The College of Micronesia – Federated States of Micronesia (COM-FSM) is located on Palikir, FSM, which is halfway between Hawaii and the Philippines in the Pacific Ocean. The College has four additional campuses spread across the islands of FSM, each offering different programs and benefits to its students.
The school holds accreditation from the Western Association of Schools and Colleges and the Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges.
College of Micronesia-FSM
Academics
COM-FSM is dedicated to serving the citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia in the pursuit of education, specifically by giving students the tools to become prosperous and competitive in a global economy. It offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in elementary education and associate degrees in arts, science, and applied science. Students can also earn a number of academic and technical certificates, including Certificates of Achievement, Advanced Certificates, and Third-Year Certificates.
Through the Associate Degree programs, students can prepare for a job or career in more than 15 different areas of study. Available degrees include liberal arts, Micronesian studies, business administration, marine science, agriculture, electronic technology, and more.
Campus Offerings
Each campus offers a different set of programs and benefits. For example, the FSM Fisheries and Maritime Institute, or FSM-FMI, offers only three programs: navigation, fishing technology, and marine engineering. It serves under 100 students each year.
The Chuuk campus, however, offers a vast range of courses across the disciplines of business, education, literature, mathematics, and technical studies. It also offers additional amenities like a Learning Resource Center, Computer Labs, Media Instructional Technology Center, Peer Counseling, and more.
The Yap State Campus, too, has a number of special facilities, including a science lab, vocational shops, a Learning Resource Center, and a research lab. It is also in the process of adding new buildings to expand the campus.
The National Campus, located in Palikir, is the largest, with approximately 800 full-time students. It offers programs in a number of different academic tracks and has many special facilities, including a Learning Resources Center, a temporary gym, a cafeteria, and residence halls. The campus also has a bookstore and a counseling center, and students have access to bound volumes, subscription-based periodicals, and online databases at the library.
Most Popular Fields of Study
The top 5 fields of study completed at College of Micronesia-FSM.
COM-FSM offers a Dual Enrollment program that lets high school students get a jumpstart on their college degree by taking college-level courses while earning their high school diploma. Students who are interested in dual enrolling must have completed the eleventh grade, have a GPA of at least 3.5, and provide a letter of recommendation from their high school principal.
Early Admission
Students with excellent academic credentials may be eligible to apply for admission to COM-FSM before completing their high school diploma. In order to apply, students must have finished the eleventh grade with a GPA of at least 3.5 and should successfully complete the COM-FSM Entrance Test and place into college-level reading and writing courses.
College of Micronesia-FSM
Admissions
Prospective degree-seeking applicants to COM-FSM should have a high school diploma or the equivalent, as well as a high school GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale or an average GED score of at least 45. Students who graduated from high school with a GPA below 2.0 may still be admitted if they have had extensive experience in a job or career, perform well on the college entrance tests, and provide recommendations from former employers or training programs.
In order to apply, students must first take the COM-FSM entrance test, which is available in November, February, and March. There is a small non-refundable testing fee. The admissions test, also known as the COMET (College of Micronesia Entrance Test), measures students’ abilities through three sections: math, reading comprehension, and an essay.
Students must also obtain and complete an Application for Admission and pay the nominal admission fee. All supplementary materials, including high school transcripts and GED scores, should be mailed to the COM-FSM Admissions Board.
Students who are accepted must provide their Social Security Number, a signed Letter of Acceptance, a Student Aid Report (SAR), and a health form from a recent physical exam. Students who are interested in living on-campus must also complete the Residence Hall application and submit a security deposit, which is refundable at the end of the leasing term.
Financial Aid
COM-FSM offers students financial assistance through the federal FAFSA program, which provides need-based aid to students pursuing higher education. To begin applying for aid, students should fill out and submit the FAFSA form, which is available for free online at www.fafsa.gov. This form determines eligibility for federal aid programs, including grants, loans, and work-study experiences. It is also a required supplementary document for many third-party aid applications and scholarship competitions.
The student life at COM-FSM varies from campus to campus and depends on the location, the number of students enrolled at the branch, and the local community. Larger campuses enjoy activities and events like campouts, intramural sports, retreats, field days, and more. These events are planned by the Student Activity Office and are advertised online through the events calendar.
Students can also benefit from services like peer counseling, tutoring, financial advising, and more. Visit the counseling and advising office at your local campus to explore their resources and meet the staff.
Student Enrollment Demographics
How many students are enrolled at College of Micronesia-FSM?
Pohnpei Island, FSM, is halfway between Hawaii and the Philippines in the Pacific Ocean. It is home to more than 30,000 residents, who are either native Pohnpeians or immigrants from surrounding islands. Locals speak both English and Pohnpeian.
The island is one of the wettest areas in the world, with more than 200 to 400 inches of rain annually, depending on location. It has a year-round tropical climate and lush, fertile scenery, with a variety of plant and animal life. The area is also home to ancient ruins, which are relics from past colonial powers and powerful island kings.
College of Micronesia-FSM
Additional School Information
COM-FSM offers residential housing at its National Campus in Palikir. Residence halls include amenities like bathrooms, showers, lounges, on-site laundry rooms, computer labs, and study rooms. Bedrooms are furnished with bunk beds and mattresses, and are shared by four students at a time.
Students also have access to on-campus health services from qualified nurses. The on-campus health centers have pharmacies and dispensary services, and can assist students with chronic illnesses, injuries, and preventative health care.
The National Campus and Pohnpei Campus also each have sports facilities on-site. These fitness and recreation centers offer students access to gymnasium sports like basketball and volleyball, as well as recreational activities like ping pong and pool.
Bibliography
“A Tour of Pohnpei.” Ketua. Web. 01 Aug. 2011.
College of Micronesia. Application for Admission. Print.
College of Micronesia-FSM. Web. 01 Aug. 2011.
College of Micronesia. Student Services and Activities. Print.
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