Is the IEC Right for Me?

By: Rachid Ouedraogo

Are you interested in learning English? Is your goal to speak and write English fluently? An intensive English program (IEP) may be right for you. An intensive English program focuses on full-time study of the English language and helps you to improve all of the basic skills: reading, writing, listening, speaking, vocabulary, grammar and more! They are “intensive” because the programs require you to study English full-time, often anywhere from 18-30 hours of English per week depending on the program.

Intensive English programs exist all over the world. Without a doubt, the best way to learn a language is to immerse yourself in it. If you’re interested in studying abroad, learning English in the U.S. can be a great option! You will be surrounded by native English speakers, use English daily, and learn about American culture. Your skills will grow quickly and you will become more culturally aware, which is a great ability to have as the world becomes more globally connected.

Choosing a program to apply to can be difficult, especially as an international student. There are many options. You can do your own search on the web or use websites like Study in the USA to find intensive English and degree programs. There are many things to consider when looking for a school. Here are a few things to think about:

• Cost
• Location
• Admission Requirements
• Programs
• Student Services
• Campus Life

With so many options, you will be able to find an IEP that meets your needs. In fact, we believe the IEC at St. Cloud State University provides many of the benefits and services international students look for.

The IEC Program

The IEC is located in St. Cloud, Minnesota, on St. Cloud State University’s campus. The IEC is a medium-size intensive English program that offers several levels of English instruction and cultural activities for non-native English speakers. We welcome many students from all over the world, both international and domestic. In the fall and spring, we have about 50-60 students each semester, but our class sizes are small so that you can receive the support you need from your teacher. We also offer a summer program, which is a great way to get ahead in your studies—it’s a short 10-week session and classes meet every day.

Our program’s goal is to teach you English, help you adapt to American culture, and prepare you for your future degree program or career path. Our staff and student services provide support to you as you transition to your next goal, whatever that may be. About 90% of our students complete IEC and go on to a degree program at St. Cloud State University. An additional benefit of completing the IEC is that it meets the English proficiency requirements for undergraduate and graduate admission. If getting a degree at St. Cloud State University is your goal, the IEC gives you time to adjust to American life and guides you through the process of starting your program. We are here to help you succeed. To see all the programs SCSU offers, visit https://www.stcloudstate.edu/academics/default.aspx.

We have a friendly and dedicated staff that want to make your experience at the IEC one to remember for a lifetime! In addition to classes, we have student activities and field trips to help you learn more about the culture. As an SCSU student, you get all of the great benefits campus has to offer: free bus rides, admission to Husky athletics, on-campus events, free printing and access to computer labs, a gym, student organizations, and on-campus housing. We have a great community on campus, especially within the IEC. Teachers are friendly and happy to help you with questions at any time. Our office staff answer questions, assist you with the application process, and help you with an issues you may face, even after you’ve completed the program. We have an international student office, international admissions office, and other services to help you during your time here.

If you’re interested in applying, keep reading on!

How to Apply

The application process for the IEC is simple. Eligible applicants must have a high school diploma, have had at least 2 years of English classes, and meet financial requirements if seeking an F-1 visa. Both international and domestic students are welcome to apply. The application process for domestic students and other visa holders (non F-1/J-1) is different—please contact us for application instructions.

For international student admission, we require a completed application form and several documents including transcripts and diploma, a financial statement (for an I-20), and passport. There is also a required application fee. However, for October 2019, we’re making it even easier to apply by waiving the application fee in honor of College Knowledge Month.

Fee waiver details: Applications or any materials must be submitted October 1-31 to receive the waiver. Applications must be complete by the end of the month.

To apply, submit the following items by the deadline:

• Application form (PDF download)
• Application fee $30 (waived for October 1-31) + Shipping fee ($70) if needed
• High School (or University) transcripts and diploma
  • If not in English, translations must accompany your academic documents.
  • Transcripts must show at least 2 years of English classes. We require this because you must have the basic skills to be successful in our program.
• Financial Statement (if seeking an F-1 visa)
  • Must be an official bank statement that meets minimum financial requirements (see page 2 of application for details)
  • Affidavit of Support, if someone else will support your studies. Page 5 of the application includes an Affidavit of Support form for foreign sponsors. US citizen/resident sponsors must complete Affidavit form I-134.
• Passport ID page

If you are applying as a transfer student from a school in the US, you must also submit:

• A copy of your current school’s transcripts
• Current I-20 & visa

If you are interested in applying for conditional undergraduate or graduate admission, please let us know when you apply! We can help you with that process as well.

After you submit your documents:

Our admission staff will follow up with you at every step of the process. We will notify you if any documents are missing or do not meet requirements. Once your application is complete, it will be reviewed for admission and an I-20. This takes about 2-3 weeks. Processing time may vary depending on the time of year.

Once an admission decision is made, the IEC will notify you by e-mail with the decision and provide you more information. We will provide you with your next steps for the visa application process and more information about becoming a St. Cloud State University student.

If you have any questions about the application process, our admissions staff are happy to help you. We want to make sure you understand the requirements and the process—and we can answer any questions you have about campus, St. Cloud, or life as an international student.