campus Spiritual Life BU is home to numerous faith-based communities & organizations Art & Culture 6 art galleries and a theatre on campus, and Boston is also home to over forty museums 25

26 LIFE IN BOSTON Boutique Shopping Champion Sports Teams Entertainment & Nightlife Free Concerts & Festivals Boutique Shopping Historical Parks & Neighborhoods Harbor Cruises 26

27 THANK YOU! 27

28 MARKETING RESOURCES To request printed marketing materials (e.g., brochures & flyers) or information/photos to create a BU MET International profile on your website, please contact Amanda Balagur, Outreach Manager at abalagur@bu.edu. To learn more about our programs and the student experience: Visit our website bu.edu/metinternational Like us on facebook.com/metinternational Follow us on twitter.com/metintl Follow us on linkedin.com by searching BU MET International Follow us on youtube.com/bumetinternational Read our student blog METintlblogsatBU.com 28

29 CONTACT MET INTERNATIONAL