TABLE OF CONTENTS Proximity To Select 4-Year Universities & Attractions 3 Introduction 4 Contra Costa College (CCC) 5 (DVC) 6 (LMC) 7 International Education Center at Diablo Valley College (IEC@DVC) 8 Quality and Student Success 9 Options 10 Admissions 11

UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

9℃ Sacramento Average annual low Lake Tahoe San Francisco 22℃ San Jose Average annual high

The colleges are located in the San Francisco , which is known for its proximity to San Francisco and its convenient public transportation. From each of the campuses, students Los Angeles have easy access to the U.S. train system (Amtrak) and the public transportation system (BART). The San Diego average distance from the colleges to San Francisco is 55 km.

2 PROXIMITY TO SELECT 4-YEAR UNIVERSITIES & ATTRACTIONS

Lake Tahoe

Sacramento Sacramento State Santa Rosa UC Davis Napa Valley Sonoma State Napa

Stockton

Muir UC Berkeley Woods San Saint Mary's College Francisco of California Yosemite National Park 25 Miles SF State Modesto CSU East Bay CSU Stanislaus

San Jose 50 Miles Stanford Merced University San Jose State 75 Miles UC Merced

UC Santa Cruz 100 Miles Santa Cruz

Fresno Salinas 125 Miles

Monterey CSU Monterey Bay

150 Miles

3 Big Sur INTRODUCTION

Dear Prospective Students: Located in the San Francisco Bay Area, the Colleges of Contra Costa (Contra Costa College, Diablo Valley College, and Los Medanos College) are accredited, public community colleges that enroll more than 800 students from over 50 countries. These students from around the world greatly enrich our colleges. With annual tuition around $10,000 (30 units), the Colleges of Contra Costa offer one of the most affordable, high quality, and likely paths to excellent four- year institutions. Each year, over 300 international transfer students to four-year colleges and universities, with Diablo Valley College being the #1 international student transfer institution to UC Berkeley! Come join the 10,000+ global alumni who have enrolled at Contra Costa College, Diablo Valley College, or Los Medanos College and transferred to a four-year college or university to earn a bachelor’s degree. In the meantime, we encourage you to contact us via email or social media and schedule a visit!

Sincerely,

Steven Hales Dean of International Education

4 CONTRA COSTA COLLEGE (CCC)

Why choose CCC?

Urban San Francisco Bay Area location: 32 km to San Francisco; Presidential Award-winning Center for Science Excellence ● 17 km to Berkeley; on-campus bus service to Bay Area Rapid ● program for STEM Majors. Transit (BART) commuter train. Approximately 50% of international student transfers to 4-year Culturally diverse campus: Students identify as 42% Hispanic, ● institutions since 2011 have enrolled at UC Berkeley, UCLA, UC ● 20% African American, 14% Asian, 11% White, 6% Filipino, and Davis, UC San Diego, or UC Santa Barbara. 6% Multi-Ethnic. Average class size of 24 students. ●

Rose Annie Amy CAMBODIA TANZANIA COLOMBIA

My plan after CCC is to transfer as a I really like the library and the international The teachers [at CCC] are very good; the Computer Science major. I want to graduate office and my counselor because they're like classes are perfect. You have the opportunity with my Bachelor’s [degree] and then move really helpful whenever I'm in trouble or if to share with people from other countries. on to get my Ph.D. I have been thinking of ever I need anything I can just go to them. They have a lot of services, support for the applying to all the UC system. San Jose State students, clubs, and organizations. [Univ.] plus Georgia Tech and UT Austin [University of Texas].

5 DIABLO VALLEY COLLEGE (DVC)

Why choose DVC?

Suburban San Francisco Bay Area location: 50 km to San 70+ student clubs and organizations. ● Francisco; on-campus bus service to Bay Area Rapid Transit ● (BART) commuter train. #1 in transfers to 4-year institutions among California ● community colleges. Convenient accommodation: Furnished & unfurnished ● apartments 1–2 blocks from campus. #1 in transfers among international students to UC Berkeley. ● On average, 38% of international transfer students (1,000+ students) have been admitted to UC Berkeley since 2010.

Khalid Juan Diego Celeste QATAR PERU SINGAPORE

I would highly recommend DVC to If you’re not sure about your major, this is I like DVC’s location because it’s in the middle international students because it is a very an affordable option that you can explore, of a lot of great nature places and cities. It’s safe, friendly environment. There are so try different things, and then transfer to a not too far from San Francisco either, so we many international students from around the university that’s good for your major. After have options if you want to get out and enjoy world. It’s a great place. The professors are DVC, I plan to transfer to a 4-year university. California. I chose DVC because I heard it has really nice. My dream school would be the University of a great transfer rate to a lot of great UCs, Southern California. especially for Berkeley.

