International Applicants

Transfer International Students (F-1)

Champlain College has contracted with ECE to evaluate your university credentials. As part of the acceptance process, we will request that you sign a consent form and we will pay for and send your credentials to ECE for review, at no cost to you. Please allow 2 weeks for this process.

• 1. Fill Out an Application for FREE

  You can apply to Champlain College using the Common Application or the Champlain College Application. Both are free. Regardless of which you choose, all applications are considered equally. Please do not submit more than one application for admission.

  Common Application
  Champlain College Application

• 2. Send Us Your Academic Records

  Academic Transcripts

  A- Send Secondary School Documents

  Please have your secondary school upload your transcripts into the Common App or Champlain College application through Parchment or SCOIR. If you have attended multiple secondary schools, you will need to reach out to each school and have them upload transcripts for you – we need a complete picture of your secondary schooling (our equivalent of Grades 9-12). Use the following links for the Common App, Champlain App, Parchment, or Scoir.

  An administrator from your secondary school(s) can also directly email scanned copies of original documents or certified copies of academic transcripts, mark sheets, grade reports, diplomas or certificates, and national standardized examination results (if available) to admission@champlain.edu. Submissions should be translated into English.

  In addition to your transcripts, you must also provide any national or international testing scores at the secondary level (WAECs, WASSCEs, NECOs, Ethiopian General Secondary Education Certificate (EGSEC) / Ethiopian General Secondary Education Certificate Examination (EGSECE) with an appropriate way to verify these scores independently of yourself (electronic scratch cards, etc).

  If accepted, you will be required to bring official transcripts and other documents to be verified.

  B – Send University (Universities – if there are more than one) Documents/Official transcripts/mark sheets from all post-secondary institutions attended, along with official English translations. These are required whether or not transfer credit is desired.

  • University (Universities) Abroad – Please have your university (universities – if more than one) abroad send your official transcripts/marks sheets (with English translations) via email to admission@champlain.edu.
  • University (Universities) within the U.S. – Please have your university (universities – if more than one) within the U.S. send official transcripts/marks sheets with English translation in one of the acceptable ways:

  • • Email: admission@champlain.edu
    • Common App, Champlain App, Parchment, or Scior

  If accepted, you will be required to bring official transcripts and other documents to be verified.

  Portfolio

  If you are applying to the Creative Media, Filmmaking, Game Art, Game Design, or Graphic Design & Visual Communication majors, please send us your portfolio. View our portfolio requirements.

   

• 3. Provide Proof of English Proficiency

  For students whose native language is not English, proof of English proficiency is required. There are multiple ways to satisfy this requirement. Please have an official test score report sent to Champlain College in order to be considered for direct admission to the undergraduate program at Champlain. Our school’s code for the TOEFL is 3291.

  • TOEFL (paper-based): 550 (no sub score lower than 50)
  • TOEFL (internet-based – iBT): 79+ (no sub score lower than 14)
  • IELTS Academic: 6.5 (no sub score lower than 5.5)
  • PTE: 58
  • SAT Verbal: 500+
  • British ‘O’ Level English Pass: A-C
  • Cambridge Assessment English:  C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency
  • Duolingo: score of 105+ required.
  • Students who have been entirely educated in English are exempt.
  • High school or college students who have had at least 3 years of instruction in English at an accredited U.S. college/university/high school may supply official transcripts to see if they might be able to waive the English Proficiency requirement.

  If you have any questions about these tests or have taken another English language test not listed here, please email international@champlain.edu to discuss

  Important Note: The College reserves the right to request that an international student take a test to determine the student’s level of English proficiency even if the student has submitted the required documentation to waive English proficiency listed above.

• 4. Letters of Recommendation

  We ask for two letters of recommendation. One recommendation should be from your school counselor and the other recommendation should be from someone who can best highlight your academic potential. These letters should be uploaded into your Common Application or emailed directly to admission@champlain.edu.

Exchange Scholars (J-1)

• How to Apply for Your U.S. Immigration Documents from Champlain College

  Step 1: Please download and complete the  Champlain College Request For Form DS-2019: Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status – For Scholars Only.

  Step 2: Gather a copy of your biographical information page of your passport and copies of your funding documentation (bank statements, letters of support/affidavits, etc).

  Step 3: Download and complete both the Champlain College J-1 Scholar Statement of Health Insurance and the Champlain College J-1 Scholar English Proficiency Statement.

  Step 4: Scan and submit via email to the Office of International Student Services at international@champlain.edu the following completed documentation:

  1. Champlain College’s Request For Form DS-2019: Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status – For Scholars Only
  2. Scanned copy of your biographical information page of your current, valid passport
  3. Scanned copies of your funding documentation
  4. Champlain College J-1 Scholar Statement of Health Insurance Form
  5. Champlain College J-1 Scholar English Proficiency Statement

  Step 5: Wait for the Office of International Student Services to reach out to you to discuss with instructions.

• How to successfully get your J-1 Visa for J-1 Scholars

  Now that you have been issued your Form DS-2019, the next step is to apply for your J-1 visa.

