International Students
Applying
English proficiency and TOEFL requirement
Visas
Orientation
International students comprise approximately 25% of Eastman’s student body. They must meet the same requirements and deadlines as all other applicants, and are considered for admission and merit scholarship on the same basis as US citizens.
APPLYING
International students must submit ALL of the following by December 1:
- A complete online application, $100 application fee, a personal statement, and resume must all be submitted online.
- Required Writing Sample. All applicants whose native language is not English must submit a one page essay describing their experience with the English language and upload the essay in the online application, including your name and the title, “Non-Native English Essay” on the file. Do not use a translation from your native language or the services of a translator. This essay should tell us about your English study, including the length of your study, the program content studied, and your comfort level speaking and writing English.
- Official transcripts from all schools attended must be submitted, in envelopes sealed and signed by the schools. Transcripts not in English must be sent with certified translations.
- Three letters of recommendation must be sent online by the recommenders. Once the application is submitted, recommenders will receive an email with instructions about how to submit the recommendation.
- An official TOEFL score is required from every applicant whose native language is not English, even if the applicant has attended school in English, is a permanent resident, or has acquired US Citizenship. Faxes and copies of scores will not be accepted. Only scores reported from the Internet based Test (iBT) are permitted, and they must be sent from the testing agency by December 1. If a TOEFL score is not received by December 1, it will delay the processing of the application.
- Applicants who, prior to their 14th birthday, have lived permanently in a country where the primary language is English may be exempt from the TOEFL requirement if proof of residency is provided. There are no further exceptions to this policy.
- The Eastman School of Music reserves the right not to schedule an audition in the absence of a TOEFL score.
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY AND TOEFL REQUIREMENT
The two most important requirements for demonstrating English proficiency are:
1. An official iBT TOEFL score, submitted by December 1.
2. Required Writing Sample
After these two items are submitted by the applicant, we will use them to decide what kind of provisions may be necessary for this applicant to achieve success at Eastman as a non-native English speaker. The levels of provisional admission are as follows:
- Applicants may be encouraged to attend the summer ESL (English as a Second Language) program
- Applicants may be required to attend summer ESL
- Students may be required to enroll in English courses during the academic year
- If the level of English is low, a student may be allowed an additional year to complete degree study
We strongly encourage new students to attend the summer ESL program to aid in adjusting to music study in English, and to get comfortable in the Eastman environment prior to the start of the school year. Invitations to the summer ESL program are mailed to accepted students at the time of their acceptance. During the school year, the Eastman Writing and Study Skills Center provides help to students needing assistance with their academic studies in English.
If a TOEFL score is not submitted, then an audition will not be scheduled and an application cannot be admitted. We encourage applicants to continue to work on their English skills after submitting a current TOEFL score, and to resubmit subsequent scores as English skills improve.
Please click here to see Eastman's specific TOEFL requirements for 2010 admission.
For information on the TOEFL programs, visit the TOEFL website.
VISAS
As part of their preparation to study at Eastman, international students who are not permanent residents of the United States must obtain a student visa. Those students admitted to the U.S. on student visas must enroll as full-time students and register for a minimum of 12 credit hours each semester (or nine credit hours if the student has an assistantship). Special Students (non-matriculated students) also must be full-time in order to qualify for a student visa. Advisement as to course load is through the Office of the Dean of Academic Affairs. The paperwork necessary to obtain an I-20 (certificate of eligibility for a student visa) from the University of Rochester is coordinated by the international student secretary in the Eastman Admissions Office.
Visas may not be requested or obtained until the student has been accepted to the School, has paid the enrollment deposit, and has provided requested documentation required to process visa paperwork.
Getting a visa takes time—in some countries as much as several months. It is the student’s responsibility to follow up with all paperwork, and to obtain the visa in enough time to arrive in Rochester for orientation. Incomplete or incorrect submission of forms to Eastman may jeopardize the applicant’s study in the U.S.
ORIENTATION REQUIREMENT
International students are required to attend the Eastman orientation program for international students before beginning their degree studies at Eastman. Specific sessions are provided for international students to aid in their adjustment to study in the United States.