Location

Where is UAA located?

The University of Alaska Anchorage is located in Anchorage, Alaska. Anchorage is the largest city in the state with approximately 300,000 residents. About 40% of Alaska's population live in Anchorage, which has been named All-American City four times. Anchorage is located in South Central Alaska, northeast of the Alaska Peninsula and Cook Inlet, and northwest of Prince William Sound. Anchorage is surrounded by the Knik Arm on the North, Turnagain Arm on the south, and the Chugach Mountains on the east.

What is the weather like in Anchorage?

Anchorage has a subarctic climate with moderate temperatures. In the summer, average temperatures range from 13-26°C (55-78°F) and about -15 --1°C (5-30°F) in winter. Anchorage has an average snow fall of about 180 cm (70in). During the mostly mild summers, rain is frequent. 

During the summer, days can be as long as 20 hours, with no complete darkness at night. In winter, on the other hand, days can be short, with less than 6 hours of daylight.

What can you do for fun in Anchorage?

Anchorage, with its motto "Big Wild Life" has to offer hundreds of activities year around. Anchorage has more than 220 parks, more than 400 km (250 miles) of trails, more than 100 athletic fields, and 11 recreation facilities. During the winter time, many people enjoy hiking, snow shoeing, skiing (Alpine, Nordic, ...), ice fishing, sledding, snowboarding, ice skating, and dog sledding.

In the summer, many Alaskans enjoy fishing, hiking, hunting, gold panning, wildlife watching, as well as rafting, canoeing, and kayaking. 

Anchorage also has indoor entertainment to offer. Every year, world renowned performers visit Anchorage. In recent years, Disney’s The Lion King, Mamma Mia! and The Blue Man Group performed in Anchorage. For more information for activities in and around Anchorage, visit the website of the Anchorage Visitors Bureau.

UAA also offers a variety of events to its students. The UAA concert board often presents comedians, bands, and other performing artists for a low cost to UAA students. Past performers included Iron and Whine and Bo Burnham

Admission to UAA

What are the UAA admission deadlines?

You can find admission and registration deadlines at this website.  Some graduate programs may have earlier deadlines – check the web site of the academic department.

What documents are required for international admission to UAA?

As an international undergraduate student, following documents are needed for admission:

• Official, Sealed, TOEFL or IELTS Score (Contact the International Student Services office if you are from an English-speaking country)
• Official ACT, SAT, OR ACCUPLACER scores (You can take the Accuplacer after you arrive in Anchorage)
• Notarized affidavit of support from you or your sponsor (Graduate or Undergraduate, depending on your degree program)
• Bank statement from you or your sponsor showing required funding (Please note: The statement must be dated within six months of planned enrollment) 
• Admissions Agreement for Prospective F-1 Students
• Official transcripts sealed in an envelope from your High School and College or University (transcripts that have been opened are not accepted for admission purposes)
• International transfer credit transcript evaluation (needed only if you wish to transfer credits – find a list of agencies here)

The international evaluation is MANDATORY for ALL graduate students

Can I study at University of Alaska Anchorage if I am not proficient in English?

Students must take the TOEFL or IELTS test and achieve the following minimum scores for unconditional admission:

Minimum TOEFL Scores:

• 133 on the computer-based test
• 45-46 on the internet-based test, or
• 450 on the paper-based test

Minimum IELTS Scores:

• 4

However, students with lower TOEFL or IELTS scores may be admitted with the condition that

they complete ESL (English as a Second Language) courses prior to beginning program courses.

Admissions decisions with ESL conditions will be made on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed.

Does UAA accept transfer credit?

UAA accepts transfer credit from universities in the United States as well as international universities. If you wish to transfer credits to UAA from a university outside the United States, please request an international transfer credit evaluation. You will have to submit an official, sealed transcript to the evaluation agency as well as to UAA. You can find a list of agencies here. 

What do I need to do to transfer to UAA from a different university in the United States?

