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Admission Information

An international student (a first-time freshman, a transfer student, a transient student, or a re-admission student) must apply for admission to the College before the student may enroll in a course.

To begin the admission procedure, the student needs to apply at the:

International Programs Office
106 Naylor Hall, Wallace Drive Campus
Gadsden State Community College
P.O. Box 227
Gadsden, AL. 35902-0227
Telephone 256.549.8324 or 256.549.8438

***NOTICE: International student applicants are not eligible for conditional admission status.

Admission Requirements:

To be admitted to Gadsden State Community College, an international student must submit to the International Programs Office each of the following:

  1. Official transcript of high school record, showing that the average grade was at least C. Certified English translation must accompany any transcript which is not in English.
  2. Competence in the English language as evidenced by a score of at least 173(CBT), 61(iBT) or 500(paper TOEFL) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (but see the exceptions below);
  3. Medical Record Form, including current TB test, completed and signed by a physician attesting to the student's good health; and
  4. Affidavit of Support in the form of a certified statement from a person who assumes full responsibility for the student's financial support and a bank letter from the sponsor's bank.

TOEFL Exception #1: (1) A student from a country where English is the native language or from a country exempt from the TOEFL; or (2) a student who has graduated from an accredited high school in the United States or from an accredited American high school overseas; or (3) a student who is applying for admission to the Alabama Language Institute (ALI).  For more information on the ALI program, go to ALI on the menu.

TOEFL Exception #2: A transfer student who has successfully completed English Composition 101 or higher with a grade of C or above from a regionally accredited institution is exempt from the TOEFL.

TOEFL Exception #3: Students may enroll in the College who have (1) completed at least one sixteen-week term in the Alabama Language Institute at the highest level (Level 5/6) in speaking, reading and vocabulary, grammar and structure, and composition (2) passed all skill areas with at least a "B"; and (3) have a written recommendation from the ALI faculty to enter college.

TOEFL Exception #4: Students may use a STEP (Society for Testing English Proficiency) test score of Pre-First Grade level or above in lieu of a TOEFL score.

Notice # 1: A transfer student (that is, a student who has attended one or more U. S. colleges and/or universities other than GSCC, and who wishes to pursue an education at GSCC, must also ensure that an official academic record transcript is sent directly to GSCC by the Registrar of each college and/or university that the student attended. In addition, the student must submit to the International Programs Office a completed Transfer Clearance Form.

Notice #2: Academic credits earned at a foreign university must be evaluated by Lisano International, P.O. Box 407, Auburn, AL 36831-0407 USA or World Education Services (WES), P.O. Box 745, Old Chelsea Station, New York, NY 10113-0745. WES should send the evaluation directly to Gadsden State Community College, Registrar, P.O. BOX 227, Gadsden, AL 35902-0227.

Notice #3: All students holding a student (F-1) visa must have adequate health insurance coverage during all periods of enrollment and summer vacation. Repatriation and medical evacuation benefits need to be included under the health insurance policy. Health insurance policies other than the policy recommended by GSCC must have comparable benefits to be accepted. Students who do not comply with this requirement will be withdrawn from classes.

Notice #4: A student from a country whose students have experienced difficulty in obtaining funds may be required by GSCC to deposit the required educational funds  with the College when the student applies for admission. These funds, which will be held in trust for the student, will be controlled by the College and will be expended in accordance with the student's needs.

Procedure for Making Application:

Download Adobe Acrobat Reader

  • Download application Complete and return with the following:
  • If you are a transfer student from within the United States please download the Transfer Clearance Form
  • Send official transcripts of high school grades with an official English translation
  • Have medical doctor complete medical record form
  • Complete Affidavit of Financial Support
  • Mail all of the above to:

    International Programs Office
    106 Naylor Hall
    Gadsden State Community College
    P.O. Box 227
    Gadsden, Al, 35902-0227 U.S.A.
    Telephone (256) 549-8324 or (256) 549-8438

  • Upon acceptance, the student will receive (1) Form I-20 and (2) Acceptance Letter. The student should take these documents to the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate to apply for a Student (F-1) Visa. It is important to note that a student on an F-1 visa must observe all regulations of the Department of Homeland Security, including the requirement that the student must be enrolled full-time.

Note: A student approved for enrollment in regular GSCC (not ALI) courses, must take the ACT Compass placement test to determine the correct placement in English and mathematics.
 

Alabama Language Institute (ALI)

The International Programs Office will issue an I-20 for obtaining a Student (F-1) Visa for: (1) the Alabama Language Institute only or (2) both the Alabama Language Institute and Gadsden State Community College. The student who receives an I-20 for both ALI and College is accepted for intensive English training in ALI. Also, the student is conditionally accepted for academic studies in Gadsden State Community College upon completion of ALI and meeting the English proficiency requirements of 61(iBT) or 500(paper)or higher on the TOEFL.

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