Higher Education in Alaska
Carving out the Northern most corner of the Americas, Alaska is home of the Midnight Sun, Aurora Borealis (Northern Lights), and majestic Mount McKinley. If you're thinking of getting your education in the United States, Alaska invites you to the Last Frontier, to learn within our breathtaking scenery and the many cultures of our indigenous people,
Geographically, Alaska is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and the Bering and Chukchi Seas and on the east by Canada. It covers 365 million acres of wilderness, tundra, glaciers, fjords, rivers, ocean beaches, rain forest, volcanic chains, mountain ranges, and much more. Every region is unique including a college suited for international students unique interests.
Southcentral
To get the full Alaskan experience within a short distance of a metropolitan
city, consider the Southcentral region. More than half the state's
population resides here. Mountain ranges, roadside lakes, salmon streams,
and national parks surround it. Anchorage is the largest city and home
to many wonderful postsecondary institutions including the University
of Alaska Anchorage, Alaska Pacific University, and Alaska Bible College.
When not busy studying, it is very common to see international students doing everything from hiking a local trail to camping on glaciers, or fishing local streams.
Inside Passage
Graced by majestic glaciers, whose lives span millions of years, and islands,
blanketed by spruce forests, is Alaska's Inside Passage. With its
mild maritime climate this area is the perfect habitat for bald eagles,
porpoise and whales. The Southeast is also home to the largest national
rain forest in the nation. The area's history is enriched by the
Russian influence of the 19th century and centuries of inhabitation by
the Tlingit, Haida and Tsimshian native people whose culture is still
seen today in towering clan totem poles. Sheldon Jackson College, located
in Sitka, is the oldest college in Alaska. It was founded in this region
more than 125 years ago. And, in the state's capitol of Juneau,
international students will find the University of Alaska Southeast.
Interior
In the "heartland" of Alaska is the continent's tallest
peak, Mount McKinley where from hundreds of miles north or south it can
be seen. The Interior is dominated by the Athabascan Indian culture and
most of its landscape is made up of tundra, and rolling hills. Unique
to this area are the "extreme" temperatures. Because it is
inland, temperatures during the summer have climbed to as high as 100
degrees Fahrenheit, and in the winter they have fallen to as low as -80
degrees Alaska's only university to offer doctoral programs, the
University of Alaska Fairbanks is based in this region.
Far North
Above the Arctic Circle is the home of the Inupiat Eskimo lifestyle. It
is here where herds of caribou coexist with modern oil field technology.
This is also home the nation's northern most community, Barrow,
where from May 10 to August 2 the city sees 24 hours of daylight, and
from November 18th to January 24th it sees 24 hours of twilight. Ilisagvik
College is located in Barrow. Snow machining and mushing dog sleds are
a common activity in this region.
International Student Requirements in Alaska's Postsecondary Schools
|
UAA |
UAF |
UAS |
Sheldon Jackson |
APU
|
|
Application & fee 6 months prior to term |
Application & fee before March 1 for fall before Sept. 1 for spring |
Fall- Aug 1 Spring-Dec 1 |
Application & fee 6 months prior to term fall- July 1 spring-Nov 1 summer-April 1 |
|
|
Official transcripts |
Official transcripts |
Official transcripts |
Official transcripts |
Official transcripts |
|
ACT, SAT, ASSET, Accuplacer |
ACT, SAT |
ACT or SAT |
ACT or SAT |
|
|
TOEFL |
TOEFL |
TOEFL |
TOEFL |
TOEFL |
|
Sponsor's Statement of Financial Support |
Intl. Student Financial Statement Form |
Intl. Student Financial Statement Form |
Evidence of 1 year financial support ($25,000) Bank Statement |
Intl. Student Financial Statement Form |
|
Sponsor's Bank Verification |
Intl. Student Educational Experience Form |
Intl. Student Educational Experience Form |
$2,000 deposit (return trip home) |
Supplemental form for Intl. Student Admissions |
|
Medical insurance (available through UAA) |
Letter of Reference |
Foreign credentials evaluation (admissions has a list of agencies which will perform this) |
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|
Arrive 3 weeks prior to term for placement exams |
2 letters of recommendation |
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| Personal essay (from application) |
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F1 Student Visa |
F1 Student Visa |
F1 Student Visa |
F1 Student Visa |
F1 Student Visa |