Applying to Mason’s BRIDGE & ACCESS Programs: Information for ELI Students

Karyn Mallett & Julie Kim

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Center for International Student Access (CISA)

ACCESSOne-year full-time provisional undergraduate admissions program for international students who need a moderate amount of English language support to ensure academic success at Mason

BRIDGE-EETOne-year full-time provisional graduate admissions program for students who need a moderate amount of English language support to strengthen their credentials and prepare students for the intense level of academic English required for graduate study at Mason

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• Receive provisional admission to Mason as a freshman (first-year student)

• Earn 24-27 academic credits towards undergraduate degree

• Take classes taught by both Mason academic faculty and ELI faculty

• Receive added academic English language support

• Participate in social, cultural, and academic events sponsored by CISA

Benefits of ACCESS Program

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ELIAccessUndergraduate Degree

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ACCESS Video Introduction

Click here to view the video!

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Requirements for ACCESS Admission

LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY

• TOEFL iBT =68 OR

• IELTS Academic = 5.0 OR

• ELI Recommendation = B1 on ELI Proficiency Test + Positive ELI Teacher Evaluations

ACADEMIC CREDENTIALS

• Competitive high school transcript or secondary school leaving certificate

• Competitive SAT score* (For ACCESS, Mason Admissions may allow this requirement to be met with an overall high school Grade Point Average equivalent to a 3.50 (B+) or higher. This decision is made by Mason Admissions during the review of all application materials.)

APPLICATION DOCUMENTS

• Complete online application and pay fee. Check the box asking if you are interested in the ACCESS program.

• Submit two official copies of your academic high school transcripts (in English) to Karyn.

• Submit a copy of your I-20, passport ID page, and passport visa page to Karyn.

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ELI Proficiency Test for ACCESS

In order to receive an ELI recommendation for ACCESS, you will need to take

the ELI Proficiency Test!

February 14th 12:00-1:30pmLocation: TBA

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CEFRELI PROFICIENCY TEST

IELTS OVERALL TOEFL iBT TOTALSpeaking Listening Reading Writing

C2 C2 115-120 117-120 120 8.5 120

C1 C1 110-114 111-116 110 7.5 110-119

B2+ B2+ 100-109 106-110 100 7.0 100-109

B2 B2 90-99 102-105 90 6.5 87-99

B1+ B1+ 80- 89 92-101 80 6.0 80-86

B1 B1 70-79 82-91 60 5.5 57-79

A2+ A2+ 60-69 71-81 50 4.5 40-56

A2 A2 50-59 57-70 40 4.0 30-39

A1+ A1+ 30-49 30-56 30 3.0 20-29

A1 A1 11-29 11-29 20 2.0 12-19

N/A Pre-A1 0-10 0-10 0 1.0 0-11

ACCESS English Proficiency Level

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ACCESS Fall 2012 Academic Schedule

REQUIRED CLASSES CREDITS

ENGH 121: Enhanced English Composition I 3

UNIV 100: Freshman Transition to College I 1

COMM 100: Public Speaking 3

PROV 103: English Language Academic Support for Public Speaking 1

PROV 106: Introduction to Research Methods 3

PROV 104: English Language Academic Support for Research Methods 1

MATH 009: Math Preparation-College Algebra (per placement exam) 0

TOTAL CREDITS 12

*Subject to change

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ACCESS Spring 2013 Academic Schedule

REQUIRED CLASSES CREDITS

ENGH 122: Enhanced English Composition II 3

UNIV 100: Freshman Transition to College II 1

MATH: (Course chosen based on placement exam results) 3-4

PROV 105: Introduction to American Cultures 3

HIST 125: Introduction to World History 3

1 course toward prospective major (with advisor approval) 2-3

TOTAL CREDITS 13-16

*Subject to change

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ACCESS Program Achievement Goals

English Proficiency

Academic Performance

Student Development

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Living Learning Community (LLC)

Exciting on-campus living experience in the ACCESS International Living-Learning Community (LLC) in Hampton Roads

Opportunities for active engagement with American students both inside and outside the classroom

Warm community experience making ACCESS students feel comfortable in their new home at Mason

All ACCESS students attend at least 2 LLC activities/ month

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DIRECT ADMISSION

TOEFL=88 or IELTS=6.5

If accepted, start full-time undergraduate study

DIRECT ADMISSION +

ELI RECOMMENDATION

TOEFL≈88 or IELTS≈6.5+

ELI Recommendation

If accepted, start full-time undergraduate study

PROVISIONAL ADMISSION

+ELI

RECOMMENDATION

TOEFL=68, IELTS=5.0, or ELI Proficiency Test=B1

+ELI Recommendation

If accepted, complete one year-ACCESS Program as a freshman

After successful completion of ACCESS, status changed to fully-

admitted sophomore

Applying to GMU Undergraduate

For ELI students, 3 undergrad application routes:

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Applying to ACCESS (See Handout)

Julie will add Applying to Mason Advising Handout

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GMU’s BRIDGE-EET Program

CISA

BRIDGE

BRIDGE-DET

BRIDGE-EET

ACCESS

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BRIDGE-EET Overview

What is the BRIDGE English Enrichment (EET) Track?o Provisional admission to a participating Mason graduate program ANDo Two-semester program for students who need moderate amount of English

language support to ensure academic success

Applicants to Mason’s graduate programs can either self-elect to be considered for the BRIDGE-EET program in the online application, or will receive an admissions contract from the admitting academic unit indicating this requirement

After completing required BRIDGE courses and reaching English proficiency goal levels, students proceed with full-time graduate study at Mason with no further applications

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BRIDGE Video Introduction

Click here to view the video!

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BRIDGE-EET Admission Requirements

Must meet all of the regular admissions requirements for Mason graduate programs (except for the established English Proficiency scores):o Minimum equivalence of 4-year U.S. Bachelor’s degreeo Indications of strong intellectual preparation for

graduate studyo See Mason’s Graduate Application Database (GRAD) for

individual graduate program requirements: http://admissions.gmu.edu/grad/matrix/

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Applying to BRIDGE-EET

Must complete a full application with all materials required by the specific graduate program, including:o Online application and feeo Transcripts, degree certificateso Letters of recommendationo Resumeo Test scores (e.g., GRE)

Must achieve specified English proficiency levelo In lieu of TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE, prospective CISA applicants

from ELI may opt to take ELI Proficiency Test Offered by ELI in late October (more details to come)

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BRIDGE-EET Proficiency Levels

CISA Level CEFRELI PROFICIENCY TEST IELTS

OVERALLTOEFL iBT

TOTALSpeaking Listening Reading Writing

C2 C2 115-120 117-120 120 8.5 120

C1 C1 110-114 111-116 110 7.5 110-119

B2+ B2+ 100-109 106-110 100 7.0 100-109

BRIDGE Gold B2 B2 90-99 102-105 90 6.5 87-99

BRIDGE Green B1+ B1+ 80- 89 92-101 80 6.0 80-86

ACCESS B1 B1 70-79 82-91 60 5.5 57-79

A2+ A2+ 60-69 71-81 50 4.5 40-56

A2 A2 50-59 57-70 40 4.0 30-39

A1+ A1+ 30-49 30-56 30 3.0 20-29

A1 A1 11-29 11-29 20 2.0 12-19

N/A Pre-A1 0-10 0-10 0 1.0 0-11

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Participating Program Proficiency Levels

BRIDGE-EET (Green Level) BRIDGE-EET (Gold Level)

PARTICIPATING PROGRAMS

• College of Science

• College of Visual & Performing Arts

• School for Conflict Analysis & Resolution

• Volgenau School of Engineering

• College of Education & Human Development

• School of Public Policy

CEFR B1+ B2

IELTS-Academic 6.0 6.5

TOEFL-iBT 80 87

PTE-Academic 50 58

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2012-2013 BRIDGE Academic Schedule

ACADEMIC YEAR MODEL

FALL TERM SPRING TERM• Graduate Study Preparation for

International Students I [2 credits]• Graduate Study Preparation for

International Students II [2 credits]

• Enhanced English Composition [3 credits] One or more of the following English developmental courses may be required based on student mid-year assessment: • Modern English Grammar [3 credits]

