James Madison University – The Ultimate American Undergraduate Experience

Posted on July 2, 2012 by Kristen Egan

The Quad - James Madison University

When asked about how she chose James Madison University in America, international student Marina Mezzetti from Brazil said she saw the pictures of campus and the quad blanketed with students socializing and studying and she knew she wanted to come to JMU. “The academics here are awesome. The professors are always trying to help you be your best and do your best,” said Mezzetti. “The university has so many opportunities for you to get involved and meet new people. “ Mezzetti originally had plans to transfer to California, but once she stepped foot onto JMU’s campus in Harrisonburg, Virginia she knew she was a Duke for life.

At JMU everyone “bleeds purple” – a loyalty that is a testament to the campus spirit and welcoming environment. As a mid-sized university on 2.8km² of land with approximately 19,700 students, JMU offers big-school opportunities with a small-school feel. Having one of the highest retention rates in its category at 91%, it is clear that students are extremely satisfied with their Madison experience.

This experience has been part of the JMU tradition for more than a century. Originally founded in 1908 as a State Normal and Industrial School for Women, JMU has grown to offer more than 100 degree programs to men and women on the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels. With its primary focus on the undergraduate experience, JMU offers abundant hands-on and real world opportunities to complement classroom instruction across all disciplines. As a Phi Beta Kappa Chapter member, an honor that only 10 percent of the country’s colleges and universities can claim, JMU is committed to the liberal arts and sciences and is consistently recognized for academic achievement. These recognitions have not gone unnoticed. More than 250 companies visit JMU each year to recruit students for jobs and internships.

Students find balance outside of their challenging coursework by choosing from more than 300 clubs and student organizations, Division I athletics and numerous community and cultural events year round.

More than 400 international students from 99 countries attend JMU and enjoy the services and hands on support provided for the international student community. Yana Tyan from Kazakhstan says, “I’m really happy at JMU. It is a wonderful environment with great people and academics. My favorite place is the quad – studying, walking, playing, reading, etc. I also love visiting Washington D.C.” In the coming weeks the international student community will participate in a true American tradition – attending a Washington Nationals baseball game.

Only 2 hours from Washington D.C., Harrisonburg, Virginia is nestled in the heart of the majestic Blue Ridge Mountains and offers a variety of outdoor recreation and state of the art campus facilities for living and learning. Students are particularly impressed with off-campus accommodations that offer swimming pools, game rooms, fitness centers, clubhouses and free transportation to and from campus for all student complexes. Downtown Harrisonburg offers the quintessential college-town vibe with a variety of shops, restaurants and performance venues to choose from.

As an alumnus I can say with conviction that JMU is the ultimate university experience. Many schools may say it, but JMU owns it – there truly is something for everyone.

Learn more about James Madison University in the USA.

Health Insurance and Healthcare in British Columbia

Posted on June 8, 2012 by Shawn Brake

You’ve arrived for studies in Canada. While you’re focused on doing well in your program, you may at some point need to see a doctor – if you have family (a spouse and/or children), even more reason to know about medical options in Canada.

As many may already know, Canada has universal healthcare coverage for its citizens. As a student, you may wonder if this healthcare coverage applies to you. Well, if you’re studying in a degree program, such coverage eventually applies to you. Specifically, if you have a student visa for a program greater than 6 months, then you qualify – as opposed to coming to Canada on a visitor or tourist visa to study a few months of English, for example.

Each province within Canada has its own provincial authority to oversee healthcare. For BC, we have MSP – Medical Services Plan. What’s key to know is you need wait for the rest of the month in which you arrived in BC and then 2 more months… and then you can apply to MSP. For example, if you arrived on August 27 (for September classes), you would include the rest of August, and then September and October… making you eligible for MSP on November 1.

In BC, monthly costs for MSP are $64 for one person, $116 for a family of two, and $128 for a family of three or more. Other provinces, such as Ontario, charge no fee.

What’s covered in MSP? MSP covers hospital visits, medically-required services of a doctor or specialist, maternity care, laboratory services, and other medically-required services. Simply put, most students will need to visit a doctor and/or a hospital at some point, and these visits are covered.

