Lower Columbia College welcomes and supports students who need (or have) a student visa to study in the United States. Those who need (or have) a student visa are required to follow the LCC international admissions process. We interviewed some current international students and asked about their experience in this process.
For insights from the LCC International Admissions Specialist, read the International Admissions: Q&A with Admissions Staff.
Student 1 (transferred from a different college): I transferred to LCC because I wanted to benefit from their excellent education, the supportive atmosphere, and the chance to grow both academically and personally.
Student 2 (Freshman): My original Korean high school had an MOU with a high school in Oregon, and after graduating from the local high school, my guardian recommended LCC. Additionally, I needed more time to learn and prepare for the more academic English required by the universities I plan to transfer to in the future. By attending a two-year college first, I aimed to lay that foundation.
Student 3 (Sophomore): Because I wanted to study English, and my high school teacher suggested LCC, since the high school I attended in Japan had some students who graduated from LCC.
Student 1 (transferred from a different college): The whole process took about a month since I was already in the U.S.
Student 2 (Freshman): It took about one to two months in total, including document preparation, the visa interview, and the waiting time after the interview.
Student 3 (Sophomore): I started to prepare in March to enter LCC in the summer quarter.
Student 1 (transferred from a different college): The toughest part was collecting all the necessary documents for admission. Staying organized and double-checking everything really helped me tackle this challenge.
Student 2 (Freshman): At that time, diplomatic relations between South Korea and the United States were strained, so I was aware of some uncertainty while preparing for the visa interview. There were also many accounts suggesting that if the visa were denied, it could lead to difficulties with future visa applications or during immigration inspection in the United States. Considering all possible scenarios was probably the biggest challenge.
Student 3 (Sophomore): Preparing for the interview and going to the U.S. embassy to get a visa was the hardest part for me.
Student 1 (transferred from a different college): When going to the embassy, I brought along my passport, college acceptance letter, proof of financial support, and academic transcripts.
Student 2 (Freshman): I prepared the online visa application confirmation page, along with my passport, I-20 (from LCC), SEVIS fee receipt, and financial documents.
Student 3 (Sophomore): Essential documents required from the U.S. embassy include financial documents and an essay.
Student 1 (transferred from a different college): Start the process early, keep everything organized, and follow all the instructions carefully. Make sure to prepare well for your visa interview and be confident when discussing your academic goals and plans.
Student 2 (Freshman): I recommend preparing all documents early and double-checking everything before the interview. Staying calm and answering honestly during the interview also helps.
Student 3 (Sophomore): Always be prepared for any situation and practice doing household chores, such as cooking and cleaning. They are important for your healthy academic life when you settle into life at LCC