STUDENT NEWSLETTER
Summer Quarter #8 (August 18 - 22, 2008)
IEP END-OF-QUARTER CEREMONY IS THIS FRIDAY!
We will be celebrating the end of Summer Quarter on Friday, August 22nd from 1:30 -3:30 p.m. in the HUB Auditorium. We will have special speeches from your fellow IEP classmates. Please come and join your friends and teachers to congratulate the graduates and the outstanding students. There will be a reception with food following the ceremony and a special gift for each IEP student who attends! Seating is limited, so please be there on time to get a seat.
PRE-REGISTRATION INFORMATION
If you plan to come back to study in Campus IEP next quarter, you should have received your invoice by now. Please pay your tuition at the Roosevelt Commons (4311 11th Ave. NE) by August 22. If you have any questions about our courses or the pre-registration process, you can contact Audrey Webb by email or you can make an appointment with her. Her email address is rwebb@u.washington.edu. To make an appointment with Audrey, please call 206-543-6242.
CHECK YOUR I-20!
This is a reminder to check the expiration date on your I-20 (in section #5). If your I-20 is expiring at the end of this quarter and you are planning to continue studying in Summer Quarter, you need to request a program extension and bring an updated bank statement to Marissa BEFORE the end date on your I-20. You must request an extension at least two weeks before the expiration date. Call 206-543-6242 to make an appointment with Marissa. If you plan to transfer to another program or college, you will also need to turn in a Transfer Out form and proof of admission to the ELP Office in the UW Tower.
WHAT DOES TAKING A BREAK MEAN?
If you have been in the U.S. for at least nine months, you *may* be able to take a break next quarter if you plan to return to full-time studies after the break. In order to take a vacation quarter (break), you must have permission from a DSO. You must meet with Marissa Liu on Campus or Ellen Calvert Downtown BEFORE the end of this quarter if you want permission to take a break.
Some students decide to take one or two classes during their break. The advantages of this are that you will keep using your English and you will be eligible for benefits such as the UPASS and the resident tuition price for a regular class.
You can also purchase Lewer medical insurance while on break. See Marissa Liu, Student Services and Immigration Advisor, if you have any questions. You may contact her at aid@extn.washington.edu, or by phone at 206-543-6242.
TRAVEL TIP
If you plan to travel around the U.S. during the break between quarters, it is very important to carry all of your personal documents (passport, visa and I-20) with you. You may be asked to show them at an airport, bus station or other location to identify yourself and prove that you are in the country legally. If you have questions, please contact Marissa.
IELTS PREPARATION COURSE OFFERED AUTUMN QUARTER
The IELTS exam is an alternative to TOEFL. Over 1,700 US universities and professional bodies accept IELTS scores as proof of English language skills. IELTS is offered here on the UW campus, so it is quite convenient. An IELTS preparation course will be offered in Autumn quarter, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 6:00-8:20 p.m. IEP students at level 4 or higher are eligible for the course.
For information about the IELTS exam:
http://www.ielts.org/general_pages/usa.aspx
For information about the IELTS preparation course:
http://www.outreach.washington.edu/elp/programs/23392/
Remember, you have until Friday, August 29, to make changes to your IEP schedule for Autumn quarter. You can send a schedule change request to Audrey Webb: rwebb@u.washington.edu
SPECIAL AUTUMN QUARTER OFFERING: ISTP
International Studies: Theories and Practices (ISTP) is a customized course that introduces students to the interdisciplinary field of international studies by
integrating several interconnected disciplines and supplementing the content with academic skills
assistance. Over the course of ten weeks, students benefit from four two-week modules taught by esteemed Jackson School faculty in the fields of history, economics, anthropology, and political science with a support section taught by a qualified faculty member of English Language Programs.
Times and Credits
Required Lectures: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 1:30-3:20 p.m..m.
Required Support Section: Either
a) 1:30-3:20 p.m. on Mondays and 4-5:50 p.m. on Wednesdays OR
b) 4-5:50 p.m. on Mondays and 1:30-3:20 p.m. on Wednesdays
Credits: 8 CEUs
Note: Most of the students in this course are from Waseda University, Japan. A few spots have been left open to IEP students. You must be at level 5 in all skill areas to be eligible for this course. This class cannot be taken in addition to a regular UW course. ISTP is a good alternative to taking a regular class.
CONDITIONAL ADMISSIONS TO UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES AT UW BOTHELL
UW English Language Programs and the UW Bothell offer a conditional admissions program to pursue an undergraduate degree at the UW Bothell campus. If you successfully complete the IEP requirements, you do not have to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or other standardized test scores as proof of language proficiency to UW Bothell. For more information about conditional admissions to UW Bothell, contact Holly Shi, ELP Academic Advisor: hshi@u.washington.edu
SHORT-TERM ENGLISH PROGRAM COURSE IN SEPTEMBER
If you are remaining in Seattle during the break and are interested in some additional English language study that is both educational and fun, you might want to consider a Short-Term English Program (STEP) course. STEP session 3 courses start Monday, August 25 and conclude on Friday, September 12. There are STEP courses in Language & Culture and in Academic Preparation. Total cost is $1,200 for the three-week course. For more information about STEP:
http://www.outreach.washington.edu/elp/programs/shortterm.asp
NOTE: You must register and pay for STEP courses online.
FROM MARISSA, STUDENT SERVICES & IMMIGRATION ADVISOR
I hope all of you have a wonderful break. It's been our pleasure to work with you this quarter, and we hope to see you again soon. If you are going home to your country or transferring to another school, we wish you good luck in your future! If you are returning to ELP, we look forward to seeing you next quarter!
A MESSAGE FROM THE ACADEMIC ADVISOR
The Academic Advisor, Holly Shi, is available to help you with the college application process: how to select a college, how to apply, how to register for the TOEFL, and other questions about U.S. college admissions. Office hours are 11:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. M/W/F in Lewis 103 and T/TH in Balmer 308. Please call the English Language Program Reception (206-543-6242) to schedule an appointment, or just drop in to meet with the advisor. I look forward to seeing you!
UPCOMING ELP ACTIVITIES
There are no more ELP activities this quarter! We look forward to seeing you next quarter for some summer fun around Seattle! Please email the ELP Activities Assistant at eslactiv@extn.washington.edu if you have questions about ELP activities.
UPCOMING FIUTS ACTIVITIES
- Discovery Park Hike Saturday, August 23rd
Join FIUTS for a day at this local park that is home to sand dunes, spectacular views of the Puget Sound and miles of hiking trails.
Do you have questions about FIUTS or FIUTS Activities? Email
info@fiuts.org or visit the FIUTS office in HUB 302-B.
