Studying outside of your home country is a big decision. There are many questions that you will have. Please feel free to look through the list of common questions and if you need further assistance, please feel free to contact us.
I'm Canadian. Am I considered an International Student?
I'm Canadian and go to school at BCIT. Does Tech have a transfer agreement with my school?
I'm Canadian and go to school at SAIT or NAIT. Does Tech have a transfer agreement with my school?
Where is Montana Tech located?
What is the weather like in Butte?
What documents do I need at the Point of Entry?
When should I open a bank account?
My admissions letter says that I need to take the Compass Test. What is that?
Can I work in the United States?
How will I get to campus from the airport?
I'm Canadian. Am I considered an International Student?
Yes.
I'm Canadian and go to school at BCIT. Does Tech have a transfer agreement with my school?
We have two transfer agreements with BCIT. You may click on the program you are interested in pursuing:
I'm Canadian and go to school at SAIT or NAIT. Does Tech have a transfer agreement with my school?
Yes. Please visit the Canadian Transfer Articulation page to see the transfer agreements we have with your school.
Where is Montana Tech located?
Montana Tech is located in Butte, Montana, which is in southwestern Montana.
Butte's population is made up of about 35,000 people. Butte was built upon rich deposits of gold, silver, copper, molybdenum, and manganese; thus, it has a rich mining history.
What is the weather like in Butte?
If you arrive on campus for fall semester (beginning late August), the weather will be fairly warm. Expect the average temperature to be approximately 70 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius). Students usually dress casually in jeans and t-shirts. The temperature generally drops in October and November, with temperatures ranging from 40 degrees Fahrenheit to 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Heavier jackets, gloves and long sleeved shirts will be necessary.
If you arrive on campus for Spring semester (beginning mid-January), temperatures in the winter months (December - February) are cold, varying from 30 degrees Fahrenheit to well below 0. At an elevation of 5500 feet, Butte enjoys sunny and snowy days. At this time of year, you will need a heavy jacket,warm gloves, winter boots and a hat and scarf. Skiing and other winter activities are popular past times in Butte.
What documents do I need when I go to the U.S. consulate to get my F-1 visa? For more helpful hints regarding your visa interview, please contact Montana Tech's International Student Advising website.
You must have your Certificate of Eligibility (Form I 20) for an F-1 visa and your statement of financial support.
What documents do I need at the Point of Entry?
At the point of entry, immigration officials will inspect your passport, visa, and statement of financial support. They will also retain the first page of the Form I-20, and issue a form I-94 (usually stapled to your passport). Canadian students must have $6 U.S. to pay for this form at the border.
When should I open a bank account?
Upon arrival, the Office of Foreign Student & Scholar Services will assist you with opening up a bank account. It is not a good idea to travel with large sums of cash. You should have enough cash to cover travel expenses until you arrive on campus.
My admissions letter says that I need to take the Compass Test. What is that?
The compass test is a free exam that we administer at Montana Tech. The compass test will measure your abilities in math and English and help us decide in which classes we should register you.
Can I work in the United States?
Foreign students are not allowed to work off campus except by special permission of the United States Immigration Service, and then only after residing for 9 months in the United States. Employment on campus is permitted without permission from the U.S.Immigration Service, but is scarce.
All freshmen and undergraduate students who have earned less than 30 semester credits are required to live on campus in Montana Tech's Residence Halls (dorms). You may find the residence hall applications here. If you are not a freshman, you may still choose to live on campus.
Delta Airlines flies into the Bert Mooney Airport in Butte, Montana (airport code BTM).
How will I get to campus from the airport?
If you inform us in advance of your travel plans, we can arrange to have someone pick you up at the airport. You should email your flight schedule to scrowe@mtech.edu at least three weeks prior to arrival.