International Students
The New York Conservatory welcomes students to join us from around the world. In any year, around 15% of our student body are non-resident international students. Our international admissions team works closely with each student step-by-step through the admissions and visa process and both Student Services and our international student community help new international students settle in and feel at home in New York City.
International Student Timeline
Follow these three essential steps to begin your journey as an international student. Start by applying for admission, then secure your I-20 form, and finally, complete the process by obtaining your F-1 student visa. Get ready to study in the U.S. with ease!
Step 1
Apply for Admission
(Our Summer Program has started and Admission is closed for the Summer Intensive Program)
Apply for I-20 Form (Proof of Funding)
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Apply for I-20 Form (Proof of Funding)
1-20 Application Information
This step is by far the biggest hurdle for international students and this can take a lot of time. We hope to coach students through the I-20 application and F-1 visa application as soon as possible for their best outcome and best timeline in getting everything sorted in time for their desired intake.
Review Costs
Explore Financial Aid Opportunities
I-20 Application (Degree Program) – Example
I-20 Application (Summer Intensives) – Example
Apply for F-1 Student Visa
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Apply for F-1 Student Visa
F-1 Student Visa
Once a student has been issued their official I-20 form, we will work together to begin the F-1 Student Visa application process.
Please take note of the additional visa fees:
– SEVIS I-901 visa fee: $350 USD
– DS-160 visa processing fee: $160 USD
Additional International Requirements
Proof of English Proficiency
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Proof of English Proficiency
English is the language of instruction for all New York Conservatory programs. The better your command of English, the more likely you are to succeed! Therefore, all international students from non-English speaking countries are required to provide proof of an acceptable level of English proficiency (includes speaking and comprehension).
Approved Language Proficiency Tests (and corresponding acceptable score):
– TOEFL – 70 iBT
– IELTS – 6
– Duolingo English Test – 95
– Cambridge English Language Assessment – B2
– SAT redesigned (2016 and after) – 550 on Evidence-Based Reading and Writing exam
– SAT (before 2016) – 500 on SAT Critical Reading
– ACT – 20 on the ACT English exam
– Cambridge Certificate of Education in one of the following exams: GCSE, IGCSE, CSEC, O-Levels, AS-Level, or A-Levels – ‘C’ or better in English.
If you believe you qualify for a proficiency wavier (i.e., you are already fluent), please contact the International Admissions Team at international@nycda.edu.
Third-Party Credential Evaluation (to be completed after acceptance)
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Third-Party Credential Evaluation (to be completed after acceptance)
To complete enrollment, international students must submit a credential evaluation (with English translation) of high school transcripts/secondary school leaving certificate/diploma. The evaluation must indicate that the student has received the equivalency of a U.S. high school diploma.
It is encouraged you check in with the International Admissions Team by contacting international@nycda.edu, before moving forward with this process.
Applicants can use any of the following credential evaluation services:
Recommended: SpanTran Educational Services, Inc – SpanTran Pathways – New York Conservatory for Dramatic Arts (NYCDA applicants will receive their evaluation at a discounted rate and SpanTran will send a copy of the official evaluation report directly to NYCDA at no extra charge)
Other Useful Resources
World Educational Services (WES)
Global Credential Evaluators (GCE)
Academic Evaluation Services, Inc.
Center for Applied Research
Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
Educational Records Evaluation Service, Inc.
Foundation for International Services, Inc.
International Consultants of Delaware, Inc.
International Ed. Research Foundation, Inc.
Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
What Our International Students Say
Discover firsthand experiences from our international students as they share their journeys, challenges, and successes. Learn how our supportive community and resources have helped them thrive academically and personally.