International Student Requirements

This school is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant aliens as students. Final authority to grant entry into the United States rests solely with the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services (BCIS).

Transcript Evaluation
Transcripts from schools outside the United States must be evaluated by World Education Services (WES): http://www.wes.org
Any questions about this requirement should be directed to the Admissions Office.

English Proficiency
Students must have sufficient English language proficiency in both written and oral communication to complete graduate
studies in English, including the writing of a Master’s thesis or doctoral dissertation. All applicants for whom English is a second language must complete the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

The minimum required score for admission depends upon the version of the test taken.

• A score of 600 or above is required on the old format written exam.
  
• A score of 250 or above is required on the old format computerized exam.
  
• A score of 20 is required for each of the four parts of the new exam.

The test score submitted must have been taken within the last year. The Institute’s TOEFL school code is 9770.

Proof of Financial Support
Federal regulations require incoming stu-dents to provide proof of financial support for one academic year prior to issuance of the paperwork for entry into the United States.

Proof of financial support must be a bank record or some other certified document showing access to funds. This documenta-tion may represent personal funds; family funds, with a statement from the holder of the funds that the student may use them for educational expenses; or funds from other sources (specify type and source).

The Registrar, who serves as the Designated School Official, will send a properly executed document upon receipt of all required information and the non-refundable enrollment deposit.

Please note that the deposit is charged to all students entering the Institute and serves as confirmation of acceptance. It is not for the issuance of the entry document.

I-901 Fee
A separate fee must be paid in accordance with the published policy of the United States BCIS. See www.ice.gov/sevis to pay the I-901 Fee. Payment of this fee is generally required prior to the issuance of a visa stamp by a State Department office.

Your Name
It is best to use your name exactly as it appears on your passport when completing paperwork for any government agency or for any legal document, such as a lease or driver’s license. Because of the increasing cross-linking of databases, it is very important that you list your name consistently on all official documents. Check your passport to ensure it matches the name on your I-20.

Family name is also known in the US as "last name," however, in many cultures, particularly in Asia, the family name is used first. For instance, in the US an example of a common name is John Doe or Jane Doe (Doe is the Family name). In Japan, this pair might be known as Yamada Taro or Yamada Hanako (Yamada is the Family name). Of course, in informal settings such as classes, you may use whatever name you prefer.

Spouses and Dependents
A student’s spouse and dependent children are allowed to enter the United States under an F-2 visa while the student is enrolled as a full-time student. Please notify the Institute in writing if you will bring dependents into the United States with you. You must complete a supplemental A701 Request
for I-20 so that each person entering the U.S. may be issued a document.

Visas
Canadian and Mexican citizens may enter the United States without a visa. Students from other countries should contact the nearest United States Consulate or the Institute’s Registrar to determine if a visa will be required.

Initial Entry
International students should have the following documentation with them at the time of initial entry into the United States:

• Valid Passport
• Visa (if required)
  
• Form I-20
• Acceptance Letter
  
• Proof of English proficiency
  
• Evidence of Financial Support

 

Students may enter the United States not more than 30 days prior to the start of the school session.

WARNING
If you visit the school and do not have your entry documents, be sure to indicate at the point of entry that you are a potential student. Failure to do so may result in your being admitted under a status that is not eligible for change at a later time. If you are admitted to the United States under a visa waiver, you will be required to return to your country of origin within 90 days. No excep-tion is possible.

Extension of Stay
Students are admitted to the United States for a specific period known as the duration of status or D/S. If a student changes
programs or encounters research difficulties which prevent timely completion, contact the Registrar’s Office prior to the expiration of the current D/S and request an extension of stay.

Maintenance of Status
Changes in immigration law have made maintenance of visa status more important than ever. Failure to abide by the requirements of the visa may result in deportation and permanent exclusion from the United States. Contact the Registrar’s Office with any questions concerning the visa. Always check in with the Registrar before exiting the United States or changing enrollment status.

International Global Students
International students applying for admission to the Global Programs who are not living in the United States may be issued an I-20 for attendance at any required Seminars. If you have already been traveling to the US and possess a travel visa, check to see if the visa allows study. If it does, you may not need to request an I-20.

Students who wish to remain in the United States while enrolled in the Global programs may not be granted F-1 student status for this purpose.

Employment in the United States
International students should be aware that opportunities for employment of any kind while in the country on an F-1 visa are severely limited under United States law. While advanced Residential students may be eligible to participate in curricular practical training for which they may be compensated in some way or in part-time on-campus employment, it is not possible to earn money to pay for school while in the
United States on a student visa.

Work authorization is not possible under any circumstances for family members present on an F-2 visa.