transfering to UVI

Hi, Elise,

I cannot tell you much about any of the UVI questions, as I have only driven by it, but establishing residency is as easy as going to the voter's registration office downtown and showing them your birth cert.and SS card w/ a photo ID (driver's license) and giving them (I think) $10...now you are a resident. Snorkeling and fish here are amazing. Vibe/people/racism is a more of a difficult question. Personally, I think the people are wonderful and I have only seen a small amout of racism (reverse racism, actually. Here it is directed towards the white ex-pats (not so much the tourists), instead of towards anyone NOT a caucasion, like in the States. I don't know much about art, but there is usually a Da-Da Wine Down (art and wine) once a month. We also have a few art places (there is one at Tillet Gardens, at Mango Tango, Camille Pissaro Gallery, Passman Gallery, etc. - check the ellow pages at www.viphonebook.com). They can probably direct you to any classes. I don't know your financial situation, but I would also plan on getting a job, at least part-time. It's kind of expensive here. I hope this little bit of info helps you some. 🙂

~Marty

I have a feeling you were talking about establishing residency for in-state tuition purposes... One thing, as I understand it, is that time spent in the dorm does not count toward your year of living here (paying WAPA, showing tax statements, etc.) before you are eligible for in-state. Some students just wait a year and work. Others pay the out-of-state and establish residency during that time. The UVI student body is very small and everyone seems to know everyone else. You can learn a lot about snorkeling and the tropical flora and fauna by hanging out with the Marine Biology majors! There is a fairly lively arts and music calendar.

Hello Elise,

Which campus; St. Thomas or St. Croix?

What is a realistic amont of time to get settled in before school starts?

Depends on you, also depends on when you can move into the dorms. A few days.. to a week if you want to check out the campus and island, otherwise you will settle in as time goes on.

Is not working and going to school full time a realistic option?

If you have the money to just go to school then sure its realistic, more time to study and enjoy college life. If you need to pay for school, books, entertainment then you will need a job.

Is there any jobs that include room and board or even transportation?

Perhaps a nanny job. But you would have to decide are you working or studying... if the parents work during the day and its a baby you will need to be at work, so school will be evenings. If its a school age child then you can do college while they are at school and arrange to pick them up from school (if the job comes with a car rather then requiring you to have one) and stay the rest of the day with them.

Is there any private art classes offered in the Virgin Islands?

Visit http://www.artbylucinda.com and contact the artist, see if she has any advise on this for St. Thomas. She teaches a watercolor class at a resort and used to at her studio.

Can I get residentcy If I am not working?

Residency status for voting purposes is granted after 90 days of living on island. Residency for university - as mentioned, dorm living doesn't count; you don't have to be working but you have to be living off campus I think for a year. Double check with the school catalog or admissions.

Is the Virgin Islands a place that you can call home?

Lots of people do.

How is the vibe/ people/racism?

The vibe is generally speaking positive. The population is mostly Black West Indian from throughout the Caribbean. St. Croix has a large hispanic group and St. Thomas has a group of French. There are continentals both white and black and there are people from other parts of the world. Folks are open but there are of course a few disagreeable folks and prejudice people.

--Islander

Thank you so much for all of your insight. I will be in St. Thomas. Did you attend the University? How long have you lived there? I have gotten conflicts with my residentcy question. A big reason why I chose UVI is to become a resident to get cheaper tuition. Do you know anyone in a similar situation? I really appreciate your comments. Have a great day!

Hello Elise,

I am from St. Thomas & attended UVI. I knew of numerous students that were transfer students and they couldn't apply for residency using the time lived on campus... so a few of them after one semester on campus chose to get apartments off campus. Call the school for the definitive answer.

--Islander

Elise, Hi my name is Jeremy. I will be headed to UVI in the fall 2005. I hope you are already there and doing well. Any information you could pass my way would be very appreciated. Or anyone reading this posting, feel free to chime in..........

Students may be considered for admission only after they have met all admissions requirements. A $25.00 application fee, SAT or ACT scores, and a high school transcript are required to begin processing applications. All documents must be received in the Admissions Office by October 30 for consideration for the Spring semester and by April 30 for the Fall semester. Students are required to have a 2.00 GPA on a 4.0 scale, or have an overall high school average of 73 and above.

The University is an accredited institution located in the United States Virgin Islands. The student population consists of Virgin Islands and Eastern Caribbean students, as well as students from throughout the mainland United States.
To be considered for financial aid at the University of the Virgin Islands, you must apply through the federal financial aid system. As such, you should complete a Financial Aid Form is available at most colleges, universities and many high schools. If you are unable to access a FAF through these sources, you may contact:
Federal Student Aid Programs
P.O. Box 6376
Princeton, NJ 00854-6376
The FAF permits you to apply for scholarships, grants, and work study opportunities from institutional and private sources. Our financial aid office utilizes information gleaned from FAF which is processed by the College Scholarship Service. Be sure to indicate the code for the University of the Virgin Islands (0879) in your listing of colleges, universities and programs which will receive your information.

Feel free to contact us if you need further information about the University of the Virgin Islands, or visit our web site at www.uvi.edu.

UVI Catalog: http://www.uvi.edu/pub-relations/catalog_2003-2004/index.html
UVI Graduate Bulletin: http://www.uvi.edu/pub-relations/graduate_bulletin/index.html
UVI Academics: http://www.uvi.edu/pub-relations/AcademicsHome.html
UVI Offices & Services: http://www.uvi.edu/pub-relations/uvi/OfficesHome.html

I am interested in Marty's message about racism towards caucasions. I am white and have been accepted into UVI? Should I be alarmed? Why is there a prejudice against caucasions? Should I reconsider going to UVI? Should I reconsider moving to St. Thomas? I thought the people would be laid back and open?? Someone Help, I do not want to go somewhere I am not wanted!!!

Amber

Don't let being different scare you away. It's a good experience to be the minority. Just make an effort to make friends and don't let anyone disrespect you.

Jeremy

Email me with any specific ?'s

Peace

Elise

Don't forget we have a beach on campus!!!!It makes even the worst day not so bad!!!!

I will also be attending UVI in the Fall of 2005! I'm so excited i can't wait! Any helpfull advice from any of you that have been there or are there would be great!! My friend and I are going on the National Exchange program...so maybe we'll see yall there!