International Applicants

1. Visit us if you can. General campus tours can be arranged with the College's Undergraduate Admissions Office. Also, we have two Graduate Open Houses per year — one in the fall and one in the spring.

2. Check deadlines. They vary by program! Please note that it usually takes a minimum of eight to ten weeks after the deadline to receive an admissions decision.

3. Submit a complete application package. Your application should include the online application form, self-assessment essay, resume, recommendations, and transcripts from your previous institutions. Check your program-specific checklist for special requirements, such as work samples.

Access our Fall 2010 Graduate Application — be sure to select 'International Graduate Application' from the "New Application" drop-down menu.

Official educational records of college/university work completed at institutions outside the United States require a credential evaluation, which converts foreign educational documents to U.S. equivalents. To arrange for credential evaluation, applicants must contact World Education Services (WES) at www.wes.org. Please contact WES directly for current costs and instructions.

5. Complete the Certificate of Sponsor Form This form should be completed only if someone else is providing funding for your graduate education, they will need to complete this form and have it notarized.

6. Certificate of Sponsor Providing Free Room & Board This form should be completed only if you have a sponsor providing free housing for you while studying here in Chicago. The form should be accompanied by a photocopy of the lease or deed of the property.

7. Submit official financial documents. An official bank letter/statement dated within six months of the start of classes.

- Your financial documentation should verify that you have financial support available to you that is equivalent to Columbia College Chicago's published 'Cost of Attendance' budget for the year you intend to enroll. The current Cost of Attendance is posted on Columbia's Student Financial Services website.
- Your financial documents should either be in your name or the name of your sponsor, if appropriate.
- If your sponsor is providing you with free room and board, then you are exempt from having to provide documentation of the 'Room and Board' portion of the Cost of Attendance.

8. Complete the Immigration Pre-Transfer Verification Form. (Only complete this form if you are currently in the United States on a F-1 visa.)

9. Submit an official TOEFL score. If English is not your first language, a minimum score of 100ibt, 250cbt, or 600pbt is required. We do not accept IELTS scores.

Questions? Call 312.369.7260 or email us at gradstudy@colum.edu

Visit Columbia College Chicago's International Student Affairs website...

Go ahead...ask us anything!