University of Michigan-Flint

The University of Michigan-Flint
The City of Flint
Exchange Programs at the University of Michigan-Flint
Application Process
Course Registration
Housing
Living Costs
Health Insurance
Arriving to Flint & Mandatory Check-In
International Student Orientation
Apply Now

The University of Michigan-Flint

The history of the University of Michigan-Flint began in 1944 when the Flint Board of Education requested that a University of Michigan Extension Office open in Flint. Key area citizens, already planning the cultural center, were interested in the idea of higher education in the community. Three years later, the Regents of the University funded a study exploring the possibilities for higher education in Flint. The community responded enthusiastically to the study, which called for the establishment of a four-year liberal arts college in Flint comparable to the College of Literature, Science, and the Arts on the Ann Arbor campus.

Since 1956, the University of Michigan-Flint has embraced the importance of "doing" as fundamental to each student's personal, professional, and academic growth. As part of the world-renowned University of Michigan system, we too are committed to the development of the next generation of "Leaders and Best."

At UM-Flint, the best leaders engage issues head-on, explore varying points of view, seek input from others, and become as familiar with realities as they do theories.

UM-Flint faculty from over 100 areas of study pour their expertise and creativity into the development of research and service-learning projects that match course curriculum with today's most-pressing issues. Such projects bring learning to life, address community needs, and fulfill students' desires to contribute to "something bigger than themselves."

Action-oriented academics is at the heart of the University of Michigan-Flint experience—and why our graduates are so highly sought by employers looking for leaders who know how to get things done.

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The City of Flint

Tradition of Change

Fur. Lumber. Carriages. Cars. Colleges? Even before its incorporation as a city in 1855, Flint had forged a reputation as a place where innovative, world-changing ideas could be made real.

Billy Durant transformed the city's lumber boom into international success in the carriage industry. He then transformed his carriage achievements into the world's leading automobile manufacturer, General Motors.

The success of General Motors would be shared with workers after the Flint Sit-Down Strikes gave birth to the United Auto Workers union (UAW). The gains of Flint's autoworkers lifted wages and benefits for workers throughout the world, and are credited with building the American middle class.

Average working families were then able to send their children to college. Such was the case for the Page family. In his 2009 commencement speech in Ann Arbor, University of Michigan alumnus and Google co-founder and CEO Larry Page acknowledged the role Flint and last century's dominant technology played in shaping his family's future:

"My father's father worked in the Chevy plant in Flint, Michigan. He was an assembly line worker. He drove his two children here to Ann Arbor, and told them, 'That is where you're going to go to college.' Both his kids did graduate from Michigan. That was the American dream."

Car Town to College Town

Today, Flint has more college students than the communities home to Princeton and Yale universities combined. Nearly 34,000 college students are currently enrolled at institutions of higher learning in Genesee County, the majority at the University of Michigan-Flint, Kettering University, Mott Community College, and Baker College.
With more and more of these students choosing to live on or near campus, local community and business leaders are responding by providing this growing population with the services and amenities college students want and expect.
New restaurants, entertainment venues, retail shops, and loft apartments fill historic downtown buildings refurbished to meet these needs – while preserving the architecture, history, and uniqueness of downtown Flint.

Flint has always been a hub where creative and innovative people from all walks of life interact. Musicians and artists have long mingled with business people, community activists, and others. Today, that mix of perspectives and talents is paying off. Flint is quickly becoming known more as a true educational, cultural, artistic, and recreational hotbed than as "Vehicle City."

Those who embrace Flint's transformation as an opportunity to engage with and contribute to "real change" may find the experience to be the most meaningful education of all.

Getting Around

Still a key transportation hub, Flint is located at the intersection of two interstate highways, I-75 and I-69, making convenient travel to nearby cities like Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Lansing – all are less than 60 miles from Flint. The city has a local MTA bus system, an Amtrak train station, and Bishop International Airport – one of the fastest growing airports in the nation.

Signature Events

Metro Flint also boasts many signature annual events, including the Crim Festival of Races, the Flint Film Festival, the Back to the Bricks Classic Car Cruise, and a wide array of vibrant local art, music, and other cultural events. Explore what else Flint has to offer at www.exploreflint.org.

