September 13, 2005:
Study Visa Chat

CONSUL: Good afternoon! Our chat is now open. We apologize for the delay. We have representatives from the University of San Francisco and Wichita State University with us today.

Question: EJ - Who are the representatives from the embassy, please?
Answer From Consul: You have members of the nonimmigrant visa unit as well as the U.S. Commercial Service and the Philippine-American Education Association, in addition to the schools mentioned. Of course there is also your host, the Virtual Principal Officer of Davao

Q: xu- asrc -Karen: Good afternoon, what are the scholarships offered if we could ever pass the examination?
A: The University of San Francisco offers scholarships for U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents for undergraduate. For masters and other programs there are also many options. Please look at www.usfca.edu for complete details.

Wichita State University is a public university that offers scholarships; last year there was over $650,000 in scholarships for international students. Please look at www.wichita.edu/international for complete details.

Q: Fretzie_davao - For Wichita State Univ., what are the courses offered in your university? Are there any scholarships that we can avail?
A: Wichita State University (WSU) offers over 200 majors in 6 different colleges. The colleges include business, engineering, fine arts, education, arts and sciences, and health professions. Please see the website for further details, including scholarship information.

Q: xu- asrc -leah_xu: If ever I could pass that kind of exam, is there a possibility to work while studying?
A: Full time international students are only permitted to work a maximum 20 hours per week on campus. After the first nine months of full time study, students are allowed to find off campus work using Curricular Practical Training or Optional Practical Training. Work must be authorized by your school's international student office and USCIS. Full time work is permitted during school breaks

Q: ryanruelsabas - what are the advanced studies in biology that are being offered by the University of San Francisco and Wichita State University?
A: USF offers microbiology, biochemistry, molecular biology, marine biology, environmental science, and other areas. If you are admitted to USF’s masters program in biology you automatically receive a 100% tuition scholarship. Most students also receive research or teaching assistantships that allow them to pay for their room and board expenses.

Wichita State University: cell biology, environmental biology, endocrine biology, molecular biology, mycology, and reproductive biology. Graduate students can also apply for teaching assistantships, which reduce the tuition to reasonable rates

Q: xu- asrc -Ralph_xu: what are the chances in studying for a master’s degree and if ever I graduate, will the school help us to find a job?
A: To apply for a master’s degree, students need to show a bachelors degree, apply to the appropriate department, and take the required exam (for example, TOEFL, GRE or GMAT). Graduate admissions decide whether an applicant has fulfilled the required pre-requisites for their respective graduate programs. Students can contact the career services office at their schools for help finding employment

Q: ej - Hi my name is Ej. I’m taking up BS in Nursing as my Pre-Medical Course prior to Medicine Proper. After graduating here in Davao City, Philippines, can I apply for medical school? What are the chances and can you brief me of the possibility of my nursing course as my Preparatory Medicine course there in the US?
A: In order to apply to a US medical school, students must have a bachelor’s degree in any field, but should have studied anatomy, physiology, physics, organic chemistry, and some schools require genetics. Students are also required to take the MCAT exams. The numbers of international students in US medical schools are less than 2%.

Q: fretzie_davao - Is it possible that the university can help me get a student visa if I already passed all the requirements/ examinations needed?
A: Once you have been admitted to a U.S. university, you should have the I-20 form issued by the college or university, which you will be attending. This will list your unique student SEVIS number, the course of study, sources and amounts of funding, and the signature of the appropriate university official. This proves you have been accepted into a legitimate institution. Also, you are required to show evidence that you have paid the SEVIS fee, either in the form of an Internet printout or a receipt mailed to you directly from the Department of Homeland Security

Q: mmsu - what specific campus of San Francisco University is where the environment or forestry course is located and how could I apply for the scholarship? Any requirements? Thanks.
A: USF offers courses in environmental science, environmental studies and environmental management. Most of these are on our main campus in San Francisco. We also offer joint programs in environmental management with the Ateneo de Manila University and Xiamen University in China.

Q: Ana - What are the courses offered under PhD in chemistry if any at USF and Wichita State University. Are there scholarships or assistantships available?
A: Wichita State University offers a doctorate in Chemistry. Individual courses can be found on the website.

