Frequently Asked Questions

Questions About the University of Bridgeport

1. Where is the University of Bridgeport (UB) located?
2. What academic undergraduate and graduate programs (majors) does UB offer?
3. Is UB accredited?
4. How many international students attend UB?
5. How safe is the UB campus?
6. Can I arrange to have a tour of the campus?

Questions About the Admissions Process

1. When should I apply to UB and what is the application deadline?
2. How much is the application fee and can it be waived?
3. Can you tell me if I am I eligible for admission at UB before I submit my application materials?
4. My grades/marks are not on the American scale, is there a conversion method?
5. What standardized exams do I need to take? (TOEFL, SAT, GRE, GMAT)
6. What is UB's TOEFL code?
7. What is UB's English Language Proficiency Requirement? What if I am unable to meet the requirement?
8. What are the admission requirements for international students? Are there any additional admission requirements for the program I am applying to?
9. What are the financial documents that I need to submit with my application?
10. After I apply, when will I receive the admission decision and my I-20 Form?
11. How do I prepare for the visa interview?

Financial Questions for Accepted Students

1. Will you offer me any scholarships or financial aid? Do you offer any full scholarships?
2. Will I be able to get a job upon arriving to UB?
3. When am I required to pay my tuition fees? Can I prepay my tuition? Can I pay in installments?
4. What is a tuition deposit and a housing deposit? How can I pay my deposits? Is it necessary to pay them before arriving to UB?
5. How much money do I need to have available when I arrive to UB?

Academic Questions for Accepted Students

1. I am a transfer student; will I receive credit for coursework previously taken at the university level?
2. I was granted admission in the past, but was unable to attend UB. How do I defer my admission?
3. Can I register for my classes before I arrive at UB?
4. Can I change my academic major once I arrive at UB?
5. I am an undergraduate student who applied to a specific major, but was accepted into The First Year Studies Program (FYSP). What is the FYSP?

Arriving On Campus

1. What airport is closest to UB? Will there be someone from UB to pick me up at the airport?
2. How do I get to UB by automobile, bus or train?
3. Does UB offer on-campus housing? Does UB offer off-campus housing?
4. Are there temporary accommodations available if I arrive to UB early?
5. Are there on-campus health facilities? What if I did not complete my health forms?
6. What should I bring along when I arrive at UB?

Questions About The University of Bridgeport

1. Where is the University of Bridgeport (UB) located? The University is located on a spectacular 50-acre seashore campus in the State of Connecticut. The climate coupled with the beauty of the campus makes UB one of the 250 most toured campuses in the United States. Its closeness to major cities such as Boston and New York make it a major attraction to students who would like to study abroad.
   
   
2. What academic undergraduate and graduate programs (majors) does UB offer? For a complete listing of all of the academic majors the University of Bridgeport has to offer, please click on the following link. Please note that the most recent course catalog is also downloadable from this link. The course catalog will inform you of all University of Bridgeport policies as well as the specific courses a student may choose to take during their time at UB.
   
   
3. Is UB accredited? Yes, The University of Bridgeport is fully accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC). The University also is accredited by the Board of Governors of the Connecticut Department of Higher Education. For information regarding specific academic programs and their accreditation, please visit the following link.
   
   
4. How many international students attend UB? Currently, there are approximately 3,300 graduate and undergraduate students studying at The University of Bridgeport. Of our current 3,300 students, 815 are international students. These students come from over ninety countries around the world and comprise 25% of our total student population. With such a diverse population and wonderful reputation, you can be sure to find an individual at UB from your home country.
   
   
5. How safe is the UB campus? The University of Bridgeport is pleased to announce being recognized as the safest residential campus in the state of Connecticut for the past two years. The University offers a combination of security services that include a Securitas Security Service USA managed public safety force, escort services, and twenty-four-hour monitored access to all residence halls. Also, each full-time student at the University is provided a small personal alarm device (PAD) that allows one to signal for help instantly from anywhere on campus in an emergency. Small and easily carried, a student summons help with the touch of a button. The signal sends information about who the student is and where that student is located to a central computer in the Campus Security Office. For additional information about security at the University of Bridgeport please visit the following link.
   
