International Students
Mission Statement for the Office of International Student Services
The Office of International Student Services (OISS) is committed to student success. The OISS provides necessary services to meet the special needs of F1 international students.
The mission is supported by two primary goals:
- To educate and inform the F-1 international population of the regulations governing the enrollment of international students;
- To provide programs and services that facilitate the international student’s academic transition to and from Westchester Community College.
International Student Admissions
Any applicant who is not a citizen, a documented permanent resident of the U.S., or an undocumented resident of the U.S. and who wishes to study at the college on a full-time basis, may apply for an F-1(student) visa. Such a student is considered an international student throughout their academic stay. Students on F-1 visas must be admitted to the college on a full-time basis.
(Note: International students who need intensive English preparation before starting college can also qualify for F-1 immigration status.)
International Student Orientation Workshop
All new international students are required to attend an International Student Orientation Workshop their first semester. There is a workshop held at the beginning of every Fall and Spring semesters. Accepted students will receive information with the date, time and location of orientation. Please be aware that this workshop is different from the college orientation noted below.
Important Information
Contact Us:
Location: Valhalla Campus Phone: 914.606.5660 Fall, Winter and Spring Session Hours Monday – Friday – 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Summer Hours Monday – Thursday- 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. Friday- 9:00 a.m. – 12:00 noon
Staff:
Anne Marie Verini: International Student Advisor, STC 219 Anthony Philip: Office Assistant, STC 220
To Make an Appointment for Advising:
New Students
Call 914-606-5660
Continuing Students
Continuing students who need an appointment for advising, please click here and schedule your appointment through Viking Success.
To ask an admissions question:
To submit application documents:
[email protected] – please send all documents together in one email. Be sure to include your full name and send only PDF documents. Please do not send instruction/information pages.
International Admissions Workshop
New students applying for admission must attend the International Admissions Workshop. To request the link to the next workshop, please email [email protected] . In the subject line of the email type ZOOM WORKSHOP2
Ten Steps to Apply as an International Student
- Download and read through the international student application package and checklist.
- Join an International Admissions Question and Answer Zoom Workshop.
- Email your completed application package to [email protected]. Send all documents together. Please submit pdf files identifying each document by name (Example: copy of passport titled as such – passport.pdf.) Email all documents BEFORE the application deadline.
- Allow at least two weeks for processing. If your application is complete, your I-20 will be emailed to you.
- Pay the SEVIS I-901 fee at https://www.fmjfee.com
- Apply for the F1 visa at the U.S. Embassy in your country. If you are in the U.S. on another visa category you may return home to apply at the Embassy or, submit the I-539 Change of Status application on www.USCIS.gov/I-539. It can take between 3 and 12 months to receive an answer from USCIS.
- Submit immunization records to the Health Office https://www.sunywcc.edu/student-services/health-services/student-immunization-requirements-and-meningitis-response-form/
- Complete the DSP questionnaire in English and Math. If your I-20 was issued for a Pathway Program, then you need to take only the math part of the DSP. https://www.sunywcc.edu/admissions/testingcenter/directed-self-placement-dsp-questionnaire/
- Email [email protected] to request an appointment with Anne Marie Verini for academic advising. Anne Marie will help you choose the appropriate classes for your first semester. You will make your own class schedule.
- Congratulations! You have completed all the steps!
Application Package
The following documents can be downloaded in PDF format
- Download International Student Application Package (fillable)
- Email completed application to [email protected]. Please label all documents and send them togther.
- Download Combined Immunization/ Meningitis Form – Send this to [email protected]
- Download Transfer Recommendation Form. For students transferring from another US college or language school, who currently have F-1 (Student) status.
- All documents sent to Westchester Community College become the property of the college and cannot be returned or reproduced for any reason. Please be sure to make copies of all documents submitted for your own records. You will need these copies for your visa appointment.
New students applying for admission must attend the International Admissions Workshop. To request the link to the next workshop, please email [email protected] . In the subject line of the email type ZOOM WORKSHOP
Deadlines to Submit Application
For students applying from outside the US, completed applications are due on the following dates.
- Fall semester deadline is June 15.
- Spring semester deadline is November 1.
For students applying from within the US (transfer or change of status), completed applications are due on the following dates.
- Fall semester deadline is July 1st.
- Spring semester deadline is November 15th.
International Student FAQ’s
Although an English profiency test score is not required for admission, it is highly recommended that students submit a passing test score. Students who do not submit a passing test score can be accepted only into a Language Training Program and conditionally accepted into a degree or Pathway program. Without proof of English proficiency, students cannot be accepted directly into a degree program. Students who have not taken and passed an English proficiency exam can have an English language evaluation completed here at WCC when they arrive. Based upon these results, our English Language Institute may or may not recommend that you start with English classes before being accepted into a degree program. To schedule an English evaluation call (914) 606-6656. For students who have taken the TOEFL, a passing score would be 500 or higher on paper test, 173 or higher on computer test, or 61 or higher on internet based test. For students who have taken IELTS, a passing score would be 6. For students who have taken Duolingo, a passing score would be 90. Students with a passing score, will still be required to take the placement test.
If you are currently in the United States on a visa category other than F1 Student and would like to apply for change of status to F1 Student, please attend the International Admissions Question and Answer Zoom Workshop. You can also call 914-606-5660 to schedule an appointment for advising
International Student Orientation Workshop
All new international students are required to attend an International Student Orientation Workshop their first semester. There is a workshop held at the beginning of every Fall and Spring semesters. Accepted students will receive information with the date, time and location of orientation. Please be aware that this workshop is different from the college orientation noted below.
Applicants may not apply directly to any of our health profession programs. The health professions include Nursing, Radiologic Technology, Respiratory Care and Veterinary Technology. Applicants must apply to our Liberal Arts/Math and Science program to complete prerequisite coursework. Information about the admission requirements for each of the health professions is available on the college website. Please go to the Academics tab, then Academic Programs, then click on the particular program that you are interested in applying to. Sign up for a nursing information session to obtain additional information about applying to the nursing program
Campus Tours and Orientation
All new students are encouraged to visit the campus and take a campus tour. The tour schedule can be accessed here. In addition to the International Student Orientation Workshop, the Office of Student Involvement conducts new student orientation programs to familiarize all new students with college services, resources and on-campus events. Information about the new student orientation can be found here.
Transfer Services
Transferring to a four year school for a Bachelor’s Degree is a basic component of our educational system. When you graduate, you have the opportunity to transfer to an almost limitless choice of institutions. Please see our Career and Transfer Services webpage for additional information.