International Student Services | Virtual Tour | Visa Info
Carmella DiMartino Catrambone
Coordinator of International Student Services
Office of Student Life
610-527-0200 extension 2975
cdimartino@rosemont.edu
Rosemont College
International Student Services
1400 Montgomery Avenue
Rosemont, PA 19010
Obtaining a Student Visa
Once you are accepted and have made your deposit, you will need to arrange for your entry into the United States by obtaining the appropriate visa from a U.S. embassy or consulate near you. We will send the student visa application (Form I-20) to you with instructions on obtaining your F-1 student visa after we have received official certification of finances.
When you receive your Form I-20, present this form, your passport, and original documentation of your financial resources to a U.S. consular officer to obtain your visa for entry to the United States. F-1 student status will allow you to remain in the U.S. as long as you are a properly registered full-time student.
To maintain full-time status you must take a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester. We recommend 16 credits per semester. F-1 status will allow you to work part-time in on-campus jobs at Rosemont College and work in an optional practical training job directly related to your field of study for 12 months during or after your studies.
Entry into the United States
When you arrive at a port of entry into the United States, you will be required to present your visa and Form I-20 along with your passport and financial documents to the immigration officer. The immigration officer will stamp the I-20 and return it to you. He or she will issue a completed I-94 Arrival-Departure Record. The I-94, which is an extremely important document, indicates the date when your permission to remain in the U.S. expires and must be kept in your passport. The I-20 is the permanent record of your permission to enter and remain in the U.S. and must be kept in your possession as long as you are a student.
US/Rosemont Education
American students receive twelve years of primary and secondary education before they are eligible to attend a university or college. As college students, undergraduates in the United States complete four years of study to earn a bachelor's degree. Earning a bachelor's degree involves studying one academic discipline in-depth (a "major") and taking courses in other disciplines ("electives").
Education at Rosemont College
Rosemont awards Bachelor of Arts (B.A.), Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.), and Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degrees. Majors are offered in the following fields: Biochemistry, Biology, Business (Accounting, Management and International Business), Chemistry, Economics, English, French, German, History, History of Art, Mathematics, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, Religious Studies, Spanish, and Studio Art.
Interdisciplinary majors are offered in American Studies, Humanities, Italian Studies, and Social Sciences. Pre-Law and Pre-Medical advising and Teacher Certification are also provided. Independent and individualized majors are available.
International Baccalaureate
Rosemont will consider granting advanced credit on an individual basis for students who have scored successfully on the International Baccalaureate Examinations.
Transfer of Prior College Credit
If you have prior college credits or a degree from an accredited international institution or technical school and wish to find out if these credits will transfer, you will need to have your former international institution send copies of the official transcript and an official English translation.
Admissions and Financial Aid
Jen Reger, '02
International Admissions Coordinator
Office of Admissions
1400 Montgomery Ave
Rosemont, PA 19010
610.527.0200 x. 2209 (v)
610.520.4399 (f)
jreger@rosemont.edu
To apply to Rosemont, you must submit:
- A completed application for admission
- An official transcript of your high school grades
- Results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): A score of 500 paper (173 computer) is required; A score of 550 paper (213 computer) is recommended
- Two recommendations from teachers or school officials (The following are printable recommendation forms: Teacher Evaluation Form & Counselor Evaluation Form)
Rosemont does not offer scholarships or financial aid to international students. However, to find out more about other aid possibilities, contact a government education officer or your local Rotary International Club. Parents or sponsors are required to provide documentation of financial resources to support a student's total educational and personal expenses prior to the issuance of the I-20 for a student visa.
Students and Faculty
Students
Rosemont students are interesting, exciting young women who bring their special talents and abilities to our campus. Our student population is both ethnically and geographically diverse and approximately 8% of our undergraduate students are from overseas. International students find our small size to be very beneficial when learning about and becoming familiar with American culture and making new friends.
Faculty
Rosemont boasts a dedicated and driven faculty. Approximately 80% of our faculty members hold the highest degree in their field and our small class size (an 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio) provides an opportunity for close interaction, assuring both academic strength and quality.
Location and Climate
Location
Rosemont's campus is located in a beautiful, historic community 17 km west of Philadelphia in the state of Pennsylvania. Philadelphia is the fifth-largest city in the United States and offers a rich cultural, historic, and social environment. It is located midway between New York City and Washington, D.C. (each are approximately 170 km from Philadelphia) and recreational areas in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania and on the Atlantic Ocean coast are only a 90-minute drive away. Public transportation to nearby Philadelphia and other major cities, as well as to the Philadelphia International Airport, is within walking distance from Rosemont's campus.
Climate and Clothing
All students should expect significant changes in the weather over the course of the academic year - cold winters, hot summers, and pleasant days in between. In winter, the temperature frequently drops to between 10 and 25 degrees Fahrenheit (-12 to -4 degrees Celsius). In summer, the temperature often rises to between 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (32 to 37 degrees Celsius) with high humidity. Plan to wear warm clothing during the winter months (November - April). An overcoat is a necessity. Clothing for rainy weather is also needed. Most students do not dress formally for class, except on special occasions. On campus, informal attire such as tops (t-shirts, sweaters, sweatshirts) and jeans (slacks or long pants), are acceptable. Of course, dresses or skirts and blouses are also worn to class by many students. You may find it helpful to bring national costumes to wear to certain campus events and international celebrations or speaking engagements.
Support Services
International Student Services
If all of the information seems confusing, this office can advise you about: immigration issues, financial matters, campus services for academic and personal counseling, medical care, and host families. A division of the Student Affairs Department, the office plans an international student orientation at the beginning of the fall semester that will help you meet other international students and make a smooth transition to the Rosemont community.
English as a Second Language
All lectures, laboratory sessions, written and oral examinations at Rosemont are conducted in English. It is essential that you have a high level of proficiency in the language before enrolling in courses. A TOEFL score below 525 would suggest that a student enroll in an ESL (English as a Second Language) course before beginning credit-bearing courses at Rosemont.
Health Care
Health Services are available to Rosemont students for normal care at no extra charge. Personal counseling is also provided by a licensed psychologist with other professionally trained counselors to provide the opportunity for support, crisis management, limited therapy, and consultation. All new students are required to show evidence of having been immunized against certain infectious diseases, including tetanus, diphtheria, measles, mumps, rubella, tuberculosis, and Hepatitis B. International students are required to purchase health insurance through Rosemont College. Information on the student health insurance plan is available through the Office of Student Life.