   
6. Can I arrange to have a tour of the campus? If you are currently in The United States, you certainly can! We welcome all prospective students in The United States to contact our Office of International Admissions to schedule a tour of the campus. We have student tour guides that are generally available Monday-Friday from 9:00 am - 3:00 pm. Please email admit@bridgeport.edu or call 203-576-4552 to make tour arrangements. If given enough notice, we may also be able to arrange for you to meet with certain faculty members as well. For those students who are not in the US, you can take a virtual tour of the campus by clicking on the following link.

Questions About The Admissions Process

1. When should I apply to UB and what is the application deadline? You may submit your application for admission up to twelve months in advance of the semester in which you wish to begin your studies at UB. To meet our application deadline, we strongly recommend that you apply as soon as possible, as we receive a high volume of applications throughout the year. You should not wait too close to the deadlines below to submit your application. Any applications received after the deadlines will automatically be deferred to the next semester.
   
   
   • July 1 is the last date to apply for the Fall Semester, which begins late August/early September.
   • November 1 is the last date to apply for the Spring Semester, which begins mid January.
   • The university does NOT admit new international students to the Summer Semester.
     
     
2. How much is the application fee and can it be waived? There are three types of application fees:
   

   Application Fee for Regular Processing $35
   Application Fee for Premium Processing $70
   Application Fee for Doctoral Level Programs $75

   The application fee is mandatory and cannot be waived: Because of the limited amount of financial aid available for international students, our general expectation is that international students must be able to provide the cost of their education through their own resources. As a result, application fee waivers cannot be accepted for international students.
   
   Application Fee for Regular Processing $35
   • Regular processing means that if you are admitted into the University of Bridgeport, your acceptance letter and I-20 Form will be sent to you via regular mail. Regular international mail takes approximately 3-5 weeks to be delivered.
   • The regular application fee for a paper application or for an online application is $35 U.S.
   • If you apply by using a paper application, you must submit a NON-REFUNDABLE Application Fee of $35.00 – bank check or money order - drawn on a U.S. Bank and made payable to the University of Bridgeport. DO NOT SEND CASH.
   • If you apply online, you will be asked to pay the $35 application fee online using a VALID credit card upon completion of your online application form.
   
   Application Fee for Premium Processing $70
   • Applicants who apply by using the paper application will be allowed to take advantage of our premium processing service, which is NOT available when applying online. The cost for this service is $70, which ensures that you will receive your acceptance letter and I-20 Form via courier service if you are admitted into the University of Bridgeport. The $70 fee includes the $35 application fee + the $35 courier service cost of UPS Worldwide Express, which takes approximately 3-5 business days to get delivered.
   • Applicants requesting premium processing MUST send in their paper applications along with a NON-REFUNDABLE Application Fee of $70 – bank check or money order- drawn on a U.S. bank and made payable to the University of Bridgeport. DO NOT SEND CASH.
   • Please note that premium processing is NOT available for online applicants.
   
   Application Fee for Doctoral Level Programs $75
   • Doctorate in Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)
   • Doctor of Chiropractic (D.C.)
   • Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine (N.D.)
     
     
3. Can you tell me if I am I eligible for admission at UB before I submit my application materials? Unfortunately, we cannot do this. While we appreciate your interest in UB, due to the large amount of applications we receive each semester, we do not have the resources to review your admission materials without an application and an application fee. We strive to review each applicant’s qualifications in the most fair, objective way possible. This is best accomplished when the admissions committee has a complete application with all of its supporting materials to review. Your eligibility will be determined once you send us a completed application! This link will give you access to all of the necessary admission materials that you would need to provide us. Please follow this other link to download the Application for International Students.
   
   
4. My grades/marks are not on the American scale, is there a conversion method?  Yes. Your grades/marks are calculated at the University of Bridgeport by converting them to an American grading equivalent - a GPA (grade point average). These conversions are in compliance with accepted practices used by other universities in the United States.
   
