Expert: jessalyn - 3/25/2001

Question
hi iam an international student . i want to apply online... now the question is after applying online wht should i send through snail mail and should i send it before applying online or after tht.... and also should i send it through Fedex or ordinary mail plz answer in detail as iam confused .

secondly ... i have heard that an american university named UNIVERSITY OF MARYLAND has opened up its campus in GERMANY  ..plz tell me if its a good idea to go there first and then transfer credits to AMERICA ... also if it is of the same reputation as its campus in usa ......
 as the cost in Germany is cmparatively low
                         plz help me out

Answer
Hi.  You previously asked me about the University of Maryland and its connection with a German campus- so I'll say the same thing that I said before- this particular campus requires that you speak German in order to study there, and then there are certain programs that are for students learning to speak German who do not speak it fluently.    Do you speak German already or do you want to learn?  Either way, study-abroad is a great opportunity for you to learn another language and about another culture.  I am not very familar with the University of Maryland, I do not attend that school, so I really can't answer you specific questions about the school.  However, from what I have seen of the program, it sounds very good and comprehensive.  Don't rely soley on other people's opinions as to whether you should do that-- check out the website yourself, call the school, request information, then you will be able to decide if it is right for you.  www.umd.edu is the web site for the school and I STRONGLY URGE you to visit it in order to get more information.  If you do decide to apply online, you will be sending your personal information and essay through the computer.  However, you will still need to send the college the following via old fashioned snail mail-
International Student Application for Undergraduate Admission; nonrefundable application fee (U.S. $65.00); official secondary school transcripts in native language with certified English translations and, where appropriate, official results and certificate of completion from a national secondary school examination; all official university or college transcripts in native language with certified English translations (if any); proof of English proficiency; SAT I or ACT official results (if three or more years of high school completed in U.S.); statement of activities; an essay; and Certification of Finances, including supporting documents that demonstrate support of U.S. $22,957 per year. Current F-1 and J-1 Visa Holders must also provide photocopies of their I-94 Arrival/Departure Record, visa stamp, and current I-20 or IAP-66 form. Current other non-immigrant Visa Holders must also provide photocopies of their I-94 Arrival/Departure Record and visa stamp.

That seems like a lot to handle right now, but as you get more information from the University of Maryland you will understand more fully what you have to do....All of your personal information-such as address and contact info, and your essay, can be send via email.  But transcripts, SAT scores and other formal academic records must be sent via snail mail, because you can't send those directly.  Your school and SAT center will have to send them.

As for whether you should study abroad before coming to the US and then transfer, well that is up to you. If you want to study in Germany THROUGH the academic program offered by the University of Maryland, then you will have to attend school in Maryland before you can study abroad.  You can not enroll study abroad your first semester of college, because study abroad takes lots of planning and colleges want their students to get aquainted with college life.  However, your other option would be to apply and attend a university in Germany and then transfer from that University to the University of Maryland.  However, in this case, you would not be studying with the University of Maryland.  It would probably be in your best interest to apply and attend University of Maryland and then go abroad from there, seeing you would still be attending the University of Maryland, but only one of their programs in Germany.  Most colleges will not let you study abroad your freshman year, because they want you to adjust to college life and get a solid understanding of how it works.  Check with the University of Maryland if you have any more questions.
  I hope I have helped.
   Best wishes and good luck!