Ben Mitchell grew up in a devout household in the central Upper Peninsula of Michigan where emphasis was placed on helping others.
He traveled with his father to places such as Kenya and Peru on short-term medical missions. When he was in Kenya, a missionary explained that engineers have the greatest potential to influence the largest number of people. During high school, Ben participated in a youth mission trip to Tijuana. A result of the mission trips, his family decided to adopt three Vietnamese children when he was a junior.
All of these experiences had a great influence on Ben’s outlook on life. He decided to major in mechanical engineering and enrolled at Lake Superior State University. Near the end of his senior year, he decided to volunteer for the Peace Corps to help others.
His two-year commitment began in the fall of 2007 and took Ben to Burkina Faso in western Africa. He resides in the village of Tansila, population 3,000, approximately 10 km from the Mali border. His host organization is the local cotton growers union. It works cooperatively with other villages to improve and expand their production techniques. He serves as an agribusiness advisor as a part of the Small Enterprise Development program which helps create market linkages and assists with the advancement of business skills.
Admissions
International Student Admissions
At Lake Superior State University, we know that the best way to really learn about something is to jump in and take action. Our students Redefine the Classroom by going beyond books in order to prepare themselves for careers in a competitive and global landscape.
As an international student at LSSU, you'll find that our unique programs, small size and personal attention give you the edge that you need to have success in today's world. The strength of our programs resides in our high-quality faculty and, as a student, you work with them from day one at LSSU.
LSSU is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, a commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Several of our programs also have additional accreditation by independent agencies. LSSU is home to more than 80 programs of study, ranging from graduate degrees to certificates.
We invite you to join international students of the past as representatives of the future at LSSU. Come experience the opportunities to be part of a research team, to compete nationally and internationally in competitions, make presentations at conferences, work directly with faculty, and join a community dedicated to your undergraduate success. Grab hold of your future at LSSU!
Applying to LSSU
Your application will be processed when we receive ALL of the following documents.
We recommend you submit all application materials for Fall Semester by July 15, and for Spring Semester by November 15.
The ACT and SAT are standardized college entrance exams offered primarily in the U.S., but additional testing locations can be found internationally. LSSU requires Canadian students to submit test scores from either the ACT or SAT. Students that have earned 19 or more university credits are exempt from submitting scores.
If you are a Canadian secondary school student or a transfer student with less than 19 semester hours / 29 quarter hours, you are required to submit ACT and/or SAT test results. ACT and/or SAT results are not required if you have been removed from high school for two or more years.
When registering for the ACT and SAT you can choose to have your scores sent directly to LSSU.
Complete official transcripts of each college and university attended must be evaluated by World Evaluation Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE) on a comprehensive course-by-course basis. Websites for WES and ECE are available at: www.wes.org and www.ece.org If you have fewer than 19 credits, your high school transcript must also be evaluated by WES or ECE.
Proof of English proficiency
English proficiency can be proven in several ways:
TOEFL score of 550 for paper-based exam; or 213 for computer-based exam; or 79 for internet-based exam. Please use institutional code 1421 to report scores directly to LSSU.
Proof of purchased health and accident insurance valid for study in the United States. If you need insurance, it can be obtained through Student Assurance Services Incorporated. Information on SAS is available at www.sas-mn.com
7)
Immigration Form (I-20)
In order to enroll at Lake Superior State University, students must be issued a Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant (F-1) Student Status (I-20) which will allow for application of the F-1 Student Visa.
To be eligible for I-20 you must verify the ability to pay for tuition, books, fees and living expenses for one academic year. You must be prepared to pay the full cost of attendance and advise your sponsor, should the funds come from someone other than yourself, well in advance of fee payment dates to ensure timely delivery.
Note: We would like to emphasize that the educational and living costs at LSSU are less than most U.S. universities. LSSU does not have financial assistance, such as loans or grants for international students; however, the University does offer scholarships to qualified individuals.
In order to obtain the I-20, the U.S. Studen Exchange and Visitor Information System (SEVIS) requires that LSSU have your verification of ability to pay $26,650 USD for the 2009-2010* academic yearwith recent financial information—no more than 90 days previous.
The ability to pay must be in one of the following formats:
A notarized financial statement, in English, from your bank account, or from the account of whomever will be responsible for your tuition/books expenses. This can be in the form of:
A notarized letter from an officer at a financial institution listing the amount of tuition/books and expenses required for the upcoming year and verifying the account holder’s ability to pay this amount, and/or
A notarized bank statement showing a savings equal to this year’s tuition/books and expenses, and/or
Notarized verification of loan approvals and/or scholarships received.
If the funds are coming from someone other than yourself, your “sponsor” will also need to supply a signed letter stating that the monies available in the bank account/loan, etc. will be used to pay for your tuition/books and expenses, plus room/board if applicable.
You should also indicate how the remaining years will be supported.
Exceptions to the I-20 Requirements
If you are a Permanent Resident or able to be in the US with another form of documentation, we will need a copy of this documentation for our records.
Official Forms
Official forms allowing you to demonstrate financial ability to pay tuition, books, fees, and living expenses are available for download or may be requested by contacting the Admissions Office.
Each student that receives a form I-20 will receive a unique SEVIS ID number assigned to him/her. The ID number and the I-20 form itself are used to obtain an F-1 Visa from a U.S. Consulate or Embassy abroad. Please check with the U.S. Consulate or Embassy for which you wish to apply in advance as often times specific appointments and arrangements must be made well in advance of the issuance of the F-1 Visa.
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has implemented a rule requiring F-1 Visa applicants to pay a fee of $200 USD to supplement the administration and maintenance costs of the SEVIS program. Because LSSU will be issuing you an initial I-20 form, you will be required to pay this SEVIS fee. Information about payment of the $200 USD fee will be mailed to you along with your I-20.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Admissions Office at
1-906-635-2231
Intense Competition
Second Place
Lake Superior State University
Automation of Brake-Rotors Sand-Cores Manufacturing Process
2004 International Mechanical Engineering Congress and Exposition:
ASME Manufacturing Engineering Division