   
5. What standardized exams do I need to take? (TOEFL, SAT, GRE, GMAT)  
   
   TOEFL
   • If you are an undergraduate applicant we recommend that you take TOEFL to satisfy our English language proficiency requirement and to be considered for a scholarship. For more information regarding UB’s undergraduate scholarship program please visit the following link. 
   • If you are a graduate applicant we recommend that you take TOEFL to meet our English language proficiency requirement. A minimum TOEFL score of 550 (PBT) or 213 (CBT) is required for graduates (post-graduates). See question 7 for more details.
   • For more information regarding ways to meet our English language proficiency requirement, please visit the following link. 
   
   SAT
   • If you are an undergraduate applicant you can choose to take the SAT I instead of the TOEFL to satisfy our English language proficiency requirement and to be considered for a scholarship. Please note that SAT I is NOT required for international undergraduate students.
   
   GRE
   • If you are a graduate applicant, GRE is recommended, but NOT required for admission into any of our Master’s level programs.
   • For doctoral candidates pursuing a degree in Educational Leadership, you are required to take both the GRE and MAT (Miller Analogies Test) in order to be considered for admission.
   
   GMAT
   • If you are a graduate applicant, applying to MBA, a minimum GMAT score of 400 is required for admission into the MBA program. However, students with no GMAT score or an insufficient score can still apply, as conditional admission may be granted.
     
     
6. What is UB's TOEFL code? UB's TOEFL code is 3914. This same code can be used as UB's department code.
   
   
7. What is UB's English Language Proficiency Requirement? What if I am unable to meet the requirement? All non-native English language speakers must demonstrate English language competency by providing either a TOEFL score or by meeting one or our requirements for English language proficiency. Please follow this VERY IMPORTANT link to learn more about the specific ways you can prove your English language proficiency. The following is a chart of the TOEFL score you will need to obtain in order to meet our English language proficiency. No exceptions can be made.
   
   

   TOEFL Requirement	Undergraduate	Graduate
   Paper-Based Test (PBT)	500	550
   Computer-Based Test (CBT)	173	213

   
   Students who do not have a TOEFL score or whose score is insufficient may still apply. To register for the TOEFL, please go to www.toefl.org If you do not demonstrate English language competency prior to registration, you will be given the University English Language Assessment Battery (ELAB) test upon arrival to UB. If you pass at a satisfactory level, you may begin classes. If you do not pass at a satisfactory level, you will be required to attend the University's English Language Institute (ELI) until proficiency is reached. ELAB passing grade for undergraduate students is 65 and for graduate students is 72. For more information about UB’s ELI please visit www.bridgeport.edu/eli.
   
   
8. What are the admission requirements for international students? Are there any additional admissions requirements for the program I am applying to? For a comprehensive list of all of our admissions requirements for students seeking a(n) Associate, Bachelor, Master or Doctorate degree please visit the following link. Many of our academic programs require additional requirements. Please be sure to check the list below to see if the program you are interested in has any additional requirements.

Associate’s or Bachelor’s of Science in Dental Hygiene.

If secondary or post-secondary (college/university) academic studies were done outside the U.S., a course-by-course evaluation of all academic work will be required. Please contact an accredited academic evaluating service, such as World Educational Services (WES). For more information please visit www.wes.org.

Master in Business Administration (MBA)

1. • A minimum GMAT score of 400 is required for admission into the MBA program ONLY. However, students with no GMAT score or insufficient score can still apply as conditional admission may be granted.
   • Applicants with three-year Bachelor degrees in B.Com. and B.B.A. can apply to the MBA program.
   
   Master of Science in Computer Science (M.S.), Computer Engineering (M.S.), Electrical Engineering (M.S.), Mechanical Engineering (M.S.), and Technology Management (M.S.)
   
   • GRE is recommended but NOT required for admission into any of the above Master’s level programs.
   
