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International Student Application Instructions

Purchase College welcomes students from foreign countries who may qualify for any of the degree programs offered. In addition to completing the Online Undergraduate Application or Graduate Application, international students are required to complete and submit the International Student Application forms listed in the instructions below to the Purchase College Office of Admissions. 

An application is considered incomplete and cannot be acted upon until all the materials listed here are received. Please follow all application instructions and observe all deadlines carefully. In cases where students fail to follow the requirements and instructions and/or to observe deadlines listed here, we cannot guarantee the application can be reviewed and the application may be withdrawn from consideration.

International students must carefully review and follow the requirements for admission to their program(s) of choice (see Application Instructions ). International students are required to submit the following as part of their application:

Step 1: Complete the Online Undergraduate Application or Graduate Application in English.  Include both permanent address in home country and temporary mailing addresses.

Step 2: Complete and/or submit program application requirements as outlined for your chosen program here.

Step 3: Complete and submit all of the following information to Admissions. We understand that some information may have to be submitted separately, but we encourage that, when possible, you submit all of this information together in one package:

  • Official Transcripts - Submit official transcripts, matriculation certificates, mark sheets and/or diplomas.  Original documents issued from the applicant’s home educational system must carry the official seal, stamp or signature of a school or government official.  Academic documents must be submitted in the original language and those which are not in English must be accompanied by an exactly worded and certified translation as well as an evaluation.  We require all foreign transcripts be evaluated by an educational credential evaluator such as: World Education Services (www.wes.org); Education International, Inc. (www.educationinternational.org); Evaluation Service, Inc. (www.evaluationservice.net) or University Language Services, Inc. (www.universitylanguage.com). American and Canadian transcripts must be sent directly from the Registrar’s Office of the school.  The submission of falsified documents will be considered grounds for rejection or reversal of an admission decision.
  • TOEFL scores from Non-Native Speakers of English - Submit your official TOEFL Test Score Report.  (Purchase College’s ETS code is 2878).  An official report is one that the Testing Service sends directly to the Purchase College mailing address below.  Students must take the TOEFL if their native language is NOT English, even if they have attended school in the U.S. 

    Purchase requires the following minimum TOEFL scores:

    213 on the computer-based TOEFL
     
    80 on the internet-based
    TOEFL

    Students who take the SAT are or a minimum SAT verbal score of 450 is required.  (Undergraduate applicants must take the SAT Test to qualify for certain programs and scholarships).  The TOEFL requirement may be waived if an applicant has taken English Composition I and II at a U.S. college and received a “B” grade or higher in both courses.  Applicants applying to the School of the Arts may be eligible for an exemption. Purchase College also accepts the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) www.ielts.org with a minimum band score of 6.5 in the academic module. Other evidence of English-language proficiency will be accepted only with the approval of the Graduate Admission Committee.
  • English Proficiency Report - Have an English Professor or Instructor complete the English Proficiency Report in English.
  • Autobiographical Essay - All Visual and Performing Arts students must write an Autobiographical Essay in English.  Students should include information relevant to your admission application, not already given on other forms. Photocopies will not be accepted.
  • Educational Data Form – Submit completed Educational Data form.
  • Students currently in the U.S. - Students currently attending high school, university or a language institute in the U.S. must submit the International Transfer Form. This form should be sent, along with a photocopy of your visa and I-20 form, if and when you are accepted to Purchase.

Send all required International Student Forms to:

Office of Admissions
Purchase College - Application Processing
279 Broadway
Albany, NY 12204-2755 

Graduate Students:
Except where noted, all supplemental materials required to complete your graduate application must be sent directly to:

Purchase College - Application Processing
Attn: Graduate Programs
279 Broadway
Albany, NY 12204-2755

Applicants seeking an F-1 student visa:
Students who are accepted will receive an admission package.  However, should an F-1 student visa be required, you must then complete and submit the Foreign Student Financial Statement along with any required official bank statements verifying the information you provide.  All applicants seeking an F-1 student visa are required to demonstrate that U.S. $27,000 is available to pay for their education for the first year.  Provide all the information requested on the Foreign Student Financial Statement.  Carefully document the sources of financial support as requested in Part II.  If you are presently on B-2 visitor, J-I exchange-visitor or F-1 student visa you will need to complete the financial support form and send official bank statement(s) (signed by a bank official) showing financial documentation while studying in the United States.  If you have a sponsor, you must provide a bank statement that shows the actual amount in the account(s).  If you are receiving a scholarship from an outside source, you must submit original supporting documents.  All sponsors must sign the financial support form.  Purchase does not offer Federal Financial Aid to International Students.

