Intl Undergraduate Applicants
We encourage international undergraduate students to apply for admission as early as possible. The undergraduate priority deadline is February 1, 2009.
Be sure to include a fax number or email address on your application to expedite the admission process.
Application Checklist
International undergraduate applicant requirements:
Application: Apply online or request a catalog containing a hardcopy application ($50 application fee).
- Essay: Tell us about you (one-page essay).
- Transcripts: Official transcripts from your high school and/or university(ies) must be submitted in English or accompanied by a certified English translation. CCA accepts International Baccalaureate (IB) coursework.
- Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation (from teachers, faculty, employers, or counselors). No special form is necessary for letters or recommendation.
See Application Requirements for more information.
Portfolio: 10–15 pieces of your most recent artwork for first-year students and 15–20 images for transfer students. Do not send original work.
See Portfolio Preparation for more information.
Official Test Scores: The minimum Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) requirement is 213 CBT, 550 PBT, or 79 iBT. CCA also accepts International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores of 6.5 and higher. If English is your native language, neither a TOEFL nor IELTS scores are required. Please refer to the section "Proof of English Language Proficiency" below.
SAT and ACT test scores are not required for admission, but may be used for placement test waivers.
Proof of English Language Proficiency
Unless English is your native language, you must submit your official TOEFL or IELTS scores. CCA accepts computer-, paper-, and Internet-based versions of the TOEFL exam.
International undergraduate applicants must achieve a minimum score of 213 on the CBT, 550 on the PBT, or 79 on the iBT.
Applicants must request that an official copy of any score(s) be sent directly from the testing service to the Enrollment Services Office. CCA's school code is 4031.
TOEFL scores are valid for two years from date the test was originally taken. If more than two years have passed since taking the TOEFL, the test must be retaken.
CCA accepts certain conditions in place of the TOEFL requirement:
- IELTS score of 6.5 and above
- SAT verbal score of 490 and above
- ACT English and Reading subsections scores of 20 and above
- Minimum three years' attendance at an English-speaking secondary school or a four-year college or university, excluding extended-education coursework
- Completion of U.S.-transferable coursework equivalent to English 1A (writing) and 1B (literature) with a grade of B or above
- Completion of ELS Level 112
Please speak with your international admission counselor if you believe you should be exempted from taking the TOEFL.
Conditional Admission and ELS
Undergraduate students who need to improve their English skills before entering CCA can attend ELS Language Centers.
CCA will waive the English-language requirement if the student successfully completes level 112 in an ELS program.
The college will issue conditional letters of acceptance to international students currently enrolled in ELS provided they have met all remaining CCA undergraduate admissions requirements.
Obtaining a Student Visa
Step 1: You must submit an official bank statement from your parent or sponsor that demonstrates your ability to cover the cost of attending CCA for at least one academic year (approximately $45,782 for undergraduate and $48,400 for graduate for the 2008–9 academic year).
If you have a sponsor(s) by someone other than your parents, a letter of support must accompany the official bank statement. CCA does not provide a special form for this verification of finances. All financial documents are completely confidential. Please send us original bank documents (translated to English) and the total amount must be indicated in U.S. currency.
Step 2: You also must complete an I-20 application form (PDF). CCA will not issue an I-20 until you have been admitted, submitted the bank statement, and completed the I-20 application form.
After the above materials have been received, reviewed, and approved, the new CCA I-20 will be created. We will send the new I-20 (including the original bank documents) to the address provided on the I-20 application form.
Step 3: Bring your new CCA I-20, the I-901 fee receipt, the original bank statement(s), and your CCA letter of acceptance to a U.S. embassy or consulate to obtain a student visa (F-1) for entry into the United States.
Note: each U.S. embassy or consulate around the world may require additional documents to those listed above. Check the website of the U.S. embassy or consulate where you plan to apply for your F-1 visa.
A list of all U.S. embassies or consulates is avaialable at www.usembassy.gov.
If you are studying in the United States and have F-1 status, you must submit both an I-20 Request Form and an I-20 transfer release form. Your current international advisor must transfer your F-1 status to CCA and sign this document.
To maintain F-1 status, you must carry a full-time course load each semester (minimum 12 undergraduate units; 9 graduate Visual and Critical Studies units, or 15 units for all other graduate programs).
Shiraz Chavan
Assistant Director of International Admission
schavan@cca.edu
Phone: 415.703.9520
Fax: 415.703.9539