Instructions:

If you have any questions you about Columbia College and/or the Admissions process please contact an Admissions Counselor 312-369-7130 or e-mail: intladmissions@colum.edu.

Step One:
Completed Columbia College Chicago International Undergraduate Admissions Application (including your essay). There is a $65.00 USD non-refundable application fee. Please submit an international money order or a cashier's check made payable to "Columbia College Chicago" or you can use the online payment form. Please include your full name on the check or money order.

Step Two:
Official Transcripts or Certified True Copies of Educational Records, sent to Columbia College Chicago Office of International Undergraduate Admissions. If original credentials are not available in English, an official English translation must accompany the official or certified true copy in the national language.

FRESHMAN OR HIGH SCHOOL APPLICANT Submit official or certified true copies of educational records demonstrating successful completion of a high school (secondary and/or higher secondary) education. In some cases this could mean submitting a "leaving certificate" or "graduation certificate" along with a transcript.

GED APPLICANT Have an official copy of your GED test results (including your scores) sent from the testing agency (certificates of GED completion are not acceptable).

TRANSFER APPLICANT Submit official transcripts of previously attended college(s) includingofficial or certi- fied copies of high school transcripts demon- strating successful completion of a high school or secondary education. There is no minimum required number of transfer hours. Transfer students will be notified through a separate communication of all transfer credit (if any) to be awarded by Columbia College Chicago.

POST BACCALAUREATE CERTIFICATE OF MAJOR Submit only the official college transcript on which your first Bachelor's degree is posted.

Step Three:
Credential Evaluation. If you have attended a High school and/or college outside of the U.S., you must have your credentials evaluated by an educational credential agency, a secondary (high school) transcript requires a 'GENERAL' evaluation; college documents require a 'DETAILED' or 'course-by-course' evaluation for the awarding of possible transfer credit by Columbia College Chicago. Two examples of such credential evaluation agencies are Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. and World Education Services. You must arrange for the agency to send a copy of the evaluation to Columbia College Chicago, Office of International Undergraduate Admissions. Contact the agency for current information and rates.

Step Four:
Proof of English Language Proficiency. Proof of English language proficiency is required for admission into the College's undergraduate degree program and can be demonstrated by submitting (1) one of the following:

• An official TOEFL scoreof at least 200 CBT (72-73 composite iBT score);
• IELTS score of 5.5;
• MELAB scoreof 74;
• 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;
• Evidence of an earned Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution in the United States;
• Successful completion of the College's eight-week Summer Intensive English Language Institute (SIELI).*

*The SIELI is an intensive English language and cultureprogram designed for students who wish to continue to develop their lan- guage and intercultural skills for academic and/or professional purposes. It is an arts, media, and community infused program offer- ing courses in reading and vocabulary, writ- ing, listening/speaking, and culture as well as individualized instruction and participation in weekly cultural and arts events in and around the College campus and the greater Chicago area.

To take full advantage of SIELI's bridge-to-academic level curriculum, it is strongly recommended that students report TOEFL, MELAB or IELTS scores not lower than 173 CBT (61 iBT), 69 or 5, respectively.

Information on SIELI dates and program fees are available through the Office of International Undergraduate Admissions or visit http://english.colum.edu/esl/sieli.html.

Step Five:
One letter of recommendationfrom an instructor, guidance counselor or other individual, not including a relative, 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 appears on the letter. Additional letters of recommendation are welcome.
Please Note: If your transcripts and/or letter of recommendation are mailed separately by your school(s) and/or instructors, please be sure that you give them proper mailing instructions.

Step Six:
Financial Documentation. As an international student, 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 visa-issuing purposes, proof for the first year of study is required. The required financial documentation must include a 'Certificate of Sponsorship' (if you will be sponsored) and an original bank statement, issued within six months of your anticipated entry term, preferably in savings, reflecting the appropriate amount in US dol- lars, certified in English. Other acceptable financial documentation would include proof of income, stock portfolio statements and copies of leases or property deeds/titles. Keep in mind that each dollar not personally provided by you must be promised through sponsorship.
Please note: Translations must accompany any letters or bank statements issued in a language other than English. Photo/Notarized copies or email/facsimile transmissions will not be accepted.

Step Seven:
Immunization Records: Students are required to submit records showing proof of specific immunizations as follows: Three tetanus/diphtheria shots, the last one within the last ten years, two separate measles shots during your lifetime, one rubella shot and one mumps shot. 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.

If you need additional time to complete your immunizations or to retrieve your immunization records, you may submit them separately at a later date. You should not wait or delay submitting your application, transcripts and letter of recommendation in this case. All students are advised to have their complete immunization record on file prior to registration.

Step Eight:
International Students Currently Holding F-1 Student Visas Must Also Include:

• PHOTOCOPIES of current I-20; the F-1 student visa stamp in passport (if applicable), passport
  expiration date and I-94 card (front and back).
• IMMIGRATION TRANSFER VERIFICATION FORM to be completed by the Designated School Official
  or International Student Advisor at current U.S. institution.

Step Nine:
Return your completed application form, essay, transcripts, credential evaluation (if applicable), letter of recommendation, proof of English language proficiency, financial documentation, Immigration Transfer Verification Form (if applicable), and $65 application fee (payable to Columbia College Chicago) to:

Columbia College Chicago
Office of International Undergraduate Admissions
600 South Michigan Avenue
Chicago, Il 60605-1996 U.S.A.

Once the Office of International Under- graduate 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.

Students admitted to the College will be required to submit a non-refundable $250 USD Enrollment Deposit prior to receiving a Columbia College Chicago I-20. An I-20 docu- ment will not be issued until the admitted student submits his/her Enrollment Deposit and all required financial documentation.