How do I obtain a VISA after being admitted to Berry College?
Once an international applicant is admitted to Berry and pays the enrollment deposit of $250.00 U.S., they will be sent an I-20 form. The applicant then will be able to pay the SEVIS I-901 fee (please visit the US Department of Homeland Security website) and set a visa interview appointment with the nearest US consulate or embassy. We highly recommend that you carry your I-20, SEVIS I-901 fee receipt and proof of your finances (bank statements or scholarship letters), along with the rest of required documentation to your embassy or consulate appointment.
Where do I fly in to the United States and when do I need to arrive?
Plane tickets should be purchased with Atlanta Georgia Hartsfield International Airport as the destination. All international students should plan to arrive on campus the day before International Student Orientation begins.
What is International Orientation?
International Orientation for students will be announced later in the year. This program is intended to give international students important information regarding campus life, classes, the work program, etc. that will help them acclimate to both Berry and the United States.
Do I have to attend an International Student Orientation?
Yes, International Student Orientation helps students with their transition to Berry College and newly admitted international students are required to attend at the beginning of their first academic term.
Do I need health insurance?
Yes, all international students are required to have health insurance. A list will be provided by your international student advisor. Health insurance has to be secured prior to departing from your home country.
Do I need to submit an immunization record?
Yes, all students must submit an immunization record. For more information about shots, tests, and other required documents, please view our Health Center website.
Can international students work on campus?
International students can work on campus as long as they have an F-1 VISA upon entering the institution.
What is Berry’s Work Program?
Berry College’s LifeWorks Program is like no other in the country. All students, regardless of family income, are guaranteed on-campus jobs every semester. Most students choose to take advantage of this unique opportunity; more than 95 percent work at some time during their four years with more than 85 percent working during any given year.
Berry’s emphasis on meaningful work originates from its earliest days when students were required to work in order to attend school. While the work requirement disappeared in the 1960s, the college continues to provide unparalleled opportunities for learning through LifeWorks. Berry’s work supervisors, all members of the faculty or staff, guide, train and mentor students, challenging them with increasingly complex projects and assignments.
An important aspect of LifeWorks is that students will first work in an entry level position and then have the opportunity to accept increasing responsibility and, as a result, increasing pay. Many students ultimately end up serving as supervisors and trainers and mentors to other students.
Do international students get full rides?
Berry College offers a competitive merit-based scholarship program for international students. These scholarships are based on a student’s secondary school transcripts and are awarded automatically to students who qualify. While these scholarships can be generous, it is important to remember that there are no need-based scholarships available to international students. International applicants must show that they can provide for themselves financially while attending Berry. This information should be indicated on the applicant’s Certification of Finances.
How can I get involved at Berry?
There are tons of ways to get involved at Berry. Start here: Activities and Organizations