Advanced Academic Preparation

Available for summer.

Requirements

Current ALP students must have reached ALP level 8 to be considered for admission.

New students must submit a minimum TOEFL score of 90 (iBT) , AND upon arrival must sit for the ALP Essay Exam. Those whose scores fall below ALP level 8 must take the ALP Intensive course at the appropriate level, given at the same dates as the AAP course (Session B).

To submit your official TOEFL score, please request that ETS send your TOEFL score report directly to the ALP admissions office, using DI Code: 2594, "Undergrad."

Application Deadlines

Summer 2013

May 17, 2013

Application Materials

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

Completed online application form.
Nonrefundable application fee: U.S. $150.00 for online applications, payable by credit card only; U.S. $200.00 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.

In general, an F-1 (student visa) is required for study in the US. International applicants are required to request an I-20 in order to obtain the F-1 visa and must enroll in a full-time program (18 hours or more per week).

If you are already holding an F-1 visa and attending another school you must also transfer your SEVIS record from your current school to the ALP. Please speak to your Advisor at your current school.

For all I-20 requests, please send the following items along with your completed application and application fee at least three months before your intended study date.

Bank statement: this document must be in English and dated within the last three months. It must be from a checking or savings account and must show sufficient available funds to pay the estimated tuition, fees and living expenses. The estimated amount required for an I-20 is $5,400 per month.
- Advanced Academic Preparation is a seven-week intensive course and requires a 2-month I-20. The required amount (in your account) for the I-20 for AAP is $10,800.
Sponsor letter: the letter must be in English and dated within the last three months. It must also be signed by the sponsor. If you are sending your own bank statement you are not required to submit a sponsor letter. The sponsor letter is necessary only if a bank statement will be submitted on your behalf by another person. The person whose bank statement you will submit is your sponsor.

Your sponsor must submit a letter (sponsor letter) stating that s/he will provide you with full financial support during the period of your study in the ALP. The sponsor letter must be in English and dated within the last three months. It must also be signed by the sponsor.
Photocopy of your passport’s identification page.
- The page in your passport that shows your photograph, your name and your date of birth.

Once your completed application and accompanying materials and fees have been received and processed, you will receive a US 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 US embassy or consulate in your country to apply for a student (F-1) visa.

We strongly recommend that you apply online.

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.

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