In order to transfer as an F-1 student to UAA from a different university in the United States, you will have to apply for admission to UAA, provide all admission documents (including official transcript from current university, affidavit of support, and a bank statement), and the UAA F-1 Transfer Eligibility Form. You can find the form here.

Do documents have to be submitted in English?

All communication with the University must be conducted in English. Transcripts have to be evaluated or translated into English.

Does UAA offer ESL classes?

UAA offers ESL classes on an intermediate and advanced level.

Is UAA on a semester or quarter system?

UAA is on a semester system. The Fall semester lasts from the end of August until  mid-December and the Spring Semester is from Mid-January through the beginning of May.

Do I have to choose a major when I apply or can I have an undeclared major?

As an international student, you have to be admitted to a degree program, but a major does not have to be declared.

When can I enroll in classes?

The class registration period for the upcoming Fall semester usually starts in early April. Registration for the next Spring semester starts in early November. For exact dates and deadlines, please go to the website of the Office of the Registrar.

Who will help me choose the classes that are right for me?

UAA offers many resources for students who are not quite sure what classes they should take or what major they should choose. The Advising and Testing Center is there for students who are pursuing a bachelor’s degree with an undeclared major, Associate of Arts students, prospective students uncertain about  their choice of degree program and/or major, and for students who are uncertain about their career path. If you already know your major, find a list of advising contacts here .

What is the average class size at UAA?

UAA has an average class size of about 20 students for undergraduate classes and approximately 10 students for graduate classes.

The Visa Process

How do I apply for a visa?

Visit the US embassy or consulate’s website directly for detailed information about the visa application fee and process. You will have to schedule an appointment for a visa interview (no earlier than 120 days before you are expected to report to school). When you apply for your visa, you will need following documents:

• A valid passport
• A valid I-20 or DS-2019
• SEVIS fee payment receipt
• Visa application fee payment receipt
• Affidavit of Support
• Copy of bank statement that you submitted to UAA for admission
• Copies of your academic records
• TOEFL score report (if applicable)
• Several photos (Contact your embassy or visit their website for photo standards)

What is SEVIS?

SEVIS is the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System which was created to track and monitor schools and programs, students, exchange visitors and their dependents throughout the duration of approved participation within the U.S. education system. All new F-1 visa applicants must pay the $200 SEVIS fee and obtain a receipt before they can apply for the visa. Every student has a SEVIS ID number, which can be found on the top right side of your I-20/DS-2019 right above the bar code. 

Maintaining Status

Do I have to have health insurance?

Every J-1 Exchange visitor and F-1 student is required to have health insurance. The insurance can be purchased through UAA or independently as long as it meets following requirements:

• Medical benefits of at least $50,000 per person per accident or illness.
• Repatriation of remains in the amount of $7,500
• Expenses associated with medical evacuation in the amount of $10,000
• A deductible of not more than $500 per accident or illness

You are only required to purchase medical insurance for the Spring and Fall semesters, but we strongly recommend, that you purchase medical insurance for the complete year (August to August). Proof of health insurance has to be submitted to Carter Caywood by the posted deadline every semester. Please see the health insurance information sheet for for detailed information.

What GPA do I have to maintain to remain in status?

In order to maintain status, you must make “normal academic progress” This is defined as NOT having a semester GPA of less than 2.0 for two consecutive semesters.

Do I have to be enrolled full time?

International students have to maintain full time enrollment during the Spring and Fall semester. For undergraduate student, 12 credit hours are considered full time. Graduate students have to be enrolled in 9 credit hours to maintain full time status. Do not drop below full time status unless you have permission from USCIS or International Student Services. Dropping below full time will cause SEVIS record termination and possibly deportation.

Can international students work?

International students are allowed to work on-campus, up to 20 hours per week while classes are in session. During times of no school (winter, summer, and spring break), you may work 40 hours per week. International students MAY NOT work off-campus. This would be a violation of status and could result in deportation. For more information about employment on a student visa, visit the ISS employment website.

