2020/2021 International Student Guide - Rackcdn.com

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2020/2021 International Student Guide - Rackcdn.com
2020/2021
International
Student Guide
2020/2021 International Student Guide - Rackcdn.com
Why Choose Richard      Richard Bland College Support
                        Services offers academically

Bland College of
                        rigorous programs grounded
                        in the liberal arts tradition of
                        William & Mary, providing
William & Mary?         a solid foundation for direct
                        transfer to 4-year, well-ranked
                        colleges and universities in
                        Virginia and the U.S.

 #
  1   SEAMLESS TRANSFER

 #
  2   PRESTIGIOUS DEGREE

 #
  3   DEDICATED SUPPORT

 #
  4   NO BIG DEBT

 #
  5   STUDY AND LIVE WITH
      AMERICAN STUDENTS
2020/2021 International Student Guide - Rackcdn.com
About Richard
Bland College of
William & Mary
Richard Bland College was
established in 1960 by the Virginia
General Assembly as a branch of
the College of William & Mary. The
College was named for Virginia
statesman, Richard Bland.

As an extension of William & Mary,
Richard Bland College prepares
students for university transfer
through academically rigorous
programs grounded in the liberal
arts tradition.

The exceptional student experience
environment at Richard Bland
College allows high potential
international students to focus
their studies and benefit from
RBC’s small class sizes, one‑on‑one
personalized academic advising
and dedicated support to
ensure a successful and smooth
transfer process.
                                      1
2020/2021 International Student Guide - Rackcdn.com
Prince George
    County, Virginia
                                                                                          Boston
                                                                               Philadelphia   New York

    and beyond                                                             Washington, D.C.
                                                                                Richmond
                                                                             Prince George
                                                                                              City

    Richard Bland College of William &
    Mary is located in central Virginia,
    about 30 minutes south of the state
    capital of Richmond. The campus is
    750 picturesque acres situated within
    a beautiful pecan grove, an Asian
    water garden, nature trails and
    historic properties.
    The Center of America’s History
                                                             Population:
    The RBC campus is minutes away from the                    36,000
    city of Petersburg, which is home to museums,               State:
    galleries, restaurants, and shopping in historic           Virginia
    Old Towne.
                                                              Currency:
    Virginia was an important location during the          U.S. Dollar (US$)
    American Civil War. Today you can tour nearby             Time zone:
    Fort Lee, visit trading stations and museums,          Eastern Time Zone
    and take a day trip to old battlegrounds. In          (UTC/GMT -5 hours)
    fact, the area has been the filming locations
    for many Civil War-themed television shows
    and movies, including Mercy Street and
    Steven Spielberg’s 2012 film, Lincoln.

    Rivers, Beaches and More
    Enjoy peaceful afternoons on a canoe, kayak
    or boat as you travel down the James and
    Appomattox Rivers. The Atlantic Ocean, the
    beautiful beaches of Virginia Beach and even
    the Appalachian mountains are so close that
    they make great one-day trips to explore
    the outdoors.

    Close to Big Opportunities
    For a taste of the city, Richmond, Virginia
    is a half-hour drive away. Washington D.C.,
    the nation’s capital and home to many
    Fortune 500 companies, is a two-hour drive.

     Season            Max. Average       Min. Average
                       Temp. (°F/°C)      Temp. (°F/°C)
     Summer             88°F/31°C           66°F/19°C

     Fall               73°F/23°C         49°F/9°C

     Winter             53°F/17°C         30°F/-1°C

     Spring            71°F/22°C          46°F/7°C

2
2020/2021 International Student Guide - Rackcdn.com
1960
           YEAR RICHARD BLAND COLLEGE OF
           WILLIAM & MARY WAS ESTABLISHED

750+
         TOTAL ACRES OF CAMPUS BOASTING
         VIRGINIA’S LARGEST PECAN GROVE

2,400+      TOTAL STUDENT POPULATION

75%+
           INSTRUCTION DELIVERED BY
           FULL-TIME FACULTY

20:1 STUDENT-TO-FACULTY RATIO

$19,710
               TUITION COST* = QUALITY
               EDUCATION AND AFFORDABILITY
                               * excluding university fees