• Advanced Reading/Writing Strategies [2 credits]

• Advanced Graduate Speaking/Listening Strategies [2 credits]

• International Communication for International Students [3 credits]

• One required course toward graduate program [3 credits]

• One or two required courses toward graduate program [3-6 credits]

TOTAL = 11 credits TOTAL = 10-12 credits

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For ELI students, there are two different graduate application routes and language requirements:

DIRECT ADMISSIONLanguage Requirements

TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE

*If accepted, start full-time graduate study

PROVISIONAL ADMISSIONLanguage Requirements

TOEFL, IELTS, PTE, or ELI Proficiency Test+

ELI Recommendation

*If accepted, complete one year-BRIDGE Program

After successful completion of BRIDGE, status changed to fully-admitted graduate student

Graduate Language Requirements

*Must also fulfill other requirements (e.g., GRE, online application, university transcript)

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Steps to Applying to BRIDGE (See Handout)

1. BRIDGE Program Info• Read through website carefully and thoroughly before

continuing to other steps (http://cisa.gmu.edu/programs/bridge/)

• Find if the graduate program you are interested in participates in the BRIDGE program

2. Graduate Admissions Info• Note required documents• http://admissions.gmu.edu/grad/applynow/• http://admissions.gmu.edu/grad/matrix/

• Print and complete these paper forms (http://admissions.gmu.edu/ApplyNow/forms.asp):• Graduate Application• Recommendation for Graduate Study (Top section only)• Certificate of Financial Responsibility (First page only)

3. Application Advising• Go to ELI Front Desk (Northern Neck):• Submit 3 forms (from Step 2), any TOEFL or IELTS score reports,

and any university transcripts (w/ English translation)• Make appointment to see Karyn or Julie

• During appointment with Karyn or Julie:• Review 3 forms and transcript requirements• Receive permission to begin Online Application• Receive CISA-ELI Proficiency Test information

4. Online Application• Go to http://admissions.gmu.edu/ApplyNow/

• Click on "Apply for Graduate Studies"

• Use your completed paper Graduate Application Form as a guide

5. CISA-ELI Proficiency Test (October 20)

• Scores can be used instead of TOEFL or IELTS when applying to BRIDGE program

• Test includes 4 sections :• Computer-based ACCUPLACER ESL tests for Listening,

Reading, and Writing• One-on-one interview Speaking Test

• Must score at least B1+ or B2 (depending on graduate program)

6. ELI Approval Decision• PASSING TEST SCORES + POSITIVE ELI TEACHER

RECOMMENDATIONS = ELI APPROVAL

• ELI Approval decision will be sent to your MasonLive e-mail approximately 2 weeks after ELI Proficiency Test

• Files for ELI-approved applicants will be sent to Admissions by the ELI

7. Admissions Notification• Check status online:• https://app.applyyourself.com/AYApplicantLogin/

ApplicantConnectLogin.asp?id=gmu• Click on "Check Application Status"

• Receive Admissions decision approximately 3 weeks after file received• Via postal mail to your Permanent Address listed on your

application

8. Accepted Students QuestionsAfter receiving acceptance in BRIDGE program, questions concerning BRIDGE enrollment, orientation, housing, tuition, schedule & courses can be answered by CISA:

• E-mail: cisa@gmu.edu• Office: Mason Hall, D109• Phone: (703) 993-4711

Steps to Mason Graduate Degree

ELI

Two Semesters in BRIDGE (Fall 2012 and Spring 2013)

Fulfill remaining graduate program requirements

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Applying to CISA Programs

For general information about applying to Mason: http://admissions.gmu.edu/applynow

For more information about the ACCESS and BRIDGE Programs: http://cisa.gmu.edu

CISA-ELI Advisors: Karyn Mallett (kmallet1@gmu.edu) Julie Kim (jkim99@gmu.edu)

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Questions?

Next steps: Read the program information (handout, brochure,

http://cisa.gmu.edu) Have your transcripts evaluated by WES or

EdPerspectives Register for the appropriate tests (e.g., SAT, GRE)

Make an appointment to see Julie or Karyn