College Preparatory Center

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Saudi Aramco's College Preparatory Center (CPC) is where College Degree Program for Non Employees (CDPNE) takes place, a highly selective program run by the Saudi national oil company, Saudi Aramco (established in 1985). It begins with a 11-months program of study at the Industrial Training Center in Dhahran, after which students move on to universities to finish their education.

CPC Campus - Building D

- In 2003-2004, the admission rate was 1.20%, 148 admitted from a pool of 12,300 qualified applicants. Admitted students receive a salary of SR2500 ($666) for their attendance. Each student is assigned to a Saudi Aramco department related to his concentration of study.

Students at CPC are devided into three tracks according to their Math and English placement test:

1- CH: High level in both Math and English.

2- CR: High level in English and Regular level in Math.

3- BR: Regular level in both Math and English.

In 2007-2008, a new track has been introduced, CH-ES (Early Startup). Students chosen for this track start the CPP earlier than regular admitted students because of their high standards in the highschool Transcript, Qiyas score, and the CPP placement test (Math and English). They have more advantages in the choosing the major and the placement for universities. 36 males and 4 females were chosen in 2007 among the admitted students (255 students).

The year in CPC is divided into three trimesters in which students take different subjects according to their level and major. All students take ESL courses, research courses, computer & internet skills courses and library skills courses. All the students also take AP preparation courses. Engineering majors student take AP Calculus AB, AP Calculus BC, AP Chemistry, AP Physics B, AP Physics C depending on their level and major. Students with other majors, such as Business and Computer science majors, take AP Statistics, AP Macroeconomics, AP Computer Science.

The CPC is divided into departments, headed by the principal (Mr. Mazen Horsler), as follows:

Chemistry & Geology Department (Chairman: Dr. Maurice Coogan),

Computer Department (Chairman: Dr. Jamil Ahmed),

General Studies & English Department (Chairman: Bruce Wallace),

Physics Department (Chairman: Dr. Nabih Hassoon),

Mathematics Department ( Mr. Eric Ramseur, Masters Degree Holder),

Business Department. (Chairman: Mr. Eric Ramseur, Masters Degree Holder),

PE Department. (Chairman: Dr.Dennis Brown),

              there is a famous motto at CPC(CPP ANY BODY CAN)

- The graduation requirements for CPC are as follows:

1- a TOEFL score of 550 (80 iBT" Internet-Based Test") or higher, or an IELTS score of 5.5 or higher.

2- a CGPA (Cumulative grade point average) of 2.5/4 or higher.

3- a GPA of 2.5/4 or higher in the three trimesters.

4- 10 hours of community service.

- All students who pass their first year in CPC are granted a full scholarship to an overseas university, mostly in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Republic of Ireland, Turkey, Netherlands and Australia with all expenses covered. Each scholar is given the opportunity to continue graduate studies up to the PhD degree, while receiving a full-time salary after working at least 5 years in the company.

CPC Campus - Central lawn

Students are allocated degree paths upon acceptance. There are around 23 degree paths for students to choose from. Most of these degrees relate to Engineering and Geosciences. These paths are:

Most of the staff who work in the CPC are from English speaking countries. The style of education mimics some American schools in The United States.

The program was exclusive for Saudi male students until Saudi Aramco announced it will give scholarships for female students at summer 2006. At (2006-2007), 251 males and 56 females were accepted in the program.