is it too late?

[moderntime]

I'm concerned that it's too late for me to register for classes, but I'm very confused about what is going on with the schools here. A few weeks ago, I went to the Communications University to apply in person well before their deadline, but they told me that I should come back on August 27th, pay all the tuition fees, and not worry about not actually being accepted into the program. They seemed to think that I was there because I needed a visa, but I told them that was not the case...I have a perfectly valid visa that lasts until early next year.

They also told me that even though I'm a resident of Beijing, I should apply as though I was at home in the States--I'm not sure why this is.

An alternate choice would be Beijing Film Academy's program which is currently in the process of accepting students. However, does anyone know if the situation is the same as with the Communications University, before I make the long trek out there to apply? Or perhaps I should simply fax them my forms instead and pretend that I am actually in the States?

I guess I'm particularly anxious because I am planning to quit my job in September, and naturally I would like to be accepted into a university program before I give notice. If any of you can give me any advice, it would be greatly appreciated.

[simonlaing]

Hi modern,

If you're applying to go into a Chinese language program to just learn Chinese, (rather than a BA or MA program) the academic requirements are usually very low. As in Complete beginners, intermediate and other students all apply and take a test or are just placed into classes of their ability.

Much of the paperwork gets done in the last week of August or the first 2 weeks of September. If you want to change your visa from a Work (z) or other visa, they can help you with that. But often they will let you keep your other one and just renew it when it expires. (The students visa doesn't allow people to "legally" work on it, so it is less flexible than work visas.)I switched from a Teacher work visa to a Student one back in the day.

Most Universities work the same way.

Be ready for everything to be done quickly in the first week of school. If you need them to do something in the meantime, a summer visa or get you a library card (unlikely) You can just ask directly.

They handle things this way so the Police can just get a stack of Student Visas and process them the same way.

Have fun,

Simon:)