   Master of Science in Education (M.S.) and Doctorate of Education in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.)
   • If post-secondary (college/university) academic studies were done outside the U.S., a course-by-course evaluation of all academic work will be required. Please contact an accredited academic evaluating service such as World Educational Services (WES). For more information please visit (www.wes.org). Please note: this evaluation is ONLY required for students interested in pursuing a Master's or Ed. D degree in Education.
   • A minimum TOEFL score of 550 (PBT) or 213 (CBT) is required for the M.S. or Ed.D. in Education.
   • The program in Educational Leadership (Ed.D.) requires test results from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) and the Miller Analogies Test (MAT). For more information on GRE, you may visit www.ets.org. For information on the MAT, please visit www.tpcweb.com.
   • Students who are currently residing in the United States must also take the PRAXIS I examination and submit their score with their application. Please visit www.ets.org/praxis/prxreg.html for more information.
   
   Master of Science in Human Nutrition (M.S.)
   
   • Students applying for the M.S. in Human Nutrition program must successfully complete the following prerequisite courses with a grade of "B" or better: Basic Nutrition, Anatomy & Physiology, and Introduction to Biochemistry.
   • Students who have NOT completed Anatomy and Physiology and/or Biochemistry will NOT be admitted into the Human Nutrition program.
   • Students should complete the above-mentioned prerequisites at a recognized university/college in their home country.
   • A 250-500 word personal statement specifically discussing why you would like to join the Human nutrition Program at the University of Bridgeport is required. We will NOT review applications with personal statements that do not meet this criterion.
     
     
2. What are the financial documents that I need to submit with my application?  It is very important that you are aware of the exact financial documents that you will need to submit with your application. There are a number of factors that may determine which documents you will need to submit. For a complete list, please visit the following link and read the information provided very carefully.
   
   
3. After I apply, when will I receive an admission decision and my I-20 Form? The application processing time is usually 4-5 weeks from the date your application is received at the Office of International Admissions. Processing time may be extended if certain required academic or financial documents are missing from your application. Therefore, we recommend that you send us ALL of the required admission materials and documents in one package/envelope to avoid any unnecessary delays. Processing time for the Master’s of Science in Computer Science and Computer Engineering applications is longer and might take up to 6-8 weeks. No matter what program you have applied to, the international admissions staff at The University of Bridgeport works very hard to ensure that ALL applications are reviewed in a timely fashion. Please be patient, as our goal is to give you our decision as fast as we possibly can. Too many inquires via e-mail or phone regarding the status of your application or I-20 may result in the delayed processing of your application.
   
   
4. How do I prepare for the Visa interview? You will need to schedule a Visa interview at the American Embassy/Consulate in your home country to obtain an F-1 Student VISA and enter the United States. It is very important that you prepare for your student visa interview before you go for your visa appointment. For a guideline on preparing for the visa interview please visit Student Visa Information. Students should NOT make visa appointments until after they receive their UB I-20 form in the mail. We WILL NOT be responsible for rushing I-20 forms to students who schedule their interview too far in advance. All students seeking F-1 student visas MUST pay a $100 SEVIS Fee before they go for their student visa interview. A proof of payment must be presented along with your I-20 Form to the nearest US Embassy/Consulate in your country. For more information, visit www.fmjfee.com. When you go for your visa interview, you must bring the following items with you:
   
   
   • Your academic records and your acceptance letter from UB.
   • Your I-20 Form and proof (receipt) that you’ve paid the $100 SEVIS Fee.
   • Official financial documentation-current bank statement(s)- from your bank and/or your sponsor’s bank.
   • Proof that you have strong ties to your home country and that you will not remain in the U.S.A permanently.

   Once you obtain your visa, you MUST send us a tuition deposit so we can secure a place for you at UB. Please see question 4 below.
   

Financial Questions For Accepted Students

1. Will you offer me any scholarships or financial aid? Do you offer any full scholarships? The Undergraduate International Scholarships are offered to encourage academic excellence and student leadership and to continue UB’s tradition of enrolling a “Community of Scholars” from around the world. The scholarships are available to both first year and transfer students. All awards are renewable yearly based on satisfactory academic achievement and good standing at the University. All undergraduate applicants are considered for these scholarship awards once all application materials are received by the specified deadline. The University of Bridgeport does not offer any full scholarships. Academic scholarships range from $5,000 to $10,000 USD per academic year, and are based on academic excellence AND English proficiency. We do NOT offer any scholarships based on a student’s financial need. Scholarships are the ONLY source of financial aid UB is able to offer to international students. For more information about our specific scholarship requirements please visit the following link. Please note that the above-mentioned scholarships are NOT available for international graduate or postgraduate students. The University of Bridgeport has a very competitive tuition rate for graduate students. Limited financial assistance in the form of graduate assistantships is available. Graduate students may apply for available positions after they have been in attendance at UB for one semester.
   
   
2. Will I be able to get a job upon arriving to UB? It is very difficult for a new first semester international student to get a job upon arriving at UB. There are a limited number of jobs available on campus. It is therefore unrealistic to expect to work during your first semester. However, the chances of getting an on-campus job do improve AFTER you complete your first semester at UB. Many of our international students have been successful in getting jobs during their second and third semesters at UB. The University of Bridgeport attempts to accommodate as many international students as possible. However, we cannot guarantee any student a job prior to his/her arrival to campus. An on-campus job can help with the student's personal expenses (pocket money), but these funds are not sufficient to finance tuition costs. Students should NOT come to UB without a plan as to how they will pay for their first full year of education. Please note that international students may not work more than 20 hours a week on-campus.
   
   
3. When am I required to pay my tuition fees? Can I prepay my tuition? Can I pay in installments? You should NOT prepay your tuition fees before you arrive to UB. You will be required to pay your tuition fees, room/board, and health insurance AFTER you arrive on UB’s campus, but BEFORE your classes begin. ALL international students must pay their first semester costs in full during the New Student Orientation Week, which is the first week of each semester. International undergraduate students who receive UB partial scholarships must pay their remaining costs not covered by their scholarship. Please note that there are NO payment plans available for first semester international students. Payments plans are available at the start of the student’s second semester and are arranged through the Bursar’s Office. The International Admissions Office cannot help a student be put on a payment plan. For information related to payments contact the Bursar at bursar@bridgeport.edu or call the bursar's office at 203-576-4773.
   
   
4. What is a tuition deposit and a housing deposit? How can I pay my deposits? Is it necessary to pay them before arriving to UB? The $100.00 tuition deposit (for graduate students) or the $200.00 tuition deposit (for undergraduate students) is an indication of your commitment to attend the University of Bridgeport and will secure a place for you in the semester for which you were accepted. The $200.00 (graduate and undergraduate) housing deposit secures you a place in one of our University residence halls. The deposits enable the University to determine residence rooms required, plan classroom usage, schedule appropriate classes, and hire necessary faculty. Therefore, as you can understand, these deposits are a very important part of the admission process and planning. Your deposits are applied toward your university costs and will be credited to your UB account. Please note that we do NOT recommend you pay either deposit until AFTER you have secured your student VISA from the American Embassy/Consulate in your home country. Theses deposits are NON-REFUNDABLE and will not be returned to you once you submit them to UB. There are two ways to submit deposit payment(s):
   
   

   1.	Issue a check or money order to:	2.	You may wire the funds to:
   	University of Bridgeport		People's Bank
   	Mail to: University of Bridgeport		850 Main Street
   	International Admissions		Bridgeport, CT 06604 USA
   	126 Park Avenue		Bank ABA No. 221172186 (Routing No.)
   	Bridgeport, CT 06604 USA		Account No. 001-7026225

   
   Please include your full name and University ID number with ALL deposit payments.
   
   
5. How much money do I need to have available when I arrive to UB? For a complete list of the COSTS you should expect to pay, please click here. New students should be prepared to pay half the total yearly costs each semester. Graduate students with prerequisite courses should expect an additional cost of $6,500 or more depending on the student's major. The exact amount of money an international student will have to pay cannot be determined in advance. Our Bursar will determine the exact dollar amounts after the student arrives to campus, and once the student and their academic advisor selects the required courses. We don't recommend that you carry a lot of cash with you to the United States. It is convenient to carry traveler checks or bank checks and deposit them in the local bank upon your arrival. Both graduate and undergraduate students need to pay ALL of their first semester costs (tuition fees, room/board and health insurance) when they arrive on campus and before they register for classes. Fees can be paid by U.S.cash, bank check, credit card, money draft, money order, or by wiring money to the University bank account.If your spouse and/or child will accompany you, health insurance for them is required if they are a J-2 Visa holder, and highly recommended if they a F-2 Visa holder. More information may be obtained from UB’s Health Center. Please visit the above link for a complete list of costs that you can expect to incur when coming to UB with your dependants.  Please keep in mind that UB costs increase from one year to the next. Your I-20 or DS-2019 only reflects the approximate costs for the coming academic year, but does not reflect the costs for subsequent years. Please be aware of this when planning your budget. If you are from a country that requires you to obtain an exchange permit from the bank, please be sure that you explain this to your bank officials.

Academic Questions for Accepted Students

1. I am a transfer student; will I receive credit for coursework previously taken at the university level? Transfer credits or waivers may be granted for academic coursework previously completed at a university/college level. Transfer applicants, applicants who have attended any post-secondary institution (college/university), must submit official course descriptions or syllabi, with exact course names and numbers, for all post-secondary (university/college) academic work attempted so that it may be evaluated for possible transfer of credit. Student-generated course descriptions are not acceptable.The University of Bridgeport CANNOT guarantee the transfer of credit until the department head of your chosen major has reviewed your credentials. Your previous coursework must meet our specific standards set forth in the most recent University of Bridgeport Course Catalog. This means that not all your previous university/college coursework will be transferable to UB. To review the catalog online please click here. Please bring your official course descriptions or syllabi with you to be reviewed by your academic advisor during class registration.
   
   
2. I was granted admission in the past, but was unable to attend UB. How do I defer my admission? If you were previously granted admission, but were not issued an I-20 form and were unable to attend UB, you can defer your admission to the next semester by sending a deferral request to admit@bridgeport.edu. You MUST include your first and last name, your UB student ID number and your academic major when making a request to defer your admission. If you were previously granted admission, were issued an I-20 form and were unable to attend UB, you MUST submit the following:
   
   
   • Your ORIGINAL I-20 form that was issued to you by the University of Bridgeport.
   • A CLEAR typed letter stating that you would like us to defer your admission to a specific semester and issue you a new I-20. You MUST include your complete name, e-mail address and the mailing address you want the new I-20 to be sent to. If you want the new I-20 to be sent to the same address you have already provided us with, you still need to mention that address in your letter.
   • A new signed and dated Financial Statement for International Students (FSIS), you can download the FSIS from by going to http://www.bridgeport.edu/admissions/temp/statement.pdf
   • A NEW ORIGINAL Bank Statement, no more than 6 months old, from your sponsor(s) indicating that the required funds are available. The bank statement must be written in English on official bank letterhead, contain an account number, the amount of money available in U.S. or foreign currency and MUST be signed and dated by a bank official no more than six months prior to date you are applying on. The sponsor(s) name must also be mentioned on the Bank Statement.
   
   You must make sure that the bank statement you originally submitted is current and no more than 6 months old. If it is more than 6 months old, you will be asked to send us a new bank statement. Once you have met these requirements we will defer your admission to the next available semester and issue you a new acceptance letter and I-20 form. Your admission will NOT be deferred until we receive all of the above documents. The application deadlines also apply to students who want to defer their admission. The Office of International Admission reserves the right to ask for additional academic/financial information when students defer their admission. Students who request to defer their admission more than two times may be asked to pay a processing fee of $35.
   
   
3. Can I register for my courses before I arrive at UB? No. The University of Bridgeport has a thorough, well-organized New Student Orientation Program for all new students at the beginning of each semester. One of the benefits of attending UB is the personal attention you will receive from your academic advisor. During the New Student Orientation you will meet with your academic advisor to discuss your academic and career goals and choose your courses and classes together. We understand that the classes you are going to take are very important to you, we have found that students benefit the most from meeting with their academic advisors in person when they arrive on campus.
   

