International Students

International application

Prince William Sound College is nestled 360 degrees by the Chugach Mountain Range, and we are a premier spot for outdoor adventure. Prince William Sound College is here to provide support services for prospective, incoming, and current F-1 international students.

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Applying for Admissions

Admission for international students needs to complete and submit an application for the Associates of Arts or Associates or Applied Science in Outdoor Leadership. Note the application deadlines differ from those on the Admissions website.

Application Portal

International Students Admissions Deadline

  • Fall Semester: June 15th - We must receive all required documentation by July 15th
  • Spring Semester: October 15th - We must receive all required documentation by  November 15th
  • International students will not be admitted for the summer semester.

Start the application process well in advance to ensure time for the following:

  • Obtain I-20
  • Embassy Interview
  • Acquire Visa

 

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Additional Documentation Before the Application is Complete

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Transcript Evaluation

All international transcripts must be evaluated by World Education Services (WES).*  WES specifies how to submit academic documents from each country. The typical process is listed below; however, check the WES website and follow their directions carefully, as WES will not process documents not sent in the manner required.

The student creates an account with WES:

  • Choose ICAP Course-by-Course evaluation for all college/university transcripts.
  • For high school transcripts, choose a Document-by-Document evaluation. Be sure to add UAA as a recipient when creating your WES account.
  • Student completes Academic Records Request Form (found on the WES website under "Documents Required") and sends it to an educational institution(s)

Educational institution(s) send the documents to WES.

  • WES sends the completed evaluation electronically to PWSC/UAA (as long as you choose UAA as a recipient)

Once WES receives the documents and has verified their authenticity, PWSC/UAA should have the results in three to four weeks.

*If you have completed the equivalent of 24 or more college credits (as evidenced by your WES evaluation or your official transcript sent by an accredited U.S. college) with a grade of C or better, UAA will waive the requirement for your high school transcript. 

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English Proficiency Requirements

All international students must show that they have obtained a certain English proficiency level.

Minimum TOEFL Score: 71 iBT

Minimum IELTS Score: 6.0 Overall Band

All test scores submitted must be official. Please ask the testing center to make the results available to the University of Alaska Anchorage – Prince William Sound College.

If you meet one of the following requirements, you may submit an English Proficiency waiver form (see below).

  • Are a Native English Language Speaker
  • Have attended a regionally accredited U.S. college or university and have:
    • received a "C" or better in a course equivalent to UAA's Writing 111 course, or
    • obtained a Bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university.
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Financial Documentation

To receive an I-20, you must have been admitted to PWSC and provided the PWSC Admissions Office with a Financial Support Declaration and Bank Statement in U.S. Dollars (USD) of a minimum of $18,000). (Note: Bank letters are not accepted).

You must show that you can financially support yourself for a minimum of one year while attending PWSC. Funding includes tuition and fees, lodging and meals, and everyday expenses, including health insurance.

International Students are not eligible for Financial Aid and must personally secure their own funding.

Once you have been admitted to PWSC and provided proof of financial support, an I-20 will be created for you.

You will receive a copy of the information your I-20 was created from and be asked to verify it is correct. You will be provided with instructions on obtaining the document using eShipGlobal.

We will send you your acceptance packet, including your I-20 and information on paying your SEVIS fee and arranging a visa interview.

 

After Acceptance

Now that you have been accepted, you need to accomplish a few things. Contact your advisor, where you will schedule placement testing and process your degree plan. You will also need to apply for Housing.

 

Arriving in Alaska

You have your Visa and are ready to come to Alaska. Your I-20 limits when you can enter the country. Plan your arrival; accordingly, you may not enter the US on an F visa sooner than 30 days prior to the start date of your program. Once you arrive You must bring the following documents to the mandatory check in with admissions:

  • Signed I-20
  • Passport
  • Visa

 

Maintaining Visa Status

To ensure your visa status remains in compliance with US laws and PWSC/UAA policy, you will need to know the following:

Mandatory Check-In with Admissions

Full-course of study every semester (minimum 12 credits, only one online class)

Summer term is considered a vacation term for students. Students do not need to be enrolled during the summer; however, they may enroll in classes if they choose.

  • Report Changes

You are responsible for any changes to your status. You should email pwsc.admissions@alaska.edu within 10 days of changing their address. This will update the student's SEVIS record; however, the student will still need to log into UAOnline and change the address with the university.

  • Transfer your SEVIS record.

Students who transfer to another US school must have their SEVIS record transferred from PWSC to their new school. Students wishing to transfer their SEVIS record must provide proof of their admission into the new school before PWSC completes the transfer.