International Applicants (DAOM)

International applicants applying for an F-1 student visa through Five Branches University, follow the same application process as new students, but are required to submit additional documents:

1. A photocopy of the first page of your passport. If you have dependents, please include a photocopy of the first page of each dependent’s passport.

    

2. Transcript evaluation Transcripts from prior undergraduate or TCM education completed in another country must be reviewed by a credential evaluation agency that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. Transcripts need to be evaluated on a course-by-course basis and include the total number of earned credits and cumulative GPA.  The evaluation should be sent directly to Five Branches University by the evaluating agency. We recommend World Educational Services (WES), www.wes.org

    

3. Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and International English Language Testing System (IELTS)  If you are an international applicant and have completed at least a two-year (60-semester credit or 90 quarter credit) baccalaureate-level education from an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education, or from an equivalent English language institution in another country, the TOEFL or IELTS tests are not required.Otherwise, if you are an international applicant, whose native language is not English, you are required to complete the TOEFL internet-based test (iBT) or the IELTS exam.The minimum scores to achieve on these tests are as follows:

   ASSESSMENT TOOL			ACCEPTABLE SCORE
   Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-Based Test (TOEFL® iBT)			Total: 61
   International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Academic Format			Overall band: 6
   Duolingo English Test			90
   China Standard of English Language (CSE)			CSE 6
   Cambridge First Certificate in English (FCE)			C
   Cambridge English Advanced (CAE)			C
   Common European Framework Reference (CEFR)			B2
   Occupational English Test (OET)			250, C
   Pearson Test of English (PTE), Academic			Overall: 45

   If you do not meet the minimum English language proficiency requirements prior to enrollment, you may be conditionally admitted with the understanding that you will study English and complete the TOEFL or IELTS tests within the following timeframes:

   DTCM/MTCM Program:	Prior to entering clinical internship
   DAc/MAc Program:	Prior to entering clinical internship
   DAOM Program:	120 days after enrollment

   
   When taking the TOEFL, please enter the appropriate Five Branches University assigned code on the Score Report Request Form:

   Santa Cruz campus code: 4459
   San Jose campus code: 5881
   

4. Financial Statement A Financial Statement, certified by a financial institution, verifying the availability of at least $35,000 in U.S. dollars. This amount should cover your education and living expenses for one academic year. If you need the university to issue an I-20 for your dependents, you will need to calculate an additional $5,000 for each dependent. In addition, you may want to consider having additional funds for off-campus months and miscellaneous expenses. We recommend having approximately $7,000 for this purpose. The total funds indicated on the financial statement must equal the total estimated expenses.
   
   If your tuition or living expenses are going to be partially or fully paid by a sponsor, the Financial Statement must be signed by your sponsor, stating they assume financial responsibility for the designated amount. In addition, each sponsor must include a bank statement or letter from the financial institution where the account is held, showing U.S. dollars (or currency equivalence) totaling or exceeding the amount needed. The sponsor’s name on the Financial Statement must be the same name as shown on the official bank statement or letter.
5. Health Insurance International students must provide proof of health insurance coverage prior to student registration. Due to the high costs of medical insurance in the United States it may be advantageous to purchase health insurance coverage in your home country. We recommend you purchase a healthcare policy for yourself and any dependents, with a minimum coverage of 250,000 per incident, and a deductible of no more than $500 per person, per year. Prior to your arrival into the United States, we recommend you obtain medical records for you and your dependents from your primary physician. These should include a medical history describing previous illnesses, surgeries, and records of all immunizations, including those received in childhood. In addition, since dental costs in the U.S. tend to be considerably higher than most other countries, you are advised to have any necessary dental work completed in your home country prior to your arrival.