                                                      3
2020/2021 International Student Guide - Rackcdn.com
We help you find your way
 Starting on day one of the GSSP, you’ll receive   Orientation
 personalized support to ensure your academic
                                                   All new international students will participate in
 success. Each student is paired with a
                                                   a comprehensive orientation program.
 dedicated Learner Mentor at orientation. Your
 Learner Mentor will explain prerequisites,        During orientation you will receive valuable
 transfer options and help you develop a           information to help you settle into your studies as
 personalized study plan to ensure that all        quickly and as comfortably as possible.
 required courses are satisfactorily completed
 and you are on track to graduate on time.         Throughout orientation you will:
                                                     ▪ receive your class schedule
 Learner Mentors:
                                                     ▪ meet your Learner Mentor and
     ▪ assist the learner’s journey as a               new classmates
       single point of contact                       ▪ learn about RBC’s academic resources
     ▪ guide students through academic                 and student life activities
       advising and career coaching                  ▪ tour the campus
     ▪ help students navigate the                    ▪ move into your accommodation
       transfer process                              ▪ shop for food, housing items and
     ▪ connect students to supplemental                other supplies
       support for classwork or life-skill
       development                                 The Exceptional Student Experience
 International Student Support                     The Exceptional Student Experience at Richard
                                                   Bland College of William & Mary (ESE@RBC)
 All GSSP students will have access to the         helps students jump start their college journey,
 Global Student Success Center, a dedicated        the purpose of which is to assist new college
 support team that understands your unique         students in becoming academically oriented
 needs as an international student. Services       while introducing them to resources and
 available include:                                technology for college support services.
   ▪ career counseling
   ▪ personalized academic advising
   ▪ social activities
   ▪ tutoring and writing labs
   ▪ 24/7 emergency assistance                     rbcglobal.com/exceptional-student-experience
   ▪ College Success and TOEFL
     Preparation Workshops

12
2020/2021 International Student Guide - Rackcdn.com
Student life
Be Part of a Legacy                           Athletics and Recreation
When you attend Richard Bland College         Richard Bland College is minutes away from
of William & Mary, you enhance particular     picturesque hiking and biking trails, rivers,
passions, hobbies, and skills. Student        golf courses, state parks, and more. The
organizations are an excellent opportunity    College is also home to several competitive
for you to meet other students with the       sports teams, including:
same interests. When you join or start a        ▪   basketball (M)
student organization, you get the chance to
                                                ▪   soccer (M, W)
do what you love. When you lead a student
organization, you teach and share it with       ▪   softball (W)
someone else. When you start a club for         ▪   volleyball (W)
future students, you leave a legacy that
continues to contribute to the culture of
Richard Bland College.

Some student clubs and organizations
include:
    ▪   Animé Club
    ▪   Art Learning Community
    ▪   Business and Economics Club
    ▪   Film Club
    ▪   International Club
    ▪   Psychology Club
    ▪   RBC Debate Team
    ▪   RBC Music Club
    ▪   Sign Language Club                    rbcglobal.com/
    ▪   The Musical Statesmen Club            exceptional-student-experience

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2020/2021 International Student Guide - Rackcdn.com
Student Support Services
Library                                                Public Safety
The Richard Bland College Library, located in          The mission of the Richard Bland College
Student Commons, is a comfortable, welcoming,          Department of Campus Safety & Police is to
two-story facility with seating for over 225           provide a safe and secure living, learning, and
students. Collaborative work is encouraged on          working environment for the College community.
the first floor of the library, and the second floor   The Department is staffed by certified police
has been designated a quiet study area.                officers 24/7.

Student Success Center
The college offers free academic support to all
students. During the week, the Tutoring Center
provides academic support to students in all
subjects and the Writing Center specializes in
guidance on essays, papers, resumes, university
applications and other important materials.
These support services are free of charge.

Counseling Services
Richard Bland College is committed to offering
a variety of counseling services to assist
students with their overall development and
adjustment to campus. Free and confidential
counseling is available for individuals or groups
of students needing help with personal and
academic concerns.
                                                                                                         5
2020/2021 International Student Guide - Rackcdn.com
Accommodations
Living on campus provides you many
advantages, among them, easy accessibility
to class and campus activities. Richard Bland
College of William & Mary is committed
to making your home away from home
enjoyable and safe. RBC encourages you to
use your living experience to foster a sense of
community and collaboration with your hall
mates by becoming involved participants.

