Summer@Brown: Information for International Students

Welcome to Brown!

Each year, Summer@Brown welcomes students from around the world who seek a university experience in the United States.  Our students experience college life, new friends, and challenge themselves with academics and new ways of living and learning.

Once you choose a program to attend, the information below will help you complete the necessary application materials and provide information about visa requirements for study in the U.S.

Language Proficiency

While language proficiency exams are not required for admissions, we strongly recommend a TOEFL score above 100 for Summer Session Credit Courses and above 80 for non credit Pre-College Courses. 

When choosing a course or program, please consider your level of English proficiency and familiarity with the subject matter. Some courses require substantially more reading and writing than others.

The Intensive English Language Program (IEP) is designed specifically for non-native speakers of English who desire to improve their skills.

Important: Visa and 1-20 Guidelines

Brown considers each of its Pre-College and Summer Session programs to be full-time as such all non-immigrant students are required to obtain the appropriate lawful immigration status prior to enrolling in a full-time program. The B1/B2 visa or visa waiver program is not suitable for full-time study in the U.S.

Application Instructions for International Students

1. Complete your application
   A complete application includes:
   • A completed online application
   • A transcript from your current school
   • The application fee, payable online
   PLEASE NOTE: We cannot accept international checks for application fee payments. For specific application requirements, visit the "How to Apply" page for the program you choose. Also, the name on your application materials must match the name on your passport.
2. Await an admissions decision
   We make every effort to inform you via email of your admissions status within 10 business days.
3. Confirm your attendance and choose your courses
   Accepted students must confirm their attendance with a $300 deposit, payable online. We cannot accept international checks for deposit payments. Once this deposit is received and processed (usually 24 hours), students may enroll in courses at connect.brown.edu.
4. Make full payment and return important documents
   After making your course choices, you should make full payment of fees (Fees include: the course(s) selected, room and board, any materials/lab fees, and the health insurance fee), and return the documents below:
   • Student Acceptance Form
   • I-20 Request Form  
   • A copy of the student’s biographical page of their passport
   PLEASE NOTE: You must pay in full before we can process your I-20. The I-20 is required for the visa application process. Delays in payment will result in delays in arranging for a timely F-1 visa interview at a U.S. consulate.
5. Await receipt of your I-20 from Brown
   We will send the I-20 to you via international courier. You should receive your I-20 within 2 weeks following our receipt of full payment and forms listed in step #4 above.
   Students studying in the U.S. with an I-20 and F-1 Visa:
   If you currently have an I-20 from another school in the U.S. and intend to return to that school after the summer, submit copies of your:
   • I-20
   • F-1 Visa
   • I-94 arrival/departure record
   • A letter from your current school confirming your lawful status and eligibility to continue your education there after completion of your summer courses at Brown
6. If outside the U.S., apply for an F-1 Visa
   See below for Visa application instructions.

F-1 Visa Application Instructions

PLEASE NOTE: U.S. CONSULATE VISA PROCESSING AND VISA APPOINTMENT WAIT TIMES CAN BE LENGTHY. PLEASE ALLOW ADEQUATE TIME FOR PROCESSING.

To apply for an F-1 Visa:

1. Complete your summer program application and confirm your attendance (see steps 1-6 above)
   Once we receive your request for the I-20 Certificate of Eligibility form, and the "biographical" page of your passport and full program payment we will issue and send to you an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility.
2. Pay the required SEVIS fee to the U.S. Government, and obtain a receipt
   In order to apply for the F-1 Visa, you will need to provide receipt of payment of a $200 SEVIS fee to the U.S. Embassy or Consulate. For guidance on making the $200 payment, please go to the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) Form I-901 Online Completion website at www.fmjfee.com to pay the required SEVIS fee. For more detailed information go to the SEVP website and review Frequently Asked Questions. This site also contains a link to Form I-901.
3. Complete visa application forms and set up an F-1 visa appointment with a U.S. Embassy or Consulate
   Once you receive your I-20 from Brown University and have paid your SEVIS fee, you will be able to set up an appointment at the U.S. Consulate or Embassy nearest you. Please follow the guidelines of the U.S. Embassy or Consulate for requesting your F-1 Visa. The appropriate visa application fee will be assessed at the time of your appointment.

Remember - At your Visa Appointment, you must present:

• SEVIS Form I-20
• I-901 SEVIS Fee Receipt
• Brown University Admissions Letter
• Official proof of funding or receipt of full payment for program
• Valid Passport

Listing of U.S. consulates: http://usembassy.state.gov/

Information about visa appointment wait times and processing times: http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/wait/wait_4638.html

Please plan ahead as processing times vary at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

If you have general questions about student visas, please consult the U.S. Department of State visa page where you will find links to specific consular locations and other helpful information at http://travel.state.gov.

At http://travel.state.gov/visa/temp/types/types_1268.html you will find a description of the F-1 student visa.

IMPORTANT: Please do not enter the U.S. as a tourist (e.g. visa waiver program or tourist visa) for study at Brown Pre-College Programs. Our programs are designated as full-time and your immigration status must allow you to engage in a full course of study. The B-1/B-2 visa and the visa waiver program do not allow for full-time study. If you have any questions relating to immigration/visa matters, please contact our office.

PLEASE NOTE: F-1 students may not enter the United States earlier than 30 days prior to the program start date. Please make your flight arrangements accordingly.

For Canadian Residents

Although you do not need an F-1 visa to enter the United States in F-1 status, you will need an

I-20, and should follow the instructions above for obtaining that document. You must also pay the SEVIS fee and present your SEVIS receipt and I-20 at the U.S.—Canada land border or at the airport for lawful entry to the U.S. as an F-1 student. Please make sure at the Port of Entry that you receive an I-94 arrival/departure record (small white card) stamped “F-1 D/S” (D/S – Duration of Status).

Deadlines for Documentation – 2012

Arriving at Brown

When you enter the United States, you must present to the Port of Entry Officer:

• SEVIS Form I-20
• I-901 SEVIS Fee Receipt
• Brown University Admissions Letter
• Official proof of funding or receipt of full payment for program
• Valid Passport
• I-94 arrival / departure card (received from the airline during the flight)

Students should plan their travel to Brown based on a Sunday arrival and check-in time between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. Students who arrive after 1 p.m. must check-in at the Office of Residential Life. Students who arrive after 9 p.m. will be housed in a temporary room for Sunday night and will receive their permanent residence hall assignment the next morning at Residential Life.

When you arrive at Brown University, you will need the following to complete your mandatory registration:

• Your Passport
• Your I-94 stamped F-1 D/S – Duration of Status
• Your Original Certificate of Eligibility (I-20) from Brown University

You are required to bring the above items with you to the Orientation session on the Sunday your program begins.

Students who are arriving from distances greater than 350 miles from Brown University may request to arrive early on the Saturday before their program begins. Permission for early arrival must be requested and approved in advance of the program via the online request form. There is a $150 early arrival fee for students arriving on Saturday.

Refund Policy

Please note: If you must withdraw from the program at any point, the application fee and program deposit ($300) will not be refunded. For more information on our refund policy, please see the Policies section of our website.

Additional Questions

Please contact us by phone at (401) 863-7900 Monday through Friday from 8:30am until 5:00pm EST or by email at summer_i20@brown.edu.