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Exchange Programs at the University of Michigan-Flint

Exchange programs allow undergraduate students (and in some cases graduate students) to study in a foreign country at a partner institution for a certain period of time while receiving credits towards their home university degree. Tuition and fees at UM-Flint are waived for incoming exchange students in accordance with the exchange agreement between UM-Flint and the partner institution and/or department/faculty.

The Office of Study Abroad welcomes students from overseas partner institutions every year to complete one to two terms of academic study at the University of Michigan-Flint. Only the students from the institutions below may attend UM-Flint as incoming exchange students:

Exchange students can enroll in courses outside of the courses outlined in the exchange agreement. They will need approval to register for those courses and will be charged out-of-state tuition and fees for those courses.

*Other: Non-business students should contact Asinda Sirignano for more information.
**Students must have received approval from their home university as well as UM-Flint to be eligible.

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Application Process

Semester Dates for 2013 - 2014 Academic Year:

Fall 2013 Semester

• Start/End Dates: September 4 - December 12, 2013
• Exams: December 14, 16-20

Winter 2014 Semester

• Start/End Dates: January 6-April 21, 2014
• Exams: April 23-26, 28-29

Application Deadlines

Incoming exchange students are asked to submit all application requirements by the following dates:

• July 15, 2013 to begin studies in September 2013 (fall semester/academic year applicants)
• October 30, 2013 to begin studies in January 2014 (winter semester/calendar year applicants)

Eligibility Requirements

Grade Point Average (GPA). The University of Michigan-Flint’s admission requirements extend to incoming undergraduate and graduate exchange students. Nominees for admission as exchange students must have a minimum cumulative GPA equivalent to a U.S. 3.0 on a 4.0 scale (above average grades).

English Language Proficiency. Because of U.S. government visa regulations, UM-Flint requires all applicants from countries where English is not the official language to demonstrate adequate English language skills. These skills may be demonstrated by one of the following (undergraduate):

• an IELTS score of 5.0 overall band or higher;
• a minimum TOEFL score as follows: PBT, 500; iBT, 61
• a Certificate of Proficiency (ECPE)
• a Certificate of Completion (ELS Level 112)
• a score of Pre-1 on the STEP-EIKEN
• a score of 59 on the Pearson PTE Academic

Proof of Financial Support. Evidence of financial support—$4,757 for one semester or $9,514 for a year—must be provided. This needs to be an original document, for example an original bank statement received in the mail, a letter signed by an official of a financial institution attesting to the availability of funds at these levels. Certified copies, PDF attachments to an email, faxes, and pages printed from a bank's web-site are not acceptable.

Step-by-Step Admissions Process

All documents must be original, or certified copies of the original. All application materials should be sent to the following address:

University of Michigan-Flint
International Center
Attn: Asinda Sirignano
303 East Kearsley Street
219 University Center
Flint, Michigan, 48502

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Course Registration

To view the courses offered in the semester(s) which you intend to study at UM-Flint, please visit www.umflint.edu/registrar/course_schedule.htm.

After you have decided which courses you would like to take at UM-Flint, you should complete a Learning Agreement with your home university representative and send the signed agreement with the rest of their application. An advisor or academic coordinator at UM-Flint will review the Learning Agreement, provide feedback regarding availability of courses, and send the signed Learning Agreement back to you. If a course is not available or approved, other options will be provided.

Once you receive the signed Learning Agreement with the rest of your acceptance packet, follow the instructions to log into the UM-Flint Student Information System (SIS) and register for the courses indicated on the Learning Agreement.

Typically, students register for 12 credits per semester (approximately 4 courses).

Students may be permitted to register for courses outside of the courses included in the exchange agreement. You will need to discuss this option with your home university to verify transferability of courses. Any courses you register for outside of the courses included in the exchange agreement will be charged to your student account at the out-of-state tuition rate.

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Housing

The University of Michigan-Flint offers accommodation for exchange students at the First Street Residence Hall or the Riverfront Residence Hall. Single, double or triple rooms are available and are furnished, with beds, desks, and tables. Basic furnishings such as chairs and sofas are also provided. Rates vary depending on room choice.

The First Street Residence Hall boasts apartment-style suites for two to four students, complete with kitchens, laundry facilities, wireless internet, and other amenities. Students who select to live in First Street Residence Hall are required to purchase a mandatory meal plan*.

The Riverfront Residence Hall offers apartment-style suites and studios and includes amenities such as wireless Internet, a movie theater, a game room, a fitness center and multipurpose study and meeting rooms.

