Frequently Asked Questions from International Students

1. Is there an application deadline?

FUMA has rolling enrollment, which means we accept students throughout the course of the year. (August/September, October, January, and February)

2. I'm a little nervous about the interview. What questions will be asked?

The interview is a great time for us to get to know one another. We will talk to you about school policies and help answer any questions you might have. I understand that for some of you, English does not come easy. That is the reason you are coming to FUMA! So, don't worry, just relax and be yourself.  

3. Can a 12th grade student enroll in FUMA for 1 year?

A 12th grade incoming student must enroll for the entire school year (5 Terms) in order to graduate from FUMA and receive a FUMA diploma.

4. Does FUMA have a Summer School Program and is attendance in this program mandatory for fall entrance?

FUMA offers a four-week ESL/Leadership Summer Program. This Summer Program offers English classroom instruction, as well as cultural immersion field trips, and also trains young men on the values of servant leadership and community service.

This program is open to any student, regardless of whether they intend to enroll at FUMA in the fall.

The ESL/Leadership Summer Program is not required for all international students entering FUMA in the fall, but may be required for students needing help with English proficiency prior to their fall enrollment.

5. What if my entry date is after the fall entry?

FUMA offers a Foundations of English/ESL program. This class is designed to meet the needs of a variety of English-as-a Second-Language students. The course provides one full elective credit and serves as a bridge between the students' previous ESL experience and their future academic studies at FUMA. As such, it is intended to improve students' English proficiency through an emphasis on the four key components of language study: reading, writing, listening, and speaking. The course will include frequent assessments and will offer the students opportunities for advancement. In addition, the course will incorporate resources on American culture and specific environment of Fork Union Military Academy to assist student in acclimating successfully to their lives as FUMA cadets.

This program can be taken as a regular term class ( 7 weeks) or as a resource class (for 3 days a week, 45 min. sessions throughout the school year). The decision on which class will be most beneficial to the student is based on an English placement test the student takes when he arrives at FUMA.

The cost for either the Foundations of English/ESL Class (only offered as a Term One Class) or the Resource Class is the same, $1200.00 per school year. This cost is pro-rated based on student's entry date.

6. Does FUMA offer financial aid to international students?

We do not offer financial aid to international students at this time. However, once you have been a student at FUMA for a year, you do have the opportunity to earn merit-based scholarships from academic and non-academic departments (such as band or sports).

7. Is SSAT, TOEFL or TOEFL Junior testing required for entrance to FUMA?

We do not require SSAT or TOEFL, or a TOEFL Junior test (ages 11-15), however it will be to the prospective student's advantage to take one of these tests and provide us with a score. . This gives us a good benchmark to measure the student's ability when placing students or deciding on their course of study. Admissions preference will be given to any students who have taken any of these tests and supplied us with their test results.

8. How do you base your decision on acceptance?

We look at several criteria: A strong application and student questionnaire, good/excellent recommendations, your transcripts (at least above average to excellent), and a in person or SKYPE (or phone) interview. (A computer SKYPE program with video is highly recommended)

9. What methods of payment do you accept for payment?

Money can be wired by bank transfer, money orders, credit cards (American Express, Discover, Mastercard, Visa), or cash. You can find instructions for wiring funds in our Download Center.

10. Does FUMA have mandatory leaves throughout the school year?

Yes. There are three mandatory leaves for which FUMA's campus is closed. These leaves are Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Spring Break. Most international cadets return to their home country for Christmas, but options for "homestay" (with a current cadet family, staff or faculty family) for one or all three of these leaves can be arranged. The cost is $60.00 per day. Additional days of homestay may be required if flights are delayed or arrive early. This money will be deducted from the student's allowance/travel account prior to the leave. Information about the homestay program can be downloaded here. 

In addition, if we have enough students interested, special trips (such as to New York, Disney World, FL a sailboat adventure trip in the Bahamas, or the Grand Canyon) can be arranged. Prices for such trips vary each year. Please contact Cindi McIlnay at mcinlayc@fuma.org for current details and costs.

11. Do you allow cell phones?

FUMA allows cell phones for international students for traveling only. Once a student arrives at FUMA, he must turn in his cell phone until he travels again. We do allow skyping in our Skype lab. Skyping will be by appointment only during a student's free time.

12. What about phone calling and emailing?

The first several weeks at the beginning of the school year are the time to get settled in, learn about the school, your classes and teachers and the FUMA way of doing things. After this period of adjustment, then you may phone call and email. Email may be set up in different language fonts to aid the international student writing home etc.

Pay phones are used to make calls, so please bring some phone cards with you. Phone cards are available for purchase also here at FUMA.

13. How much money should I travel with on my trip to FUMA?

That is really up to you and your parents. You really only need to carry enough for your traveling arrangements and the first 2 or 3 weeks of school (until your allowance account is set up). Your school money can be wired ahead of time to us.

14. What do I pack?

Please click on the following links and then scroll and look under Quartermaster:

International Middle School student if you are entering grade 6, 7 or 8. 

International Upper School student if you are entering as a 9, 10, 11 or 12th grader. 

This part of our website, the Download Center,  is full of information to help you and your parents learn about FUMA.

15. Can I bring my laptop?

Yes, you may bring a laptop, but all the computer programs must be in English. Please read our Laptop Policy sheet.

16. Can I bring my electronic translator?

Yes, you may, but it cannot be used to read books or play games. It must be used for translation and school work only.

17. Can our parents send allowance money to us?

Yes, please download the Student Allowance form, complete it and scan/email it back to mcilnayc@fuma.org. Please remember to include around $500.00 for Field Trips as well.

18. What are international Field Trips?

In addition to course study, we include Field Trips for the international students throughout the school year to promote cultural immersion. International students will be exposed to the American culture through various outings such as restaurants, museums, movies, shopping, areas of historical interest in the state of Virginia, Washington, DC, activities such as water parks, skiing, snow tubing, mini race car driving etc. International students are also encouraged to participate in community service works to help those in need.

19. Do we need a U.S. guardian?

It is not necessary for you to have a guardian living in the U.S. However, if your parent's have friends or acquaintances living in the U.S. that they would like to use as guardians, please let us know. We must also have an emergency contact person and their phone number other than the parents/consultants. Please include that in a note attached to your application.

20. Which universities or colleges do seniors go on to attend?

Please view our website at www.forkunion.com and look under the Academics > Upper School menu items for a list of recent College Acceptances. Our annual acceptance rate averages better than 99%.

21. I've been accepted! Now what do I do?

Congratulations! If you have not gotten your VISA/passport, you will need to make an appointment to do so. It can take up to 3 or 4 months in some countries to acquire a visa at a consulate's office. Applying to FUMA early and receiving acceptance is more of a guarantee your spot will be reserved for you.

In order for you to be guaranteed a spot at our school, you must return your signed enrollment agreement, the completed Parent/Guardian/Consultant Check List and all forms that accompany this and $10,000 registration fee. (This can be wired or paid by check or Credit Card).

* Please note that the check or credit card must be drawn from a U.S. bank in U.S. dollars.