Cameron University International Student Viewbook

Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions you will make as a young adult. Selecting Cameron University ensures that you will receive a top-quality education and have a complete collegiate experience at a university where you are recognized as an individual with your own unique story. Cameron University is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Cameron University provides a diverse and dynamic student body access to quality educational opportunities; fosters a student-centered academic environment that combines innovative classroom teaching with experiential learning; prepares students for professional success, responsible citizenship, life-long learning, and meaningful contributions to a rapidly changing world; and is a driving force in the cultural life and economic development of the region.

Cameron University was established in 1908. CU offers eight associate degrees, 32 bachelor's degrees and six master's degrees. Cameron University is committed to providing you a top-quality education with caring and qualified faculty. Small class sizes provide an environment where learning and student success are the highest priority. At Cameron, you have the opportunity to connect with faculty and receive a more personal educational experience.

International students are required by the U.S. Bureau of Citizenshipand Immigration Services (USCIS) to be enrolled “fulltime.” At Cameron, full-time enrollment for undergraduates is satisfied by completion of a minimum of 12 college credit hours each fall and spring semester. You are not required to attend school during the summer, but you may attend the 8-week summer session.

CU operates on a two-semester calendar. The fall semester usually begins in mid-August and ends in mid-December. The spring semester, which includes a one-week recess in March, begins in mid-January and ends in early May.

College or university credit for work completed at higher education institutions outside the United States must be translated into English and evaluated by an approved and accredited evaluation service. This evaluation must be a course by course evaluation with upper division course identification and grade point average equivalent. Please select one of the approved evaluation agencies listed below:

World Education Services, Inc. P.O. Box 5087 Bowling Green Station New York, NY 10274-5087 www.wes.org

AACRAO’s International Education Services One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 520 Washington, DC 20036-1135 www.aacrao.org

Educational Credential Evaluators PO Box 514070 Milwaukee, WI 53203-3740 www.ece.org

SpanTran Pathways 450 Seventh Avenue, Suite 1107 New York, NY 10123 www.spantran.com

Students are responsible for paying for this service and should contact the evaluation service directly to have their transcripts evaluated.

An official copy of the evaluation must be sent to Cameron University directly from the evaluation agency. An official transcript is also required as a part of your application for admission. You can either submit it to Cameron University, or some evaluation agencies will include a copy with the evaluation (usually at an additional cost).

Non-resident tuition waivers allow students to pay the same tuition rate as a resident of Oklahoma, a substantial savings. Any undergraduate international student is eligible for the non-resident tuition waiver in their first semester if at least one of the following criteria are met:

1. First-time freshman students whose permanent residence is outside of Oklahoma.

a. Achieve an unweighted high school grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) or higher.

b. High schools outside the United States will need to be evaluated by World Education Services (WES) to determine an equivalent GPA. The WES Basic, Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), SpanTran Pathways, or AACRAO’s International Education Services options are acceptable.

c. Achieve an ACT composite of 24 or higher, or equivalent SAT composite math and critical reading score of 1090 or higher if taken prior to March 2016 or 1160 or higher if taken after March 2016.

2. Transfer students who completed 30 college-level credit hours from an accredited college or university (with at least 24 credit hours at college level) and achieve a 3.0 retention GPA or higher (on a 4.0 scale) at the time of transfer.

All students who are eligible/offered and accept the non-resident tuition waiver must maintain an academic performance standard to remain eligible to receive the non-resident tuition waiver.

The cost of attending Cameron University varies based on students’ choices related to housing, meal plans, and course load. For additional information about cost of attendance use our cost calculator athttps://www.cameron.edu/info/schedules/tuition/cost-calculator.

This estimate is not a fixed cost; it is merely a tool for you to use to budget your expenses for your first year at Cameron. Each student’s circumstances will be somewhat different, resulting in different living expenses. If you take more or fewer classes each semester, your tuition amounts will vary. If you have a roommate or live off-campus, you can expect to pay different expenses for lodging and meals.

Cameron University has a Student Wellness Center on campus to handle basic medical needs. The Student Wellness Center’s mission is to provide services that enhance the physical and mental health of CU students. Its health andwellness programs are designed to improve the quality of campus life andto improve student success in achieving academic goals.

Services available at the Student Wellness Center include medical care for acute conditions, mental health counseling, monthly education programs, and interactive workshops. All international students are required to secure their own health care insurance during their stay at Cameron University.

While academics are a priority at CU, an important part of the college experience takes place outside the classroom. Students can find activities that suit their talents, interests and abilities. A wide range of organizations are located on campus, including departmental, minority, professional, political and religious groups and various honorary and recognition societies. Students can become involved in student government, choral groups, a jazz ensemble, theatre or Greek life.