• First Street Residence Hall www.umflint.edu/housing
• Riverfront Residence Hall www.flintstudenthousing.com

Costs will vary based on room choice. The average cost for a shared 2-bedroom/2 bathroom suite (4 students) is $490- $586 per month. Students are required to submit a housing application form to the residence hall of choice as soon as possible. Housing applications are available online at the respective websites.

*The cost of the meal plan is $1,407 per semester for the 2012-2013 academic year. Rates are subject to change.

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Living Costs

Students can expect to spend approximately $930 - $1,370 per month depending on accommodations and lifestyle. Some monthly expenses include:

• Accommodation: Approximately $455 - $745 per month, depending on accommodation choice
• Meals: Approximately $350 per month
• Local transportation: Approximately $25 per month on public transport
• Other expenses: Approximately $100 - $250 per month

Students can also expect to spend approximately $375 - $600 per semester on books and educational supplies.

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Health Insurance

Healthcare in the United States is very expensive. To deter those costs, the University of Michigan and the University of Michigan-Flint requires all F-1 and J-1 international students to have health insurance coverage throughout the duration of their studies in the U.S. Health insurance is provided by Aetna Health Insurance at the rate of $99* per month. For exchange students, this amount is charged at one time to the student’s account at the beginning of each semester.

If you have insurance that is comparable to the Aetna Health Insurance, you can request to waive out of Aetna Health Insurance when you arrive to the US. If you plan to purchase alternative insurance from your home country, please make sure your policy will meet the standards provided in Aetna Health Insurance before you purchase it as many policies do not meet these requirements. Also, please remember that the Aetna Health Insurance plan changes from time to time and so do the requirements for the approval of insurance waivers. Therefore, insurance that was acceptable in prior years may not be acceptable this year.

Please visit www.internationalcenter.umich.edu/healthins/waiver.html#standards for view coverage information. Incoming exchange students may bring proof of alternative insurance, as well as detailed benefits information when they arrive to Flint.

*This is the rate for 2012-2013 academic year. Rates are subject to change.

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Arriving to Flint & Mandatory Check-In

Transportation

The local airport in Flint is called Flint Bishop International Airport (FNT). You can take a domestic flight from an international arrival city to Bishop International Airport. Most students arrive from overseas into Chicago or Detroit, and take a connection to Flint.

The International Center (IC) at UM-Flint offers airport pickup services for students arriving into Flint Bishop International Airport. Please contact the International Center at ic@umflint.edu at least 3 weeks prior to arrival if you would like the IC to pick you up from the local airport.

Mandatory Check-In

Federal regulations require that you register your presence at the University by completing international student check-in procedures. This entails checking-in at the International Center at UM-Flint once you arrive. Please bring the following items to check-in:

• Passport with visa
• I-94
• DS-2019

You will receive up-to-date information about upcoming International Student Orientation (ISO) at check-in. If you arrive on the weekend before ISO, you will be able to check-in during the orientation session.

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International Student Orientation

International Student Orientation (ISO) is a mandatory program for all incoming international students in F-1 and J-1 student status, including freshman, graduate, professional, transfer, returning students from leave, and exchange students. ISO is designed to help students learn about and understand important immigration regulations and procedures required of F-1 and J-1 students, confirm their arrival for required government reporting purposes, and to assist new students in adjusting to UM-Flint.

Topics covered at the International Student Orientation include:

• Introduction to U.S. Academic Life
• Working on campus and in the U.S.
• SEVIS and Immigration - Everything you need to know to stay in-status
• Health Insurance
• Living in Flint
• Campus life
• Adjusting to life in the U.S.

Students are asked to bring the following items to ISO:

• Passport with visa
• I-94
• DS-2019

ISO is also a time to socialize with other new students, and meet faculty and staff from campus.

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Apply Now

Below you will find the forms that are required as part of your application to study at the University of Michigan-Flint as an exchange student:

• Application for Exchange & Agreement
• Learning Agreement
• Affidavit of Financial Support

Please remember to include the following along with these forms:

• Official Transcript
• Copy of Passport
• Proof of English Proficiency
• Bank Statement(s)

All documents should be sent to:

University of Michigan-Flint
International Center
ATTN: Asinda Sirignano
303 East Kearsley Street
219 University Center
Flint, Michigan, 48502

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