6 LOS MEDANOS COLLEGE (LMC)

Why choose LMC?

Suburban San Francisco Bay Area location: 70 km to San Experiential learning in science, technology, engineering, or ● Francisco; on-campus bus service to Bay Area Rapid Transit ● mathematics (STEM) fields: Engineering and Physics students (BART) commuter train. won a competition sponsored by NASA for which they produced a tool used by NASA scientists. #6 “Best Community College in the U.S.” by College Choice ● Magazine; “Top 150 U.S. Community College” by The Aspen Honors Program with ten partners, including UCLA and Saint Institute. ● Mary's College; since 2015, 75% of applicants to UCLA have been admitted. Global Mentor Program for new international students. ●

Aline Melanie Feng BRAZIL GERMANY CHINA

I like the professors because they are very When I came here to Los Medanos College San Francisco Bay Area is an awesome kind and very professional, and they are as an international student, we had an place, and the weather is super nice. I’m available all the time to help us. I recommend orientation week. There were other students planning to transfer [from LMC] to UC LMC because the location is perfect, the to help you find friends or just to talk with Berkeley. professors are very good, and they have many them, so you have somebody in school. And resources, and the international student now I’m doing that with the new students that office is very helpful and can help you in every are coming in. step of your process.

7 INTERNATIONAL EDUCATION CENTER AT DIABLO VALLEY COLLEGE (IEC@DVC)

Why choose IEC?

No TOEFL required: Students who complete the Advanced B level receive a TOEFL ● waiver to Contra Costa College, Diablo Valley College, and Los Medanos College. Academic Bridge Program: Students have the option of taking IEC@DVC’s Academic ● Bridge Program, which provides three additional start dates at DVC and a smooth transition to DVC classes. Transfer success rate: More than 95% of IEC@DVC students continue on to ● university after IEC@DVC. Many attend Diablo Valley College, which is the #1 transfer institution for UC Berkeley. Students also attend California State Universities and private institutions. Multiple start dates: IEC@DVC offers flexible starting dates for its 8-week ● sessions (see the online Academic Calendar). Student services: IEC@DVC’s numerous student services provide students ● the support needed to succeed inside and outside of the classroom.

I think IEC is a great, wonderful language school because I could make a lot of friends all over the world. I chose DVC because of it’s nice weather and safety and reputation.

Chizuru JAPAN

I would like to recommend this program, IEC, to every international student because IEC is like a bridge to DVC that prepares each student during this path.

Daniyal IRAN

I do well at DVC now because I took IEC before.

Kongpob THAILAND

8 QUALITY AND STUDENT SUCCESS The Most Affordable And Likely Path To Prestigious 4-Year Institutions

Advantages of Community Colleges

Compared to most 4-year U.S. institutions, community colleges have: Less strict admissions requirements ● Lower tuition costs ● Classes always taught by professors (not graduate students) ● Smaller classes for general education courses ● Higher acceptance rates than for high school applicants ● California Community Colleges

Largest system of higher education in the U.S. ● Priority admission to University of California and California State University sytems ● Approximately 30% of University of California graduates and 50% of California State University graduates ●

UC, CSU, Other 4-year institution

Annual Cost Tuition of Bachelor's Degree in California

Colleges of Contra Costa Total Colleges of Contra Costa + University Total

Tuition (30 units - 1 academic year) $10,380 CCC/DVC/LMC + California State University (CSUs) $60,000

I-20 Estimate $24,000 CCC/DVC/LMC + University of California (UCs) $110,000

Based on 2020-2021 CCC/DVC/LMC + Private University or College in California $140,000 Costs vary by institution Costs do not reflect any scholarship(s) Tuition is approximate and subject to change

Diversity Student Success

800+ 125+

International Majors Immigration 1:1 Counseling 24–30 Average Students Advising (Education Plans) Class Size

50+ 130+ Countries Student Represented Clubs Academic Transfer Career Tutoring Services Services

9 OPTIONS

125+ How to Start Where to Live What to Study Degree Programs TOEFL/IELTS Waiver Furnished and unfurnished 5 Most Popular Majors: (IEC, UC Davis, ELS) accommodation near CCC, Successfully complete a required DVC, LMC, and the IEC intensive English program level and 4stay.com then enroll at CCC, DVC, or LMC.

Academic Bridge Program (DVC) Live with an American Business Computer Psychology Start at DVC with a 6-unit (2 courses), family Science 7-week program in June, October, or diablovalleyhomestay.com March.