Q: Bruce - Hi! I am a US citizen and longtime resident of the Philippines. My girlfriend was recently chosen as a Ford Foundation International Fellow Elect and plans to pursue a Masters degree at a US university next year under the program. She was told this would be done on a J visa. I went on my bi-annual vacation to visit my parents in Oregon earlier this summer and I really wanted my girlfriend to come with me so she could meet my parents. Unfortunately, she was (wrongly, since she would have returned to the Philippines with me on Sept. 9) denied a B-1/B-2 visitor’s visa. My questions are, a) will that denial (on Aug. 9, 05) affect her chances of being given a J visa for studying at an American university? b) If we were to be married before she applies for the visa, how would that affect her chances of being issued such? Thank you very much!
Q: Jane - I was recently denied a B1-B2 visa this year, would that affect if I will apply for a J1 visa next year because I am planning to pursue a Master’s Degree at a US university next year under the FORD Foundation scholarship.
A: To Bruce and Jane: The J visa is a different category from the B1/B2 visa. To apply for a J visa, you will need to provide the DS-2019 from your Ford Fellowship Program, as well as proof of your residence abroad which you do not intend to abandon, sufficient funds, or adequate arrangements to cover expenses, sufficient knowledge of English to undertake the proposed program. If you get married before she applies for a visa, Jane will still have to prove that she intends to returns to the Philippines and complete the two-year residency requirement

Q: xu- asrc -Joshua_xu: in passing the examination do we need to go to your place using our personal money or we will just wait for your request sending us there which will include your financial support?
A: Many universities require that you qualify for financial assistance through the college ahead of time. Scholarships and grants are limited and you must qualify under the school's requirements. The I-20 will show the amount the college or other scholarship sources will help with your tuition. It will also list the amount of money that you must contribute to your education. You must be able to show the consul during the visa interview that you have those resources available.

CONSUL: Those asking about examinations, please let us know what exams you are interested in taking. Here are some of the exams:

TOEFL: Test of English as a Foreign Language (used as an English equivalency exam);

SAT: Standard Achievement Test (only for students applying for undergraduate studies in US colleges and universities. Many of the 3600 schools DO NOT require the SAT. Check with the college admission office first before taking the test.)

GRE: Graduate Record Examination (required for most Masters/PhD programs);

GMAT: Graduate Management Achievement Test (required for applicants to an MBA program)

While many institutions do not require tests for admissions, especially at the undergraduate level, these tests are good indicators for admission review officers, who may be unfamiliar with the academic levels in the Philippines, on how well you will do in their academic program. They are also good indicators for the student of their strengths and weaknesses.

Q: wcsipes - When is the next trip to Davao?
A: Please keep checking the website for updates on the next time the Embassy or Study USA will be in Davao

Q: mmsu - What are the TOEFL requirements?
A: TOEFL requirements include: $140 registration fee. Universities have different TOEFL requirements; please contact the school you are applying to. You can register for the TOEFL on-line at www.ets.org/toefl or you can a request a paper registration bulletin from PAEF, www.paef.org.ph

Q: laurencesabas - Hi I am Ryan Ruel Sabas from Batac, Ilocos Norte. I am a recent graduate from Mariano Marcos State University with the degree bachelor of science in biology. My undergraduate research study is entitled potential of waste banana fibers for oil remediation; a sub study under the project study & of Utilization of Agricultural waste Residues for the remediation of polluted aquatic ecosystems. Because of this I want to know what are the subjects needed for me to continue the research.
A: If you want to pursue a biology or chemistry graduate degree you need to take the general GRE and GRE subject tests in biology. For USF's environmental management program, just the general GRE is sufficient. For Wichita State, you need a GPA of 3.0 in undergraduate biology, and you would need both the general GRE and GRE subject tests in biology.

Q: xu- asrc -Cass_xu: For our convenient, do you have plan/time to render examination here in Cagayan de Oro city?
A: Computer based examinations are only offered in Manila and Cebu; paper based examinations are limited in availability. Please contact PAEF to verify if paper based examinations (TOEFL and GRE) are offered in Cagayan de Oro. PAEF can be reached at: (02) 812-0945.

Q: mhyke - what are the requirements for scholarship?
A: Most U.S. universities do not have special scholarship examinations, but scholarships are only offered based on the student’s proven academic ability, need, and field of study.

Q: xu- asrc -say_xu: aside from TOEFL and GRE offered by PAEF, how about the SAT, is it included in your offer?
A: The SAT is only offered 6 times per year. Testing sites are the International School in Manila and the Brent International School in Laguna and Baguio. The closest testing center to Cagayan de Oro is St. Teresa’s College in Cebu City. Please visit www.collegeboard.com

CONSUL: Thank you for your great questions! All students are invited to AEO Tour at the Makati Shangri-La, September 14, 2005 from 6 to 9 p.m. School and PAEF representatives will be answering questions about US education.

Also for further information:
Info on USF:
For those interested in knowing more about USF programs and requirements, please log on to www.usfasia.net or www.usfca.edu . USF offers an online catalog, an online application form and other important details.

Info on Wichita State University:

All programs offered by Wichita State University can be found through our website: www.wichita.edu/international

CONSUL: The Embassy staff and the representatives from Wichita State University and University of San Francisco thank you for your participation and interest. The chat is now closed. Study Hard and consider studying in the USA