Merritt College

Oakland, California

Nestled in the hills above San Francisco Bay, Merritt College offers students the opportunity to study in one of the most dramatic natural settings in Northern California. With a panorama that includes the Golden Gate Bridge and the Pacific Ocean, Merritt's striking vistas provide a breathtaking backdrop for a packed roster of first-rate academic and vocational programs.

Merritt, minutes from the East Bay's busiest commercial centers, boasts acclaimed programs in Community Social Services, Registered Nursing, Child Development, Nutrition and Dietetics, and Environmental Studies. Merritt's students benefit from a diverse, sophisticated and startlingly beautiful learning environment, as well as excellent student-support services and a dedicated faculty and staff. There are many benefits that make Merritt the first choice of over 7,000 students each semester - small classes, caring faculty, friendly admissions staff, and first class support services.

Academics

Merritt College has a 40-year tradition of academic excellence which is prominently manifested in its distinguished alumni and faculty who taught them. Annually, four-year colleges and universities across the state are eager recipients of Merritt transfer students from medicine and law, to art and science.

Merritt has a wide array of excellent courses taught by very caring and knowledgeable faculty. The professional staff is eager to help you develop an educational plan which will make your dreams become a reality. Merritt has a wide range of services and resources provided by friendly, helpful, and devoted professional staff. The entire Merritt College family is committed to contributing to your success as a student. Merritt College has a rich cultural diversity of students from many ethnic groups which provides a positive and enriching learning environment.

Always the community college innovator, Merritt boasts many unique occupational programs such as its much touted nursing and health professions, community social services/substance abuse counselor, environmental hazardous materials technology, computer information systems, landscape horticulture and environmental management, paralegal studies and restoration technology.

English as a Second Language (ESL)

For direct entry into the academic line of study at Merritt 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 Merritt 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 Merritt 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 Merritt College to introduce their schools and give the students information about their transfer possibilities. Merritt 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 Merritt 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.

Merritt College has its own Student Activities Center where students are welcome at any time to get information about ongoing activities, clubs as well as up and coming events such as University visits, concerts and celebrations. Students can also receive information about where they can find activities to cater to their interest if they are not offered at the college. At Merritt there are also competitive sports offered through the athletics department.

At Merritt College international students are very well looked after not only academically but also in connection with spare time activities. The counselors working in the Activities Center are convinced that students do better academically if they also have interesting things to do in their spare time.

Campus /Location

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.

Merritt College’s campus has a great location in the scenic Oakland hills with a panoramic view of the San Francisco Bay out through the Golden Gate, and safe, clean, cheerful environment. Merritt is located very 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:

• Basketball
• Soccer
• Track and Field