Direct entry to CCC, DVC or LMC Furnished apartments near Begin your program of study during DVC a regular session (semester) at CCC, interresidential.com DVC, or LMC. Biology Engineering

Student Employment Opportunities

On-campus Off-campus Students are eligible to work on campus 30 days before they enroll. Students are eligible to apply for Curricular Practical Training (CPT) or Optional Practical Training (OPT) authorization after one academic year.

University of University of Brown Washington Michigan Where our Students Transfer Cornell BU Boston University of Wisconsin

University of NYU NYU Oregon Purdue Johns University of JH Hopkins Illinois George GW Washington CSU CSU Chico University of Indiana Utah University UC Davis Georgetown UC UNLV UC Berkeley CSU Ohio State CSU Sacramento University of UC UNLV Colorado University Georgia Saint Tech of San USF Francisco SMC Mary's University of SF State CSU CSU CSU Arizona State Miami Stanislaus University of Mississippi University of Arkansas State CSU Texas East Bay CSU CSU San Jose State UC UC Santa Cruz UC CSU CSU Monterey Irvine Bay UC Santa Barbara UC Santa UC UC UC Riverside Barbara UC Davis UC Santa UCLA University of Cruz UC USC Southern California UC Irvine 1,000 Annual UC Transfers to UCs UCLA UC San Diego San Diego State UC CSU University UC San Diego UC Berkeley *These are just some examples of the many 4-year institutions to where our students transfer.

10 ADMISSIONS

Application Deadlines Evidence of English Language Proficiency

Diablo Valley Contra Costa College English Proficiency Tests Requirement College Los Medanos College TOEFL iBT July 1 (outside the U.S.) Test of English as a Foreign Language (Internet-based) Fall Semester June 1 August 15 (inside the U.S.) CCC Institutional Code: 4943 61 Spring December 1 (outside the U.S.) DVC Institutional Code: 4295 November 1 Semester January 15 (inside the U.S.) LMC Institutional Code: 4396

5.5 IELTS Academic International English Language Testing System Minimum band scores Admission Requirements of 4.5 No SAT or ACT for admission to Duolingo English Test 90 community college Only accepted for the Fall 2020 and Spring 2021 intakes CAE No SAT or ACT needed to transfer to 160 a 4-year institution Cambridge English: Advanced iTEP Academic 3.5 No SAT or ACT score is required for students who have sufficient credits/ International Test of English Proficiency units to qualify as transfer applicants. This varies by institution. PTE Academic 45 Pearson Test of English Academic

GTEC CBT 1. Application & $50 application fee 1100 Global Test of English Communication 2. High school graduation (if under 18) 3. English language proficiency(one of the following on the right column) EIKEN 2A 4. Financial support evidence TOEFL iTP Institutional TOEFL 500 High School Graduation Only accepted for study abroad students from partner institutions *Only results within the past two years are accepted; **Scanned copies of official score reports IGCSE/O Level are accepted; Online results verification (TOEFL, IELTS, CAE) The IGCSE and O Level qualifications described below meet both the high school graduation equivalency and English language proficiency Partner Intensive English Programs requirements for international student admission to Contra Costa College, Diablo Valley College, and Los Medanos College. Conditional letters of admission will be issued for applicants in the following programs: Applicants must submit final IGCSE or O Level results showing five subjects passed with grades of C or higher. One of the subjects must International Education Center Completion of Advanced B Level (IEC@DVC) Certificate be English – First Language, English as a Second Language or English Language. Scanned copies of the final IGCSE and O Level results are ELS Language Centers Completion of Level 109 (EAP) accepted. Completion of Level 600 Contra Costa College, Diablo Valley College, and Los Medanos UC Davis Intensive English Program minimum 3.0 GPA; grade of B or College will not admit students based on preliminary results or Continuing and Professional Education higher in writing students who take IGCSE and O Level exams as independent or private candidates. High School/Secondary Academic Records General Educational Development Test (GED) Applicants must provide one of the following: Applicants who pass a U.S. equivalent GED meet the high school graduation equivalency requirement for international student Graduation from a U.S. high school with grades of C or higher in admission to Contra Costa College, Diablo Valley College, and Los academic English (not ESL). Medanos College. Final IGCSE or O level results with a grade of C or higher in one of the following: English Language, English – First Language, English as a Second Language. Graduation from an English medium International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme. Graduation from a school where English is the primary language of instruction along with a letter from the School on institution Apply letterhead stating that English is the medium of instruction. To apply to any of our colleges, please visit intl.4cd.edu and Post-Secondary Academic Records select "Apply" from the main menu. Transcripts from U.S. post-secondary institutions showing one academic year of college level English with grades of C or higher.

Please visit intl.4cd.edu for the most up-to-date admission requirements, including evidence of English language proficiency.

11 Contra Costa Community College District 500 Court Street Martinez, CA 94553 intl.4cd.edu