Hi. I’m in my first semester of freshman year and am on a student visa. I’m taking 13 credits this semester, but am not doing well in two of my four classes. I haven’t gone to 5 of my class sessions for one, and the Prof told me she has to check the policy for a student like me and asked me to withdraw. My other class Prof told me I can’t re-enter the class (even though I haven’t withdrawn, just not attended) because I’ve missed far too many classes (4 in total, and then I missed the 5th one because of what she said). Basically I’m at a risk of getting two WFs and having my student visa status revoked. I really can’t let that happen.
They should be more understanding to someone who isn’t used to the the system in the U.S., shouldn’t they? I spoke to the school counselor and he told me he was like me in his first year but changed. And he’s American. Nobody mentioned that if you miss 4 classes or 5 or whatever the number you won’t be allowed to return to the class. I thought if I personally emailed my professors before going to class they could understand me and help me out, but instead they are kicking me out.
Also, I can fill a form and officially get excused by an official from one class due to the excuse that I am not used to the American school system or something like that, but it will most likely affect my scholarship. So this is not really a solution. The school is in NYC and it’s expensive, even with the scholarship.
Anyway, the best solution for me I can see is to transfer to a CC right now, mid-semester, like send in my application form now and hopefully they accept me for the spring semester in January 2017. However, can they accept me if I don’t submit 1st semester transcripts? My grades I am quite sure would be something like 2 Cs and 2 WFs. Ah! Please help me and tell me what I should do!
As a note, the CC I want to transfer to is BMCC Borough of Manhattan Community College.
CC’s don’t give significant scholarships and you need to see if they will cover your visa. You will be on your own and pay significant OOS rates for the CC. Plus you need to find housing, which will be really expensive in NY without scholarship help.
Yes, the transition to American colleges is extremely difficult, but even if it had been explained to you, would you have believed that it was so hard and not come to the US? Some international students assume everything is easier in the US and, regardless of preparation for a new place, culture and education system, don’t plan and balance their time well.
Why have you missed so many classes? Were you ill? You cannot miss classes and expect to do well. The CC’s education system is similar to your college. Why do you presume that you will do well there?
Why did you keep missing classes? American students who do this are either lazy or partying. A few turn themselves around and succeed but mist flunk out.
I’ll add to Tom’s (@TomSrOfBoston) answer: American students who miss classes also might have significant medical issues. Classes have to be missed when you are really ill, but the student’s professors, and/or college nursing staff are generally informed. My daughter was hospitalized with pneumonia. I couldn’t get a flight to her because flights to the east coast were grounded by ice. The medical staff at the hospital, were extremely kind and contacted me, the University’s health services and tried to contact each of her professors. They then provided documentation to the school.
There’s no excuse for missing that many classes, other than what Tom suggested, and any medical, family emergency. Even then, missing 4 to five classes in a semester is brutal. In the quarter systems in California, you miss 5 classes, you’ve missed half of the 10 weeks of the class and you fail.
I have a friend who teaches English for internationals at the community college level. She has seen kids who are there to “major in hanging out in America” and do not bother to show up for class. They hop from school to school staying (just barely) in compliance with the visa requirements by getting enrolled somewhere new when they don’t make academic progress requirements. It does work for a while at least. As long as the transfer student comes with full-pay money, there are cash-strapped community colleges out there that just don’t care.
OP: You may want to think about where you think you are going in terms of your education/career with this strategy. And don’t expect any scholarships from the community college.
You write" “They should be more understanding to someone who isn’t used to the the system in the U.S., shouldn’t they?”
I think you just wanted to come to the U.S. and used school as an excuse to be given a visa. Now that you are here you seem upset that you are expected to actually be a student. I can’t think of any county in the world where students are not expected to attend class.
Every professor I’ve ever had provided a syllabus and every syllabus outlined the attendance policy. It’s your responsibility to read and understand it.
In order to transfer, your current college has to send your transcripts to the new school. If you don’t meet Satisfactory Academic Progress, getting accepted to another college can be a challenge. Since you’re depending on a scholarship to help pay for college, not meeting SAP is a huge problem. Other colleges won’t grant scholarships to students who attempted 13 credits but only satisfactorily completed half of them.
Is your scholarship based on full-time study? If so, dropping to part-time may affect the amount of aid you get and you may end up owing your current college money. If that’s the case, you’ll have to pay it before they’ll release your transcripts.
@sybbie719 understands NY college admissions. She can tell you for sure what effect a W, an F, and 2 passing grades will have on the transfer chances of an international student.
First of all in order to transfer the move will not take place until the spring term. The school will still require your grades before allowing you to register as s transfer student For s domestic student receiving financial aid it would affect aid further federal or state aid. In Op’s situation it would affect his status to continue study in the United States