Apartment-style Living                            rbcglobal.com/accommodation
GSSP students are required to live on
campus for the duration of their studies at
Richard Bland College of William & Mary.
RBC residence halls are designed apartment-
style living with state-of-the-art amenities
including:
    ▪ bedroom with bed, dresser and closet
    ▪ large living room with a couch, table
      and chairs
    ▪ fully equipped kitchen with a
      refrigerator, microwave, stove and oven
    ▪ bathroom(s)
    ▪ washer and dryer
    ▪ secured access
    ▪ on-site parking
    ▪ equipped for cable television,
      Internet and telephone

Campus Dining
All residential students are required to
purchase the college’s standard block
meal plan. On-campus housing also features
a fully-equipped kitchen with a refrigerator,
microwave, sink, stove and oven in
each apartment.

Take a virtual tour!
Richard Bland College of
William & Mary’s residence halls
rbc.edu/campus-life/residential-living
6
2020/2021 International Student Guide - Rackcdn.com
RICHARD BLAND COLLEGE OF WILLIAM & MARY

GLOBAL STUDENT
SUCCESS PROGRAM
Upon successful completion of your associate degree through the
RBC Global Student Success Program, you will have completed
the first two years of your bachelor’s degree and will be eligible to
transfer to the College of William & Mary or one of 40+ colleges and
universities in Virginia and many more across North America.

   YEARS 1 + 2                            YEARS 3 + 4
   {Associate degree}                     {Bachelor’s degree}
   Richard Bland College of               Your choice of 40+ universities
   William & Mary                         and colleges in Virginia
   • Earn your Associate of Arts or        • Earn your undergraduate degree at a
     Associate of Science degree             top-ranked university
   • Be a Richard Bland College student    • With a Richard Bland College
     from day one                            Associate Degree, you are eligible to
                                             transfer to William & Mary or one of
   • No SAT or ACT required for              40+ universities and colleges in
     admission to RBC                        Virginia (based on courses taken and
   • Live and study alongside American       grades achieved), including:
     students on a safe and welcoming
     college campus
   • Benefit from small class sizes
     and a personalized study plan
   • Save time and money

                                                                                     7
YOUR STUDY
OPTIONS AFTER
RICHARD BLAND COLLEGE
OF WILLIAM & MARY
Richard Bland College of William &
Mary is focused on preparing you
for transfer to highly-ranked colleges
and universities and has guaranteed
transfer agreements that allow
you to seamlessly transfer to the
following schools.

For a full list of transfer partners
and to learn more about transfer
admission, please visit rbc.edu/
why-rbc/four-year-transfer-partners.

8
2    ND      OLDEST COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY
                                                                           IN THE U.S.

Small, Smart & Historic
                                                                #
                                                                   9       TOP PUBLIC COLLEGES
                                                                           Forbes, 2019

William & Mary is the second oldest college
in the U.S., but also a cutting-edge research

                                                                 40
university. Known as a “Public Ivy”—one of
only eight in the U.S.—William & Mary offers a                 #           NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES
world-class education at an exceptional value.                             U.S. News & World Report, 2020

A succession of influential individuals—including
former U.S. Presidents George Washington,                  Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and former
John Tyler and Thomas Jefferson, former British            Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger—have
                                                           held the post of Chancellor of William & Mary.
                                                           Famous alumni include four U.S. presidents, a
                                                           former head of the FBI and NASA’s
    What is the RBC/William & Mary                         chief scientist.
    Bridge Program?
    William & Mary has established a bridge                Guaranteed Admission to William & Mary
    program with Richard Bland College of William          As part of its unique relationship with Richard
    & Mary, which allows select students to take
                                                           Bland College of William & Mary, which shares
    classes* at William & Mary while pursuing their
    associate degree at RBC.
                                                           a governing board with William & Mary,
                                                           students at Richard Bland College will be
    Bridge program benefits:                               guaranteed admission to William & Mary
       ▪ free transportation to and from                   who fulfill all necessary conditions:
         William & Mary                                       ▪ Earn your RBC Associate of Arts or
       ▪ RBC tuition prices instead of William                  Associate of Science degree
         & Mary tuition costs (savings up to                  ▪ Earn a 3.25 cumulative GPA
         US$1,800 per class)                                  ▪ TOEFL 100
       ▪ courses in your desired major (Computer              ▪ Successful completion of specific
         Science, Biology, Economics, etc.)                     prerequisite courses outlined in the
         studied on campus at William & Mary by                 guaranteed admission agreement
         William & Mary faculty
       ▪ easier transition to the William & Mary           Academic Programs for Transfer Students
         main campus, with opportunities to
         make friends before official transfer             The guaranteed admission agreement provides
       ▪ completed credits to assist in the                admission to William & Mary’s Faculty of Arts
         transfer process                                  & Sciences. Schools of Business and Education
                                                           require a separate application upon enrolling at
    Who is eligible for bridge program?                    William & Mary.
    All RBC students are invited to
    apply, provided they meet the
    following requirements:
      ▪ must maintain GPA of 3.25 or higher
      ▪ must be enrolled full-time at RBC, with
        at least 15 credits
    The bridge program is competitive; only 15
    slots are available each year to students, as
    chosen by RBC’s Dean of Faculty.