During their free time, students can participate in intramural sports, intercollegiate athletics and other recreational activities. The Aggie Rec Center houses basketball, volleyball and racquetball courts, an NCAA regulation-size swimming pool, a running track, aerobic exercise area and a weight training area, which features cross-training equipment. Located nearby are eight tennis courts. Use of the Aggie Rec Center is open to CU students, staff and faculty.

Intercollegiate sports are an important part of campus life. Men play basketball, baseball, golf, track, cross country and tennis, while women participate in basketball, volleyball, softball, golf, track, cross county and tennis. Cameron competes in the NCAA Division II Lone Star Conference.

There are a variety of lodging and meal plans available on campus, and there are many options for living away from campus. We strongly recommend that you spend at least your first semester on campus. Living on campus allows you to become familiar with life, people, customs and culture in the city of Lawton, in the state of Oklahoma, and in the United States, as well as time to adjust to student life at Cameron University. Students should not arrive without prearranged housing.

Shepler Center is comprised of two traditional high-rise residence halls – North Shepler (male) and South Shepler (female). Each room is equipped with a bed, desk, highspeed internet, cable and phone connections. Bathroom and shower facilities are available on each floor. A lounge is located on each floor of the residential halls. Amenities include laundry facilities, cafeteria, internet and cable.

Cameron Village is an apartment complex with two styles of apartments. One is set up as a four bedroom/two bath unit. The other style is a two bedroom/one bath floor plan. All apartments are furnished and include kitchens with a microwave, stove, dishwasher and refrigerator. The Village also is equipped with high-speed internet, cable and phone connections. Located in Cameron Village is the McMahon Center – a separate building with a great room, recreational space, library, and computer room. More information regarding housing is located on the web at www.cameron.edu/housing.

Cameron University is committed to the safety of its students. Safety measures in place include: 24 hours a day, 7 days a week patrol of campus year round by state certified public safety officers, emergency call boxes strategically placed across campus, constant maintenance and upgrades to campus lighting, security cameras, enhanced safety measures in residence halls and apartments, and an emergency communication systemallowing for prompt communication through the telephone and emaildevices of the students’ choosing in the event of an emergency.

The Office of Public Safety is located on the first floor of South Shepler.

THANK YOU for your interest in Cameron University! For information about becoming an international student at CU, please refer to the checklist below. Also, you may want to see the CU International Information website at: https://www.cameron.edu/admissions/international-student-services.

If you are applying for first-time admission to a United States university, or if you have attended another United States university and earned fewer than 24 semester credit hours, we require ALL of the following documents before processing an I-20.

-Completed Application for International Admission AND US $20.00 Application Fee. To apply visit https://www.cameron.edu/apply. There are NO WAIVERS of the application fee.

-Evidence of completion of secondary school (high school). This evidence must be an official transcript translated into English. If you are uncertain about which document to submit, please contact us. If applicant is from a West African nation, submit an original or certified copy of your WAEC report and new scratch card with examination number, examination year and type of examination.

-Official transcripts of all university work completed outside the United States, translated into English, and evaluated by an approved credential evaluation service. These services can be located on the Web: www.wes.org, www.ece.org, www.aacrao.org and spantran.com. Your credits will not be placed on your CU transcript until after you have been fully admitted and enrolled in classes. Advanced Levels do not need to be evaluated.

-A copy of the page (or pages) of your passport that indicate your complete name, country of citizenship, passport number, and passport expiration date.

-Affidavit of Financial Support AND six months of certified current bank statements or a statement from a bank that indicates the availability of funds for you to attend school for at least one year.

-Proof of English Proficiency: If English is not your native language, you are required to take the TOEFL test. See the list of Cameron University’s approved native English speaking countries at https://www.cameron.edu/admissions/international-student-services/future-international-students/ undergraduate-admission-requirements/cameron-university-approved-native-english-speaking-countries. Your test score must be 500 or higher for undergraduates (paper- based); and 61 or higher for undergraduates (internet-based). The Cameron University code is 6080. Complete information on the TOEFL test can be found at www.toefl.org. We also accept the IELTS. Your test score must be 5.5 or higher. Complete information about IELTS can be found at www.ielts.com. We must have the official score report - NO COPIES. Students may also provide proof of 12 weeks intensive English study at an approved ESL program in the U.S. after achieving a minimum TOEFL score of 460 (PBT) or 48 (IBT) or a minimum IELTS overall band of 5.0.

-SAT or ACT score report. If you are under 21 years of age the SAT or ACT is required. The SAT or ACT is not required if you are over 21 years of age OR you have completed at least 24 semester credit hours at the university level. Please do not submit copies.

If you are transferring to CU from another United States high school or university, please request a transfer form. More questions? Please contact the International Admissions Office at international@cameron.edu.