Laney College

Laney, California

Laney College, in the heart of vibrant, multicultural downtown Oakland, features the cosmopolitan atmosphere and human energy of a big-city university. Across the street from the Oakland Museum of California, blocks from historic Chinatown, and a pleasant stroll from both Lake Merritt and the Oakland Estuary, Laney gives its 12,000-plus students ready access to the city's formidable intellectual, cultural, and natural resources.

With renowned programs in such fields as Journalism, Culinary Arts, Mathematics, Machine Technology, and Ethnic Studies, Laney has been a leader in academic and vocational education for decades. A talented faculty and dedicated staff, not to mention a new state-of-the-art technology center, ensure that Laney will remain at the forefront of Information Age community education for years to come.

Laney’s administration, faculty and staff are here to help students achieve your educational objectives. The school offers a wide array of student services, counseling, financial aid, student clubs, athletic programs and many other resources that assist students. Whether you seek to transfer to a four-year college, earn an Associate Degree or Certificate of Completion, or enroll in one of our numerous enrichment courses in fields such as art, music, language or media, Laney College has something for you.

Academics

Now serving a student body over 12,000 strong, Laney College is the largest of the four Peralta campuses and considered its flagship. Laney offers associate degree in more than twenty liberal arts and science fields, and a significant number of its graduates go on to four-year schools including campuses in the University of California and California State University systems, and local and out-of-state independent institutions. Laney College ranks among the top community colleges in California for transferring students to U.C. Berkeley.

English as a Second Language (ESL)

For direct entry into the academic line of study at Laney College students must prove that they have the required English level. This can be done in two different ways:

1. The student takes a TOEFL test and submits the score together with the application to the school. The required score for direct entry to the academic line of study is 157 on the computer based test.

2. The student arrives to the college and takes the placement test provided by the college. If the student passes the test and scores high enough he/she will be admitted directly into the academic line of study.

For students who do not meet either of the requirements above the college offers the possibility to enter ESL-classes in connection with admission to the college. Depending on the level of the student and area of study the ESL-classes can be taken parallel to academic studies if the student’s English is strong enough to follow some classes. The student will then gradually move over to the academic line of study as his/her English improves. ESL-classes are offered at several different levels to best suit the student’s needs.

Transfer Center

Associate Degree graduates from Laney College are guaranteed admission to the following universities and 4-year colleges:

» University of California – Davis

» University of California – Santa Cruz

» University of California – Santa Barbara

» University of California – Los Angeles

» California State University – East Bay

Students at Laney College also enjoy priority admission to a number of universities such as:

» University of California – San Francisco

» University of California – San Diego

» San Francisco State University

» California State University – San José

» University of San Francisco

Every year representatives from top quality universities including schools from the UC and CSU university systems visit Laney College to introduce their schools and give the students information about their transfer possibilities. Laney College is ranked among the top schools for transfers to UC Berkeley.

Students receive transfer support from the International Student Counselors and other college staff in order to have the best possibilities for transfer.

Student Life

All international students at Laney College are required to attend an International Student Orientation organized by the college. This orientation is held before the start of the academic program and includes important information about being a student as well as safety information, information about school facilities, the local area and of course academics. Students are also given the student handbook during this orientation which is held approximately one week before the beginning of the semester. There are International Student Counselors at the school supporting the international students whenever needed during the year.

Laney College is famous for its athletics programs and the school certainly has the facilities to cover all the activities offered. Since athletics are big and popular at Laney they are also very competitive making the school suitable for students with a high level in their sport. There are many sports offered including all the classics such as Football, Baseball, Basketball and Track but also a few less commonly offered sports such as Swimming and Diving, Water Polo and Volleyball.

Campus /Location

Laney College occupies a beautiful 60-acre campus adjacent to the Oakland Museum and Lake Merritt BART Station. It is a short walk to historic Chinatown, scenic Lake Merritt, and the resurgent downtown Oakland.

Oakland is located in Northern California in the San Francisco Bay Area and is one of the nation's most ethnically integrated cities; Oaklanders speak more than 100 languages and dialects. The city's landscape is a picturesque mix of lovely hillside neighborhoods; exciting and diverse architecture, a bustling waterfront, two shimmering lakes, 19 miles of shoreline along the San Francisco Bay, unparalleled Bay views, and more parks and open space per capita than any other city in the Bay Area.

Laney College is located close to one of the most famous and exiting cities in the world, San Francisco. There is of course a great deal for an international student to experience in San Francisco. First of all there are a couple of “must-sees” such as the Fisherman’s Wharf, the Golden Gate Bridge and of course the inside of one of the famous trams as it dashes down one of the steep hills of the city. But there are many other things to see and do in this fascinating place. Visit the exciting and huge China Town, relax with an organic drink outside the Ferry Terminal and watch the local skateboarders, hang out at one of the cool and alternative restaurants in the famous Castro area or just simply walk the streets fully enjoying your time spent in one of the most exciting places in the world.

Application Deadline

Fall - June 1st, Spring - November 1

TOEFL Required

No

Sports:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Football
• Swim and Dive
• Track and Field
• Volleyball
• Water Polo