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Information for International Students
II. Frequently Asked Questions
III. Studying at UMBC
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This notice
contains information for international students applying to the ESOL/Bilingual
M.A. program at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC).
Please read and follow the directions for applying that are found in the
application for admission. The following is additional information that pertains
only to international students:
1. APPLICATION DEADLINE DATES:
Applications for fall admission are accepted through July 1, and for spring
admission through December 1.
2. TOEFL
We urge you to take the TOEFL as soon as possible. Admissions decisions cannot
be made until the UMBC Graduate School has received the official TOEFL score
from Educational Testing Service (ETS).
NOTE: Official TOEFL examination score reports must be sent directly to the UMBC
Graduate School from Educational Testing Services (ETS).
The TOEFL code number for UMBC is 5835.
Photocopied score reports are not acceptable.
A minimum of 550 (written test) or 213 (computer test) on the TOEFL is required
for admission to the program.
3. GRADUATE RECORD EXAM (GRE)
An acceptable GRE score is required.
4. ORAL LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
Non-native speakers of English are required to attain a satisfactory score on
the Program's Oral Proficiency Interview (FSI/IRL equivalent) by the end of the
program.
5. FINANCIAL RESOURCES
Each international student must certify that he/she has sufficient funds
(exclusive of travel expenses) for university tuition, fees, books, supplies,
and living expenses.
The following information is for one year of study at UMBC:
a. If you intend to support yourself from personal funds, you should send a
current, original letter (in English) from your bank (on official bank
letterhead) to UMBC. The letter should verify the amount you have in
your home country currency or, if it is a U.S. dollar account, in U.S. dollars.
The letter should also include the date the account was opened. For
students who are applying to begin in Fall 2001, the International Services
Education office requires evidence of funds in the amount of $23,000 in U.S.
dollars (for tuition, fees, living expenses and mandatory health insurance) for
one school year.
b. If you are receiving support from your parents, spouse, or other sponsors,
you should send a notarized letter (in English) indicating parents, spouse or
sponsor’s relationship to you and the amount of money in U.S. dollars that
they will make available to you. In addition to their letter, the Graduate
School also requires a current, original letter (in English) from their bank (on
official bank letterhead) to UMBC. The letter should verify the amount they have
in home country currency or, if it is a U.S. dollar account, in U.S. dollars.
The letter should also include the date the account was opened.
Note: If you have any additional questions regarding financial resources, please
contact John Lorch, International Student Advisor (lorch@umbc.edu or fax at
410-455-1130).
6. OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPTS
Two official transcripts from each college/university you have attended must be
sent directly to the UMBC Graduate School.
ACADEMICS:
How long will it take me to finish the ESOL/Bilingual M.A. program?
The M.A. program in ESOL/Bilingual Education requires the completion of twelve
courses at UMBC. Most international students take three or four courses each
fall or spring semester, and up to three courses during a summer session. If you
follow this model, you should be able to complete the degree within one and a
half years.
What is K-12 ESOL Certification? How could it be useful to me?
Obtaining K-12 ESOL Certification would enable you to teach in ESOL programs for
children in kindergarten through the twelfth grade (K-12) in accredited public
and private schools throughout Maryland and in many other states. It would also
enable you to teach in international K-12 schools where U.S. accredited
certification is required.
How much more course work does it take to get the M.A. plus K-12 ESOL
Certification?
The M.A. plus K-12 ESOL certification option adds two more courses plus one
semester of student teaching to the program. Additionally, you must pass a
series of exams called the PRAXIS Core Battery Tests in order to receive the
certification.
Do I need to decide now if I want to pursue K-12 ESOL Certification in
addition to the M.A.?
No. You can decide to pursue certification even after you have started taking
courses at UMBC. Once on campus, you can talk more extensively with your
academic advisor and with students who are already studying for certification so
that you can make a more informed decision.
HOUSING:
What will housing be like at UMBC?
Because UMBC has no on-campus housing for graduate students, you will need to
find accommodations off campus. Graduate students usually rent rooms or
apartments near UMBC with costs varying from $250 to $600 per month. There is an
office on campus that maintains a list of off-campus housing possibilities near
UMBC, including those that are on campus shuttle bus routes. (The campus shuttle
bus provides free transportation for UMBC students to and from the university.)