What’s not covered? Generally, MSP does not cover any non-medically required services, such as a medical examination for a driver’s license, employment, etc. Other key items not covered by MSP include dental care (unless medically required surgery is necessary in a hospital), prescription drugs, and eye exams or corrective lenses (e.g. glasses or contact lenses). If you want insurance for these services, most colleges and universities offer extended healthcare coverage – which can cover some of the costs of dental work, prescription drugs, eye care, etc. – for a small fee (typically less than a dollar a day).

All you need to do is present your MSP card when you need medical attention. To get MSP, you need only fill out the online form and provide other supporting documents, such as a copy of your visa, letter of admissions to the university, etc. At Royal Roads University, please come the International Study Centre (ISC), and we’d be happy to help you with your application.

Of course, as a student, you’re likely keen to see more than just your university, city, or even province. If you do leave the province or country for a small period of time, be sure to get extra coverage to make sure you’re fine for anything not covered by MSP when outside of BC.

LIU Post: Location, Location, Location

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Brooke Biethan

In America, there’s a phrase to describe the key consideration of business or home: “Location, location, location.” With LIU Post, it’s the best of both worlds: quiet, garden-like campus but just outside the New York City’s metropolis.

Located only 50 minutes from Manhattan, LIU Post, rated as one of the safest college campuses in the USA, is situated on a scenic, 1.25 km² (307 acres) of land on Long Island in the historic Village of Brookville, NY. The campus is a woodland arboretum – a place where you can walk and study among 4,000 trees and beautiful flowers. It is the perfect place to relax with friends, sit and read a book, or prepare for exams, while still having access to the pulse of vibrant New York City.

LIU Post is one of the largest private universities in the United States, with more than 4,600 undergraduate students and 3,300 graduate students from 40 countries. You will have many opportunities to make friends from your own country and interact with American and international students.

LIU Post offers more than 85 bachelor’s degree programs, 72 master’s degree programs, and three doctoral degrees, as well as 62 “accelerated and dual degrees” that combine a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Furthermore, the curriculum fosters an individualized approach to help students achieve their goals. The campus is a friendly and welcoming environment where professors will know you by name and assist you with your studies.

LIU Post is accredited by the Commission of Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools. In addition, all of the academic programs are accredited by the most prestigious organizations in their fields, including AACSB International accreditation for the business program. Only five percent of the world’s business schools earn this accreditation. The Princeton Review ranks LIU Post in its “Top 300” business schools and graduates of the Palmer School of Library and Information Science earn the top salaries in the United States, according to Library Journal.

LIU Post is home to Tilles Center for the Performing Arts—a world-famous concert hall where many internationally renowned musicians perform. Because of its close proximity to Manhattan, many world class performers include the Tilles Center on their tours, including the upcoming show with actor and musician Steve Martin. The campus also features a museum, three art galleries, a student theater, and a movie theater.

Ashish Agarwal, a 2012 Long Island University dentistry graduate from India, speaks highly of his time at LIU Post through Study Group. He explained the complexities of acclimating to American life and the inherent difficulties international students face. Ashish affirmed that “There is no one like Study Group. While separated from my friends, family, and home, it has been Study Group that has most helped me realize my goals and future.”

Whether it’s studying from a wide array of fields, relaxing on the scenic campus, or heading into Manhattan to enjoy the city life, there is something for everyone at LIU Post.

For more information, please visit our website.

Subject/Career Guidance – Business and Finance

Posted on April 13, 2012 by John Davies

A desire to study business drives many students around the world and business remains the first choice of international students, in particular those who are seeking overseas qualifications. Behind this lies the wish to acquire appropriate skills and insights into the business world in countries, such as the USA, which have the reputation of leadership both in academic studies relating to business and in operating within the ‘real’ business world.

