Frequently Asked Questions for International Students

First, you should choose a university because it provides you with the academic program that is of interest to you. When comparing universities with similar academic programs, here are some things to consider:

• What kind of academic focus is important to you? Golden Gate is a practical and career-focused university where the faculty have real-world experience in what they teach and a large proportion of the students have considerable working experience.
• Are you interested in surroundings that are culturally diverse and exciting? Golden Gate University is located in the heart of San Francisco, one of the most interesting and dynamic cities in the United States. The university has close ties with businesses all over the region, including Silicon Valley. And there's always something to do, from shopping to movies, sports, sightseeing and the arts.
• How will you fit in? Golden Gate University educates students from all over the world. We see it as an excellent way of enhancing the global perspective in our classrooms. But you will also find that the American students are very open and accepting because San Francisco itself is made up of immigrants from every region.

Our International Admissions and Advising Office is staffed by professional counselors who are here to help you from admissions through graduation. Services provided include visa assistance, temporary housing assistance, new student orientation, registration and other help. In addition, our Office of Student Affairs provides academic advising, personal counseling, career services and opportunities to join clubs and activities.

Check the Admissions area of this website for specifics. Generally, international students need to fill out an application, arrange to have academic records sent to the university, provide a TOEFL score (if your native language is not English) and submit a certification of finances. If you have questions, you can contact the Admissions Office at admissions@ggu.edu or call 415-442-7800.

Yes, GGU accepts online applications! Please go to Admissions.

Government-sponsored loans and grants are reserved for US students. International students may be eligible for some Golden Gate scholarships if they transfer from another US institution or after they have studied at Golden Gate for at least a year.

With a little exploration, you may be able to identify low-interest loans or other assistance. A list of financial aid resources for international students is available online.

Yes. F-1 and J-1 students are allowed to work in limited circumstances. Many international students work part-time on campus at Golden Gate University. Students must check with an advisor in the Office of International Student Services about individual work possibilities.

Your first step should be to go to the US embassy or consulate in your country. They will be able to provide you with requirements and explain the process for obtaining an F-1 or J-1 student visa. F-1 visa requirements can be found online, as well as a list of embassies and consulates.

For general F-1 visa requirements, please go to their website.

You may have seen American movies or television programs. Don't believe everything you see. The United States is a very big country and each region is different. You can learn about the San Francisco area by looking on the Web. To find out what it's like to live in the United States, you might ask friends or relatives if they know anyone who has done it. Most important: Keep an open mind and be flexible. You will probably find there are some things you really like and other things that seem odd to you. When you first arrive, explore as much as you can until you find what you're comfortable with.

For all of these questions, please visit the General Information Web page for international admissions.

This is a very popular question! F-1 and J-1 students are allowed to work in limited circumstances. Students must check with a counselor in International Admissions and Advising Services for specific questions about individual work possibilities.