ACADEMIC CHANGES
F-1 Students
Foreign students, like domestic students, sometimes find themselves
in unusual situations or develop new interests that require a change
of major, degree program, or university. If you are maintaining
status, you may take such changes as long as you follow INS
procedures. If you are unsure of those procedures, consult the
ISS adviser
well in advance of any change. Don't rely on your academic
department to inform the international student office of the change
after the fact; you could find yourself in serious trouble.
J-1 Students
Students in J-1 status may be more limited than F-1 students in
making academic changes. It is assumed that participants in the
Exchange Visitor Program are in the United States to pursue a
very specific objective; once the objective is met, participants
are to return home with their newly acquired knowledge and skills.
Minor changes in programs, however, may sometimes be viewed as a
continuation or fulfillment of the original objective. If you are
planning a program change, consult the
ISS
adviser.
TRANSFERRING FROM ONE
INSTITUTION TO ANOTHER
F-1 Students
If you have maintained your status you may transfer to another
college or university as long as you follow the proper procedures
and the new institution is permitted by the INS to enroll F-1
students. Plan ahead. Speak with the foreign-student adviser at
the new institution to learn what information and papers may be
required from Queens College. Inform
ISS
adviser that you are transferring. Report to your new
foreign-student adviser as soon as you arrive on your new campus.
The new foreign-student adviser will notify INS of your transfer.
If you plan to leave the United States during the transfer,
consult your foreign-student adviser.
J-1 Students
Students in an exchange-visitor program may transfer to another
institution as long as they meet the following conditions: