Completing Enrollment: Admitted International Students

After Confirming Enrollment

Create Your Emerson Account

After submitting your enrollment deposit

You’ll receive an email inviting you to sign up for an Emerson account. Please do so as soon as possible.

Watch for updates.Your Emerson Gmail account is the primary way in which Emerson College will communicate with you. We recommend you check it regularly.

I-20 Information

To study in the United States, all international students must receive the Form I-20, issued by Undergraduate Admission, which is also known as a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant, F-1 Student Status. We recommend submitting the documents to receive your Form I-20 as soon as possible, as visa processing can take up to three months.

In order for the Undergraduate Admission Office to issue your Form I-20, you will first need to submit your nonrefundable enrollment deposit of $500 (or $1,000 for the Global BFA in Film Art) by the established deadline. Once received, we require the following documents to be uploaded through your Admission Portal by June 15:

• Official Bank Document, showing a minimum of $80,981 USD in liquid assets for all programs on campus or $70,523 USD in liquid assets for the Global BFA in Film Art. Please ensure that the account type (savings, checking, or certificate of deposit) and exact dollar amount held in the associated account are clearly listed on the statement or letter issued by the financial institution.
  • Review a Sample Bank Statement (downloadable PDF)
• Uploaded Letter of Financial Sponsorship provided from Emerson College in your online admission portal. If you are being sponsored by a company or organization, please ensure that the Financial Guarantee or Sponsorship Letter is written on official company letterhead.
• Online Submission of International Student Contact Form through your admission portal.
• Copy of your passport, showing the biographical/identification page.

If you are currently studying in the U.S. and have a valid I-20, in addition to the above listed items, you will also need to submit:

• A copy of your current F-1 student visa located in your passport. Note: If you hold Canadian citizenship or Bermudian citizenship, please email us at admission [at] emerson.edu (admission[at]emerson[dot]edu) to have this waived. 
• Your most recent Form I-94 arrival/departure record (access online through the Department of Homeland Security).
• A copy of your previous Form I-20 (please include all three pages).
• Check in with your current F-1 school’s P/DSO to ensure that they transfer your current SEVIS record to Emerson College. The SEVIS School Code for Emerson College is BOS214F00128000.
• Completed Transfer In Form (available in your admission portal).
• Any other relevant documents (e.g., documents related to dependents, proof of health insurance, copy of current lease, etc.).

Once we receive all documents and they have been approved, and your current F-1 school has transferred your account in SEVIS (if applicable), you will receive an email to confirm all information in a draft copy of your Form I-20 and once confirmed will receive the official Form I-20 via email.

When you receive your Form I-20, you will then need to apply for your F-1 Visa. Please complete the following steps to apply for an F-1 Visa: 

• Pay the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) I-901 Fee.
• Gather the necessary documents: Form I-20 or DS-2019, SEVIS I-901 Fee receipt, Emerson College Admission Letter, and Proof of Financial Support.
• Apply for a Visa.
• Receive a Visa (Keep the envelope sealed until the student arrives at the U.S. Port of Entry).

Dependents (if applicable) need to apply for F-2 Visas. Undergraduate Admission can assist with this process. Please note that if you are bringing dependents, you will need to show proof of an additional $8,933 USD for a spouse and $4,466.50 USD for each child on your bank document.

If you have any questions regarding I-20 documents or the visa process, please contact a member of the International Undergraduate Admission Team:

Sign Up for Housing

Fall Semester Students

Freshmen will see an option to complete the online Housing Application Form beginning in early May. The submission deadline is early June. Move-in dates are posted in late June and housing assignments are emailed in August.

Spring Semester Students

Freshmen entering in the spring semester will see an option to complete the online Housing Application Form in mid-October. The submission deadline is early November and housing assignments are emailed in early January.

Transfer students do not have a housing requirement; housing can be offered based upon two factors: date of completed non-guaranteed housing application and availability of space on campus.

You must first submit the nonrefundable enrollment deposit, and then you will be able to gain access to the non-guaranteed housing application.

