International Applicants
Five Branches University welcomes international applicants from all over the world. We support a bicultural and bilingual environment, offering academic programs in both the English and Chinese languages. Five Branches defines an international applicant as someone who is a citizen or permanent resident of a country other than the United States who wishes to enroll in programs at our university. Five Branches University is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students and complies with all Federal guidelines and directives of the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).
International applicants follow the same application and admissions procedures as required of resident students (refer to “Applying to Five Branches”) in addition to meeting the International application requirements as listed below. We recommend that International students begin the admissions process six months to one year prior to the desired priority application date. Tuition and fees for international students are the same as for U.S. citizens and residents.
International students are not eligible for U.S. Federal Financial Aid.
International application requirements
If you are an international applicant who is applying for an F-1 student visa through Five Branches University you must submit the following documents along with the completed application materials (as outlined in the Admissions, “Applying to Five Branches” section). It is important to use your passport name on your application and all supplemental documents.
1. A photocopy of the first page of your passport
2. Transcript evaluation
If you have completed college or university level education in another country you must have your foreign transcripts reviewed by an evaluation agency recognized by Five Branches University. Transcripts need to be evaluated on a course-by-course basis. Upon completion of review, the evaluation should be sent directly to Five Branches University by the evaluating agency: American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO). You may contact AACRAO at the following location:
AACRAO International Education Services
One Dupont Circle, NW, Suite 520
Washington DC 20036-1135, U.S.A.
Phone: 202-296-3359, Fax: 202-822-3940
www.aacrao.org.
3. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and Test of Spoken English (TSE)
If you are an international applicant and have completed at least a two year (60 semester credit or 90 quarter credit) baccalaureate level education in an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the US Secretary of Education or from an equivalent English language institution in another country, the TOEFL and TSE may not be required. International applicants are advised to speak to the admissions office for further details.
If you are applying for the Doctorate program, and your native language is not English, you will be required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). You must receive a minimum score of 500 on the paper-generated test or 173 on the computer-generated test. You will also be required to take the Test of Spoken English (TSE) meeting the currently reported mean score. When taking the TOEFL and TSE, please enter the Five Branches assigned code on the Score Report Request Form.
Five Branches San Jose campus assigned code: 5881
4. International Applicant Financial Statement
An International Applicant Financial Statement, certified by a financial institution, verifying the availability of at least $25,000 in U.S. dollars is required for admission. This amount should cover your education and living expenses for one academic year. In addition, you may want to consider having additional funds for off-campus months and miscellaneous expenses. We recommend having an approximate $7,000 for this purpose. If your tuition or living expenses are partially or fully being paid by a sponsor then the International Applicant Financial Statement must be accompanied by the Financial Sponsorship Form.
International applicants currently studying in the U.S.
If you are an International student who is currently on an F-1 student visa, enrolled at another college or university you must also submit the following documents along with your application materials:
- A photocopy of your Visa, contained in your passport
- A photocopy of your I-94 Form (Arrival-Departure Form)
- A photocopy of your I-20 Form
Once you have been accepted to Five Branches University, a Transfer Release Form must be signed by your school International Student Official, verifying you have maintained your visa status and are eligible for transfer. This form is available by request from the Admissions department.