    * RBC students cannot take more than four classes at
                                                                                                              9
    William & Mary.
#
                                                                 4       TOP PUBLIC SCHOOLS
                                                                         U.S. News & World Report, 2020

                                                                8
                                                                         BEST UNDERGRADUATE
                                                             #           BUSINESS PROGRAM
 One of the Top U.S. Public Universities                                 U.S. News & World Report, 2019

 The University of Virginia is distinctive
 among public institutions of higher education.

                                                              28
 Founded by U.S. President Thomas Jefferson
 in 1819, the University continues in its                   #            NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES
 mission to develop tomorrow’s leaders who                               U.S. News & World Report, 2020

 are well prepared to help shape the future of
 the nation and the world.
                                                         Academic Programs for Transfer Students
 Academic Transfer Requirements                          The guaranteed transfer agreement provides
     ▪ Earn your RBC Associate of Arts or Associate of   admission into University of Virginia’s College
       Science degree                                    of Arts & Sciences. Students interested
     ▪ Earn a 3.4 cumulative GPA (with no grade lower    in Architecture, Business, Education or
       than a C in any course)                           Engineering must meet any additional
     ▪ Completed application with                        requirements and file a separate transfer
                                                         application to be considered for admission.
       TOEFL/IELTS scores
     ▪ Successful completion of specific prerequisite
       courses and any other requirements as outlined
       in the articulation agreement

10
13
                                                                            BEST UNDERGRADUATE
                                                                  #         ENGINEERING PROGRAMS
                                                                            U.S. News & World Report, 2019

                                                                  30
                                                                  #
Virginia’s Most Comprehensive                                               TOP PUBLIC SCHOOLS
Research University                                                         U.S. News & World Report, 2020

Virginia Tech takes a hands-on, engaging
approach to education, preparing scholars to
be leaders in their fields and communities.
Virginia Tech offers 250 undergraduate and
graduate degree programs to more than
33,000 students and manages a research
                                                                  #
                                                                      74   NATIONAL UNIVERSITIES
                                                                           U.S. News & World Report, 2020

portfolio of more than $504 million.

Guaranteed Admission Requirements
   ▪ Earn your RBC Associate of Arts or Associate
     of Science degree
   ▪ Earn a 3.4 cumulative GPA
   ▪ Transfer in Fall (Spring transfers
     by availability)
   ▪ Non-native English speakers need to complete
     English 101 and English 102 with Grade “C”
     or better.

Academic Programs for Transfer Students
The guaranteed transfer agreement provides
admission into the following Colleges:
  ▪   Agriculture and Life Sciences
  ▪   Business
  ▪   Engineering*
  ▪   Liberal Arts & Human Sciences
  ▪   Natural Resources & Environment
  ▪   Science
  ▪   Urban Studies
The agreement excludes programs in
Architecture, Interior Design, Industrial
Design, Landscape Architecture, Agriculture
(undecided), and University Studies.

* Students applying to Engineering programs may have additional
requirements for transfer admission.

                                                                                                             11
Academic calendar
 Year                                 Semester                            Semester starts                      Semester ends
 2021                                Spring                               19 January 2021                     18 May 2021
 2021                                Fall                                 30 August 2021                      17 December 2021
 2022                                Spring                               18 January 2022                     17 May 2022
Dates are subject to change without notice. For the most up-to-date listings, visit rbcglobal.com/important-dates.

