We’re Looking Forward to Welcoming You

We are looking forward to welcoming you to join us on our beautiful campus in Corpus Christi!

Your Next Steps

Once you’ve been offered and accepted your place to study with us, you can start preparing for university. We’re here to make this process as easy as possible for you. To start with, you’ll need to make sure you’ve done a few important things:

• Confirm your place. The first thing to do after you receive an offer is pay your deposit. You must do this in order to confirm your place. You can then begin the student visa process. To see what payment is required, and pay it online, visit our fees page.
• Apply for your visa. You can find out more about the visa application process on our arriving in Corpus-Christi page. 

Get Prepared With Start Smart

When you enroll at TAMU-CC, you will benefit from Start Smart at no additional cost – so you are prepared to start your courses with the skills you need to succeed, you will benefit from Start Smart at no additional cost – so you are prepared to start your courses with the skills you need to succeed.

You’ll receive early exposure to your university education and experience – ensuring you begin TAMU-CC with confidence. With Start Smart, you will:

• Meet and interact with staff before you arrive
• Join an international community of fellow students from all over the world
• Study a blended course model, combining interactive sessions with the flexibility to learn on your own schedule
• Develop your skills through interactive one-to-one and group discussions

In this free course, you’ll be introduced to a wide range of subjects, including:

• Navigating a learning management system (LMS)
• US culture
• Reading, writing, listening and speaking
• Learning and success

At the end of Start Smart, you’ll receive a certificate to show you completed the modules before progressing on to your program.

Important Dates

If you are a new student, please make a note of the following term dates.

Spring 2022

Summer 2022

Setting Up Your Accounts

After you’ve confirmed your studies with us, our ISC Director will email you with detailed next steps to help you claim your “Island ID" and access the university systems. You will also be able to set up your university email account, which you will use for all communication from the University and your professors.

Course Registration

Class registration will take place during orientation once your final placement is confirmed. You will be given a class schedule, and an ISC advisor will register you for your classes. Your class schedule will be based on your major and classes that are currently available.

Orientation

Online Orientation will be conducted via WebEx. We will schedule an exact time that works best with all students’ time zones.

Placement Testing

All Pathways students are required to take the Versant English Placement test with online monitoring in order to confirm your placement in the program.

First year undergraduate students at Texas universities, with a few exceptions, are required to take the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) test in math, reading, and writing skills. Your results on this test will not affect your placement in the International Pathway Program, but completion of the test is required before we can register you.

The ISC Director will email you with instructions on how to take both tests.

Using our learning management system

We utilize the virtual learning platform Blackboard, as well as additional platforms like WebEx, to support your learning. Blackboard houses course outlines, materials, discussion forums, recorded sessions, collaboration tools, and more, and it does not require the use of a VPN. This learning management system will include course materials and recorded sessions to aid you in your studies. You will submit all assignments for TAMU-CC through the Blackboard platform. 

Engaging with your campus community

The International Pathway Program has helped to create a community of international students both in Corpus Christi and around the world, who connect regularly. These connections happen through group projects in class, as well as ISC-sponsored or student-led social activities. A few of our recent community activities included games of Jeopardy, video and photography contests, Internet scavenger hunts, and virtual hangouts.

Community & Support

Your Advisor

An International Study Center (ISC) advisor will work with you on a one-to-one basis to help make sure you are doing all you can to be successful in your classes. They will do this by monitoring your academic progress in your classes and supporting you in overcoming any challenges you might have with your studies. This might include:

• Referring you to online tutoring.
• Referring you to the writing center or library resources.
• Creating a study plan to help you with time management.
• Reviewing your study skills.

Some students think advising is only for academic discussion, but our ISC advisors are ready to help with anything. Here are some examples of what your advisor can help you with:

• Answering questions about the visa application process.
• Understanding American culture better.
• Connecting you with important information and resources.
• Overcoming stress.
• Engaging with other students and native English speakers, even online.
• Helping you solve any technology problems.

Make an Appointment to Talk With an Advisor

We will discuss the specifics of your advisor meetings at orientation. During the first week of class, your advisor will reach out to you to schedule your first appointment.

Regular Meetings With Your Advisors

You will have meetings every other week with your advisor. During those meetings, you can discuss your academic progress and performance, and they will give you tips about time management strategies and approaches to studying. Your advisor will support you in acculturation and socializing by helping you to get involved in TAMU-CC activities. 

*Subject to University policy, program availability and ongoing disruption caused by COVID-19