What are the factors that students should bear in mind when selecting a business degree? The ground rules are a little different from the selection of other degree programs. Normally you would advise a student to go the university with the strongest possible overall reputation but other factors can play more strongly when selecting a business program. Some very traditional universities have come late to the notion of offering undergraduate business degrees as they have been reluctant to accept ‘business’ as a truly academic subject area. It therefore makes sense to look to universities such, for example, as those that were originally termed ‘Polytechnics’ in the UK, and are now still sometimes called ‘new universities’, because of their much longer commitment to business education. With a more vocational, ‘jobs-oriented’ outlook, they also adopt a less theoretical and academic approach in their business curriculum and emphasize the need for a more practical and hands-on style of learning and teaching. Most students who study business have a related career path in mind and so it makes sense for them to choose a degree program which adopts this practical approach and encourages them to engage with ‘real life situations’.

This can be taken to a further level in those degree programs which offer students the opportunity to gain work experience for a year or half-year or which provide internships, The ‘sandwich’ course, as this is sometimes called, gives students the chance to put their knowledge of business into practice in a business setting as well as to learn directly from the mentoring they receive from the host business’ own employees. Many international students are initially put off by this approach. They are studying at great expense thousands of miles from home and there is often both financial and emotional pressure on them to complete their undergraduate degrees as soon as they can in order either to move quickly to undertake a higher degree or to go home and seek a job or, more than likely, join the family business and deploy the knowledge and skills they have learned.

This desire to avoid programs with work experience or to spurn the work experience option can be very short sighted. The work experience element is high, to my mind, in the realm of ‘value-added’ elements in any degree program. That type of experience can not only be valuable in itself but also enables students to share their experiences with one another and enrich their learning experience during the final year of their degree program when they have all returned to their lecture and seminar rooms.

Another by-product of the work experience element can be the offer of a job with the company that the student has been allocated to. Most large companies and multi-nationals in particular have training programs which involve their taking on bright young business graduates. These places can be highly competitive and the student on work experience who has made an excellent impression on the senior staff in the company in which he or she has been placed could find him or herself in a strong position to gain one of these trainee positions or, indeed, the outright offer of a job on graduation. I have even known bright students be taken on immediately and then supported financially during their final year of study. Of course, this will be the exception rather than the norm but why rule oneself out of the running by not taking up the offer of work experience.

Another important question which arises in choosing a degree program in the business field, is whether or not to go for a more general or a more specialized degree. It may be, of course, that a student’s family or sponsors have already pre-selected a program so that the returning graduate will be able to fill a perceived gap in the skills of the family business. If this is not a factor, I would urge prospective business students to choose a more specialized program that will allow them to offer particular rather than general business knowledge and skills to a prospective employer. The ideal structure at university anywhere may be a first year which introduces the student to a broad overview of business and its various functions, before allowing students, with that experience to guide them, to choose a specialization for the remaining years of their degree program, for example, marketing, human resource management or finance.

Finally, consider the degree options which carry great weight in the business world because, rightly or wrongly, they are considered the options that attract the brightest students. Economics provides a good example of this type of program. Sometimes within a business program, Economics hides itself as ‘Business Environment’ and, in fact, the study of Economics does give the aspiring businessman an opportunity to learn about those factors which affect the environment within which individual businesses prosper or wither. Similarly, Accounting is a very strong option to choose. Accountants traditionally rise high in large business organizations because they bring with them a close working knowledge of the financial aspects vital to strategic decision making within businesses. Economists and Accountants become key advisers to business leaders and often end by taking those leadership positions themselves.

Some leaders of business may even have studied something quite different in their undergraduate years, such as Engineering, Psychology or another Science or a Social Science and then, having entered the business world with this different skills-set they gain experience at, say, a middle management level, and then enhance their business expertise by studying for an MBA.

As you can see there are many considerations to think about before you apply for that ‘Business Studies’ or ‘Business Administration’ degree. This may well still be the most suitable degree for you, but at least take these other factors mentioned above into account when you make that all-important choice.

Find business degrees in North America

Meet our experts in person!

Posted on March 7, 2012 by Heta Davé

Are you an international student already in the USA? Are you at a language school on the East Coast?

Take advantage of this exciting opportunity to meet one of our US university experts in person.

Later this month, Ian Wright, Director of International Admissions for Long Island University in New York, will be presenting to international students in New York and Boston.