Most international students choose to live in apartment complexes that are
located on the shuttle bus route.
If I would like to share housing costs, how can I find a roommate?
Many graduate students join together in renting off-campus apartments. If you
are interested in sharing housing, first check with the ESOL/Bilingual Office to
see if any other international or American students in the program are searching
for roommates. UMBC’s off- campus housing office also maintains a list of UMBC
students who would like to share accommodation rental costs with another
student.
Can I arrange for housing before I arrive in the United States?
It is never a good idea to commit to a housing contract without having actually
seen the accommodations in person. Therefore, it is best to arrange permanent
housing AFTER you arrive in Baltimore.
If I don’t have permanent housing yet, where will I stay when I first arrive
in Baltimore?
The university offers temporary, relatively inexpensive on-campus housing for
several weeks in August. This option provides you with a place to stay for a
short period while you look for a permanent residence. The International
Education Services Office will forward you more information regarding temporary
on-campus housing once you have been notified of your acceptance by the
university.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE:
Can UMBC offer me any scholarships or financial aid?
UMBC has no need-based or merit financial aid available for international
graduate students. It is possible, however, to find some on-campus work.
Once you arrive at UMBC, you can begin searching for these on-campus jobs. The
positions are advertised when they become available, and you will need to
contact the individual campus offices sponsoring the jobs in order to apply. The
Career Development and Placement Office on campus
maintains a list of current on-campus job opportunities. Be mindful, however,
that the income from on-campus jobs is not enough to support yourself; it just
provides a small, supplementary income.
What about graduate assistantships? These are mentioned on the graduate
school application.
The Education Department has several graduate assistant positions available each
year, including one assistantship position with the ESOL/Bilingual program.
These positions last the entire ten-month academic year. The graduate assistant
positions are usually held by students who have already been enrolled in the
M.A. program for at least one semester; however, prospective students may apply.
The positions are advertised each March,
and the details of the jobs and application procedures are available at that
time.
THE APPLICATION:
The application says that I need ETS codes for the universities I have
previously attended. Do I need to fill these in?
No. You do not need to list ETS codes for any of the universities you have
attended outside of the United States.
What are the “Program Code” and “Track Code” that I need to fill in
on the application?
The “Program Code” is EDUC. The “Track Code” for the ESOL/Bilingual M.A.
program is ISDE.
Do I need to fill out the graduate school residency form?
No. The residency form is only for students who have already lived in Maryland
for an extended period and pay taxes to the state.
What is the Golden ID Program? The application asks if I would like to apply
under it.
Check the box for “no.” The Golden ID Program is a special program that is
only offered to Maryland residents who are over the age of 60.
Should I send all of my application materials to UMBC together? If I send
them separately, I am worried that some materials might become lost.
Your application materials will not get lost at UMBC if you carefully follow the
directions for submitting application materials. These directions are contained
in the Graduate School Application. Please note that some materials should be
sent directly to the ESOL/ Bilingual M.A. Program Office, and other materials
should be sent directly to the UMBC Graduate School.
May I mail my recommendation letters along with my general application to
UMBC?
Yes. Although your professors are welcome to send the letters of recommendation
directly to UMBC themselves, you may choose to enclose one or more of these
recommendation letters with your general application. Please note, however, that
if you send the recommendation letters yourself, they must be enclosed in sealed
envelopes.
What about my TOEFL scores? Will they arrive at the right place, too?
If you have listed the correct ETS institution code for UMBC (5835), your scores
will arrive at UMBC’s Graduate School. The Graduate School will retain the
original score sheet and send a copy to the ESOL/Bilingual M.A. Program Office.
I’ve filled in the correct institution code on the TOEFL. Now, which
department code should I fill in?
The correct department code for UMBC’s ESOL/Bilingual M.A. Program is 85,
which stands for “Education (including M.A. in Teaching).”
What is the minimum TOEFL score required by the program?
The minimum TOEFL score required for admissions consideration is 550 on the
written test, or 213 on the computer-based test.
If I send UMBC a photocopied TOEFL or GRE score report, do I still need to
have my official scores sent to UMBC from Educational Testing Services (ETS)?
