1. What majors should American universities open to Chinese students?
A: Students in the Sino-American CHEPD Undergraduate/Graduate Transfer Program (the CHEPD 1+2+1 Program) are currently majoring in the following areas: Business Administration, International Business, Economics, Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Information Systems, Chemistry, Geology, Athletic Training, Broadcast Journalism, Environmental Science, Accounting, Finance, Electrical Engineering Technology, Human Resource Management, Mathematics, Marketing, Performing Art, Music, Management, Environmental Management, Interior Design, and Automotive Technology, etc. The length of the student transfer programs includes approximately two years of academic studies on a U.S. campus. The first few majors are relatively popular among the students from China, yet there may be special requirements for accredited programs on U.S. campuses in business and engineering programs. Any major that requires more than 60 credits will need to be specified in the recruitment program within the expected timeframe. We recommend that each participating American university select five or six of its strongest majors to offer for the students in the CHEPD 1+2+1 Program at the outset, and expand to other majors later.
2. Who is responsible for tuition and other costs at American universities?
A: Chinese students’ families are in charge of all the costs of study in the U.S. CCIEE will check family financial background and collect financial statement from each family before they apply. Also, all students are required to send two years’ worth of tuition, (one year for graduate students) room and board, medical insurance cost, and one semester’s English language training fee, to the American universities right after students receive their visas.
3. Will there be any academic scholarship available to Undergraduate and Graduate Transfer Program under CHEPD students?
A: Individual universities may offer academic scholarships for students under certain conditions. Scholarship will be specified with the amount in each year’s Recruitment Plan issued by CCIEE.
4. What if students can’t complete their U.S. program within two years?
A: Most of the students will complete their U.S. courses within two years if they take courses during summer sessions. If the student takes English language classes for more than one semester, or the program requires more than two academic years to meet the requirements from certain accreditation bodies, with the approval of CCIEE and Chinese partner universities, students may stay for a longer period, not to exceed a total of four years including language training.
5. Can students change their major while studying in the U.S.?
A: If a student wants to change majors, he/she needs to get approval from both the Chinese and American universities. Students are not encouraged to change majors after they arrive on the U.S. campus unless there is a strong reason to do so.
6. Can students enter graduate programs directly without going back to China?
A: No. Students MUST return to China and finish the last year of study before entering graduate programs in the United States.
7. What about accreditation issues for students in Business Administration and Engineering?
A: Since the American partner universities in the CHEPD 1+2+1 Program are located in different regions, each university needs to work with the appropriate regional accreditation organization to get the necessary approval for students in the transfer program majoring in Engineering, Business Administration, and other majors subject to external accreditation regulations.
8. Can students apply for any other type of visa to enter the US and participate in this program?
A: No, all students must have a J visa to participate in the CHEPD 1+2+1 Program.
9. If a student needs to take English classes after the first TOEFL test and has no money, can American universities use the money wired previously to pay for the English program?
A: The money sent by students to their U.S. universities is only allowed to cover one semester of English training. If a student requires additional English classes, the student must pay for this from separate funds.
10. When can American universities receive second semester transcripts for the students?
A: When students send the application package, CCIEE will include the course list that the students will take for the second semester so that the American universities will know what the students are taking for the first year. Since all the Chinese universities are closed for summer vacation (no summer sessions in Chinese universities), second semester transcripts will be mailed to the United States in August or brought to the U.S. by the students directly.
11. How do students send money to American universities?
A: Because of foreign currency management regulations in China, students need to wire two years of tuition and other costs to each university individually (one year for graduate students). American universities will need to inform CCIEE immediately after receiving the money because CCIEE will release passports and visas to students after receiving this confirmation from U.S. universities.
12. If a student doesn’t have enough money or needs to ask permission to send money just to cover the first year, how do American universities respond?
A: American universities should contact CCIEE about financial issues raised by individual students. All students sign an agreement with CCIEE regarding sufficient financial support. All students and parents are aware of additional costs for language training. American universities should not answer questions for individual students before they arrive on campus or contact students for any additional information. All questions and information requests should be directly addressed to CCIEE prior to the student’s arrival in the U.S.
13. If a student wants to pursue a second major during his/her study in the U.S., what are the procedures that needs to be followed?
A: The CHEPD 1+2+1 Program does not allow students to take a second major in an American university. In general, students can only choose one major. The graduates will receive two degrees from both Chinese and American universities in the same major.
14. How do American universities handle students who violate university policy or CHEPD 1+2+1 Program regulations?
A: If a student’s behavior violates university policy or the CHEPD 1+2+1 Program regulations, the university should carry out proper disciplinary measures and inform CCIEE of the violation. The ultimate punishment is to send the student back to China, but universities should discuss this measure with CCIEE in advance if possible.
15. Can American universities charge students Application Fees?
A: Yes, but the fee will not come with the Application package. It will be deducted from the amount that students wire to the university later. Any costs related to student applications will be deducted later.
16. If a student comes to the International Student Office asking for support letters to return to China for winter or summer vacation or requests a visas application for the parents to visit, what is CCIEE’s policy?
A: CCIEE does not encourage American universities to provide any documentation for students who want to apply for their parents to visit them during their two years of study. CCIEE also does not encourage students to return to China for Christmas or summer break since they are expected to finish the program within two years.
17. Why are participating American universities not encouraged to contact students directly before they arrive on campus?
A: Before the students’ arrival on U.S. campuses, all the information is passed to individual students through CCIEE’s office. Parents will get confused if they hear information from different sources and will call CCIEE to verify what they hear. Students and parents all communicate with each other and misinformation may cause anxiety among them. Therefore, CCIEE’s policy states that all requests made to individual students before they arrive in the U.S. should be channeled through CCIEE’s office.
