Frequently Asked Questions | Applying and Immigration
Applying to CELOP
1. How do I apply to CELOP?
Applying to CELOP is easy. Complete details are available in the How to Apply section of this website. Remember that a complete application includes not only the application form, but also payment of the $210 US fee/deposit, photocopies of the personal data page(s) of your passport (including name, photograph, and date of birth) and a Financial Declaration from your bank, verifying availability of funds for your studies at Boston University/CELOP.
2. What are the deadlines to apply for CELOP's programs?
While there are no real deadlines, the sooner you send us your application, the sooner we can send you the Form I-20 that you need to apply for your F-1 Student visa. We recommend that you submit your appliction and all supporting materials no later than 4 weeks before the start of your chosen program. If you must apply later than this, we will make every effort to help you obtain your visa in time to attend, but we also recommend that you contact your local US Embassy to find out how long it will take to process your visa, as some locations are experiencing significant delays.
3. What happens when I apply to a CELOP program?
When you submit your application to CELOP, we will review it to make sure that all necessary information and supporting documents have been included. If anything is missing, your application will be placed in "Hold" status and you will be notified of the missing materials.
If your application is complete, within 48 hours, we will accept you into your chosen program and send you a package of acceptance materials, including:
- A letter of admission
- Information about arriving at Boston University, including a schedule of orientation and registration activities
- Information about Boston University dormitories and meal plan options
- A Statement of Charges (your bill) and instructions on how to pay for your program
- The Form I-20 and information about applying for the required F-1 Student Visa
At this point, you should take your I-20 to a US Embassy or Consulate in your country to apply for your F-1 Student Visa. Once you have obtained your Visa, you should begin making your travel plans to get to Boston in time for the start of your program.
4. Can I arrive late to CELOP for my program?
All CELOP programs begin with a 4-day orientation and registration period, during which you will take your placement exam and finalize your concentration and program selections — with the help of a CELOP advisor if necessary. We also conduct a series of social activities and valuable orientation sessions about living in Boston, your visa responsibilities, banking, medical insurance, etc. This period is the time when you will meet your classmates and the CELOP staff and get aclimated to your new life at Boston University. You should make every effort to attend your program from the start date.
5. Is it possible to study for only a portion of a program? (For example, is it possible to study for only four weeks of a 6-week program?)
CELOP's programs are designed for specific periods of time, which means that a 12-week program is intended to last 12 weeks. In order to make significant progress, it is important that you be present and active in class for the entire course. For this reason, you are expected to arrive on time and complete your full program. If you must leave a program early, please be aware that you may not receive your Certificate of Completion if you miss more than 20% of the total program hours. Also, CELOP does not offer special tuition rates for students who wish to do only a portion of the course; all students are expected to pay full tuition.
Visa Questions
6. Is it necessary for me to have an F-1 Student Visa to study at CELOP?
In most cases, yes. If you are entering the United States for the purpose of studying full-time at CELOP, you are required to obtain an F-1 Student Visa. If you are already in the US, and you have some type of visa other than the F-1 (such as an F-2 or J-1 or J-2 visa), you should contact CELOP directly about your individual situation. If you are already in Boston and wish to study at CELOP on a part-time basis only, you are not required to have a certain type of visa.
7. Can I study at CELOP while in the United States with a Tourist (B1 or B2) Visa?
Not in any of our full-time programs. New immigration regulations require anyone studying in a full-time program of study to have an F-1 Student Visa. If you are already in Boston and wish to study at CELOP on a part-time basis only, you are not required to have a certain type of visa.
8. How long does will it take for me to get my F-1 Student Visa?
Within 2-3 days of receiving your complete application (including fee and supporting documents), CELOP will send you an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility. You will use this form to apply for your F-1 Student Visa at a US Embassy or Consulate in your country. In recent months, some CELOP applicants have experienced delays of up to four weeks or more in the processing of their F-1 Student Visas. PLEASE APPLY EARLY.
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