Yes. You may send a photocopied score report to the ESOL/Bilingual Office to
speed up the application review process; however, you must still also ensure
that an official score report is sent to UMBC directly from ETS.
What is the minimum GRE score required by the program?
An acceptable GRE score is required.
Which institution code should I fill in on the GRE?
The ETS institution code for UMBC on the GRE is 5835. (This is the same
institution code that you fill in on the TOEFL.)
I've filled in the correct institution code on the GRE. Now, which department
code is correct?
The correct department code for UMBC's ESOL/Bilingual M.A. Program is 3907,
which stands for "Teaching English as a Second Language/Foreign
Language." (This code is different from the department code you fill in on
the TOEFL.)
The application says that I need to submit documents for certifying financial
support. Do I need to submit these documents with my application?
No. The International Education Services Office at UMBC prefers that you send
these documents after being notified of your acceptance to the university
because the documents need to be as recent as possible. Please directly contact
Mr. John Lorch (lorch@ umbc.edu) in the International Education Services office
if you have additional questions about certifying financial support.
ADMISSIONS:
How difficult is it to be admitted into the program?
Admission into the program is competitive. Applicants first must meet the
University of Maryland, Baltimore County Graduate School requirements.
Then, all applications are reviewed by the program’s admissions committee.
Final decisions are based on the applicant’s past academic experience, TOEFL
scores, recommendations, and statement of purpose. We actively recruit students
from diverse backgrounds and academic preparations. At
present, approximately ten to fifteen new students are accepted each semester.
I have already submitted some of my application materials. Can you tell me
early whether or not I have been admitted?
No. We are unable to make final admissions decisions until all the required
application materials have been submitted. Because admissions decisions are made
on a rolling basis, however (meaning that the admissions committee meets on
several occasions to make admissions decisions), it is to your advantage to send
us your application materials as early as possible.
If I am admitted to the program, do I have to come to UMBC the following
semester, or can I come at a later date?
Once you receive an official letter of acceptance to UMBC, you can request to
defer your enrollment either one semester or one year from the time it is
offered.
Studying
at UMBC
Because we encourage international students to apply to our ESOL/Bilingual M.A.
program, we offer some special services and activities for international
students who are accepted into the program.
1. Length of the program at UMBC:
Students who follow the sample schedules below will be able to finish the
program in a year and a half.
A. Begin Fall 2001: Fall 2001 - 3 classes; Spring 2002 - 3 classes; Summer 2002
- 3 classes;
Fall 2002 - 3 classes (Take comprehensive exam and graduate in December 2002)
B. Begin Spring 2002: Spring 2002 - 3 classes; Summer 2002 - 3 classes; Fall
2002 - 3 classes;
Spring 2003 - 3 classes (Take comprehensive exam and graduate in May 2003)
2. Special Assistance:
To help international students adjust to the new academic environment, the
following services are offered:
An experienced graduate student will act as a special liaison between
international students and the ESOL/Bilingual M.A. program. The International
Student Liaison will assist the students with any concerns that might arise,
including:
1. logistical concerns: housing, transportation, communication with professors,
weekend events, etc.
2. academic concerns: special study sessions for various courses, individual
study and review sessions, an American English pronunciation course and other
academic support as deemed appropriate.
Note: Many of the ESOL/Bilingual M.A. students meet in the Resource Center for
Language and culture for social and study purposes. International students will
be invited to join these groups.
3. Housing
Although housing is the ultimately the responsibility of each individual
student, the ESOL/Bilingual Office will work with and assist international
students in finding roommates and housing both before they leave their home
countries and after they arrive at UMBC.
4. Cross-Cultural Events:
a. UMBC is approximately 40 minutes by bus from Baltimore and 1 hour by car from
Washington, D.C.
b. UMBC’s Student Events Board and various departments on campus sponsor
special movies, lectures, discussions, trips to local and East Coast sites of
interest, musical events and drama throughout the academic year. Many of these
events are free or are specially discounted for UMBC students.
c. The English Language Center, the Department of Modern Languages and
Linguistics, and various international student groups sponsor special
cross-cultural events on campus throughout the year.