Welcome to Glendale Community College & the City of Glendale
"Your Gateway to a University Degree Begins Here"...
Welcome to the “Jewel City” of Glendale, in Southern California, and one of its brightest gems… Glendale Community College.
Glendale’s nighttime skyline of sparkling residential hillsides is the reason for its nickname. And nestled there – overlooking downtown Glendale and Los Angeles County – you will find the Glendale Community College campus. In fact, just recently, the Glendale campus was named as one of the "10 Most Beautiful Community Colleges in America."
Since 1927, Glendale Community College, or “GCC,” has been providing educational opportunities to students from all different backgrounds and nationalities.
The College has earned a strong reputation for academic excellence, affordable tuition, high-tech training, and an enriched multicultural environment.
Over 15,000 students from more than 50 countries attend day and evening classes at our hillside campus. Students come to Glendale to complete their first two years of college and then transfer to a university. They come to earn Associate in Arts and Associate in Science degrees. Or they come for specific career training and go on to their chosen occupations.
Located just north of Los Angeles, the City of Glendale has a population of 210,000 and is considered one of the safest cities in the United States. Its other nickname – “Wall Street West” – comes from the downtown buildings housing numerous corporate and financial headquarters.
And because of its proximity to Los Angeles and Hollywood, Glendale is considered a residential and upscale community for working professionals. Many people from the entertainment industry and news media live in the area.
We welcome your interest as an International Student and look forward to you joining our community!
Academic Programs at GCC:
As a fully accredited institution, Glendale Community College provides an exciting variety of academic, vocational, and short-term course programs. The College offers some 75 academic majors along with a wide selection of General Education courses – allowing students the opportunity to complete requirements for the first two years of college and then transfer to a university with full junior standing. This enables international students to save time and money on their U.S. education.
Most universities require students to successfully complete “English101” or Freshmen English before they can transfer. GCC has an excellent English as a Second Language ("Credit ESL") program for course credit – to prepare you for regular English courses at the university level. Other university transfer requirements include general education courses in physical and biological science, history, the arts, literature, humanities, social sciences, mathematics and languages.
Our Glendale international student counselors will advise you with your academic plan, general orientation skills needed to succeed, and of course, registering for courses as a full-time student (12 units per semester).
If you are seeking a two-year program, you can earn the Associate degree after 60 units of course credit. Many of the GCC graduation requirements are the same as those needed for university transfer. While at Glendale, you may also be able to take advantage of our “Scholars Program” for gifted students, along with using the Career Center to assist with career counseling, future job placement, and resume writing workshops.
International Student Programs at Glendale:
Our professional staff in the International Student Office welcomes applications from students from all nationalities and backgrounds. Because Glendale is a public, two-year college, admission requirements and deadlines are flexible for enrolling in the Fall or Spring Semesters. Students need to have completed high school, submit a TOEFL score of 450 or 45 on the iBT exam (4.5 "band " on IELTS exam), a one-page essay, and submit the official bank statement & support form for admission/immigration processing. [TOEFL or IELTS exam "waived" if English is first language.]
Non-Resident tuition & fees for one academic year (two semesters) are approx. $5,800 USD. Keep in mind the College does Not provide on-campus housing or dormitories. The International Office will assist students with off-campus housing options and provides information on apartments in the local area, along with host family or "homestay" placement options for new students.
The international student population at Glendale College includes 500 visa students from over 50 countries. Cultural and social highlights include an active International Student Association for student government, and the annual “International Week” in the spring – complete with a fashion show, music, cultural exhibits, and dinner dance. The International Office also provides various “field trips” to local attractions around Southern California.
The Glendale Campus:
With a blend of the modern and traditional, Glendale College offers a scenic hillside campus on the slopes of the San Rafael Mountains overlooking the valleys in Glendale and parts of the Los Angeles skyline. The campus consists of 100 acres and 20 permanent buildings, including the newly-remodeled Student Center/Bookstore, Cafeteria/Snack Bar, and Culinary Arts facility. The College has also added a new Science Center with Planetarium Dome; new Health Sciences/Nursing building; along with a new Parking Structure for convenient student parking.
