SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING
STUDENT EXCHANGE PROGRAM
INBOUND EXCHANGE
(HONG KONG POLYTECH STUDENTS GOING TO CUA)
1. Application for the Program
1.1 Program Overview
1.2 CUA and Washington DC
1.3 How Does It Work?
1.4 Eligibility Requirements
1.5 Application Procedure and Deadlines
1.6 Fees and Living Expenses at CUA
1.7 Useful References
1.8 Contact Information
1.9 Program Brochure (in PDF Format)
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1. Application for the Program
1.1 Program Overview
The School of Engineering (SOE) of the Catholic University of America (CUA) has established a student exchange program with the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). Through the program, qualified engineering students at PolyU may apply to study at CUA for one semester. The school offers bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degree program in biomedical, civil, electrical, mechanical engineering and computer science. For more information about the school, visit its website at http://engineering.cua.edu.
1.2 CUA and Washington DC
The Catholic University of America (CUA) is a private university with 12 schools including law, nursing, architecture and engineering, etc. It is unique as the national university of the Catholic Church and the only higher education institution founded by the U.S. bishops. Established in 1887 as a graduate and research center, the university began offering undergraduate education in 1904.
CUA is located in the heart of the US capital, Washington D.C. Students at CUA enjoy the best of both worlds: they study and live on the largest campus in Washington, D.C., where they can enjoy a complete collegiate experience, but they also enjoy the benefits of being in the capital city. Traveling by Metrorail, which is located near the edge of campus, students are only a five-minute ride away from Union Station, Capitol Hill and the Library of Congress, and within easy reach of the abundant array of educational, cultural, social, political and professional opportunities that Washington D.C. has to offer. Many first-time visitors to campus are captivated by the university’s expansive setting among tree-lined rolling hills where the skyline is dominated by the adjacent, majestic Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, the largest church in the United States.
For more information about CUA please visit http://publicaffairs.cua.edu/factbook/.
1.3 How Does It Work?
● The student must apply to CUA using the procedure described below. The application must be approved by PolyU before being considered by CUA.
● While at CUA, the student can only take courses offered by the SOE. Taking non-engineering courses must be requested and approved by the SOE dean’s office.
● The student does not have to pay tuition at CUA.
● The student must pay for room and board, fees, and insurance, etc at CUA.
1.4 Eligibility Requirements
Engineering students at PolyU who meet the following requirements are eligible to participate in the student exchange program:
● Being enrolled at PolyU
● Being in good disciplinary standing at PolyU
● Possessing a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 at PolyU
● Being willing to adhere to all CUA policies and regulations
1.5 Application Procedure and Deadlines
Step 1: Retrieval and Completion of Application Form
Complete the Inbound Student Exchange Application Form that is available from the SOE dean’s office or from the SOE web site at (list web site here for download).
Step 2: Submission of the Application Package
Submit the complete application package including the following documents:
1. Inbound Student Exchange Application Form
2. Affidavit of Support and Declaration of Insurance Coverage
3. Official PolyU transcript in English
4. Curriculum Vitae in English
5. Copy of passport identification page
to School of Engineering, Catholic University of America, Dean’s office, Attention: Inbound Exchange Program, 620 Michigan Avenue, NE, Washington DC, 20064, USA
Step 3: Application Evaluation and Outcome
After the dean’s office of the SOE-CUA evaluates the application, it notifies you of the outcome. If accepted, it will issue you the following documents:
1. An acceptance letter
2. A Form DS-2019 (a preliminary document that you will need to submit to the U.S. Consulate nearest you as part of your application for a J-1 visa as an exchange student)
3. Pre-arrival information which includes detailed instructions for applying for a visa.
4. A list of engineering courses that you can take at CUA during your exchange semester.
5. Course Registration Form
Step 4: Applying for the Student Visa
● Before applying for the visa, review the information that appears on your Form DS-2019. If any information on your form is incorrect, please contact the Office of International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) immediately using the contact information provided in the cover letter accompanying this packet.
● Citizens of all countries except Canada are required to have the appropriate visa stamps in their passports if they are to enter the U.S. in student status. If you have a valid F-1 or J-1 visa in your passport, you will not need to obtain a new one. Application procedures vary considerably from one country to another. We advise you to contact the consulate where you will submit your application for the most recent application procedures. You may also find such information on their website:
http://travel.state.gov
● Once you have determined that the documents accurately reflect you and your academic program at CUA, you will need to pay the $100 SEVIS fee. This fee is mandated by the U.S. government and must be paid before you submit your visa application to the U.S. Consulate. A receipt showing that you have paid the fee must accompany the application you submit to the U.S. consulate for your visa stamp. The pre-arrival information you receive with your Form DS-2019 will contain information on how to pay this fee.
● To apply for a visa, you will need to submit the following documents to the U.S. Embassy or consulate:
1. Application for Nonimmigrant Visa (Form DS-156, together with a Form DS-158), which can be obtained from any U.S. Consulate, Fillable forms are available on the web at http://travel.state.gov
2. Form DS-157
3. Appropriate application fees (check with the Consulate for the fee amount and how it must be paid)
Note: Application fees are broken down into two parts: The $100 machine readable visa fee that every applicant must pay, and The reciprocity fee that varies by country. To find out what reciprocity fee you may be required to pay, check out the fee schedule posted at: http://travel.state.gov
4. One photograph (1½ inches square [37 x 37mm], showing full face, without head covering, against a light background). Please note that if your religious order requires your head to be covered, you should attach an explanation about this religious requirement.
5. Passport
6. Either a duly endorsed Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status (Form DS-2019) or Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status (Form I-20)
7. Evidence of admission to The Catholic University of America
8. Original documents proving the availability of sufficient funds (the total of all amounts in item 5 on your form DS-2019)
9. Documents that demonstrate that you intend to return home (see explanation below)
Note: Application procedures vary considerably from one country to another. We advise you to contact the consulate where you will submit your application for the most recent application procedures. You may also find such information on their website at http://travel.state.gov.
Step 5: Register for Classes
Study the sheet that lists engineering courses that are offered during your exchange semester and decide what courses to take. Fill out the Course Registration Form and email it to Ms. Peggy Bruce at brucep@cua.edu. She will register you for the courses you indicate on the Course Registration Form.
Step 6: Preparing to come to the U.S.
● Go to obtain the necessary immunizations and complete the Immunization Record for Exchange Students Studying at CUA. This form can be downloaded from the CUA website http://engineering.cua.edu//studyabroad/Immunization form.doc. Make sure you take this form with you to the U.S. This will be needed for you to able to attend CUA.
● You may wish to take care of any medical, dental and optical examinations and treatments prior to leaving your home country, as these services can be very expensive in the United States.
● It is recommended that you bring with you any important documents regarding your academic background, medical history, financial documents, driving records, etc. Carrying those documents with you can save you both time and money. It is recommended that copies of any existing vaccination records be brought with you to the United States.
● If your passport is less than one year old, it is recommended that you also bring with you another form of identification that is at least one year old. Some U.S. government institutions require applicants to present a form of identification that is at east one year old before they will issue any documents.
● In the United States, a birth certificate is considered a very important document in establishing identity. It is a good idea to bring a copy of your birth certificate, if you have one.
Step 7: Entering the U.S.
Last Revised 05-Sep-07 01:40 PM.
