Academic Advantage: Advanced English and University Study

Program begins in summer.

Application Deadlines

Summer 2010 application deadline

June 1, 2010

Application Materials

Prospective students should read Visa Procedures and Regulations for International Students prior to applying.

Applicants are strongly urged to apply online. Online applicants may be processed more efficiently. Only applications submitted from the ALP Web site are accepted.

  1. Completed online application form.

    Applicants who are unable to apply online may download a paper application, complete it, and mail it together with all supporting materials to the address below.

  2. Nonrefundable application fee: U.S. $150 for online applications, payable by credit card only; U.S. $200 for paper applications (check or money order drawn from a U.S. bank— credit cards, international money orders, wire transfers, and bank drafts are not accepted for paper applications). No application will be processed without this fee.

  3. All applicants must submit a short statement of purpose (250-500 words) describing the following:

    • academic interests
    • your educational goals
    • what you hope to gain from the program

  4. All applicants must have a previous or current placement in level 7 or higher at the American Language Program and submit a recent copy of a TOEFL score of at least 575 (PBT), 230 (CBT) or 89 (iBT).

  5. High school transcripts and transcripts of any University level courses taken are required of all applicants. Academic transcripts in foreign languages must be accompanied by an official translation (as well as a guide or key where appropriate or necessary). Applications containing transcripts without translations will not be considered.

If you are currently living outside the U.S., you must have a student visa. In order to qualify for the student visa, you must enroll in a full-time program (18 hours or more per week)

If you enter the U.S. on the American Language Program's I-20, and that I-20's duration of stay is 3-12 months, you must study at the American Language Program for at least 3 months before you will be permitted to transfer to another school or university.

If you require a student visa, please send the following items along with your completed application and application fee at least three months before your expected study date.

  1. Bank statement (dated within the last three months). You must show that you have at least $4,500.00 per month to live and study at Columbia University.

  2. Sponsor letter (dated within the last three months).

    If you are sending your own bank statement, you do not need to send this letter.

    If someone (your mother, father, brother, aunt, friend or employer) is supporting you in your studies in the U.S., you do need to send this letter.

    In the letter, your sponsor should say that he or she promises to fully support you financially in your studies at the American Language Program.

  3. Photocopy of your passport name and date-of-birth page.

Once your completed application and accompanying materials and fees have been received and processed, you will receive a U.S. government I-20 A-B form. Bring the I-20 A-B form, along with your letter of acceptance and original financial documents, to a U.S. embassy or consulate in your country to apply for a student (F-1) visa.

Submit all application materials in a single packet to:

American Language Program
Columbia University
203 Lewisohn Hall
Mail Code 4119, 2970 Broadway
New York, NY 10027
U.S.A.