International Applicants

Evaluation of International Credentials
The City College of New York completes a full assessment of a student's academic records if they are applying with academic coursework and/or a degree obtained outside of the United States.  We do not accept transcript or degree evaluations completed by a credential services, such as WES, Globe, or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE).  While students may submit copies of their credential evaluations, the ultimate decision of a degree's equivalency lies at the discretion of the City College of New York.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
All applicants from countries in which the official language is not English are required to submit official TOEFL scores. This requirement applies to all applicants from Bangladesh, Burma, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Latin America, the Middle East, Israel, the Peoples Republic of China, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia, most European countries and non-English speaking countries in Africa.

If you have completed at least two years of full- time academic course work with grades of B or better at a U.S. University, you do not need to take the TOEFL examination. Instead, you must submit an official transcript from the U.S. University. The following courses will not fulfill this requirement: (1) courses in English as a Second Language, (2) courses conducted in another language other than English, (3) courses that will be completed after you apply, and (4) courses of a nonacademic nature.

If you have previously been denied admission to City College on the basis of your English language proficiency, you must submit new scores that meet the current minimum.

Students who have received a degree at a foreign college or university where English is the medium of instruction are still required to take the TOEFL.

A TOEFL minimum score of 500 on the paper based test or 61 on the Internet based test is required for admissions into the college. Several graduate programs require a score of 550 or better. Please refer to the Programs and Deadlines page for particular programs.

The Educational Testing Service administers TOEFL.
For more information about the TOEFL, contact ETS or visit http://www.toefl.org.

Copies of the TOEFL Bulletin are also available at U.S. educational commissions and foundations, including educationusa.state.gov, binational centers, and private organizations such as the Institute of International Education (IIE).

To schedule an appointment for the computer-based test in the United States    or Canada, call 800-GO-TOEFL.

Results of TOEFL tests administered by the Educational Testing Service should be sent directly to The City College Office of Admissions by the testing agency. The institution code for City College is 2083. TOEFL scores expire after two years. 

The City College of New York does not accept International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) scores or the CUNY TOEFL Exam.

City College's English Language Institute
City College now offers an intensive English program that is available to all students, domestic and international.  Foreign students who do not meet the minimum TOEFL requirement for CCNY can enroll in this program to improve their English skills and receive a F-1 visa.  To learn more, click here.

Visas for International Students
Students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents must have a student visa status that allows study at The City College of New York. The F-1 Student Visa is obtained with an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility which is issued by The City College of New York. Certificates of eligibility are issued to international students who have accepted our offer of admission, met the English language proficiency requirement, and verified sufficient financial resources for at least one academic year. Students who are on visas must maintain continuous, full-time enrollment and are subject to U.S. immigration laws covering such items as employment on and off campus, change of degree, transfer of school, and extension of stay. Additional information on visas is sent to admitted students. International students should allow at least six months for completion of the application process.

International Academic Credentials
Assessment of a foreign degree is based on the characteristics of a national educational system, the type of institution attended, and the level of studies completed. The following guidelines indicate the minimum level of study required of applicants who wish to apply for graduate study at The City College of New York:

Academic records from every postsecondary institution attended as a student should be submitted with your application. Academic records should give detailed information on the content and the quality of your performance, courses taken each year and grades received. The grading scale of the institution and your rank in class should be noted whenever possible. Official copies of diplomas or conferral statements on academic records must verify degrees.

All academic records must be delivered in a sealed official envelope of the issuing institution. Original documents must bear the seal and signature of the Registrar or copies verified by a school administrative officer.

If the institution does not issue records in English, original language records must be submitted with translations. All translations must be literal and complete versions of the original records (refer to the graduate application for the guidelines for official translation of documents). All supporting material must be in English.

The University reserves the right to request additional academic documents if we are unable to verify the nature or authenticity of your academic documents.

Home Country Assistance

For further assistance with the application process and information specific to your country, please contact your local U.S. Embassy/U.S. Consulate/Office of Public Affairs for referral to an overseas educational advising center near you, or consult the list available on the U.S. Department of State’s website at http://educationusa.state.gov.   undefined