Do I have to inform UAA when I change my address?

You are required to inform UAA of any change in physical address within 10 days. Not reporting an address change to UAA is a SEVIS violation and can cause termination of your SEVIS record.

Campus Life

How many students attend UAA and how many of them are international students?

UAA has more 20,000 students. 15,000 of them attend school at the Anchorage main campus. The number of international students at UAA on student visas is about 300.

Can I live on campus?

UAA Housing has space for approximately 950 students. North, East and West Hall are the three residence halls. Opened in 1998, the halls house approximately 200 students each in Single, Double, and Quad Suites. On each floor, rooms are clustered on two wings, and feature common area lounges for studying and socializing, coin-operated laundry facilities, computer labs and a student-staffed service desk. The six-building Main Apartment Complex, known on campus as “MAC,” is located just west of the Residence Halls and offers apartment-style living for 296 students. Each apartment has four single-bedrooms, plus a kitchen, bathroom, living room, and storage area. The Templewood Apartments are located on the southeastern side of the Student Housing area and offer twenty “town-house style” units housing a total of 80 students. The upper-level of each unit includes two single bedrooms, one shared bedroom, and two bathrooms. A kitchen, living room (complete with gas fireplace), half-bath, laundry room and storage closet are located on the middle level, and a two-car garage and additional storage complete the ground level. For more information on housing rates and pictures, please visit the ISS housing website or the UAA housing main website.

How many students live on campus?

Approximately 950 students live on campus.

How much does it cost to live on campus and how can I apply?

Housing rates vary, depending on if you live in a residence hall or one of the apartment buildings. Cost range from $2,790 to $3,040 per semester. You can find an easy to fill out application here. When submitting the application, a $40 application has to go along with the application form.

Are there any student clubs at UAA?

UAA has over 75 registered student clubs, including an International Student Association. Find a list of UAA clubs here.

Is there an International Student Orientation?

International Student Services has a mandatory New Student Orientation every semester that all new incoming students have to attend. Topics covered include Remaining in Status, Campus safety, Health and Well being, and other topics important to new students. You can find the presentation for last semester’s orientation here.

How To...

How can I get a driver's license?

You are allowed to drive in Alaska for 90 days with your valid non-commercial out-of-country driver’s license. After 90 days you must obtain an Alaska driver’s license from the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). You will have to pass a written knowledge test, a vision test, and a road test. You can find a list of required documents and directions to the nearest DMV in Anchorage here. 

How can I get a Social Security Number?

Social Security Numbers (SSN) are used for tax and identification purposes. Only F1 and J1 students with job offers qualify to apply for Social Security numbers (SSN’s). Other students may apply for an ITIN for tax purposes. You must have a letter with proof of a job offer. Bring the letter to Carter Caywood, and she will provide you with a letter for the Social Security Administration. Find a list of required documents and the application procedure for a SSN or ITIN here. 

How can I get around in Anchorage?

If you do not have a car, you can use public transportation to get around in Anchorage. The bus system is called “People Mover” and provides bus service on 14 routes throughout Anchorage. Most buses are on an hourly schedule. You can find all bus routes and time table on the people mover website. UAA student can ride all buses for free, with a valid student ID card. You can get a student ID card at the University Center.

On campus, you can get around with the Seawolf Shuttle. During the semesters, buses run from from approximately 8am until 8pm. Routes cover the Housing Commons, UAA main campus, the University Center, and the Aviation Complex. You can find more information and the current schedule on the Seawolf Shuttle website. You can also track all shuttles by GPS and see their current location.

How do I find an on-campus job?

You can find an on-campus job by searching the University of Alaska Job database on www.uakjobs.com. Go to “Advanced Job Search”, select part time under “Assignment Type”, and Anchorage under “Job Location”. Then press Search and easily apply online for position you are qualified for. You can find more information about your job search in this presentation.