FAQ

How many International Students are there at CalArts?

International students comprise approximately 11% of the student body at CalArts, with about 32 countries represented. Some of the countries represented are: Korea 42%, Canada 7%, Taiwan 5%, and Germany 5%.

 If I transfer from another university in my home country, will my credits count at CalArts?

Most courses taken at a government recognized College or University will transfer to CalArts. If you are applying to an MFA program and have completed a three year Bachelor Degree, your degree may not be equivalent to a US Bachelor Degree. Original academic transcripts must be reviewed to determine your exact year level.

As an international student, am I eligible to receive financial aid?

International students are eligible for institutional funds; however, funds are limited and awarding is very competitive. In general, international students do not receive financial aid in their first year. Most CalArts Scholarships do not cover a student's entire tuition. All awards are based on merit. In order to be considered for CalArts funds, you must complete the International Student Financial Aid Application. You may download the application at: http://muse.calarts.edu/services/financialaid/ISFAA0708.pdf

It is also wise to contact your local government agencies for government-sponsored scholarship or grant programs and government educational loans. You should also visit the International Education Financial Aid Web site, a searchable database of scholarships specifically for international student: http://www.iefa.org/

 If I studied in the US for one year or more, do I have to take the TOEFL?

In general, students who have studied at an accredited U.S higher education institution for more than one year at the time of application do not need to submit a TOEFL score. However, CalArts reserves the right to ask you to take the TOEFL

at any point during the application process if the program you are applying to feels that your language skills may impede your progress in your course of study.

What is the TOEFL score requirement and what is the 4-digit “school code” for sending the score?

CalArts requires a score of 550 PBT (paper based test) for undergraduate admission. This score is equivalent to 213 CBT (computer based test) or 80 IBT (internet based test). For graduate admission, the score requirement is 600 PBT or 250 CBT, which is equivalent to 100 IBT. Our “school code” which ETS will request for sending the score, is 4049. The “department code” can be left blank.

I plan to take the TOEFL in the next coming weeks, but my score will not reach CalArts until after the January deadline. Will my application still be considered?

Yes, your application will still be considered. Your application will be placed on hold until we receive the score, and you will not receive an answer about admission until after the TOEFL score has been received.

I have taken the TOEFL but the score is lower than your requirement. Will my application be considered?

Yes, CalArts will consider a low TOEFL score, however we will not consider your application if you do not send any score at all. Please be aware that if you have a low score, CalArts may request that you take the test again. For this reason we recommend that those of you with low scores continue to study for the TOEFL , and sign up for the next available test date as soon as possible.

I know the Declaration of Finances requires that I show $43,000 in support. I only have $30,000 to declare. Can I get a job when I get to the US to pay for my living expenses? Can I count this potential income towards the $43,000?

USCIS guidelines do not authorize students with an F-1 visa to work off campus. There are limited on campus Jobs for a maximum or 20 hours a week, but these jobs cannot serve as a guarantee of self-support.

I have been accepted to CalArts. When will the International Student Advisor send me my I-20?

The earliest that an F-1 visa can be granted is 90 days before the first day of school. Applicants for the fall semester generally will receive their I-20 in late May or early June, provided that the student's file is complete.

 I have been accepted for the fall semester. When do I need to start looking for housing?

New student housing applications become available May 1 of each academic year. Campus housing is granted on a first come first serve basis and students are advised to return their applications as soon as possible. All students seeking on- campus housing should request a housing application directly from the housing office:

California Institute of the Arts

Attn: Housing Office

24700 McBean Parkway

Valencia, CA 91355

Tel: 661-253-7897

Fax: 661-255-2758

International students are strongly reccomended to obtain on-campus housing for their first year. Obtaining off campus housing while you are outside the country is virtually impossible, and most off campus housing would require the use of a car. Please check the student affairs website for listings of available housing in the area: