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The university has problems handling international students admission

Written by Melissa Boon, The Shorthorn designer

Thursday, 19 November 2009 07:41 PM

UTA has me for good.

As an international student I can tell you I am never, ever, transferring to another university. Maybe it was part of their tricky little plan for me not to leave.

Current students have it easy. We meet with an adviser, go online and click the register button after having made our choice.

But at the first application to the university as a transfer or freshman, things aren’t that easy. Students stress over classes being transferred, a place to live and a new environment.

International students go through the same process; with much more paperwork. The university has to ensure that everything is in order with immigration laws before accepting an international student.

Before I received acceptance I had to make copies of my passport, visa and immigration paperwork. I had to show a bank statement to prove that I could pay for my first year of college. I had to review, complete and sign a financial affidavit. I had to provide an original sponsor letter, complete the transfer notification form and be tested for tuberculosis. Making sure my classes transferred was still on my mind, but it wasn’t nearly my biggest worry.

The real stress came when I started having questions about the application process. I decided to call the university, but I had no idea who to talk to. So I called the Office of International Education where I was told to call the Office of Admissions, from where I was transferred to the registrar’s office and told me I also needed to contact the health center. Then after I was put on hold, a computerized voice repeated to me that my choice was invalid and I should try to talk to the next available representative.

Also, I found out I am required to attend an orientation day. I have had the opportunity to attend four orientation days since I have transferred to four universities in America.

-“OK,” I say on the phone, finally talking to someone, “and what day will orientation be on?”

-“The first day for international transfer is August 7.”

-“So you are telling me that I won’t be able to take the holds off of my MyMav account until August 7?”

- “Yes, you will only be able to register once you come to orientation.”

-“And there is no way around it? I have already talked to my adviser and I really need to register now because the classes have very few seats left.”

-“I’m sorry, but there is nothing I can do. Every international student is required to go.”

Orientation was again a dreadful experience. I stood in line with about 250 students all day to make copies of our immigration papers and listened to people talk about things I already knew.

To top it off, the orientation hold wasn’t taken off until two weeks before the beginning of class because someone had to manually change it.

I understand the complexity of dealing with paperwork and I understand there were many of us, but something needs to be done to make the transition easier to the already culture-shocked students.

One solution would be to separate international students in groups, transfer and non-transfer. This would create smaller groups and we would all get the information necessary to adapt and comply with the program.

Another issue was that orientation day was really late — 17 days before classes started. Many international students are still in their home country when applying for the first time, but this doesn’t apply to transfer students. International students should be able to register with everyone else, not when all the class sections close. If an earlier date is not convenient then seats should be saved for those students.

Also, I really had trouble finding a person who could answer my questions and give me the right information. Most who answered the phone were students and they didn’t know a lot of information.

Maybe setting an online instant messaging system with an expert to answer questions could be helpful. Thankfully, at least I was in the U.S. and didn’t have to pay international call rates.

I admit that the university did a good job of keeping me informed through letters after I sent in my application in on things I still needed to complete.

The main problem was that all issues came up at the same time because nothing could be done until the orientation day.

I am glad this experience is over with for me and I hope things change for others. By the way, registration for spring started October 26.

Melissa Boon is a journalism junior and a designer for The Shorthorn
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 28 January 2010 01:42 PM )

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