East Los Angeles College
East Los Angeles College (ELAC) is a comprehensive transfer community college that serves the San Gabriel Valley region of Los Angeles, California. ELAC is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The college has a tradition of over sixty years of commitment to providing a quality education in a safe and comfortable academic learning environment. East Los Angeles College serves over 25,000 students on an 82 acres site which was one of the sites for the 1984 Olympics. The campus is facilitated with air condition classes with the latest technology, full research library, free internet access for students, bookstore, university transfer center, police department, fitness center, student parks, student entertainment center, performing arts center, indoor swimming pool, men’s and women’s gymnasium.
Overview of East Los Angeles College
East Los Angeles College (ELAC) is a comprehensive transfer community college that serves the San Gabriel Valley region of Los Angeles, California. ELAC is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. The college has a tradition of over sixty years of commitment to providing a quality education in a safe and comfortable academic learning environment. East Los Angeles College serves over 25,000 students on an 82 acres site which was one of the sites for the 1984 Olympics. The campus is facilitated with air condition classes with the latest technology, full research library, free internet access for students, bookstore, university transfer center, police department, fitness center, student parks, student entertainment center, performing arts center, indoor swimming pool, men’s and women’s gymnasium.
Southern California Location and Ideal Climate
ELAC is conveniently located in a quiet and safe multi-ethnic suburb city of Monterey Park within reasonable distance of downtown Los Angeles, the southern California beaches, and many cultural and entertainment attractions. The college is surrounded by restaurants, fast food places, coffee shops and shopping locations, all within walking distance of the campus. Southern California is famous for its wonderful weather and beautiful landscape. The region has near year-round sunny skies and mild temperature range. The summer months temperatures peak around 30 degrees C and winters cool to around 21 degrees C.
Outstanding Academic and University Transfer Programs
ELAC is renowned as one of the leading two-year community college in California and the United States, with a top international student transfer rate to prestigious universities, such as UCLA, UC Berkeley and USC. The college offers the first two years of general education at an affordable tuition rate, an Associate of Arts or Science degree and students complete the last two years at a university for their four year Bachelor degree. The college has a special HONORS program designed for advance students to receive priority acceptance to UCLA and other top universities. The college University Transfer Center has on-campus representatives to all universities, transfer preparation assistance and field trips to top universities. The college offers over sixty majors including Engineering, Business Administration, Register Nurse (RN) and Computer Science. All transfer majors can be taken at East Los Angeles College.
English as a Second Language (ESL) Program
Students may enroll in ESL Classes based upon campus assessment placement results. ELAC offers diverse ESL courses in writing, oral communication and reading skills. The ESL program is designed to help new international students to develop strong English skills for further academic success.
International Student Campus Activities
ELAC has over 200 international students from over 20 countries. The college provides free comprehensive support services for international students, including tutoring, counseling, housing referral and campus employment opportunities. The college also supports many inter-collegiate men’s and women’s sports teams. All college students are eligible for hundreds of continuing student and transfer scholarships based upon academic merit.
International Student Admission and Housing Accommodations
ELAC allows for year round admissions to our primary fifteen week semesters, Fall (August – December) and Spring (February – June). The college also offers optional enrollment for Winter (January) and Summer (July) Sessions. For the Academic Program, ELAC requires 450 (45 IBT) TOEFL or 5.0 IELTS score or 3.5 iTEP or Official Eikent 2A grade or higher. Tuition is less than $12,000 US a year and living expenses are affordable in the City of Monterey Park. The majority of international student lives in affordable apartments surrounding the college rent rooms or participates in a Home stay with American families. All are within walking distance or reasonable commuting time by public transportation.
Student Testimonies
Shogo Okuma (Japan) When I first came to study in America, I knew if I improved my communication and writing skills, I will have good opportunity for jobs and success in my homeland. The support and friendship I received made me very successful in my classes and I have transferred with a high grade point average to California State University of Los Angeles. Dominguez Hill.
Leung Ching Hei (Hong Kong) My parents really wanted me to go to a University of California (UC) campus in America. I went through the Honors program at East Los Angeles College, I was accepted at three UC campuses, including UC Berkeley, UCLA and UC Irvine.
Contact East Los Angeles College Now
Tuition
$1,000—$5,000 Semester
Fast facts
Affiliation
Public
Top Programs
Economics, English, Mathematics
Type of School
2yr/Community College
-
School Size
Large -
Student Body Gender
Co-ed -
Religious Affiliation
No Affiliation -
Scholarships for International Students
Yes -
Conditional Admission Available
Yes -
Setting
City, Suburban -
Accreditation and Certification
WASC -
Type of Housing
Homestay, Apartment -
Test Scores
TOEFL: 45+, iTEP: 3.4, Duolingo: 80+, IELTS: Band 4.5+
Visit us
1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez Monterey Park, CABecome the best version of yourself at East Los Angeles College
Student Interview
An interview with Tran, Huy from Vietnam, who attended East Los Angeles College and now studies for a Master of Engineering – Structural Design.
Why did you decide to study in the America?
America has the top universities and East Los Angeles College is in California which has some of the highest ranked university in the U.S.A. ELAC has a special transfer agreement (2 plus ) with all the major universities in California and across the United States. East Los Angeles College was the key to helping me adjust to the American education system.
Why did you choose this college?
East Los Angeles College has many major to choose from, and they are known for my major of engineering. I found the sunshine weather in Los Angeles very easy to adjust to and the smaller class sizes at ELAC allowed me to get direct assistance from my professor. The college counselor and university transfer center provided me with guidance on the top universities I could transfer to for my major.
What do you like best?
The environment at East Los Angeles College made me feel very comfortable. Students come from many different backgrounds and we all respect each others culture. ELAC had a special Honors program for top students, and this made my transfer application better.
What do you miss most?
I miss my family’s cooking the most and the Vietnamese holidays. I am able to buy Vietnamese food here and Los Angeles also celebrates holidays like TET, but I still miss my family and homeland.
What was your biggest surprise?
The people of the United States of America are very nice. I admit, I thought Americans are like the people in the movies. It was easy to make friends at East Los Angeles College and the teachers also were considerate and patient to explain things carefully to me.
...your biggest disappointment?
The food here in America is very different than my hometown. I believe I even gain some weight, but it is worth the knowledge I gain.
What are your activities?
Playing chess in the chess club, a student club. East Los Angeles College has many student clubs and opportunity to do community volunteer work. East Los Angeles College has an international student club in which has monthly meeting around American holidays. This is where I learn about Thanksgiving, Christmas and other American traditions. During the vacation time I have been able to go the beach, learn how to ski in the mountains and go exploring in the desert, all within an hour or two of my home.
How easy is making friends?
East Los Angeles College has the students work together in group projects which made it easier for me to get to know new people. My new best friends I meet here in the United States were my classmates at ELAC. The college students are very nice and friendly and I learned how to be more confident in myself and make many new friends.
How relevant is your U.S. education to your personal goals and to the needs of your country?
In the United States you can work legally after your degree, for practical training. I am currently learning valuable work experience. After I finish my training, then I’ll come back to my country to apply the knowledge that I have learnt here in order to develop and improve my country infrastructure and economic growth.
Learn about the U.S. education system and how to apply, read interviews with international students, and more.
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