International Students
Applying
English proficiency and TOEFL requirement
Visas
Orientation
International students account for 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 U.S. citizens.
APPLYING
International students must submit ALL of the following application forms and required materials by the application deadline:
- The Supplemental Form for Non-U.S. Citizens and Non-Native Speakers of English, including an essay written in English by the applicant. (Translations from the native language are not acceptable.)
- 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 in envelopes sealed by the recommenders. (Recommenders should sign their names across the seals.)
- An official TOEFL score is required from each applicant whose native language is not English. (Faxes and copies of scores are not acceptable.) The official score must be sent from the testing agency, and must arrive by December 1. Tests taken and scores reported after December 1 may be added to a file to demonstrate progress in English proficiency. However, if a TOEFL score is not on file by December 1, it will delay the processing of the applicant's file. NOTE: If English is not the native language of the applicant, the TOEFL score is required, even if the applicant has schooling in English, is a permanent resident or has acquired US Citizenship. Any questions regarding this requirement should be addressed to the director of admissions.
NEW FOR 2008: A non-native speaker of English who, prior to their 14th birthday, has lived permanently in a country where the primary language is English is exempt from the TOEFL requirement noted above if proof of residency is provided. However, undergraduate applicants who wish to claim this exemption must instead submit SAT I scores. Graduate applicants who wish to claim this exemption must submit all college transcripts.
- The Eastman School of Music reserve the right not to schedule an audition in the absence of a TOEFL score.
- The basic application to the appropriate degree program with the application fee.
ENGLISH PROFICIENCY AND TOEFL REQUIREMENT
Because of differences in cultures, Eastman’s requirement for proof of English proficiency is not always understood. It is our job to assess the level of English proficiency of each applicant in order to maximize the applicant’s ability to complete the degree program. If an applicant whose native language is not English has significant skills in English, he or she should realize that a high TOEFL score will help to demonstrate the strength of his or her application. This higher level of English proficiency is one of the factors that informs our processing of scholarship awards. If English language skills are weak, we may accept students by requiring certain provisions.
The two most important requirements for the applicant are:
1. An official TOEFL score, submitted by December 1.
2. The Supplemental Form for Non-U.S. Citizens and Non-Native Speakers of English, including the essay.
After these two items are submitted by the applicant, we will use them to decide what kind of provisions will 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 studies 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.
Minimum TOEFL scores
The Eastman School of Music requires a TOEFL score for non-native speakers of English as part of our assessment on a candidate's readiness for degree study at our institution. We look at many factors in making this decision, and not just a TOEFL score. We can make a decision to admit, to admit with provisions, or not to admit based on all of this information. If we are missing a TOEFL score, we will not make a decision to admit, and we may not even grant a live audition. We currently do not post a minimum entry level score for TOEFL for admission consideration; we encourage candidates to continue to work on their English and to prove the strength of their abilities and their improved abilities by submitting a current TOEFL score, and by resubmitting subsequent scores as their skill level increases. If we do not have a TOEFL score and an essay written by the student, we are unable to accept the student. If we have the score and the essay, we are then able to decide whether the applicant should be admitted with provisions (as described above).
For information on the TOEFL programs, write TOEFL, Box 6151, Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, U.S.A., or go to www.TOEFL.org. Applicants are urged to take the TOEFL exam well before Eastman’s application deadline, to ensure that the scores arrive on time in the Admissions Office. They may also retake the TOEFL and submit subsequent test scores. Faxed copies of scores are not acceptable. TOEFL website
For the coming admission season, the Eastman School will accept scores reported from the Paper based test (pBT), the Computer based test (cBT) or the new Internet based test (iBT). More detailed instructions are found on our Supplemental Form for Non-U.S. Citizens and Non-Native English Speakers.
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.