Maine College of Art & Design welcomes applications from international students. In addition to the application process and future communications related to enrollment, below are additional steps required to successfully join us as an international student.
Pay close attention to the following sections. Any delays from filing errors may impact your ability to join our program on time.
Due to the time involved in fulfilling legal requirements, we strongly advise international applicants to complete their applications by the Full Tuition Scholarship Deadline. If offered admission, we also advise you to enroll well ahead of the decision due date.
Please note that all dates are in MM/DD/YYYY format, and all currency listed on our documents and website are in US dollars.
Application
In addition to application materials, international applicants will also need to have their transcripts evaluated, as well as submit a demonstration of English Proficiency.
Evaluated Transcripts
Applicants who attended postsecondary institutions outside of the United States are required to have their transcript(s) evaluated by a member of the National Association of Credit Evaluation Services, such as World Education Services.
All documents must be in English and converted into a 4.0 GPA scale, therefore official evaluations are required.
Demonstration of English Proficiency
If your primary language is not English, you will be required to demonstrate proficiency in written and spoken English. The following are acceptable forms of documentation and their minimum test scores, if applicable:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
Written TOEFL Test: 550
Internet TOEFL Test: 79 - Pearson PTE Test: 53
- International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 6.5
- Duolingo English Test: 100
- Graduation from a US high school with at least two (2) years of high school English, not in conjunction with English as a Second Language (ESL), and documentation of a B average or higher.
- Completion of two (2) consecutive semesters of English Composition taken at a regionally accredited US college while carrying a full-time course load and not in conjunction with ESL. A minimum grade of B is required in each semester.
- Completion of the equivalent of two (2) years at an English speaking higher education institution and a minimum 3.0 GPA. A school official should provide a written statement that English is their primary language of instruction as documentation.
Evaluated transcripts, demonstration of English Proficiency, and other documents can be delivered electronically to graduateadmissions@meca.edu, or by mail to the following address:
Maine College of Art
Attn: MFA Admissions
522 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04101
United States
Enrollment
In addition to paying the enrollment fee, accepted international students must also submit a completed Declaration of Finances form, a Verification of Finances document and a scanned copy of the passport you intend to obtain your Student Visa with. These documents are required in order for us to issue your I-20 form. Once you have your I-20 form, you can then apply for a Student Visa (F-1) at your local US consulate or embassy.
Declaration of Finances (DOF)
The United States Citizen and Immigration Service requires that international applicants submit a DOF indicating that the applicant has financial resources adequate to provide for their expenses without resorting to unauthorized employment.
The amount declared in your DOF must be enough to cover the total sum of tuition, fees and living expenses for one academic year of study. The completed DOF must be dated within a year of initial enrollment.
To complete your DOF requirements, please contact International Student Counselor Emily Brighi at ebrighi@meca.edu.
Verification of Finances (VOF)
For your DOF to be processed, all funds declared on the DOF must be supported by a VOF. This can be a bank statement either from your own bank, or your sponsor's bank (e.g. your parents or your partner). All documents must be in English, and the funds declared should be in US dollars or the equivalent under current exchange rates supplied by the bank. The VOF must be dated within a year of initial enrollment.
Scanned Copy of Passport
For your DOF to be processed, we will need a scanned copy of your passport in color. Make sure the entire page is legible and the information matches what you provided in your DOF.
Note: if your mailing address is different from the address provided in the DOF, please let us know so we can properly mail your I-20 form.
To ensure prompt processing, please submit your DOF, VOF and scanned copy of passport to GraduateAdmissions@meca.edu.
Questions
If you have any questions about the application and enrollment process as an international student, you can contact our Associate Director of Admissions and International Student Counselor Emily Brighi at ebrighi@meca.edu.