The New York presentation details are:
Date: Wednesday March 14, 2012
Location: Embassy CES language school, 6th floor
Address: use entrance at 328 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001
Time: 12.30pm
Tel: 212 629 7300

The Boston presentation details are:
Date: Friday March 16, 2012
Location: Embassy CES language school
Address: 41 West Street, Boston, MA 02111
Time: 11.30am
Tel: 857-362-8970

Each presentation will take 30-45 minutes and there will be an opportunity for you to ask questions about applying to university in New York.

All international students are welcome.

If you would like to attend, email Tom Griffin at tgriffin@studygroup.com to add your name to the guest list. Bring photo ID on the day.

Organizing transcripts and evaluations/translations of transcripts

Posted on February 15, 2012 by Joyce Risse-Rodriguez

For many students new to university life and life in the United States, navigating the many regulations, timelines, rules, and guidelines can appear a bit daunting. Clear communication, defined goals, good organizational skills, previous research, and a professional support network of academic advisors, teachers and administrators can help students tremendously during this exciting transitional phase of life.

Effective January 1, 2012, James Madison University Undergraduate Admissions now requires all undergraduate students to provide a HARD COPY attested/certified high school transcripts with their complete application package. In addition, all transcripts, as well as a copy of the graduation diploma/certificate, need to be translated into English. The minimum GPA required for undergraduate admissions purposes to JMU-ISC is a 3.0 (U.S. equivalent).

Students also need to provide a copy of their passport, visa if applicable, student letter/letter of intent, a professional letter of recommendation, an official TOEFL/IELTS or Study Group English test score, and a bank statement or financial guarantee (if on scholarship) indicating minimum funds of US $34,000.

Accuracy and completion when filling out the application and required health forms are also very important. Not only does this improve the likelihood of acceptance to JMU, but there is also vital information which potentially impacts the student’s safety and well-being. Organizing immunizations records and other required documents while in one’s home country will not only save time and money, but will lessen the stress factor a student may feel upon arrival in the U.S.

The JMU Graduate Admissions Office has a different set of admissions requirements for graduate students. Different graduate programs have different admission deadlines and starting dates, so it is very important to educate oneself on the specific program requirements for the degree one is seeking.

The application process for international students, residing outside of the United States, typically takes between 6 months to one year. Students need to have a formal credential evaluation of undergraduate course work submitted directly to the JMU Graduate Admissions Office, as well as complete a financial declaration. This is in addition to all other required documents such as a student letter, letters of recommendation, passport, copy of undergraduate diploma, completed health form, and International Student Advisor’s Report (if applicable). One of the unique benefits of the James Madison University Pre-Master’s Program is that graduate students have until the end of their first semester in our program to complete the GRE or GMAT exam as required by the specific graduate program.

In conclusion, doing research ahead of time, and providing up to date, accurate, and complete documents in English will help facilitate a positive, timely and favorable admission process when applying to the James Madison University International Study Center.

Students can then focus on building positive new experiences and academic success. We look forward to continuing to welcome new international students to JMU-ISC, and helping them achieve their academic and future career goals.

Adjusting to life in Canada

Posted on January 11, 2012 by Colleen Kagetsu

The decision to travel to Canada to pursue your studies is a big one. Many aspects of life in Canada, I’m sure, are very similar to those in your home country. However, the thought of travelling to a foreign country can be quite intimidating. Rest assured, Canadians are known world-wide for being very polite and friendly.

Ask questions: It is common for students to feel homesick and even frustrated in the first few months upon arrival to a new city. My best advice for helping to adjust to life in Canada is to ask questions and be curious. Asking questions is a great way to meet new people and learn more about whatever it is you are doing. Asking questions is also a great way to practice your English! Take advantage of every situation you find yourself in to learn more about Canadian culture. If you decide to stay with a Homestay family or roommates, take the time to have dinner together, use some time out of your weekend to learn more about everyone.

Learn about your environment: The best way to feel more comfortable in any city is to learn about it. In comparison to other major cities in Canada, Victoria is quite small. As such, people are very open to answering questions and even just striking up a conversation while waiting for the bus. Upon your arrival to Victoria, you will immediately be taken by the beautiful scenery and fresh air. Victoria is famous for its outdoor activities such as hiking, golfing, whale watching, skiing and snowboarding, and water sports. Learn more about Victoria and the west coast of Canada .

