International Enrollment

The Cleveland Institute of Music welcomes students from many countries. Today, nearly 30% of students enrolled at CIM are from outside the United States. Admission requirements are the same for all applicants, regardless of citizenship; however, immigration regulations, different educational backgrounds, and financial considerations result in additional procedures for international applicants.

CIM's International Student Advisor, Ms. Kristen Zalar, offers many resources to support international students and enrich their educational experience. Please do not hesitate to contact Ms. Zalar with your questions or concerns.

TOEFL Timeline

Applicants for whom English is a second language are required to submit test results on the TOEFL examination (Test of English as a Foreign Language). CIM requires these test results before scheduling an audition; therefore, it is MOST important to plan a detailed TOEFL study timeline and to schedule test dates by working BACKWARD from CIM's application deadlines (December 1 for fall admission or October 1 for spring admission).

Students need to factor into their timelines the following:

1. the time they must wait for an available test date
2. the time they must wait before receiving their scores
3. the additional time needed for re-testing in the event they do not meet minimum score requirements.

Obtaining satisfactory TOEFL results is a reward for careful planning. Plan now!

TOEFL Requirement

No audition can be scheduled until CIM receives an official TOEFL result that meets the following minimum standard:

• Bachelor of Music - 61 (iBT)
• Master of Music - 61 (iBT)
• Doctor of Musical Arts - 90 (iBT)
• The minimum TOEFL requirement for non-degree programs (Artist Certificate, Artist Diploma, and Professional Studies) - 51 (iBT)

No applicant can be admitted until CIM receives an official TOEFL result that meets the following minimum standard:

• Bachelor of Music - 79 (iBT)
• Master of Music - 79 (iBT)
• Doctor of Musical Arts - 100 (iBT)
• The minimum TOEFL requirement for non-degree programs (Artist Certificate, Artist Diploma, and Professional Studies) - 61 (iBT)

The CIM school code for the TOEFL is 1124. When registering for the test or when ordering a score report, no departmental code is necessary. Call TOEFL at (609) 771-7100 to order a score report.

Visa

During the application process, the CIM Admission Office emails audition date confirmations to all overseas international applicants planning live auditions in Cleveland; once an audition date is confirmed, a copy of this email may be used to obtain a B-2 visa for entry into the United States. A U.S. Consular Post may, in some cases, additionally require a "letter of invitation" from CIM for the visa interview. The applicant should then request the invitation letter from the CIM Admission Office at admission@cim.edu.

International Applicant Resources

Please click on the following link for comprehensive application and audition instructions.

   Application & Audition Instructions

Further Resources

For more information, international students are encouraged to visit these sites:

• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS)
  
  
• U.S. Embassies Abroad
  
  
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)