I-20 and Visa Information:
You should not attempt to enter the U.S. for study at Purchase without an official letter of admission and appropriate visa documents (I-20 issued by Purchase College and visa stamp in passport) issued by Purchase College.  Admissions and visa documents cannot be transferred from one student to another, nor one college/university to another.  At least three days before visiting a U.S. consulate to apply for a student visa, you must pay a nonrefundable $200 U.S. SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) fee to www.fmjfee.com. The SEVIS school code for Purchase College is NYC 214F 01222 000.  The issuance of the I-20 does not guarantee receiving the F-I student visa.  Requirements for the F-1 visa vary from country to country so be prepared to present the consulate officer the I-20, passport and supporting documents (i.e. financial documents, titles, fixed assets, SEVIS fee receipt) if they are requested.  The F-1 student visa allows you to study only at the college/university for which it was issued.  Under immigration regulations, you may enter the United States 30-days prior to the start indicated on the I-20.  If you are unable to attend Purchase and have been issued an I-20 you must return the form to the Office of Admissions.  Students cannot study in the U.S. on visitor’s visas.

You should not attempt to enter the U.S. for study at Purchase without an official letter of admission and appropriate visa documents (I-20 issued by Purchase College and visa stamp in passport) issued by Purchase College.  Admissions and visa documents cannot be transferred from one student to another, nor one college/university to another.  At least three days before visiting a U.S. consulate to apply for a student visa, you must pay a nonrefundable $100 U.S. SEVIS (Student and Exchange Visitor Program) fee to www.fmjfee.com. The SEVIS school code for Purchase College is NYC 214F 01222 000.  The issuance of the I-20 does not guarantee receiving the F-1 student visa.  Requirements for the F-1 visa vary from country to country so be prepared to present the consulate officer the I-20, passport and supporting documents (i.e. financial documents, titles, fixed assets, SEVIS fee receipt) if they are requested.  The F-1 student visa allows you to study only at the college/university for which it was issued.  Under immigration regulations, you may enter the United States 30-days prior to the start indicated on the I-20.  If you are unable to attend Purchase and have been issued an I-20 you must return the form to the Office of Admissions.  Students cannot study in the U.S. on visitors visas.

Cost of Attendance - Click the link to see the Financial Services web page for annual tuition and fees.

International Application Recommended Deadlines

Area of study For Fall Admission
Submit application by January 1
For Spring Admission
Submit application by October 1
Acting Complete application by February 1 CLOSED
Film Complete application by February 1 CLOSED
Theatre Design/Technology Complete application by March 1 CLOSED
M.F.A. Theatre Design/Technology Complete application by March 1 CLOSED
M.F.A. Visual Arts Complete application by March 1 CLOSED
Dance Complete application by March 1 CLOSED
M.F.A. Dance Complete application by March 1 CLOSED
Visual Arts Complete application by March 1 CLOSED
Liberal Arts and Science Complete application by March 1 Complete application by October 1
M.A. Art History Complete application by March 1 Complete application by October 1
Bachelor of Music (Mus.B.) Complete application by February 1 Complete application by October 1
Master of Music (M.M.) Complete application by March 1 Complete application by November 1

Note: These programs may close prior to the deadline. Therefore, international students are advised to submit their applications by the recommended date listed above.

All applications must be received by the Application Processing Center in Albany on or prior to the date listed above. (Please leave sufficient time to ensure receipt and return of the additional forms.) Incomplete applications will be withdrawn and applications received past the deadline will be returned to the student.

For more information about the services available to International Students at Purchase College, visit the International Student Services portion of the website.

Office of Admissions
Purchase College
735 Anderson Hill Rd.
Purchase, NY 10577-1400
(914) 251-6300
Fax (914) 251-6314
admisweb@purchase.edu