Get involved in activities: The great thing about life on the Canadian west coast is the weather and the landscape – you could potentially go skiing and golfing in the same day! The University will also have activities available for you. Take advantage of these activities to get to know your fellow classmates outside of school. Taking part in activities is great for making new friends and learning important team building skills that you can use in the classroom. Getting involved and enjoying yourself through activities will definitely help you to adjust to living in a new and exciting city.

Embrace the diversity: Because Canada is very multicultural, you will be able to find local food markets and restaurants that should help you feel more at home. I encourage you to explore and try new things while in Canada. Again, the best way to adjust to life in Canada is to learn about the culture and enjoy all of your time on and off campus.

Get tips on dealing with culture shock.

The Canadian government offers insight into culture shock and adjusting to a new way of life – learn about the Canadian way of life !

US University Ranking System: Clear as Mud

Posted on December 27, 2011 by Brooke Biethan

If you think the US university ranking system is as difficult to understand as a foreign language, then you’re not alone. American and international students alike talk about great schools. Marketers use rank as a way to promote a school to prospective students. But what does this all mean?

The US News and World Report is by far the most established ranking system of American universities, with Princeton Review and Newsweek following as seconds, among others. These institutions examine and analyze every imaginable trait of the university—from the number of books in the library to the student satisfaction of the faculty.

Sometimes it feels like the myriad characteristics and qualifications of a school are put together like a magic potion and—“Poof!”—the rank comes out. Believe it or not, there is a method to all these numbers.

The Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching’s Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education divides colleges into a number of geographic categories that are determined using campus size, academic offerings, location, and student population dynamics. The Foundation breaks down the universities into the following four categories: national universities, national liberal arts colleges, regional universities, and regional colleges.

The US News and World Report then evaluates 16 “indicators of excellence”, which fall into the following categories:

Undergraduate academic reputation
Student selectivity for the last entering class
Faculty resources for the last academic year
Graduation and retention rates
Financial resources
Alumni giving
Graduation rate performance

This system has, since 1983, been the cornerstone of the Best Colleges sorting system in the United States.

Does rank really matter? As an Ivy League graduate, my answer to you: “It depends.” The reputation of a school, for example, plays a part in its rank, but doesn’t necessarily guarantee top faculty or resources. Often, schools that have a narrow focus (e.g. music, film and design schools) often get lost in the crowd. Furthermore, each student has different priorities, so rankings may or may not apply. The unique benefit of school ranking, however, is the third party nature of the evaluation.

Use college and university rank as a spring board for your search. Knowing the school’s rank is a great place to start. Consider what you’re looking for in your university experience and evaluate all of the components.

If you’d like to talk with a representative at Study Group about how our partner universities rank and what that means for you, please contact us.

Canadian University Grading System – Understanding the Numbers

Posted on December 19, 2011 by Shawn Brake

When international students apply to Canadian universities, one item that stands out is GPA – Grade Point Average. For many international applicants, this is an important issue if they wish to study in Canada. The student’s GPA is an important part of getting accepted into a Canadian university.

What makes matters a bit more confusing is that the GPA used in Canadian universities is different from the GPA standard of other countries – that is different countries have different numbering systems. Some countries have a GPA out of 5.0, while others have one out of 20.0. Most Canadian universities have a GPA out of 4.0 – but some use a GPA out of 9.0.

The tables below show the basic percentage equivalency for the two scales.

SCALE I:

Letter Grade	%	GPA Number
A+	92-100	4.33
A	88-91	4
A-	85-87	3.67
B+	82-84	3.33
B	78-81	3
B-	75-77	2.67
C+	72-74	2.33
C	68-71	2
C-	65-67	1.67
D	55-64	1
F	0-54	0

SCALE II:

Letter Grade	%	GPA Number
A+	90-100	9.0
A	80-89	8
B+	75-79	7
B	70-74	6
B-	65-69	5
C+	60-64	4
C	55-59	3
C-	50-54	2
D	40-49	1
F	0-39	0

What some may see is the difference between these two scales with the percentage for the letter grade (e.g. a “B” requires 78% for the 4.0 scale, but a “B” requires 70% for the 9.0 scale) – the specific percentage depends on each Canadian university. Again, the 4.0 GPA scale is the more common one in Canada.