Submitting Documentation

Final Transcript

Fall Semester Deadline: June 5
Spring Semester Deadline: January 3

Make sure to submit a final college transcript so that your credits from your final semester can be evaluated and considered when you register for classes.

Proof of Graduation

Fall Semester Deadline: July 15
Spring Semester Deadline: January 3

All incoming students must provide proof of secondary school graduation before they will be allowed to attend Emerson. Acceptable forms of proof of graduation are outlined on the proof of graduation page.

Please submit official final college transcripts and/or College Board exam scores to Emerson College Undergraduate Admission 120 Bolyston Street, Boston, MA 02116 by the above deadlines.

Health Information

Fall Semester Deadline: July 15
Spring Semester Deadline: January 3

All incoming students are required to log in to the secure Student Health Portal to complete a medical history form, tuberculosis (TB) risk assessment, and submit immunization records. To get started, download the Immunization Verification Form to bring to your health care provider to complete, sign, and date. You will need the form to manually enter the dates of each vaccine or blood test into the Student Health Portal.

Advising & Registration Information

Fall Registration: Beginning Mid-may

First-year registration materials will be made available online to incoming students in mid-May via their Admission Portal. Your course selections need to be submitted as soon as possible. Students will be notified via their Emerson email when their fall semester schedule is available for viewing online at the end of July.

Transferring Credits

First-year students may be awarded transfer credit for college coursework taken prior to enrolling at Emerson or for taking Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams. Exam scores like those from the International Baccalaureate, German Abitur, European Baccalaureate, French Baccalaureate, and Swiss Maturité do not have to be translated or evaluated in order to be considered for transfer credit.

Please submit official final college transcripts and/or College Board exam scores to Emerson College Undergraduate Admission 120 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116 by July 15.

You can submit a transcript for any summer college coursework by August 15. Evaluations are usually completed within a few weeks.

Major Changes

If you are considering a major change prior to May 15, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission at admission [at] emerson.edu (admission[at]emerson[dot]edu). You will hear from an admission counselor within one week as to whether your request can be approved.

If you are considering a major change after May 15, please contact the Academic Advising Center at advising [at] emerson.edu (advising[at]emerson[dot]edu). Academic Advising will consider major change requests according to program space availability.

Please note that incoming students may NOT request to change majors into the Comedic Arts program or the Department of Performing Arts.

Information regarding the major change process and qualifications required for specific programs is available at the Academic Advising Center.

Spring Registration: Beginning Mid-December

First-year registration materials will be made available online to incoming students in mid-December via their Admission Portal. Your course selections need to be submitted as soon as possible. Students will be notified via their Emerson email when their spring semester schedule is available for viewing online at the start of Orientation.

Transferring Credits

First-year students may be awarded transfer credit for college coursework taken prior to enrolling at Emerson or for taking Advanced Placement or International Baccalaureate exams. Exam scores like those from the International Baccalaureate, German Abitur, European Baccalaureate, French Baccalaureate, and Swiss Maturité do not have to be translated or evaluated in order to be considered for transfer credit.

Please submit official final college transcripts and/or College Board score reports to Emerson College Undergraduate Admission 120 Boylston Street, Boston, MA 02116 by January 15. Evaluations are usually completed within a few weeks.

Major Changes

If you are considering a major change after December 15, please contact the Academic Advising Center at advising [at] emerson.edu (advising[at]emerson[dot]edu). Academic Advising will consider major change requests according to program space availability.

Please note that incoming students may NOT request to change majors into the Comedic Arts program or the Department of Performing Arts.

Information regarding the major change process and qualifications required for specific programs is available at the Academic Advising Center.

Pay Tuition Bill

Spring 2024 Semester Deadline: December 15

Tuition bills will be available online by mid-November and are due by December 15.

Fall 2024 Semester Deadline: August 1

Tuition bills will be available online by late June and are due by August 1.

Spring 2025 Semester Deadline: December 15

Tuition bills will be available online by mid-November and are due by December 15.

Orientation & Moving to Boston

Congratulations on your acceptance to Emerson College! We are excited to introduce you to Emerson’s unique community and innovative campus, and the city of Boston. We encourage you to Explore, Engage, and Embrace Emerson.