Other services and amenities include a renovated library, various computer labs, student health center, transfer center, math/science center, advanced technology center, auditorium for the performing arts, student art exhibits, fitness center and modern track & athletic field for intercollegiate sports.
Glendale Faculty & Staff:
Glendale College employees are the campus’ biggest assets. The faculty, counselors, administrators and staff are dedicated, accessible individuals who work hard to maintain the best possible educational environment year round.
Academic instruction at the College is provided by small, personalized classes; convenient course scheduling with day and evening offerings; along with the latest in technology, equipment, lab facilities and teaching methods.
Glendale’s faculty and part-time instructors are scholars in their own right and stay current in their disciplines. Faculty members have either master’s degrees or doctoral degrees in their chosen fields of study.
Faculty donate their time for speaking engagements in the community, sit on college committees, organize special events for students, write grants, and engage in research projects. They are also active participants in “globalizing” the campus through the course curriculum, foreign language classes, and study abroad programs.
“The teachers” is the answer most students give when asked what they like best about Glendale College. They also comment on the small, friendly and intimate environment on campus.
Transfer to these Universities…
Do you want to be a UCLA "Bruin"? Or a USC "Trojan"?
Glendale Community College has one of the highest "transfer rates" within the California community college system, and has articulation agreements with most of the major universities and four-year institutions in California. This includes the campuses of both the University of California and California State University systems.
This means GCC’s classes are equivalent to the same lower division courses at the universities, and for less money. And that means your class credit units transfer, while you save on tuition costs.
* According to a recent book, "Crossing the Finish Line: Completing College at America's Public Universities," community college students who transfer (to a university) are as likely to earn a Bachelor's Degree as "homegrown" students at a four-year university.
* As mentioned, Glendale College has transfer articulation agreements with most of the University of California campuses (such as UCLA & UC-San Diego), and the California State University campuses (such as Cal State -- Los Angeles, CSU Northridge and CSU Long Beach). Qualified students also have the opportunity to transfer to selective, private four-year institutions within California and out-of-state universities. This sample list includes the University of Southern California (USC), Loyola Marymount U., Pepperdine U., Occidental College, and Claremont McKenna College. It is important for prospective applicants to check with their academic counselor to see which four-year universities and colleges Glendale C.C. has formal transfer agreements with.
The Glendale College “Transfer Center” provides counseling & advising, special workshops, and "Transfer Fairs" each semester for the campus community. The Center also maintains a library of catalogs and applications for the UC & CSU campus systems, along with materials on many public and private universities throughout the country. [And, the Center is next to the International Student Office in the "S.R." Bldg., 2nd Fl.]
** Fast Facts and Area Attractions…
-- 500 International F-1 visa students from over 50 countries.
-- Fully accredited by the U.S. regional body, WASC: Western Association of Schools and Colleges.
-- 75 academic majors leading to the two-year Associate in Arts or Associate in Science degrees.
-- One of the leading 'transfer rates' of students to four-year universities in California.
-- Glendale College has one of the lowest tuition rates for “nonresidents” and International students – compared to other Los Angeles area community colleges.
-- Full-time international advisors, academic counselors and admissions staff specifically designed for International students. Personalized attention & professional service for the needs of F-1 students.
-- Flexible admission & enrollment schedule for internationals with new student orientation each Fall and Spring semester. Small class sizes of 25 to 30 students on average with dedicated faculty.
-- English as a Second Language program (Academic "Credit ESL") for grammar, writing and listening skills. "Conditional Acceptance" & Language Training processing available without TOEFL.
-- Beautiful and modern hillside campus of 100 acres and 20 buildings overlooking downtown Glendale and parts of Los Angeles City skyline.
-- The City of Glendale (pop. 210,000+) is ranked as one of the safest communities in Southern California region. "Homestays" or host family placements available for off-campus housing.
** Contact Information:
GLENDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE (California)
International Student Office
1500 North Verdugo Road
Glendale, CA 91208-2894 USA
Phone: 1 + (818) 240-1000, Ext. 5439, 6645
FAX: 1 + 818-240-1345
** E-mail: gcciso@glendale.edu
** Glendale College on Facebook: www.Facebook.com/GlendaleCollege