Because the application process may be lengthy, international students are encouraged to plan ahead. Please use this International Student Application Checklist during your planning to ensure you have completed all of the requirements for admission. There are no application deadlines, as new classes beginning every five weeks. Our programs fill up quickly so we encourage you to contact your admissions representative with your intended educational plans.

---

International Admissions Representative

1-877-833-8800 Toll Free
1-510-654-2934 Direct + International

---

2010 Start Dates:

2011 Start Dates

(All starts listed – Dates scheduled to change.)

International applicants must complete and submit the following requirements:

Application and Fee

An application form is available on our website or you may request one from your international admissions representative at 1-877-833-8800 Toll Free. When you send in your application, a $95 (US Dollar) non-refundable application fee must also be submitted. Apply online »

Personal Essay

A typed essay (in English) describing your reasons and motivation for applying to the degree program of your choice is required. The essay must be a minimum of two pages, double spaced; using 12 point Times New Roman font. This essay allows Ex’pression to gain an understanding of your interests and to learn more about you.

Admission Questionnaire

In order to get a better sense of who you are and what educational goals you have set for yourself, please fill out this form completely and return to the International Admissions Representative.

Transcripts

You must submit official transcripts from your high school showing proof of graduation. If you are a transfer student, you must submit all official transcripts of previous college work and proof of high school graduation. All transcripts must be in English or accompanied by a certified English translation of the original.

Original High School transcripts must be evaluated by a Federal accredited agency in the United States of America. We have listed an agency which is capable of handling this evaluation.

---

Global Services Associates, Inc.
2554 Lincoln Boulevard, #445
Marina del Rey, CA, 90291-5082, USA

Telephone & Fax: +1-310-828-5709
E-mail: info@globaleval.org

---

Portfolio

– For those applying to the Animation and Visual Effects, Game Art & Design or Motion Graphic Design Programs only

Applicants to the Visual Arts Programs (Animation and Visual Effects, Game Art & Design and Motion Graphic Design) will be required to submit 3 sketches (studies) of your own hand holding an object of your choice. Sketches should be completed using simple materials (pencil and copy paper is fine). Please mail the sketches to your admissions representative. These sketches will give Ex’pression an understanding of the maturity of observational skills in the areas of mass, proportion, and shading, all crucial skills needed to have a good eye when creating art on a computer. Ex’pression understands that students have diverse artistic backgrounds, sketches and drawing tests are evaluated on an individual basis by a member of our Fine Arts Department.

Proof of English Language Proficiency

Unless English is your first language, you must submit official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS scores.

TOEFL

Applicants must achieve a minimum score of 210 on the CBT, or 547 on the PBT or 77 on the IBT. You must request that an official copy of the scores be sent directly from the testing service to the Enrollment Services Office. Our school code is 8739. TOEFL scores are valid for two years from the test date. If it has been more than two years since the test taker last took the TOEFL, the test must be taken again.

IELTS

IELTS is the International English Language Testing System. It measures ability to communicate in English across all four language skills – listening, reading, writing and speaking – for people who intend to study or work where English is the language of communication. IELTS is jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. Applicants must achieve a minimum score of 6.5. When you register for the test, please request a copy to be sent to ECDA. http://www.ielts.org/
ECDA does not accept community college English 1A or 1B or SAT scores as equivalents for English language proficiency.
Acceptance

Requesting a Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant
F-1 Status (I-20)
Once you have applied and been accepted into one of our programs at Ex’pression College for Digital Arts you will need to apply for an F-1 Visa. Before you can do this you must obtain a Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant F-1 Status (also known as an I-20). 

International Student Visa Document Request Form

You may access the International Student Visa Document Request Form or contact your international admissions representative to have one sent to you. You must fill out the form completely; failure to do so will delay the visa process and ultimately your enrollment in Ex’pression.

Once you have filled out the International Visa Document Request Form you must submit it to your Admissions Representative. After your I-20 has been processed a copy will be mailed to you for verification that the information on the processed form is correct; if there are any errors please contact your Admissions Representative as soon as possible. If the information is correct you may then apply for a student visa.

Included in the International Visa Document Request Form:

Biographical Information. Please fill out completely.
Dependent Information. Please fill out completely.
Declaration of Finances. All international students who apply for an F-1 Visa are required to provide evidence of the adequate financial support.  Therefore, we require that all international students provide evidence of the ability to pay for tuition and cost of living expenses for at least one academic year.

