New Students: Pre-Arrival Information

New Initial Students - Students who are outside the United States need to get initial I-20.

Note: A new student may be issued an initial I-20 if their program of study requires in-person instruction. West LA College hopes to offer in-person classes for Fall 2021. We are currently providing conditional acceptance letters for students who want an initial I-20. Full-acceptance letters and I-20s will be sent when the college has solidified its in-person class schedule.

1. Request an I-20 from @email.

Your I-20 can be emailed, mailed to a U.S. address (free of charge), or mailed to an international address via express mailing.

2. Pay the I-901 Fee (SEVIS Fee).

3. Pass through a port-of-entry with your WLAC-issued I-20, valid F1 Visa, Passport, I-90I Payment Confirmation, and Proof of Enrollment.

• If you are inside the US, you must temporarily exit the US and enter on or after the "Earliest Admission Date" printed on your I-20.
• If you are outside the US, make sure you take the necessary steps to obtain your F1 visa and enter on or after the "Earliest Admission Date" printed on your I-20.

Transfer-In Students - Students inside the United States who would like to transfer an active I-20.

1. Provide the WLAC admission letter to your current school's international advisor.
2. Request transfer of your active SEVIS record from your current school's international advisor. Send to West Los Angeles College (LOS214F00969000).
3. Notify the International Student Program when your I-20 has been transferred.

Change of Status - Students inside the United States who would like to change their status to F1.

1. Request an I-20 from @email.
   Your I-20 can be emailed, mailed to a U.S. address (free of charge), or mailed to an international address via express mailing.
2. Pay the I-901 Fee (SEVIS Fee).
3. File the Form I-539 (Application to Extend/Change Nonimmigrant Status) with USCIS.
4. Notify the International Student Program as soon as you receive your I-539 approval/denial.

The New International Student Program Orientation is mandatory. Students who do not attend may have their admission to West withdrawn.

Fall 2022 Orientation: TBD (an email will be sent to your LACCD email)

This appointment is your opportunity to discuss educational goals with an academic counselor. At the conclusion, the counselor will provide you with a Comprehensive Student Education Plan (CSEP) with semester-by-semester class recommendations.

Make an Appointment here

If you've attended another U.S. college, bring your transcripts to the appointment. If you've attended a non-U.S. college, complete the foreign transcript evaluation first.

Official transcripts and evaluations must be sent to @email. Unofficial transcripts and evaluations may be brought to the counseling appointment

Log in to your student portal at mycollege.laccd.edu and register for the classes listed in your student education plan. Enroll as a full-time student and pay all fees before the deadline.

Update: Due to COVID-19, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) is temporarily allowing F1 students that had an active SEVIS record on March 9, 2020 to take all of their classes online. Students that obtained an I-20 after March 9, 2020 must enroll in a program of study that contains an in-person requirement. However, this is a temporary measure and all F1 students will be required to take at least 9 of the 12 units on-campus or through hybrid classes when the college resumes normal operations.