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International Students
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Lake Michigan College welcomes international students.
Currently, nearly 500 students from 60 different countries
are enrolled at LMC. Lake Michigan College is a two-year,
comprehensive community college located in the southwest
corner of Michigan. LMC is viewed as a source of education,
a cultural center, a regional economic partner and a leader
in diversity and innovation.
Who is an International Student?
Any individual who is not a US citizen is classified as
an international student at Lake Michigan College. This
broad definition includes two different groups: 1) those
admitted to the United States in a temporary, non-resident
(visa) status and 2) individuals who have immigrant or
resident alien (green card) status. Only individuals who
are a member of the first group (visa holders) are required
to follow the admission requirements for International
Students.
How to Apply for Admission
Submit a completed Application
for Admission. International students must print and
complete this application. The on-line application will
not be accepted.
You must download, complete and send all forms to:
Lake Michigan College
International Student Office
2755 E. Napier Avenue
Benton Harbor, MI 49022
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Gabriella F
- Lake Michigan College
student from Brazil.
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The following items must be attached to the application
form:
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Academic Requirements: Submit original or certified
true copies of all certificates and grade reports received
upon completion of secondary work. These credentials must
include: a list of the subjects studies, the minimum passing
grade and maximum possible grade in each subject, and
the grade was earned in each subject on examination. Credentials
not in English must be accompanied by English translations.
A list of evaluation service providers is available in
the international office.
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Language Proficiency: Proficiency in the English
language is required. The applicant must submit proof
of ONE of the following:
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language):
a minimum score of 500 is required on the paper-based
TOEFL or 173 on the computer-based TOEFL to academic
admission. Further information about the TOEFL can
be obtained by writing to TOEFL, P.O. Box 899, Princeton,
NJ 98541.
- Michigan Test of English Language Proficiency (MTELP):
a minimum score of 75 is required.
- Transferable English Composition Course: must b
completed at a US college or university with a minimum
grade of "C".
- Native English Speaker: documented by high school
Transcript/Certificate/ Reports.
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Financial Verification: Applicants must be financially
self-supporting while studying the US Students must provide
both:
- Proof of having US dollars to meet the "Lake
Michigan College Minimum Cost of Living Estimate".
This must be documented on the "Declaration
of Finances Form". If the student is dependent
upon a sponsor, include a statement from the sponsor
and a bank statement which testifies to the sponsor's
willingness and ability of supporting the student
while he/she attends Lake Michigan College.
- A deposit of $4,500.00 must be made with Lake Michigan
College. These funds will be used toward tuition and
fees only.
- Visa Information: Print
and complete this form.
Upon completion of the steps listed, international student applicants
will receive a letter of acceptance, an I-20, and copies of the
Declaration of Finances. The letter of acceptance, I-20, a valid
passport, and Declaration of Finances must be presented to the
U.S. Embassy/Consulate abroad to apply for an F-1 student visa.
Application Deadlines
International students seeking admission to Lake Michigan College
must apply by July 1st for the Fall semester, November 1st for
the Winter semester, and March for the Spring session to issue
the necessary documents required to apply for a student visa.
Academic Calendar
The academic
calendar consists of two 15-week semesters (Fall and Winter)
and two 7-week sessions (Spring and Summer). Visa status students
are required to attend nine (9) consecutive months each academic
year. The student beginning in late August must attend both Fall
and Winter semesters (total of nine months) before being entitled
to a break. Students beginning in January must attend Winter semester
and both the Spring and Summer sessions (total of nine months)
before being entitled to a break. Students beginning in May must
attend both Spring and Summer sessions and Fall semester (total
of nine months) before being entitled to a break. Students are
not admitted for the Summer session.
 Medical
Insurance
Health services and practices in the United States are perhaps
different from those in other countries. Health care is expensive
in the US and must be paid for by the student. Most treatment
is obtained through private-practice physicians. There is no Federal
government facility open to the general population. Students may
want to seek a personal physician or dentist for routine attention.
Because hospitalization is very expensive, international students
are urged to have hospitalization insurance. LMC does not maintain
coverage for students and is not responsible for any medical,
hospital, evacuation or repatriation expenses, which you may incur.
Housing
Student housing is not available on campus. Apartments and rooms
are available for rent to students in the area. Students are responsible
for arranging their own housing accommodations.
Weather
Lake Michigan College is located in southwestern Michigan near
Lake Michigan. The climate varies from season to season. The temperature
ranges from 60 - 90 degrees F during the summer months and -20
to 40 degrees F during the winter months. The average snowfall
in the area is 80 inches.
Transportation
Benton Harbor, Niles and South Haven do not have an international
airport. The nearest international airport is O'Hare Airport in
Chicago. Arriving students could make arrangements for a connecting
flight from O'Hare to South Bend in Indiana. Land travel is possible
from South Bend to any of our three campuses.
Public transportation is very limited. Most students rely on
a private automobile as a means of conveyance between their residence
and the College. Some students are able arrange rides with friends.
Employment
Employment opportunities for international students are very limited.
The single source of employment is initially is restricted to
on-campus employment. There are very few jobs available on-campus.
You can not work off-campus in any capacity without specific authorization
from the International Student Advisor and Department of Homeland
Security. This permission is withheld until you have completed
your first year of college work. Applicants cannot assume that
monies from employment will be available to them in the US. Working
without approval means immediately the student is "out-of-
status" with no opportunity for reinstatement. You will be
ineligible for any other benefits of your status.
Transfer Credit from Foreign Colleges and Universities
Lake Michigan College does not evaluate post-secondary international
transcripts. Individuals who wish to transfer credit from colleges
and universities outside of the United States must have their
foreign transcripts and credentials evaluated by an independent
international credential evaluation service. There is a fee for
this service. Contact the International Services Office for contact
information and application forms.
A diverse student body of over 5,000 credit students and 2,500
non-credit and continuing education students creates a rich atmosphere
of growth and challenging goals. Those who come to Lake Michigan
College do so for a variety of reasons including:
- Earning an associate's degree or occupational certificate
- Gaining the first two years of a bachelor's degree
- Learning new skills to start a new career
- Improving job skills for career advancement
- Personal interest
The College offers associate degrees and certificates in more
than 75 transfer and occupational areas
of study and programs. Courses are available at four
sites operated by the College and through a number of off-campus
locations throughout Berrien and Van Buren counties. More than
400 faculty and staff are employed by the College including over
200 and part-time faculty members.
Do you still have questions? Check out our most
frequently asked questions, and see if your question and answer
are listed.
Additional information and validation of required documents may
be obtained from the International
Student Advisor, at (269) 927-8100 ext. 5008.
This page was last modified :
August 17, 2007
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