Application Procedures

Necessary Documents
Your International Student Application, copy of passport picture page, high school transcripts translated into English, official TOEFL score, original financial statement and sponsor certificate should be sent directly to the International Student Admissions Office at Cuyamaca College. The Admissions Office will send to you immigration documents such as your I-20, and admission notice of acceptance.

Additional Documents for Transfer Students
College transcripts, copies of visa, I-94 and current I-20 and Transfer Clearance Form. A new I-20 can only be issued once your SEVIS record is transferred to Cuyamaca College  upon your acceptance.

Transcripts
All academic transcripts of your secondary and postsecondary education must be mailed directly to Cuyamaca College Admissions and Records Office from the institution(s) you have attended. These documents must be signed in ink by the appropriate school official, such as the registrar, and bear the school's official seal.

Transcripts must be translated into ENGLISH.

English Proficiency (TOEFL)
A score of 450 or higher, paper-based (or 45 internet score) is required on the international TEST OF ENGLISH AS A FOREIGN LANGUAGE (TOEFL). The TOEFL must be taken within two years prior to application. The score report must be sent directly from Educational Testing Service (ETS) to the Admissions and Records Office of Cuyamaca College (Code 4252). The TOEFL test must be taken before the application deadline. The results will be accepted after the deadline. NO OTHER ENGLISH TEST IS ACCEPTED.

Many students who are not yet prepared to take the TOEFL exam choose first to come to the United States to study English at a language school.  Once you have completed the TOEFL exam with a minimum score of 450 or 45 internet score, you can apply to Cuyamaca College for the next possible semester as a transfer student to begin your college-level programs.

Prospective students who have attended secondary or postsecondary educational institutions in the U.S. for at least three years may not need to submit TOEFL scores prior to enrollment at Cuyamaca College.  Contact the International Admissions staff.

For information about the TOEFL test, please refer to their web site at www.toefl.org. 

Financial Statement
International students must submit an original bank statement or bank letter which verifies access to at least U.S. $21,000 (subject to change) indicating your ability to pay for one year's education and living expenses.  By law, F-1 visa international students are not allowed to work in the United States without U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services authorization and are not eligible for financial aid.

Health Insurance
It is strongly recommended that international students obtain a health and accident insurance policy.  The Student Health Services Office has information on where to acquire such a policy.

Full-Time Status
International students must complete a minimum of 12 units each semester in order to keep the F-1 student visa in effect.  It is anticipated that students will complete their studies within five semesters.

Enrollment Fees: (U.S. Dollars)

Frequently Asked Questions

1.  Do I have to take full-time study?
Yes, per Immigration laws and regulations, you need to be a full-time student and "In Status" at all times.  Full-time status minimum unit load is 12 units per semester (spring and fall).

2.  How do I take the TOEFL test?
The TOEFL test is given all over the world.  There are several ways to contact the TOEFL test center, they are listed below:

Web site: http://www.toefl.org
E-Mail/Internet: toefl@ets.org
Telephone: 1-609-771-7100
FAX: 1-609-771-7500

3. Is it possible to transfer from a Language School to Cuyamaca College?
Yes, many students go to Language Schools first then transfer to Cuyamaca College after completing the required TOEFL test score of 450 or higher paper-based (or 45 internet score).

4.  Is housing available on campus?
Cuyamaca College does not have housing on campus but does work with a homestay service.  There are also apartments within walking distance of the college.   Please contact vanessa.saenz@gcccd.edu for further information.

5.  Is there public transportation to Cuyamaca College?
Yes, we have a good transit system in the San Diego area, and a bus stop right on campus.

6.  Do you have Athletic sports on campus?
Yes, we have many athletic teams for both men and women at Cuyamaca College.   Golf, Basketball, Cross Country, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Volleyball.

7. I understand there is an ENGLISH/MATH placement test, do International Students have to take this test too?
Yes, this is required of all students, including International Students.

8. What is the minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) minimum to maintain USCIS (U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services) status?
The minimum grade point average required is 2.00; C or better at all times.   (A+ = 4.0, A = 4.0, A- = 3.7, B+ = 3.3, B = 3.0, B- = 2.7, C+ = 2.3, C = 2.0, D = 1.0 and F = 0.0)

The Community College Experience

General Information
Cuyamaca College opened in 1978.  Located on a scenic hillside overlooking the residential community of Rancho San Diego, the 165 acre campus features a beautiful library with three instructional computer labs.  The college serves students in day, evening and Saturday programs.  A physical education facility features a state-of-art fitness center, and the most up to date technology is an integral part of our educational programs and services.

Cuyamaca is a public, two-year higher education institution, chartered by the State of California and fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges.  Our college curriculum includes business, technical-vocational, engineering, and other professional programs as well as transfer programs and general education courses.  Cuyamaca also has a multi-level basic skill curriculum that integrates English as a second language in speaking, reading, and composition.

The College maintains articulation agreements with the University of California (UC) and the California State University (CSU) systems, which assist students in transferring to UC or CSU campuses as upper-division (third year) students.  In addition, our students find that they are able to transfer most or all of their Cuyamaca courses to public or private colleges throughout the United States.

Classes are offered on a semester basis.  The fall semester begins in late August, and the spring semester begins in late January.   Summer Intersession starts in June.  Credit classes are also offered during the three week winter break between semesters.  International students are expected to be available for academic counseling and pre-registration orientation two to three weeks prior to the beginning of classes for their first semester at Cuyamaca College.

International Students
International F1 visa students have many educational options available to them at Cuyamaca.  Many choose a two-year associate degree course of study in one of the major programs offered.  Others take lower division (freshman and sophomore) general education and major preparation courses at Cuyamaca and then transfer to an American four-year college or university.

International Student Application for Admission

                  Vanessa Saenz
                  International Student Admissions
                  Cuyamaca College
                  900 Rancho San Diego Parkway
                  El Cajon, CA 92019-4304 

You should be contacted by e-mail within 3 – 4 weeks. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me at (619) 660-4565 or e-mail me at  vanessa.saenz@gcccd.edu.

Foreign Transcripts

Click this link to see the policies and procedures for the evaluation of foreign country transcripts or those in languages other than English.