  Here is how you start the visa application process:

  1. Pay the U.S. SEVIS I-901 fee and print out the receipt by going to this link: https://www.fmjfee.com/i901fee/index.html . You will need to present this receipt at your visa appointment. This fee is required for ALL international exchange visitors who want to visit the United States.
  2. Visit https://ceac.state.gov/genniv/ and complete the Online Nonimmigrant Visa Electronic Application (DS-160). Print out the DS-160 barcode page and bring it with you to your visa appointment. This form is required.
  3. Make an appointment for your visa interview at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy in your home country with jurisdiction over your place of residence.
  4. U.S. government officials require evidence to prove that you qualify for the J-1 visa.

  This is what you need to have with you when you go to the visa interview:

  1. Original Form DS-2019, Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor Status
  2. SEVIS I-901 Fee receipt (Form I-797)
  3. DS-160 barcode page (confirmation page with application ID number on it)
  4. MRV Fee Receipt
  5. Valid passport (valid at least 6 months beyond intended stay)
  6. Two 2X2 Photographs
  7. Original letter of invitation from Champlain College
  8. Original financial documents (less than 6 months old) from your sponsors (this includes yourself).
  9. Official transcripts and diplomas
  10. Proof of ties to your home country
  11. Visa Reciprocity Fee (if applicable) (http://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/fees/reciprocity-by-country.html)

  Tips for a successful visa interview:

  1. Be brief and answer questions directly.
  2. Keep a positive attitude during the interview.
  3. Be ready to explain why you are going to Champlain College.
  4. You must convince the consul that you do plan to go back home to stay after you complete your studies. This is the number one reason for visa denial! Present documents that show you have “ties” to your home country, which will force you to return to your home country. These “ties” are usually social, economic, and/or family.
  5. Practice your English. You will be required to speak it.

  Important notes after your visa interview:

  1. After your J-1 Visa is issued and before you leave the embassy/consulate, please check the visa to make sure that all data on the visa is correct. Check that your name matches your passport name and that it shows that it is a J-1 visa. If these items are incorrect, please ask for them to be fixed.
  2. If your visa is denied, send an email to international@champlain.edu and attach a copy of any written reason for the denial you may have been given.
  3. DO NOT plan to enter the United States earlier than 30 days before your program start date indicated on your Form DS-2019.
  4. Do not pack your immigration documents in your suitcase.
• What you need to know about entering the U.S. as a J-1 Exchange Scholar

  We are looking forward to your arrival at Champlain College!  If you follow the instructions outlined below, you should be able to enter the United States without difficulty.

  1. IMPORTANT! DO NOT come earlier than 30 days before your program start date indicated on your Form DS-2019.
  2. DO NOT enter later than the program start date without the College’s permission.
  3. DO NOT pack your immigration documents in your suitcase.
  4. In case of emergency, please email international@champlain.edu.
  5. All international visitors entering the U.S. by air or sea will receive a stamp in their passport – this stamp will show the date of admission, class of admission (J-1), and date that the visitor is admitted to (“D/S”).  International visitors entering the U.S. by land borders (Canada and Mexico) will be issued a paper copy I-94A with a stamp showing date of admission, class of admission (J-1), and date that the visitor is admitted to (“D/S”).
  6. Have your documents ready to show a U.S. Customs and Border Protection Officer. You will be asked to show your passport, J-1 visa, Form DS-2019, financial documents, your letter of invitation from Champlain College, your SEVIS fee receipt, and contact details of Champlain College (above) when you are going through U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Inspection.
  7. Be prepared to explain why you are coming to the U.S. The CBP officer will ask a few questions about your purpose for coming to the U.S. Please be prepared to tell him or her why you are coming to visit Champlain College.
  8. Check that the CBP officer properly stamped your documents before you leave the inspection area. Before you leave the inspection site when you enter the United States, please make sure that the stamp in your passport clearly reads: “J-1 D/S”. If your stamp or I-94A is missing any piece of this important handwritten notation, please walk back to the inspector at the port of entry and have them fix it immediately.
  9. You may be asked to go to secondary inspections. This is normal – do not worry.
  10. Please email international@champlain.edu as soon as you arrive on campus and request an appointment to meet and go through your documents. Please bring the following documents with you for our inspection and photocopying:
      • Passport (s) with current J-1 Visa
      • Original Champlain College Form DS-2019
      • Your original I-94 stamp or I-94A card
• International Scholar Orientation

  As a J-1 Scholar, you will be asked to attend a required International Scholar Orientation before the start of classes. The Director of the Office of International Student Services will arrange this with you before your arrival. This is a mandatory requirement of the J-1 Program and must be completed no later than the first week of employment.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Location

  Champlain College is located in Burlington, Vermont, on Lake Champlain, about 156 km south of Montreal, QC, Canada. We are located 347 km north of Boston, MA, USA. The city of Burlington is home to three colleges and universities and has a population of about 40,000.

  Champlain College is located about 10 minutes from the Burlington International Airport. This airport connects with New York City, Philadelphia, Washington D.C., Detroit, Orlando, and other major cities. Champlain College will provide initial airport pick-up for international students.

• Programs of Study

  Champlain offers more 100 unique areas of study across its majors, minors, and concentrations.

• Cost of Attendance

  Please visit Tuition & Cost of Attendance for a complete breakdown of the cost to attend Champlain College.