Your investment
2021/2022 estimated cost of attendance*
 Tuition and fees (Online and Traditional)                                Online Fees (US$)                    Traditional Fees (US$)
 Annual tuition (based on 30 credits per year)                           $5,970                               $19,710
 Mandatory student fees                                                  $750                                 $2,101
 Health insurance                                                        N/A                                  $1,339
 Meal Plan (based on 100 Meal Blocks plan)                               N/A                                  From $2,240
 Accommodation                                                           N/A                                  From $7,910
 Total per year                                                          $6,720                               $33,300
*Students will be charged per credit; actual cost may be higher or lower depending on specific course choices. Tuition, fees and charges are
subject to change. Please visit rbcglobal.com/fees for the latest tuition and fees.

Academic and English language minimum
eligibility requirements
  Academic/English qualification                                          Academic/English result
 High School                                                              Completion of Year 12 (or equivalent)
 GPA                                                                      US 2.5 GPA
 IELTS                                                                    5.5
 TOEFL                                                                    69
 Pearson Versant                                                          50
 Duolingo English Test                                                    95
* Entry is competitive and the above are minimum requirements only. Please visit rbcglobal.com/admissions-requirements for
country specific requirements.

                                                                                                                                               13
The reason I chose RBC was the size of
               the campus. I love the small class sizes and
              how the classrooms are interactive. Back
             home in Taiwan, you could never go up to the
            professors to ask questions, but the professors
           here at RBC are so approachable and helpful. I
          really feel like I can talk to them about anything.
         I also really like how much my English has
        improved since I started at RBC.”
       Fabian Su
      Taiwan
     Associate of Science (Business Administration)

                  I was really nervous about coming to the
                 States and studying in Virginia, but all my
                nervousness went away when I got here.
               Everyone here is so friendly and I’ve made
              so many new friends that I love studying and
             hanging out with. I also really like my Learner
            Mentor, Cathryn. She is so helpful and has really
          helped me in choosing my majors and courses.
         I also really like the small class sizes. It makes
        interacting with my professors and classmates so
        much easier.”
       Linh Tran
      Vietnam
     Associate of Science (Business Administration)

                  I like that RBC is so academically focused
                 and reputable. When you graduate from
                RBC, it means something. It’s such a
              prestigious college, but also very affordable.
             It’s also great to live on campus. You’re close
            to classes and part of community with lots
           of great activities and clubs on campus. Back
          home soccer is almost a religion and I didn’t have
         to leave that behind when I came here since we
        have such a great soccer team.”
       Simon Kotto
      Cameroon
     Associate of Science (Math/Computer Science)

14
How to apply
1. Select your program of study
Decide which academic program you’d like to
pursue at Richard Bland College of William &
Mary. For a full list of course offerings, please
visit rbcglobal.com.

2. Apply
For faster processing, please apply online:
rbcglobal.com/apply

3. Send outstanding documents
You will need to send the following documents
to complete your application:
  ▪ High school and (if applicable) university
    transcripts
  ▪ A copy of your high school and (if applicable)
    university diploma(s)
  ▪ Signed certificate of Financial
    Certification Form
  ▪ Bank statement
  ▪ English language test scores
  ▪ A copy of your passport
  ▪ Any other documents as requested
All documents should be sent to:
admissions@rbcglobal.com

4. Accept your offer
If qualified, we will send you an offer letter.
Please return your acceptance form and pay
your deposit as listed on your letter.

5. Apply for your Student Visa
Once your deposit, acceptance forms and all
outstanding documents have been received, the
university will issue the Form I-20 for your visa
application. Please apply for your visa as soon as
possible since wait times vary by country.

6. Prepare for your arrival in Virginia
The friendly RBC staff will send you helpful
pre‑arrival information to help you prepare for
living and studying in the United States.
                                                  15
Richard Bland College of William & Mary
11301 Johnson Rd
South Prince George, VA 23805
United States of America

This school is authorized under federal law to
enroll non-immigrant alien students.

The information contained in this guide is correct
at the time of publication. However, Global Student
Success Program and the Richard Bland College
staff reserve the right to alter, amend or delete
details at any time without notice.

Printed Sept 2020
RBC200720-0859_0820_AW

rbcglobal.com
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