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International Students
Irvine Valley College defines an
“international student” as a student
attending college full time while on
an F-1 visa. Applications for admission
in IVC’s International Student
Program are available in the International
Student Center (SSC 230).
Prospective students may contact
the International Student Center by
calling 949/451‐5414 or by visiting
the college website: www.ivc.edu/
student/iso.
All international students must
maintain full-time enrollment (12 or
more units each semester) and
demonstrate academic progress in
order to maintain their F‐1 visa status.
IVC international students with F‐1
visas may enroll in a maximum of
6 units at Saddleback College when
certain classes are not offered at IVC
to maintain their full-time enrollment.
IVC international students with F‐1
visas from other schools may enroll
concurrently on a part-time basis not
to exceed 6 units. Students should
consult the International Student
Center for more information. Students
with other types of visas (not F‐1) may
apply and enroll online through the
Office of Admissions and Records at
www.ivc.edu/admissions.
To be accepted for admission as an
international student at Irvine Valley
College, students must be able to
speak, read, write, and understand
English at a level that will allow them
to complete college work successfully.
Students whose native language is
not English must demonstrate English
proficiency. Any one of the following
tests are acceptable evidence:
• ITEP—International Test of English
Proficiency with a minimum score
of 4.5
• International TOEFL (Test of English
as a Foreign Language) with a
minimum score of
• 470 on the paper-based test
• 52 on the internet-based test
• STEP EIKEN test passed at the
grade 2A level
• IELTS (International English
Language Testing System) with a
minimum score of 4.5
The ITEP, TOEFL, STEP EIKEN, or IELTS
test requirements may be waived
for U.S. transfer applicants who
can demonstrate that they have
successfully completed the equivalent
of one of the following courses at
Irvine Valley College: Writing 201,
Writing 1, or Communication
Studies 1. Courses must be from a U.S.
accredited institution.
The English proficiency requirement
may also be waived by attending
and successfully completing the
prescribed curriculum at one of the
approved Intensive English Language
Programs listed in the admission
requirements. Students who graduate
from a U.S. high school are not
required to take the ITEP, TOEFL, STEP
EIKEN, or IELTS exams.
Other requirements for admission
include the following:
1. Application (online)
2. A nonrefundable processing fee of
$54 for the academic year, required
with the application form.
3. A typewritten personal essay
about the student and the
student’s academic goals.
4. An official affidavit of support and
current bank certification or bank
statement that prove the student
has sufficient financial support to
pay tuition and living expenses to
study at Irvine Valley College.
5. Graduation from a secondary
school that is equivalent to an
American high school.
6. Health insurance coverage. Irvine
Valley College and the South
Orange County Community College
District require that all international
students have a valid health
insurance plan from the districtapproved
carrier that provides
coverage during their course of
study. Students must have health
insurance coverage in order to
enroll in classes. Health insurance
information is available at
www.ivc.edu/student/iso and
at the International Student
Center (Student Services Center,
Room SSC 230).
7. A transfer clearance form
completed by the institution the
student presently attends that
verifies his or her eligibility to
transfer to IVC (when applicable).
8. Students under 18 years of
age must be living with a
legal guardian as stated in the
admission requirements.
9. Completion of a tuberculosis test
within one month of arrival at the
college. Tests are administered
at the college at no cost to
the student.
Upon acceptance, students will be
administered assessment testing.
During the assessment session,
students are given tests in writing,
mathematics, and/or English as a
Second Language to determine their
skill levels in these areas. Based on the
results of English proficiency, students
will be advised as to the recommended
level of enrollment in English,
math, and other courses.
Students may view the results from
their assessment session within 24
hours on MySite; however, they must
complete a special English as a Second
Language advisement session to
discuss their course recommendations.
Students are required to schedule a
counseling appointment to see the
international student counselor by
contacting or visiting the International
Student Center (SSC 230). Students
must declare an educational goal and
a major area of study, and prepare an
academic plan that is approved by an
academic counselor. Students must
attend the following orientations:
1. Immigration and College
Compliance
2. Health Insurance
Enrollment in the Counseling 1
class designed for international
students is required the first semester
of attendance.
admission / registration
Irvine Valley College Catalog 2012–2013_________________________________________________________________ www.ivc.edu 13