Requirements for International Salt Applicants

Maine College of Art & Design welcomes applications from international students. In addition to the Salt application, international students must complete additional steps for both admission and enrollment.

Please review the sections below carefully, as delays or filing errors may affect your ability to begin the program as scheduled.

All dates are in MM/DD/YYYY format, and all currency listed on our documents and website are in US dollars.

What materials are required to apply?

All applicants are required to submit the following materials:

Application
Portfolio
Personal Essay
Résumé or Curriculum Vitae

More information can be found in the How to Apply page.

International applicants are also required to submit:

Evaluated transcripts (translated into English and 4.0 GPA scale)
Demonstration of English Proficiency

Due to the time involved in fulfilling legal requirements, we advise you to complete your application by the Full Tuition Scholarship Deadline.

What materials are required to enroll?

All enrolling students are required to submit the following materials:

Reply to Offer of Admission
Emergency Contact & Housing Form
Proof of Immunization
Student Financial Responsibility Agreement

More information can be found in the Enrollment Checklist page.

International students are also required to submit:

Declaration of Finances
Verification of Finances
Scanned copy of passport

Due to the time involved in fulfilling legal requirements, we advise you to enroll well ahead of the decision due date.

Evaluated transcripts

If you attended college outside of the US, you will need your transcript(s) evaluated by World Education Services or any organization under the National Association of Credit Evaluation 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: Salt Admissions
522 Congress Street
Portland, ME 04101
United States

Declaration of Finances (DOF)

The first step to apply for a Student Visa is submitting your DOF. The United States Citizen and Immigration Services requires you to submit a DOF demonstrating you can financially support yourself during your time in the US.

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 enrollment.

To complete your DOF requirements, please contact Associate Director of Admissions Emily Brighi at ebrighi@meca.edu.

Verification of Finances (VOF)

For your DOF to be processed, all funds declared on the DOF must be also 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 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.