What is the full sequence for applying as an international student — what comes first?
If you're applying to Five Branches University from abroad, the fair worry underneath this question is usually "will I miss a step and lose time on my visa timeline" — so here's the order that actually avoids that.
Applying as an International Student: What Comes First
If you're applying to Five Branches University from abroad, the fair worry underneath this question is usually "will I miss a step and lose time on my visa timeline" — so here's the order that actually avoids that.
The school recommends starting 6 months to 1 year before your desired priority date (Five Branches DAcHM-MAcHM-DAc-MAc Catalog and Postgraduate DAOM Catalog, each checked 07/2026), because two of the early steps — credential evaluation and English proof — take real weeks to arrange.
| Step | What it is | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Choose your program & submit the application | DAcHM/MAcHM/DAc/MAc application, plus non-refundable fee | Fee is $395 for international applicants (vs. $100 domestic) |
| 2. Transcript evaluation | Course-by-course evaluation from a NACES-member agency | Five Branches recommends NACES-member evaluators generally, and specifically names Educational Records Evaluation Service, Inc. (ERES) as the recommended agency for overseas TCM coursework |
| 3. English proficiency | TOEFL/IELTS or equivalent | Waived if you've completed 2+ years of undergraduate study at a U.S.-accredited (or equivalent) institution |
| 4. Financial Statement | Bank-certified proof of at least $35,000 USD (covers one year's education + living costs) | +$5,000 per dependent (DAcHM catalog) if dependents need an I-20; ~$7,000 extra recommended for off-campus/misc. costs |
| 5. Health insurance | Proof of coverage before registration | Minimum $250,000/incident, deductible ≤$500/year recommended |
| 6. I-20 issued → visa interview | Once admitted and financials confirmed | Standard F-1 sequence: acceptance → I-20 → visa interview |
(Source: Five Branches DAcHM-MAcHM-DAc-MAc Catalog, checked 07/2026, and the separate Postgraduate DAOM Catalog, checked 07/2026 — figures like the exact deposit amount and fees are worth confirming on the school's current international applicants page before you finalize anything.)
If you're already in the U.S. on an F-1 visa at another school, the sequence is different — you'd submit your visa and I-20 copies with your application, and your current school's admissions office signs a Transfer Release Form after Five Branches accepts you.
One more thing worth knowing early: a major federal rule took effect September 15, 2026, replacing open-ended F-1 status with a fixed ~4-year admission period — this is general orientation, not something Five Branches controls, so it's worth confirming with USCIS, a school's DSO, or an immigration attorney how it applies to your specific timeline.
Are you applying from outside the U.S. right now, or already studying here on an F-1 visa?
Sources
- Five Branches University — Applying To Dtcm Mtcm Or Dac Mac Dual Degree checked 2026-08
- Five Branches University — Applying To Five Branches Dac Mac checked 2026-08
- Five Branches University — published materials checked 2026-07
- Five Branches University — How To Apply checked 2026-08
- Five Branches University — International Applicants checked 2026-08
- The school's own published catalog and website checked 2026-07
Last reviewed: