Admitted Students
We are so excited to welcome you to the College of San Mateo and hope that this will be an exceptional educational experience for you. Once you have applied and been accepted at our college there are still a few steps that you need to take before your arrival in the US.Step One: Read our Pre-Arrival Handbook
This document contains a large amount of useful data. It includes information about orientation, tuition payment, housing, health insurance, and travel to the US. Please make every effort to read it before you arrive in California. The handbook is available online.Step Two: Obtain Your F-1 Visa
The following links will help you through the remaining process, including obtaining your F-1 visa and beginning classes at CSM. As always, please don’t hesitate to contact us with any questions as you move forward through this process.
- Accepted to CSM and currently have no F-1 visa
- Accepted to CSM and currently holding an F-1 visa
- Accepted to CSM and currently holding a visa other than F-1
Global Beca Scholarship
International Student Scholarship – Global Beca Foundation of San Mateo CollegesThere are a limited number of one-time scholarships for new international students ranging from $250 to $1000 each depending on availability of funds. To apply for the Global Beca Foundation International Student Scholarship, complete the Global Beca Foundation scholarship application. Then return the completed application and all relevant documents by fax or email to:
Jing Luan, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor, Educational Services and Planning
San Mateo CCCD
Cañada College, College of San Mateo, & Skyline College
Fax: (650) 574-6566
Email: luan@smccd.edu
Awards are granted based on achievement and the potential for involvement in student leadership positions at the college.
Jing Luan, Ph.D.
Vice Chancellor, Educational Services and Planning
San Mateo CCCD
Cañada College, College of San Mateo, & Skyline College
Fax: (650) 574-6566
Email: luan@smccd.edu
Awards are granted based on achievement and the potential for involvement in student leadership positions at the college.
Useful Links
Housing- Housing Options
- Student Housing Assistance - College of San Mateo list of off-campus housing
- Craigslist - Online classified advertising
- Bay Terrace Apartments - Apartment complex in San Mateo (near Marina Plaza shopping center) that rents to international students
- Hillsdale Gardens - Apartment complex in San Mateo (near the Hillsdale Mall) that rents to international student
Furniture
- Cort - Provides furniture rental packages and housing information for students living off-campus.
- Ikea - Sells ready-to-assemble furniture at great prices.
- SamTrans - Public bus transportation. CSM is served by bus routes the 250, the 260, and the 294.
- Caltrain - Local railway system on the San Francisco-Peninsula area.
- Clipper - The all-in-one transit card that keeps track of any passes, discount tickets, ride books and cash value that you load onto it. Used for travel on samTrans and Caltrain.
- SuperShuttle - Cheaper alternative to taking a taxi from the airport. CSM cannot provide airport pick-up.
F-1 International Student Visa/I-94
- Student Visa Video (EN) - Helpful video produced by the U.S. embassy in Vietnam showing an F-1 visa interview.
- USCIS - Homepage to the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services website.
- Visa Wait Times - For interview appointments and processing.
- Arrival Form I-94 - Customs Border Patrol has automated the I-94 process. Use this link to print-out your I-94.
- Foreign Transcript Evaluation - For admissions purposes we will accept an English translation of your transcripts. If you would like credit of your work to apply to an Associate degree at College of San Mateo, please visit the Foreign Transcript Evaluation website.
(650) 574-6161