|
This school is
authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students.
International student applicants are expected to meet the same admission standards as other applicants. A four-year, postsecondary, baccalaureate degree or its full educational equivalent, with above-average marks, is required. International student applicants must state, in detail, why they believe it is necessary to enroll at Western Seminary instead of completing
theological and ministerial studies in their own country. The chosen degree program at Western should be compatible with their vocational and ministry objectives. International students are required to continue working toward a degree as a full-time student at all times. They are not permitted to enroll as non-degree students.
- Request a Pre-Application Questionnaire. This brief form requests personal information, church relationship, academic record, financial information, conversion experience and call to ministry, degree program of interest and immigration status. Any questions or hindrances to admittance will be discussed upon receipt of the Pre-Application and, when pre-admission standards are met, a formal application will be sent.
- Upon receiving a formal application, follow the process described, including sending a $50 application fee, statement of Christian experience, and personal references (forms provided). Official transcripts are required from all institutions attended following secondary school. To be official by U.S. standards, the transcript must be sent directly from the college or university to the Admissions Office of Western Seminary.
- Present proof of mastery of English. (See explanation.)
- Present proof of financial support. (See explanation.) Forms will be sent upon receipt of application.
- Official admission is not granted until a complete review of all required documents is conducted by the Admissions Office. The last step in the process is the issuing of the Certificate of Eligibility for F-1 Student Status (Form I-20), which is essential when requesting a visa. This cannot be done until all materials are received, including proof of mastery of English and proof of financial support.
- The Seminary recommends that application materials be received by March 1 for the upcoming fall semester. June 30 is the deadline for completed materials to be received.
- After admission, an identifying photograph is requested.
The terms for F-1 immigration student status do not permit employment except on the campus of study. Spouses or children of F-1 students are forbidden to work on or off campus in any capacity or to accept payment of any kind (unless they hold resident alien status or are U.S. citizens.) Because
Western Seminary is not a residential campus, few jobs are available on campus. These jobs are generally not available to entering students, as hiring is usually prior to the arrival of new students.
Due to the high cost of medical care, Western Seminary cannot assume the financial responsibility for hospitalization and medical expenses for students. All students are required to purchase health insurance, or provide proof that they have current medical insurance from their organization or family which meets the standard set by the seminary. At orientation, the Seminary will provide information about suitable health insurance plans from which to choose. Registration cannot be completed until enrollment is completed for a health plan or proof of comparable insurance is submitted.
Applicants, for whom English is not their first language, are required to demonstrate evidence of mastery of the English language for graduate study. The standard for this is through the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The seminary requires a minimum score of 25 on each of the four section tests of the TOEFL-iBT (600 on the paper-based exam or 250 on the computer-based exam and a 4.5 writing score) for admission to the Th.M. program. Admission to the MA in Counseling or MA in Marital and Family Therapy programs requires scores of 20 (each) on the reading and writing sections and 25 (each) on the speaking and listening sections of the TOEFL-iBt. For admission to the MDiv, MA (other than the MA in Counseling/MFT), D.Min., or D.Miss., the seminary requires a minimum score of 20 on each of the four section tests of the TOEFL-iBT (550 on the paper-based exam or 213 on the computer-based exam and a 3.5 writing score). Under certain circumstances, the seminary may accept scores from the Academic Section of the International English Language Testing System of Cambridge University. Obtain the TOEFL Bulletin by writing to TOEFL, Box 899, Princeton, NJ, 08540, USA or by going to www.toefl.org on the web. Because the TOEFL exam is given only a limited number of times each year, the applicant should allow sufficient time for the results to be included in the seminary admissions process. The institution code of Western Seminary, to be written on the test paper, is 4968.
International students are required to provide a financial guarantee that will cover their study and living expenses for one year. It is expected that, barring unforeseen circumstances, adequate funding will be available from the same or equally dependable sources for subsequent years. This is a United States Citizenship and Immigration Services requirement. The financial guarantee must include living expenses for any dependents as well. The guarantee must indicate the individual(s) or organization(s) that will actually provide the funds for study and living expenses. This is accomplished by:
- Showing that the international student is sponsored by an organization which will guarantee the necessary support and round-trip transportation for the student and dependents; or
- Producing a letter from a financial institution indicating that the student has sufficient funds to cover the cost of tuition, books and fees, living expenses for the student and family, and round-trip transportation; or International Students
- Providing similar proof, from individuals or organizations wishing to contribute to the student’s support, that sufficient funds exist to cover the international student’s financial obligations. A signed statement must be provided from individuals that they will actually provide this finance.
- International students coming from outside the United States may enter Western Seminary only at the beginning of the fall semester. A special period of orientation is provided shortly before school begins in the fall at the Portland campus. The stress of adjusting to a new academic environment and, in many cases a new culture, makes this orientation especially helpful.
- According to U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations and seminary policy, international students are required to maintain a full-time study load throughout the academic year. Registration for incoming international students is individually crafted in order to ensure that all needs are understood and being met.
- Western Seminary’s International Student Coordinator guides the orientation and registration and is available to answer questions, provide counsel and encouragement, and assist students with their adjustment to the new academic environment and culture. From initial inquiry to departure, the International Student Office is involved in meeting needs and guiding students through all the decisions needing to be made from immigration questions to decisions regarding finance and family to moving back home.
- Western Seminary is not a residential campus and does not provide housing accommodations. Western Seminary provides a list of recommended apartments and possibilities. Typically, housing accommodations cannot be secured before arrival. However, an affiliated non-profit organization provides housing options for international and intercultural students. Housing there can be guaranteed if plans are made well in advance. Everything, including computer usage, is supplied. Students can come with only a suitcase. This is five blocks from Western Seminary’s Portland campus. For information regarding costs and contracts, write:
6012 S.E. Yamhill Portland, Oregon 97215
USA Phone: (503) 235-3818 FAX: (503) 234-1639
email: office@worldviewcenter.org
web: www.worldviewcenter.org
Top
of Page |
