International Student Admissions
Columbia Independent School encourages all international students (students requiring an I-20 to study in the U.S.) entering grades 6 - 12 who meet the following requirements to apply to CIS:
- The student must be fluent in English. As a college-preparatory school, our curriculum is rigorous and requires students to be strong readers, writers, and speakers of English regardless of the subject area. CIS does not offer English as a Second Language (ESL) classes and cannot support the needs of ESL students.
- CIS does not provide housing for students, nor does CIS provide transportation to and from school. The student must live with immediate or extended family members, or be participating in a school-approved program that arranges for host families, who can provide for the student's transportation needs.
- The student and his/her family must be able to pay for all tuition, books, and required fees.
- The student must provide the school with proof of health insurance while attending school at CIS.
- The student's records must be excellent at his/her current school.
Student meeting the above requirements may proceed through the Admissions Process for International Students.
- Complete the International Student Application and submit the $150.00 application fee.
- Form A - Family Information
- Form B - Parents' / Guardians' Questionnaire
- Form C - Applicant Information
- Form D - School Records Request
- Form E - Current English Teacher Evaluation
- Form E - Current Math Teacher Evaluation
- Official SSAT score (Secondary School Admission Test). The cost for this test is US $180. This score must be sent directly from the testing center to CIS. Information about the SSAT can be found at http://www.ssat.org or by calling (609) 683-4440. CIS's SSAT school code is 2517.
- Highly recommended for 9-12 grade applicants - Official TOEFL iBT score (Test of English as a Foreign Language, internet-based test). The cost for this test is US $170. This score must be sent directly from ETS to CIS. Information about the TOEFL iBT can be found at http://www.toefl.org. CIS's TOEFL iBT school code is 1639.
- School transcripts. The student must provide CIS with official school transcripts for the past three school years, as well as English translations of the transcripts. The transcripts should state the courses the student has taken, the school's grading scale, the grades the student earned, and any disciplinary action taken against the student.
- A Statement of Financial Support (Form G) and a copy of your parent's and/or your sponsor's bank statement must be submitted in order for CIS to consider you for admission and begin processing your I-20 upon admittance. CIS cannot begin the I-20 process without this information.
Send the above items to:
Director of Admissions
Columbia Independent School
1200 E. Broadway
Columbia, MO 65215 USA
Once we have received the student's application and additional scores/forms, the Director of Admissions will contact the student to schedule a phone interview with the Director of the Upper School. Then the Admissions Committee will review the student's complete file. CIS will notify the student and his/her family of the committee's decision as soon as possible.
If the student is admitted to CIS, and his/her parents/guardians notify CIS of acceptance of admission, the Director of Admissions will send you an official acceptance letter and the international student information packet. The student and his/her family will then be responsible for paying the SEVIS (the Student & Exchange Visitor Information System) fee of $100, obtaining a passport, interviewing and applying for the student's visa at the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate, arranging transportation to the U.S. and the city of Columbia, securing health insurance for the student while studying at CIS, and any other related needs.
