Instructions

Students in James Madison University’s International Study Center (ISC) should meet with an advisor to complete the Letter of Intent to Progress (LOIP) every semester in the ISC.  

Students currently studying in the ISC will meet with the ISC Student Success Manager to discuss the LOIP.  Students who are in their final semester of the ISC  will meet with the International Academic Advising Coordinator to discuss the LOIP.  

The student and advisor should use this form as an opportunity to discuss academic progress and create a plan for a successful progression to JMU’s undergraduate program.  If your intentions or any of the information on this form change between when it is signed and when you progress to JMU’s undergraduate program, please contact your advisor immediately to update your information.  

Letter of Intent to Progress Criteria

My signature on this form indicates that I understand that I must meet all of the following requirements in order to be eligible for progression from the International Study Center program to James Madison University’s undergraduate degree program.

Click on each point for more information.  

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Letter of Intent to Progress Criteria Explained

  • I must satisfy all International Study Center completion requirements as outlined in the ISC Student Handbook.

ISC students will be given a copy of the ISC Student Handbook.  It is important for ISC students to read and understand these completion requirements to ensure they meet all obligations while in the ISC.   

  • I have submitted original or official copies of my high school transcript, diploma, certificate or proof of completion of secondary school.

ISC students usually submit these documents along with their first application to study in the ISC. Occasionally, JMU will accept scans or photocopies for the purpose of admission to the ISC until the student arrives in the US and submits original or official copies.  If you submitted scanns or photocopies with your application to the ISC, you will need to provide original or official copies before progressing to JMU.  "Official copies" are ones that have been stamped as official by a notary public or official at your high school or ministry of education.  

  • I now have or will have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 at time of completing the ISC program.

The GPA we use for progression from the ISC to JMU's undergraduate program is the final cumulative GPA of your grades from the ISC English for Academic Purposes classes combined with your grades from the JMU credit classes.  

To learn about how to calculate your GPA, visit the Grades & GPA page.  Students may also learn their combined cumulative GPA from the ISC Student Success Manager.  

  • I understand that for progression purposes, calculation of my cumulative GPA includes grades I have earned for both ISC English for Academic Purposes non-credit courses and JMU undergraduate credit courses. 

Your final cumulative GPA will be used to decide if you progress to JMU's undergraduate program or not.  This GPA includes your grades in EAP classes (like Reading and Writing and American College Life 1 & 2) will be averaged together with your JMU credit classes (like SCOM 123 Group Presentations and WRTC 100 Reading and Writing Workshop).  

To learn about how to calculate your GPA, visit the Grades & GPA page.  Students may also learn their combined cumulative GPA from the ISC Student Success Manager.  

  • I understand that I must earn a grade of 'C' or higher in the following courses: 

    • SCOM 123: Human Communication: Group Presentations

    • WRTC 100: Reading and Writing Workshop

    • Pass (Earn a grade of D- or higher) a MATH class

The letter grade of 'C' is a 73%.  Keep in mind that the grade you see in Canvas is not always the same as the grade that goes into MyMadison.  Talk to your instructor if you have questions about your grade or what you can do to improve it before the end of the semester.  

Your grades in these three classes will be used to decide if you will progress to JMU's undergraduate program.  You must earn a C or better in all of these classes AND a cumulative GPA of 2.5 to be able to progress.  It is possible to meet one of those requirements without meeting the other.  In order to progress to JMU, you must meet the minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 AND get a grade of C or better in SCOM 123, WRTC 100, and pass a MATH class.  

  • I understand that only the grades and credit for JMU undergraduate credit courses I have taken in the ISC will carry over onto my undergraduate transcript at JMU.  I further understand that documentation of my performance in the ISC English for Academic Purposes non-credit courses will remain on my academic record at JMU, but will not carry over to my undergraduate transcript at JMU. 

For more information, read more about Academic Records: Continuing Education and Undergraduate or contact the International Academic Advising Coordinator

  • I understand that I will be permitted to carry over to my JMU undergraduate transcript no more than 30 credits from the JMU undergraduate credit courses taken while studying in the ISC.

The maximum number of JMU credits you can take from the ISC into JMU's undergraduate program is 30 credit hours.  

  • If I change my mind about my intended major or desired semester to enroll in the JMU undergraduate program after submitting my Letter of Intent to Progress, I will notify the International Academic Advising Coordinator immediately.

The classes you take in the ISC and at JMU count toward meeting the academic requirements of your declared major or program.  If you decide to change your major or program, you may also need to change the classes you take in the ISC or JMU.  It is always a good idea to speak with your advisor if you have any questions about classes you should take to meet your academic requirements. 

  • I understand that progression to JMU’s undergraduate program does not imply acceptance into any particular major at JMU.  I understand that some majors, minors and pre-professional programs are competitive and have specific academic requirements to be eligible for admission or progression.

We admit students to JMU's undergraduate program no matter which major they choose.  Some majors, minors and pre-professional programs have Admission and Progression Standards that you must also meet to be able to declare or stay declared in that program.  There are some majors and programs that are open to all students in good standing (2.0 GPA or higher).  For more information, contact the International Academic Advising Coordinator

  • I understand that I must follow all immigration regulations and pick up new I-20 form in final semester of ISC from the International Student & Scholar Services office.

All international students must be in compliance with immigration regulations.  Should you have any questions, please contact the Center for Global Engagement - International Student & Scholar Services office

  • I understand that I must take and pass the Madison Research Essential Skills Test (MREST) within the first year of my undergraduate program at JMU.

All JMU students must take and pass the MREST Information Literacy assessment as part of the academic requirements for the General Education program.  ISC students must pass the test by the month of March following progression to the JMU undergraduate program.  Otherwise, a hold will be placed on the student's academic record and they will be unable to register for JMU classes at that time.

  • JMU reserves the right to deny progression to students who have been suspended, dismissed, or expelled for academic or non-academic reasons from the ISC or any college or university or those who have been convicted of, pled guilty or no contest to a felony.

The admissions application has a question on it asking if you have ever been in trouble at any other school, with the police or and have been charged with a crime.  It may or may not keep you from progressing to JMU.  It's best to be honest with this question and tell us about anything like this that has happened in the past.  

 
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Questions?

If you have questions about any of the criteria listed in the Letter of Intent to Progress from the ISC to JMU, please contact the International Academic Advising Coordinator

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