International Graduate Students

A World-Class Education in the Heart of Chicago

Submit Required Items

In addition to your online application, you'll have to submit additional documents as an international student at Columbia.

• Transcript Requirements

  You will need to submit transcripts for application review to begin. The preferred method for submitting transcripts is via email to gradstudy@colum.edu.

  You may receive a conditional offer of admission based on unofficial transcripts from the institution that issued your bachelor's degree. If an admission offer is made, and you attended a college or university outside of the United States for your graduate education, you will need to submit an international transcript evaluation that states you have earned the equivalent of a US bachelor’s degree.

  Columbia applicants can automatically receive a discounted evaluation rate with Scholaro.

  Columbia also accepts transcript evaluations from AICE and NACES approved organizations. You'll find complete lists at the links.

  You will need to work with the evaluation company to submit all required documents for their evaluation process. Please choose the evaluation option that will state whether you have received the equivalent of a US Bachelor’s degree. We accept course-by-course evaluations but they are not required.

  All required documents should be emailed to us at gradstudy@colum.edu. If your evaluation company needs to mail documents please contact us. 

• Proof of English Language Proficiency

  If English is not your country’s primary language, please submit at least one of the following:

  • Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score. We accept the TOEFL Special Home Edition, as well as any TOEFL conducted at traditional test centers. Recommended score of 90ibt or higher.
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score. Recommended score of 7 or higher.
  • Duolingo English Score. Recommended score of 115 or higher. 
  • Transcript or educational records from an institution where English is the language of instruction and you have completed a bachelor’s degree.

  Please contact gradstudy@colum.edu to discuss waiver options.

  Note: The English Proficiency Requirements cannot be waived for any applicant educated in a country where the native language is not officially recognized as English, unless you can provide a transcript indicating your medium of instruction was English.

Visa and Immigration Information

As an international student, you will need an F-1 student visa to enter the United States to study. You are required to apply for the visa at a U.S. embassy or consulate using an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility form issued by Columbia College Chicago.

In order for Columbia to issue your I-20, you must be admitted to the college and you must fill out the I-20 request form on your status page. 

• When will I get my I-20?

  For Columbia to issue your I-20, you must be admitted to the College and submit all required documents. Once Admissions has processed your documents, you should receive your I-20 in 1 to 2 weeks. You can submit your immigration documents before you receive your admissions decision.

  After you receive your admissions decision, we will issue your I-20. We recommend you submit your documents as soon as you can to expedite the process.

• For New I-20 Requests

  If you're arriving from overseas and requesting an initial I-20, we will need:
  
  • A copy of your passport biometric page showing your full name, date of birth, photo, and passport expiration date
  
  • Proof of sufficient funds to cover the school year. Columbia requires you to have proof of funds that is equivalent to the current "Cost of Attendance Budget." That information can be found at colum.edu/calculateyourcosts. Proof must be an official bank letter or statement on bank letterhead that shows the name of the account holder, amount available and bank official's signature. This must be dated within six months of your first day of class.
  
  • If the funds are not from your personal bank account, Columbia requires a Sponsorship Verification Form. There is no limit to the number of sponsors a student can have, but each sponsor must sign a certificate of sponsorship and present Columbia with official bank statements. The sponsorship verification form is available at colum.edu/sponsorship.

  You can submit these documents on your status page at apply.colum.edu/status under “Request Immigration Document.” If you do not see this step on this status page, email gradstudy@colum.edu.

• For I-20 Transfer Requests

  If you currently hold F-1 student visa status in the U.S. with a valid I-20, you can transfer your I-20 to Columbia College Chicago. To request an I-20, fill out the request form which can be found on your status page, which will be available after you are admitted to Columbia. Instructions on how to request your current school to transfer your SEVIS record can be found on the I-20 request form.  Important:  You only have 60 days after the completion of your academic program or completion of OPT to transfer your SEVIS record.  You will need:
  
  • Copy of your passport biometric page showing your full name, date of birth, photo, and passport expiration date
  
  • Copy of current F-1 visa

  • Copy of your most recent I-94 (you can get yours here)

  • Copy of current I-20
  
  • Proof of sufficient funds to cover the school year. Columbia requires you to have proof of funds that is equivalent to the current "Cost of Attendance Budget." That information can be found at colum.edu/calculateyourcosts. Proof must be an official bank letter or statement on bank letterhead that shows the name of the account holder, amount available and bank official's signature. This must be dated within six months of your first day of class.

  You can submit these documents on your status page at apply.colum.edu/status under “Request Immigration Document.” If you do not see this step on this status page, email gradstudy@colum.edu.

Living in Chicago

Columbia's campus is located in the South Loop neighborhood, close to all Chicago has to offer—including first-rate museums, concerts, galleries, more than 28 kilometers of trails along Lake Michigan, and a variety of thriving artistic communities spread across the city. Chicago’s comprehensive public transportation system provides access to Midway and O’Hare airports as well as the city’s many culturally rich neighborhoods.

• On-Campus Housing

  On-Campus Housing

  The Residence Life Office provides a variety of housing options to suit your individual preferences. Apartment-style rooms and suites are fully furnished. All facilities are conveniently located, only steps away from the main campus buildings, and all are close to public transportation. If you would like to live on campus, please visit colum.edu/housingapp to apply for housing.

  Housing assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis according to the date your housing application is completed and received. Find out more detailed information about on-campus housing. The website also includes photos, virtual tours of the residence buildings and room configurations, and answers to frequently asked questions.

• Off-Campus Housing

  Many of our incoming graduate students choose to live off campus, either in their own apartments or with roommates. We host virtual information sessions about the relocation process and provide a guide for relocating in our virtual orientation should you choose Columbia for your graduate education.

After you've been admitted

Congrats on your acceptance to Columbia! We’re so excited to welcome you, and you’ll receive more information after you tell us your decision on your status page.

More information for admitted students is available here.

• Pre-arrival checklist

  Before you leave home, please remember to pack important information in your carry-on luggage. You will need the following information as soon as you arrive in the USA:

  • I-20
  • Passport
  • Financial documents
  • School information
  • Important phone numbers
  • Shuttle pick-up confirmation and phone number

   

  For helpful information on arriving to Chicago, please see Chicago Arrival TIPS

   

• Getting to campus

  There are a number of different ways you can arrive on campus. If you have signed up for a Buddy, they should be able to help arrange your airport pick-up.

  Public Transportation
  From O’Hare Airport: Take the Blue Line to the Jackson stop. From there you will walk two-six blocks, depending on your housing location.

  From Midway Airport: Take the Orange Line to the Roosevelt stop or Harold Washington Library stop, depending on your housing location.

  By Taxi 
  Taxi stands are located at O’Hare and Midway airports, outside the baggage claim area. Follow the official airport signs. Do not accept rides from individuals who ask inside the airport.

  Shuttle
  Columbia College Chicago partners with Go Airport Express.

Have more questions?

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