ESL Transition Program Questions

Normally, students need to show evidence of a minimum acceptable English level, either through TOEFL, IELTS or other internationally recognized English test. Students must also demonstrate they have the academic qualifications needed to join an undergraduate program at FSC. In addition, when students arrive for the CEPAS program they are given a comprehensive entrance exam to determine which of the 6 ESL Transition levels they should begin their study.

Not now, but if students can provide some credible evidence that they have basic English skills and can enter the program at Level 1, we will consider that evidence in admission to the Program.

The entrance exam is approximately four hours. The first part consists of 400 questions, multiple choice, grammar, fill in the blank, and reading comprehension. The second part is a two-stage writing exam: students summarize an article in 100 words or less, and then summarize and analyze the author's arguments. The second part generally is too difficult for the students. The third part is an oral interview, usually around 30 minutes. Questions in the interview are drawn directly from the themes found in the syllabus/curriculum.

CEPAS students are divided in 6 levels of ability. The rough IELTS/TOEFL IBT equivalencies are given below:

L 1 = TOEFL IBT 30, IELTS 3.0-3.5
L2 = TOEFL IBT 40, IELTS 3.5-4.0
L3 = TOEFL IBT 50, IELTS 4.0-4.5
L4 = TOEFL IBT 60, IELTS 4.5-5.0
L5 = TOEFL IBT 70, IELTS 5.0-5.5
L6 = TOEFL IBT 80, IELTS 5.5-6.0

Students entering at around L4 and above would normally take 1 semester to reach L6, the required level for undergraduate study. Students entering between L1 and L4 would require 2 semesters. Note that a student entering at L1 would be required to cover material at a faster rate than a student entering at L3, and therefore would have a higher workload.

Normally, students must be a minimum of 17 years old, although exceptions are possible. There are no maximum age restrictions.

No. The intention is that all students can be brought up to the required level in 2 semesters.

Students must possess a secondary school graduation certificate or evidence that they will graduate prior to the start of their ESL Transition program. In addition, they are expected to show by their secondary school transcript that they have achieved at a fairly high level and can meet the academic requirements for entrance into FSC and for their chosen undergraduate degree program.

Yes. In order to obtain an I-20 form from FSC (or from any US institution), a student must specify a specific major. However, students may change their major once they are enrolled, if they decide to go in another direction.

Normally, the Vice President of Enrollment Management at FSC makes the final decision.