International Application Requirements

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SCAD welcomes new students from abroad. The college is authorized under federal law to enroll nonimmigrant international students who demonstrate proficiency in the English language and who certify means of financial support for their studies. Although federal financial aid is not available to international students, a limited number of scholarships is offered by the college.

International applicants should adhere to requirements relevant to first-year freshman, undergraduate transfer, or graduate applicants. International applicants are encouraged, but not required, to submit SAT or ACT scores. International transcripts must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation.
Proof of English proficiency. Students whose first language is not English should be aware that English is the medium of instruction for all courses. Test of English as a Foreign Language score is required for admission if English is not the student's first language. (Other recognized tests may be acceptable.) Preference is given to applicants with TOEFL scores of 450 or above (45 or higher on the Internet-based test; 133 or higher on the computer-based test). Art history applicants are required to have a TOEFL score of at least 550 (85 or higher on the Internet-based test with a minimum of 23 in speaking, 24 in writing, 20 in listening and 18 in reading; 213 or higher on the computer-based test). For applicants whose native language is English, or whose academic transcripts show extensive study in an institution in which English is the language of instruction, no additional proof of English proficiency is required. All new international students who have not been granted a waiver are required to take an English language proficiency test upon arrival at the college. Students are placed in the appropriate level of English as a Second Language, as determined by their scores on the test. ESL classes focus on oral fluency, listening and reading comprehension, grammatical accuracy, and formal and informal writing. Any student who has been granted a waiver of ESL course work and subsequently fails any single course due to language deficiencies, as determined by the director of ESL and the academic department chair, may be required to take the English language placement test. Results of this test may be used to determine required level(s) of ESL instruction, if any. Any student choosing to take the English language placement test is subject to placement in ESL courses based on those test results, regardless of prior exemption status. Students wishing only to take ESL courses must submit a separate application form and should contact the admission office for information.
Official certification of sources and funds. Documentation of financial support for the first year is required for the college to begin the process for an international student to obtain a visa. Submission of official certification of sources and funds at the time of application is strongly encouraged and may expedite the visa process. SCAD- eLearning students residing outside the United States are not required to submit certification of sources and funds. All students should apply early for scholarship consideration.
Copy of the first page of the applicant's passport is requested, but not required. A copy of the first page of the passport for any dependent accompanying the student also is requested. These documents are used to verify correct spelling of names, correct birth dates, and other information vital to student registration.

Apply online or download a copy of the application.