    

4. Can I change my academic major once I arrive at UB? No. You will not be able to change your major until you have completed at least the first semester in the major you were initially accepted into. Once you have completed your first semester, the academic advisor of the major you wish to transfer to will evaluate your grades and determine your eligibility. Please note that there are additional academic requirements for certain majors, so you may be asked to provide additional documentation before you can change majors. Changing majors may result in additional time needed to graduate and/or a different tuition amount. Please note that you can change majors ONLY if you meet the specific requirements of the major you wish to change to. We strongly recommend that all students research the program requirements of their major before they request a change.
   

    

5. I am an undergraduate student who applied to a specific major, but was accepted into The First Year Studies Program (FYSP). What is the FYSP? The University's First Year Studies Program is part of General Studies undergraduate program. Prospective undergraduate students often believe that they must have a clear idea of what they will study to avoid "wasting their time" once they get to college. Others believe they must immediately qualify for a demanding academic program in order to pursue their dreams. The First-Year Studies Program is designed with different premises. The Program has three kinds of prospective students in mind:
   
   
   • Those who, by standard measures of "success" are under prepared for college work.
   • Those who want to pursue a field that traditional university majors do not address.
   • Those who are unsure of what they would like to do.
     
     
   If you are under prepared, this is the program for you. This program is framed with the conviction that creativity, initiative, concern, and possibility are not easily quantified. Some students who will succeed in college-and who will go on to make outstanding contributions to society-do not have high GPAs and do not have stellar standardized test scores. The First Year Studies program is designed for them.
   
   If you hope to pursue a field that traditional University majors do not address, this is the program for you. Other students are very sure they would like to pursue a career without a predetermined major. Pursuing an MBA (graduate business degree), a JD (hoping to be a lawyer), and going to medical school are among the fields that have open entry requirements. The First Year Studies Program allows undergraduate students to develop a challenging and focused BS degree. For example, a student who wishes to pursue medical school, with the aim of becoming a psychiatrist, could merge the study of biology and psychology to complete degree requirements.
   
   If you are unsure of what you would like to do, this is the program for you. Some students who enter the First Year Studies Program are undecided about what career they will want to pursue five or ten years down the road. The First Year Studies Program encourages these students to pursue an open-ended degree, and to fulfill core requirements, until the moment of clarity comes. College experience itself can lead one to develop the self-understanding necessary to commit to a major. To help you succeed, the First Year Studies Program offers a rich set of resources:
   
   
   • A specially designed curriculum that is focused and challenging.
   • A state-of-the-art Academic Resource Center.
   • An excellent (12:1) student-faculty ratio.
   • Individual and group tutorial work.
   • Caring and committed educators who aim to help you succeed.

Arriving on Campus

1. What airport is closest to UB? Will there be someone from UB to pick me up at the airport? We advise international students to choose John F. Kennedy Airport (JFK) in New York as their arrival airport, as this is the most convenient airport for international arrivals. We are happy to provide you with the following information in order to facilitate your arrival to the University of Bridgeport campus. When you arrive at LaGuardia, John F. Kennedy (JFK), or Newark Airport, go to the Ground Transportation Center and request either a Prime Time Shuttle of Connecticut or a Connecticut $60. The Limousine costs about $55 and goes to the Connecticut Limousine depot in Bridgeport. From there take a taxi to the University. For more information, visit Prime Time Shuttle at www.thehudsongroup.com/cgi-bin/pts1/res or call (800-733-8267). The telephone number for Connecticut Limousine (800-472-5466) or visit their web site at www.ctlimo.com. For students already in the USA, you may choose to fly into Bradley International Airport in Hartford, CT. We don’t recommend taking a taxi from any New York or New Jersey Airport. It can be very expensive.
   
   The university will be providing FREE shuttle-bus service from JFK Airport in New York on Monday, August 21, Tuesday, August 22 and Wednesday, August 23. The UB shuttle-bus will pick-up students at the Ground Transportation area in Terminal 4. This shuttle-bus service will only be available on these three days at the following times: 3:00 pm, 6:00 pm, and 9:00 pm. No other pick-up times will be available other than these times. The shuttle-bus has limited capacity so it will be on a first-come, first serve basis. Please look for the UB shuttle-bus driver in the Ground Transportation area in Terminal 4. The driver will be holding a sign reading "University of Bridgeport Shuttle-Bus." The driver will bring you directly to Bodine Hall at the university where you can arrange for temporary on- campus housing if it’s available.
   