The other consideration is the number of credit hours that a course is worth. For example, usually a course is 4 months or 8 months. If it’s 4 months, then the course is usually worth 3 credit hours. If it’s 8 months, then the course is 6 credit hours.

To calculate your GPA when applying to a Canadian university, you must look at your letter grade (e.g. a “B” or 3.0) and the credit hours (e.g. 3 credit hours). You must then multiply the grade with the credit hours for each course and divide by the total number of credit hours. Here’s an example of a student who has taken 1 year of university courses:

Course	Grade (Number)	Length/credit hours	GPA Value
Math	B (3)	3	9
Physics	A (4)	3	12
Biology	C+ (2.33)	6	13.98
English	C (2)	3	6
Sociology	B (3)	6	18
Communications	B- (2.67)	3	8.01
Chemistry	A (4)	3	12
Statistics	A (4)	3	12
Total		30	90.99

The student has taken 30 credit hours over two semesters (8 months), which is the typical course load for a Canadian student. The overall GPA number is 90.99. This number must be divided by the number of credit hours to get the current GPA – i.e. 90.99/30 = 3.033. The student has a GPA of 3.033. In other words, the Canadian university considers this student to be a “B” student.

One important hint to students wishing to do well and be successful in obtaining a Canadian degree: do not take credit for some of the courses you did well in your home country. For example, some students have already done well in subjects like Statistics or Biology in their home countries. These students then sometimes ask to get these courses recognized, so that they don’t have to take Statistics or Biology again… BUT they should take those courses again for two very good reasons:

Doing the courses in English at a Canadian university will help build the student’s English vocabulary in those subjects.
The student will likely do very well in these courses… which will HELP his or her GPA.

I hope the process of applying to a Canadian university is now a little easier and makes more sense. As well, I hope you can use this information to increase your GPA and get a Canadian university degree!

US University grading scale explained

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Adam Copeland

When studying in the USA, acronyms become a very important part of your life. An acronym is a word typically formed from the first letters in a set phrase or group of words. For example, OPEC is an acronym for Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries; it is much easier to say (and spell) “OPEC” than what the o, p, e, and c represent. Many of the acronyms you will hear or read will be specific to your university (like COB for College of Business), but one acronym is understood wherever you study: GPA.

GPA is an acronym for Grade Point Average. This is a number calculated from the grades you earn when studying at a US university. When you study at a US university, GPA is on a scale from 0.0 to 4.0, with 4.0 being the highest your GPA can be. GPA is very important in US universities. Students must keep a certain level of GPA to continue studying in the university; some scholarships require a certain level of GPA to be maintained; and some majors require a minimum GPA before a student continues studying in that program.

This chart shows you how much each letter grade is worth in number of points to GPA:

A = 90-100%	4
B = 80-89%	3
C = 70-79%	2
D = 60-69%	1
F = < 60%	0

To calculate a GPA, let’s say that a student is enrolled in five classes during one semester. Four of those classes are 3-hour classes and one class is a 4-hour class. (The term hour is sometimes used for credit; the number of hours or credits determines how much a class is worth.) This means the student is taking 16 hours for the semester (four 3-hr classes + one 4-hr class). At the end of the semester, this imaginary student earns the following grades:

Class 1: 3 hrs	A
Class 2: 3 hrs	B
Class 3: 3 hrs	B
Class 4: 3 hrs	C
Class 5: 4 hrs	A

In order to determine the student’s GPA, the number of hours/credits each class counts for (3 hrs or 4 hrs), in this case are multiplied by the points earned from the class (A=4, etc.).

Class 1: 3 hrs	A (4)	12
Class 2: 3 hrs	B (3)	9
Class 3: 3 hrs	B (3)	9
Class 4: 3 hrs	C (2)	6
Class 5: 4 hrs	B (3)	12

Once the number of points per class is calculated (3×4, etc.), they are added together. The student earned a total of 48 points (12+9+9+6+12) for the semester. Remember, the student took 16 hours, so this results in the student’s GPA being 3.0 for the semester (48/16=3.0).

Apply now for your US University degree!

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