If you choose to use the Common App, disregard the instructions below, the Common App instructions are available on their website. The Common Application is a not-for-profit organization that serves students by providing an admission application – online and in print – that students may submit to any of the 391 colleges that are members of the organization.
International Application Instructions
If interested in on-campus housing, international students must apply for housing at the time of applying for admissions.
Official educational records of high school, secondary school, or college/university work done in the United States must be submitted directly to Columbia College Chicago's Office of Undergraduate Admission.
Official educational records of high school or college/university work completed at institutions outside the United States require a credential evaluation. A credential evaluation converts foreign educational documents into U.S. equivalents.
To arrange for a credential evaluation, applicants must contact World Education Services (WES) directly, at www.wes.org. Applicants must arrange with WES for either a general evaluation of their high school/secondary school records, or in the case of college/university records, a "course by course" evaluation to be sent directly to Columbia College Chicago's Office of Undergraduate Admission. Please contact WES directly at www.wes.org for current costs and instructions.
FRESHMAN APPLICANT
Applicants must submit official or certified true copies of their educational records demonstrating successful completion of a high school or secondary education as noted above. In some cases this may require applicants to submit a "leaving certificate" or "graduation certificate" along with their translated, certified educational record.
TRANSFER APPLICANT
Submit official or certified true copies of educational records from all previously attended colleges or universities. Transfer applicants must also submit educational records demonstrating successful completion of high school or secondary education. These documents must be submitted as noted above.
Transfer students will be notified by Columbia's Office of Transfer Credit Evaluation of all transfer credit (if any) that will be accepted by the college.
POST BACCALAUREATE CERTIFICATE OF MAJOR
Post Baccalaureate Certificate Major applicants are required to use the on-line application only. Submit the official college or university educational record on which the applicant's Bachelors Degree is posted.
Proof of English language proficiency is required for admission into the College's undergraduate degree program if English is not your country's primary language. This can be demonstrated by submitting at least one (1) of the following:
- An official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of at least 200 CBT (computer-based test) or 72 composite iBT (internet-based test)
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of at least 5.5
- TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication) score of at least 725
- Evidence of completion of at least one semester of university-level coursework in English Composition at an accredited college/university in the United States with a grade of "C" or better
- Successful completion of the College's eightweek Summer Intensive English Language Institute (SIELI), upon the recommendation of faculty.*
Download optional recommendation form
Submit one letter of recommendation from an instructor, guidance counselor or other individual who is qualified to comment on your potential to complete college level work in an arts and communications curriculum. Please be sure your full name and Social Security Number appear on the letter. Additional letters of recommendation are welcomed.
Proof of sufficient funds from reliable and renewable sources to cover the first year "cost of attendance" is required. For F-1 and J-1 visa issuing purposes, you must submit evidence of adequate funding to meet Columbia College Chicago's estimated tuition and living expenses while pursuing a program of study. For all other international students, it is not necessary to submit financial documentation. For the current cost of attendance budget, please visit www.colum.edu/sfs. If you are married and plan to bring your spouse and/or children, proof of additional funds is required. Contact Undergraduate Admissions for current amounts.
Financial Documentation includes:
- Original certified or notarized "Certificate of Sponsorship".
- Sponsor's original, current bank statement, issued within six months of your anticipated entry term, preferably in savings, reflecting the appropriate amount in U.S. dollars, certified in English.
- Other acceptable financial documentation may include proof of income, stock portfolios, and/or affidavits of free room and board.
Keep in mind that each dollar not personally provided by you must be promised through sponsorship. If you have multiple sources of funding, each sponsor must submit official documentation detailing what they will provide.
As you prepare your financial documents to send to Columbia College, be sure to keep official copies of all documents to be used in the visa application process.
Students are required to submit records showing proof of specific immunizations as follows: one tetanus/diphtheria shot within the last ten years, two separate measles shots during your lifetime, one rubella shot and one mumps shot; or one tetanus/diptheria shot within the last ten years, a combination of one MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) and a second measles vaccination. Students born prior to January 1, 1957 and students enrolled in fewer than six credit hours are exempt from complying with this law, illinois public act #85-1315.
Completed applications can be reviewed without immunization records on file. However, all students are required to have complete immunization records on file prior to orientation/registration.
There is no application fee for students who apply on-line. There is a $65.00 USD non-refundable application fee for students who use the paper application. Students who use the paper application should submit an international money order, a cashier’s check made payable to “Columbia College Chicago”, or pay on-line at www.colum.edu/onlinepayment. Please include the student’s full name (as it appears on passport) on the check or money order. DO NOT MAIL CASH.
All applicants must submit a photocopy of the passport page(s) showing the applicant's full name and passport expiration date. Applicants currently in the United States must also submit a photocopy of the I-94 card (front and back).
Additionally, applicants currently holding F-1 student visa status must submit:
- Photocopy of the current I-20
- Photocopy of the F-1 student visa stamp in the passport (if applicable)
- Columbia's Immigration Pre-Transfer Verification Form, completed by the Designated School Official or International Student Advisor at the applicant's current U.S. institution.
Return your completed application form, essay, official/certified true copes of educational records, letter of recommendation, proof of English language proficiency, financial documentation, Immigration Pre-Transfer Verification Form (if applicable), and $65 application fee (payable to Columbia College Chicago) to:
COLUMBIA COLLEGE CHICAGO
OFFICE OF UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS
600 SOUTH MICHIGAN AVE
CHICAGO, IL 60605-1996 U.S.A.
Once the Office of Undergraduate Admissions has received all the required information, the applicant's file will be reviewed to determine eligibility for admission to the College. Students will be notified of their admission status at that time.
1-20 OR DS-2019 ISSUANCE
A Form I-20 Certificate of Eligibility/DS-2019 will be issued only after an admitted student submits:
• Required Financial Documentation
•Required Immigration status documents
To apply to Columbia, students may choose to complete either Columbia's on-line international admissions application or Columbia's printed international application, or the Common App.
ON-CAMPUS HOUSING APPLICATION