One academic year of tuition and living expenses for 2010 is estimated to be $30,485 (US Dollars). You must provide evidence that you have enough liquid assets to cover at least this amount.

Acceptable forms of financial documentation are bank documents or loan information which proves that you or your sponsor has sufficient funds to provide for your educational and living expenses for one full year.

SEVIS

SEVIS, the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System, is the U.S. government’s tracking system that allows various U.S. agencies (overseas U.S. Consulates, border patrol agents at the U.S. borders and airports, the Department of Homeland Security, and others) to see up-to-date information about international students and scholars in F, J, and M visa status, their academic activities, and their accompanying family members. As of October 27, 2008, the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires those applying for an F-1 Student Visa to pay a one time SEVIS (Student Exchange Visitor Information System) fee of $200.

Each SEVIS fee payment must be accompanied by a completed Form I-901, which is available on the SEVIS fee payment web site. The fee payment must be associated with a Form I-901 so that the payment can be linked to a specific nonimmigrant record in SEVIS.
Once you have received your I-20, you may access the I-901 form and pay your SEVIS fee on their website.

Enrollment Agreement

Once it has been determined that the information on the I-20 is correct, you will be a eligible to apply for a student visa and your admissions representative will send you the last of your enrollment documents.

Transferring into Expression

If you have applied and been accepted to Expression and are currently enrolled in or recently graduated from another US school, or you are finishing Optional Practical Training you must notify your current school of your desire to attend Expression and request that your current school transfer your SEVIS record to Expression. Your SEVIS transfer to Expression must be completed within 60 days of the program end date on your I-20 Form or within 60 days of the Optional Practical Training end date.

To initiate the transfer you must complete Part A of the Student Transfer Verification form and have you current International Office complete Part B of the Transfer Verification Form.

Once completed return the Transfer Verification Form and the International Student Visa Document Request Form to your Admissions Representative. You will then complete the enrollment process.

Checking in with the Office of the Registrar

All International students are required to check in with the Office of the Registrar before the 1st day of classes. You will not be registered for classes until you check in with the Office of the Registrar. When you meet with the Senior Registrar you should have the following documents with you:
• Your passport
• Your I-20 Form issued by Ex’pression College for Digital Arts
• Your I-94 Form which you received at the Port of Entry
• Any other Visa paperwork

The Registrar will update your SEVIS record to indicate that you have arrived at Ex’pression.

International Student Orientation

All International Students are required to attend Orientation. Your Admissions Representative will give you information on when your scheduled Orientation day is upon acceptance to the school. At orientation you will find out information about the school as well as information about maintaining your status as an F-1 student.

On-Campus Jobs

Students on an F-1 Visa are not allowed to work off campus. Currently on-campus jobs are not available for international students. Please note that International students are not eligible for “federal” work-study positions, as these positions are only open to U.S. citizens/residents who have received a federal work-study financial aid award.

Off-Campus Jobs

Economic Hardship Employment & Employment for International Organizations
Students on an F-1 Visa are not allowed to work off campus without authorization. A student may be authorized for off-campus employment in times of severe economic necessity or if working for an International Organization recognized by the International Organization Immunities Act. However, these kinds of off-campus employment must be recommended by a Designated School Official (DSO)and approved by the USCIS, which will issue an Employment Authorization Document. USCIS approval is only granted in one-year increments. Authorization for employment ends upon the completion date of the program of study.

F-1 Curricular Practical Training. Expression College for Digital Arts does not support F-1 Curricular Practical Training (CPT), as internships and alternate work/study are not a requirement of our programs of study.

Optional Practical Training

Optional Practical Training (OPT) is designed to give F-1 students the ability to engage in hands-on practical work experience which will compliment their academic program. Students are only eligible for OPT for a maximum of 12 months. Please note that if you work off campus without authorization from the USCIS you will have violated your status and will most likely not be eligible for reinstatement.

While Expression College for Digital Arts will help you obtain authorization for OPT we are not responsible for helping you obtain employment.

Forms: 

Student Transfer Verification form
Visa Request form
Optional Practical Training form
 

---

Ex’pression College for Digital Arts Catalog (PDF file)

» Download the 2010 Catalog