Online-Konferenz mit San Diego am 17.Mai 2011
Am 17. Mai 2011 haben die Studenten, die ganz bald nach San Diego gehen die Möglichkeit gehabt, das Gespräch mit der Koordinatorin vor Ort zu führen. Xiaoying Cai (Ann) hat im Rahmen einer Skype-Konferenz die Fragen von Studierenden beantwortet. Die Fragen und die Antworten werden hiermit protokoliert.
ST- Studierende
AC- Ann
ST: Can you explain what we have to do before we come to San Diego, a little tip?
AC: Of course you need to be accepted into the program:). Then you need to prepare for the visa interview and make your travel arrangement. If you decide to live off campus, then you need to make that arrangement before you arrive in SD.
ST: Where can I find flat? Are there some favorite places, ocean beach/pacific beach?
AC: You also mentioned Pacific Beach, that’s a favorite place for student to live. It’s close to the beach and not too far from school. We also have on campus housing, if you are interested.
ST: Is it cheap to live on campus??
AC: For double room (meaning you share a room with another roommate), it’s around $7,270 per academic year (from end of August to end of May). You can also choose to live in a private room, which means you have a room of your own, and share the living and bath room with one or two other suitemate. The price also includes food (we have a cafeteria on campus in San Diego.)
ST: How far is the campus located from downtown?
AC: 20 minutes drive from downtown San Diego.
ST: Is it possible to go there by bus or the only way is a private car?
AC: If you take bus, then it will take too much time. Usually by car is the best option. If you choose to live off campus, then a car is really necessary
ST: Do you have an idea where we could a rent car?
AC: There are many different stores that you can go and rent a car. Like Enterprise, and local car dealerships.
ST: I know that Alliant is offering two scholarships for which we can apply (one based on GPA and the other one :). What I like to know is: what GPA do we need to get the scholarship and how it is the GPA different from our grade average?
AC: Regarding Scholarship: for undergraduate student (bachelor’s) — 2.0-3.0 GPA : $1,200 per year; 3.0 -3.5 $1500 per year, 3.5-4.0 $2,00 per year. For graduate student (master’s) —3.0-3.6 $1500 per year, 3.5-4.0 $2000 per year. The GPA scholarship is different for both undergraduate student and graduate student from FH Kiel.
ST: I want to begin for study in October. Is it possible and when is the first date? When is the latest date for sending my application to you?
AC: Yes, it is possible to start in October. The start date is October 24th. It’s going to a short session since we will have Christmas break and winter break starting 12/19/2011.
ST: My application is also on my way. Please can you tell us, if it is necessary for us to formulate an essay to get the scholarship program?
AC: Scholarship: Okay, I explained one scholarship above. That scholarship is only for FH Kiel students. There is another scholarship that every new student can apply for. It is called Merit Scholarship. Students can apply for this one after they are accepted into the program. You need to submit two recommendation letters and one essay specifically addressing your needs to the scholarship. I have a brief guide on this Merit Scholarship. I can send to you all after this conversation as well.
ST: Where and when do we get my schedules? Is the beginning of the courses already determined?
AC: Yes. Course schedules for summer and fall 2011 have already been published. Once you are accepted and confirmed into the program, you will be able to see the course schedule and select the courses you want to take. You will need to get in touch with an Academic Advisor, who will be assisting you in selecting the courses. His/her contact info will be included in the acceptance package you will receive.
ST: I think this question is asked every time :) But I would like to know what kind of sports or sport facilities does Alliant have or offer? Maybe you even have a gym on campus which we could use?
AC: We have a sport center. I was told it’s one of the biggest indoor sport centre in Southern California, not 100% sure. Anyway, Alliant student can use the field to play. There is also a small fitness room inside the sport center. We also have one soccer field and one baseball field. In the housing, we have two swimming pools and one sand volleyball field. There is also fitness center that is close to campus that you can be a member of.
ST: Thank you very much for your detailed answers. When do I have to pay the course fees and how does it work / how do I have to pay (credit card or cash payment)?
AC: Tuition payment: Thanks for bringing this question up. Okay, so usually as an international student, you can open up your own bank account here in the U.S. Most of them wire transfer the money to their local bank accounts. Then you can pay tuition and fees to the University via check or cash. We don’t accept credit card as a form of tuition payment
ST: Will there be an extra fee for the off campus gym?
AC: Alliant students can use the fitness room for free. However, as I mentioned, it was a really small one and probably not what you are expecting. The Off campus gym, you need to pay the membership fee. Some of these gyms offer free trials, which allow you go and visit for couples before you make a decision.
ST: How much money do we have to pay for the first semester? Can you explain that to us more in detail? I know that we don’t need to pay all at the beginning.
AC: It depends on your degree program. For undergraduate student, tuition per semester is $8,340 (allow you to take 12 to 16 units of courses. Usually a course is 3 units). The tuition cost per unit is $610 if you part-time or over 16 units. For MBA/I-MBA student, tuition per unit is $820 (a course is 3 units), usually graduate int’l student is required to take at least three courses per semester. If you can’t pay all tuition for the first semester at once, you can set up the payment plan with the Student Business Services (that’s the place for student to pay tuition).
ST: I thought about doing a part time job during my stay in San Diego, do you have any information about students jobs in San Diego in general and especially at Alliant International University in particular? Whom should I address?
AC: Int’l students cann’t work off campus unless it’s an internship or OPT opportunity. For on-campus job, we have a Career Service center that usually will distribute the position descript if available. You can work max 20 hours per week when classes are in session
ST: Are the offices from Alliant open during the summer break for further questions or to help us out with any other problem we might have regarding our first semester?
AC: Yes, we will be here during summer time.
ST: Meaning when do we have to pay the tuitions fees or select classes?
AC: The last day to pay tuition and fees or set up the payment plan is August 29th, the first day of fall semester, if you come for the August 29th session.
ST: As soon as we have landed in San Diego – Do you have any information about the possibilities of shuttle services from the airport to our flats, if they are on campus?
AC: There are shuttle services that bring you from airport to our University. By the time, I can also direct you to our Int’l Student Services Office, they have more information on studetn pick-up or shuttle arrangement.
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