Admissions Requirements
If you are an international student, admission procedures are the same as those for applicants from the United States, with the exception of two (2) additional requirements.
Requirement Number One (1) – The Test of English as a Foreign Language:
If your native language is other than English, you will be required to demonstrate proficiency in the English language. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), which includes the Test of Written English and is administered by the Educational Testing Service, should be part of your application file. There are two types of TOEFL that we accept:
- IBT – Internet based test
a. We require a score of 80 with a minimum of 20 on each section
b. This is the most common and CIA preferred type of exam - PBT – Paper based test
a. We require a 550
IELTS
We will also accept the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam with a score of 7.0.
Exceptions
International students who are from countries whose official language is English do not have to submit a TOEFL score. If an international student has been schooled in English, he/she can provide us with an official copy of his/her transcript and we will determine whether or not we can waive the TOEFL requirement. We look for several years of instruction solely in English without English as a second language and that the student received solid marks.
International Student Provisional Acceptance for Language Instruction:
CIA has a specific partnership with ELS Language Centers (www.els.com) and will accept completion of that program up to level 112 in lieu of the TOEFL score.
Students should submit a letter indicating their intention to attend ELS prior to attending the CIA. The student's file is then reviewed for academic ability, financial support, and food service experience. If the student is admissible, he/she will receive a Provisional Acceptance.
Students then submit a certificate of successful completion of level 112 from the ELS Language program. Prior to being assigned an entry date or leaving the country, the student must take the Compass Math/English exams. If the student does leave the country without taking Compass, the student will then need to provide official TOEFL scores. If the student places into a minimum of A Block, he/she will then be given an entry date.
If a student does not place into A Block via the Compass Math/English exam, the student will need to return to ELS for three months of additional English study. If students who have attended an ELS program find themselves unprepared for college level classes, they are able to return to the ELS program to continue their study.
Requirement Number Two (2) – Financial Support:
In order for you to obtain your Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20), international students must show proof of financial support when applying to the CIA. Proof of financial support must include:
- Original bank statement or bank letter showing proof of funds on account by your sponsor
- Letter of intent from your sponsor stating that he/she intends to cover all tuition and living expenses while you study at the CIA totaling $78,000 USD for the Associates Degree or $144,000 for the Bachelor's Degree
- All documents must be in English or translated into English with the original copies
Note: International students must pay the non-refundable $50 application fee with an international money order drawn on a U.S. bank or with a check in U.S. funds drawn on a U.S. bank. Alternately, you can pay by credit card if you complete your application online.