   
2. How do I get to UB by automobile, bus or train?

   BY AUTOMOBILE

   Traveling South on I-95: Take Exit 27. At the traffic light at the bottom of the exit ramp, turn left. Take a left at the next stoplight under the I-95 overpass. (Make sure not to get back on the I-95 North entrance ramp.) At the next light, turn right onto Broad St. Continue on Broad St. until you come to Gregory St. Turn right onto Gregory St. Proceed down Gregory St. for one block. Turn left on Myrtle Ave. You may park in the parking lot on the right side. The Student Center is the red brick building on the left.
   
   Traveling North on I-95: Take Exit 27. At the bottom of the ramp, continue straight to the third traffic light. (Make sure to bear to the right of the I-95 North entrance ramp.) At the third traffic light, turn right onto Broad St. Continue on Broad St. until you come to Gregory St. Turn right onto Gregory St. Proceed down Gregory St. for one block. Turn left on Myrtle Ave. You may park in the parking lot on the right side. The Student Center is the red brick building on the left.
   
   BY BUS OR TRAIN
   
   Amtrak and Metro North trains and Peter Pan buses all make regular stops at the Bridgeport railroad and bus stations, which are located in the Bridgeport Transportation Center. From there you can take a quick five-minute taxi ride to campus. For additional driving directions, please visit: Directions to the University of Bridgeport
   
   

3. Does UB offer on-campus housing? Does UB offer off-campus housing? Yes. UB only offers on-campus housing, which is extremely convenient, safe and affordable to international students. While there are many off-campus options available, the University of Bridgeport is not responsible for providing off-campus accommodations. Please note - undergraduate students may choose to live off campus only if they are 21 years of age or older. However, choosing to live off campus will NOT impact the amount of money you will need to show in order to be issued an I-20 form. In other words, you will still need to show the full amount required for on campus room & board at UB. Please visit the following links for more information about housing:
   
   
   • Residential Life
   • Affordable Housing
   • Housing Options
     
     
4. Are there temporary accommodations available if I arrive to UB early? We strongly discourage international students from arriving to UB early, as there are not always temporary accommodations available. Priority will be given to students who have submitted their housing contracts and deposits in advance and for those who plan to live on-campus permanently. To stay on-campus in the dorms you should send in a non-refundable room deposit of $200 along with your tuition deposit of ($100 for graduate students) and ($200 for undergraduate students).
   
   
5. Are there on campus health facilities? What if I did not complete my health forms? The University provides high-quality health care through its own Health Center. The Health Center is open Monday through Friday during the academic year from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and is staffed by full-time registered nurses. A medical doctor is also available four days per week. In addition, emergency medical care is available at a nearby hospital.  All full-time international students are required to purchase health insurance policies, available through the university’s Bursar Office, at an approximate cost of $560.00 per year. Overseas Health Insurance or insurance from a previous academic institution is NOT acceptable. It is a State of Connecticut requirement that students show proof of rubella, meningitis and two measles vaccines and tine testing. It is VERY IMPORTANT that have your health forms completed before you arrive to UB. You will be unable to register for classes without submitting your health forms to the health center. If there are certain required vaccinations you were unable to get, you may get them done at UB’s health center for a fee. Each fee varies depending on the vaccination you need. You can also have your physical examination completed at UB's health center for a fee.
   
   
6. What should I bring along when I arrive at UB? It can be very exciting to think about being in a new country. Please know that there will be people available when you arrive to help explain some of the things around you that you may not be familiar with. Basically, what you decide to bring is your personal preference, but based on experience, we have compiled a list of things of the things that international students most commonly forget to bring with them. Please remember, that anything you may need can probably be purchased nearby. There is public transportation, and UB sponsors shuttle buses that take students to shopping centers where they can purchase items. We encourage students to bring items that make them feel the most comfortable being away from home. Please view the link below for some additional suggestions and we look forward to your arrival! What to Bring