ESL Student

Admissions

Applicants to the Intensive English Program or general English classes must be at least 17 years old. However, to start attending classes, students must be either 18 years old or hold a high school diploma. In contrast, the Private/Group Lesson Program is open to students as young as 10 years old, and they can start at any time.

Admissions Process, Step by Step

Non F-1 (I don’t need an F-1 visa. I just want to learn English.)

  1. Apply online. Pay the Application Fee ($75) and the applicable tuition.
  2. We will contact you to arrange a New Student Orientation.

Important Notes:

  • As a non-F1 student, you are not required to attend term by term. However, your absence from the school cannot be more than 6 consecutive terms to remain as an active student.

F-1 Initial (I want to go to the USA. I need an F-1 visa.)

  1. Apply online. Application Fee ($150), Handling Fee ($80), and Student Visa Assistance Service ($250).
  2. Submit the below documents by completing the Required Docs for Application.
    • Copy of passport
    • Financial Statement (Documentary Evidence of Financial Support)
    • If you are under 18, copy of your high school diploma or transcript
  3. We will send you an acceptance packet that includes an acceptance letter, a Form I-20, and any other relevant documents.
  4. Contact us for assistance in paying the I-901 SEVIS Fee ($350) to SEVP.
  5. Contact us for assistance in completing the DS-160 ($160) application for an interview with a consular officer.
  6. Contact a U.S. embassy/Consulate in your country to schedule an appointment.
  7. After your F-1 student visa is approved, contact us for a New Student Orientation. 

Important Notes:

  • The F-1 student cannot enter sooner than 30 days before the start date on the Form I-20.
  • The F-1 student visa cannot be issued sooner than 120 days before the start date on the Form I-20. Scheduling an interview with a consular officer too early is not recommended.
  • We issue the Form I-20 no sooner than 180 days before the start date on the Form I-20.

F-1 Initial COS (I am in the USA. I want to change my visa to F-1)

You may not change your non-immigrant status to F-1 if you hold C, D, J (for some cases), K, or M. Additionally, you may not obtain the F-1 status if you entered the US under the TWOV (Transit Without Visa) Program or Visa Waiver Program. Please visit the USCIS website for the details.

  1. Apply online. Pay the Application Fee ($150)
  2. Submit the below documents by completing the Required Docs for Application.
    • Copy of passport
    • Financial Statement (Documentary Evidence of Financial Support)
    • If you are under 18, copy of your high school diploma or transcript
  3. Submit the COS Application Review for our review. Contact us for assistance to go over the COS process.
  4. We will send you an acceptance packet, which includes an acceptance letter, a Form I-20, and other applicable documents.
  5. Submit, if applicable, the Visa Extension Application Review for our review. Contact us for assistance in completing the form.
  6. After your petition is approved, contact us for a New Student Orientation. 

Important Notes:

  • This COS is a long process. It takes about 2 months to complete the application, and it takes about another 6 months for USCIS to adjudicate. Department of Homeland Security, USCIS, “suggest you file at least 45 days before your stay expires or as soon as you determine your need to change or extend status.”
  • The COS may provide the new status while remaining in the US. However, when you travel outside the US, you must obtain a new visa to reenter. Do not go through the COS process if you plan to travel outside the US.
  • B-1/B-2 visa holders may not enroll Academic English courses before their change of status is approved. They may enroll only elective English courses and the number of hours for the courses must be less than 8 hours per week. The courses must be “recreational study (non-credit) as part of a tourist visit.“

F-1 Transfer (I am in the USA. I want to transfer.)

  1. Apply online. Pay the Application Fee ($150).
  2. Submit the below documents by completing the Required Docs for Application.
    • Copy of passport
    • Financial Statement (Documentary Evidence of Financial Support)
    • If you are under 18, copy of your high school diploma or transcript
    • Form I-20 from your current school.
  3. We will contact your current school for release of your Form I-20, copying you in the email, for the following documents:
    1. Acceptance letter
    2. The Notice of Intention to Transfer to be completed by your current school.
  4. If the Notice of Intention to Transfer is returned and you are in status, we will contact you for a New Student Orientation. If the form is returned and you are not NOT in status, we will contact you about your options.

Important Notes:

  • The student must start within 60 days of the last date of attendance from the student’s current school. The date of application is independent from the student’s required start date.
  • The deadline to transfer depends on a school. The student is advised to initiate the transfer process on time to avoid possible termination by the student’s current school.

F-1 Transfer – Reinstatement (I am in the USA. I need reinstatement to transfer.)

  1. Apply online. Pay the Application Fee ($150).
  2. Submit the below documents by completing the Required Docs for Application.
    • Copy of passport
    • Financial Statement (Documentary Evidence of Financial Support)
    • If you are under 18, copy of your high school diploma or transcript
    • Form I-20 from your current school.
  3. We will contact your current school for release of your Form I-20, copying you in the email, with the following documents:
    1. Acceptance letter
    2. The Notice of Intention to Transfer form to be completed by your current school.
  4. If the Notice of Intention to Transfer form is returned to us indicating that you’re not in status, we will contact you to go over the Reinstatement Application Review form, which you must complete for consideration to be admitted.
  5. If you are admitted, we will contact you for a New Student Orientation. You must enroll for the first available start date.

Important Notes:

Please review the excerpt from the Department of Homeland Security site below. In general, to be eligible for reinstatement, the student must:

  • “Not be out of status for more than five months at the time of filing or show the exceptional circumstance that prevented filing in that time frame.
  • Not have a record of repeated or willful violations of regulations.
  • Not have worked without authorization.
  • Be pursuing or intend to pursue a full course of study in the immediate future at your school.
  • Not be deportable for any reason other than failing to maintain F-1 or M-1 status.
  • Be able to show that: (1) Circumstances beyond the student’s control caused the status violation. (2) Student fell below a full course load for a reason the DSO could have used to authorize a reduced course load, and the student would experience extreme hardship, if the student fails to get reinstatement.”
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