International Admissions Overview  

Important Message

Fall 2023 online course restriction update from U.S. Immigration:

On May 11, 2023, the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) terminated its Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) guidance to coincide with the end of the COVID-19 National Emergency and Public Health Emergency. Beginning Fall 2023, all Active F-1 international students must be enrolled in at least nine (9) fully in-person or in-person/partially online courses (hybrid) as part of their 12-unit minimum, full-time course load in order to enter and stay in the U.S. This is the same rule that was in effect prior to March 2020, when guidance changed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Please visit our FAQ page for more information.

Thank you for your interest in applying to Diablo Valley College as an international student. Below you will find an overview of the admissions process and requirements.

Please contact one of DVC’s official representatives in your home country/region for any questions about DVC and applying as an international student.

Admission Information 

Important Application Dates:

Fall 2023
Applications Available: January 1, 2023
Application Deadline: Students Currently Outside the US July 1, 2023
Application Deadline: Students Currently Inside the US (Transfers) August 5, 2023
Orientation: August 10, 2023
Classes begin: August 21, 2023

Spring 2024
Applications Available: March 1, 2023
Application Deadline: Students Currently Outside the US December 1, 2023
Application Deadline: Students Current Inside the US (Transfers) January 10, 2024
Orientation: January 17, 2024
Classes Begin: January 22, 2024

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How to Apply

Prospective DVC F-1 international Student

Thank you for your interest in Diablo Valley College. If you would like to watch an overview of the application process presented by our ISO staff, please view the recording of our Admissions Q&A presentation. 

Applying to Diablo Valley College as an international student application is a three-step process:

  1. Create a CCCApply account and complete the DVC International Student Application: Application 

    Creating a CCCApply account and completing the Diablo Valley College international student application will take about 30 minutes. After you create and account, you will be automatically directed to complete the DVC International Student Application. Please use these directions to guide: Step by Step Guide.  

  2. Pay the $50 application fee. 

    After you complete the online application, you will receive a Welcome Email with your InSite username and password within 24 to 48 hours. Your InSite credentials are needed to login to your InSite account to pay your application fee.  After receiving your InSite username and password, please login to your Insite account here then click the PAYMENT tile on your InSite homepage. Your application will not be processed until the application fee is paid. Please click here for application fee instructions. 

  3. Email the following required documents to intlapp@dvc.edu
    1. All students
      1. A copy of your passport
      2. Proof of English proficiency
      3. Financial support documents: Bank statement showing at least:$28,454
        1. Bank statements must include the following:
          1. Date
          2. Account balance
          3. English translation
          4. Account holder name (name of financial sponsor)
          5. Name and physical address of bank
          6. Liquid assets
          7. Note: If you are a scholarship recipient- Please also submit a signed copy of your scholarship letter on official letterhead from your scholarship provider that includes your name and the total amount of scholarships funds you have been awarded.
      4. Financial sponsor form
      5. OPTIONAL: Student Consent and Release form

    2. Students under 18
      1. All documents in "All students" above
      2. Proof of high school graduation
      3. Minor Consent form
      4. High School Graduation Documentation

    3. Transfer students
      1. All documents in "All students" above
      2. Copy of I-20: I-20 must read “continued attendance.” Please Note: DVC does not accept terminated I-20s. If your I-20 has been terminated, please email iso@dvc.edu to discuss your options.
      3. F1 student visa
      4. Copy of most recent I-94
      5. Transfer form

    4. Students with agents
      1. All documents in "All students" above
      2. Agent Form

    5. Change of immigration status applicants
      1. All documents in "All students" above
      2. Copy of I-94
      3. Copy of DS-2019 if applicable
      4. Please Note: You will be asked to meet an International Student Advisor prior to your admission to DVC. An appointment will be scheduled for you once your application has been submitted.
    6. Students with dependents (i.e. those planning to come to with children and/or spouses)
      1. All documents in "All students" above
      2. Copy of passport for each dependent
      3. Bank statement must include an additional $5000 per dependent

Concurrent Enrollment Steps for F-1 International Students Studying at Other Colleges

If you would like to take a class at DVC while enrolled as a full-time F-1 international student at another college or university, please complete these steps:

  1. Complete the International OpenCCCApply application for Diablo Valley College. Please note: If you are intending to enroll in a summer course, please email iso@dvc.edu and request a paper application. 

  2. After receiving your InSite credentials, please submit our Concurrent Enrollment form.  You will be required to upload a letter from your current DSO and a copy of your current I-20. The letter must include your full name, current school name, SEVIS ID number, and signature from your DSO.

  3. Questions related to class registration or other procedures at DVC can be directed to Admissions and Records at admissions@dvc.edu

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English Proficiency Requirements

Students whose first language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency by one of the following for admission to Diablo Valley College.

English Proficiency Tests

Test
Requirement

TOEFL IBT and TOEFL at Home Testing
Test of English as a Foreign Language (Internet-based TOEFL and TOEFL at Home Testing)

TOEFL institutional school code for DVC is 4295. Only official scores sent directly from the testing center will be accepted.

61

TOEFL Essentials

6.5

IELTS Academic
International English Language Testing System

5.5
Minimum band scores of 4.5

CAE
Cambridge English: Advanced

160

iTEP Academic
International Test of English Proficiency

3.5

PTE Academic
Pearson Test of English Academic

45

GTEC CBT
Global Test of English Communication

1100

Eiken

2A

TOEFL iTP
Institutional TOEFL

Only for non-degree seeking students from partner universities or for the DVC Academic Bridge Program

500

Duolingo

Please request your Duolingo scores be emailed to DVC so test scores can be verified.

Minimum score 95

*Only results within the past two years are accepted
**Scanned copies of official score reports are accepted; Online results verification (TOEFL, IELTS, CAE)

Partner Intensive English Programs

Conditional letters of admission will be issued for applicants in the following programs:

ELS Language Centers

Completion of Level 109 (EAP)

Kaplan International

University Placement Service

Kaplan Higher Intermediate 

UC Davis Continuing and Professional Education-International

Destination Davis Pathway Program

Completion of UC Davis’s highest level of Community College Pathway Track with a 3.0 GPA or better

International Education Center @ Orange Coast College (IEC@OCC)

Completion of Advanced B

Secondary (High School) Academic Records

1. Study for a minimum of two (2) years at a U.S. high school with grades of C or better in academic English (not ESL)

2.Final IGCSE or O level results with a grade of C or higher in one of the following: English Language, English – First Language, English as a Second Language.

3. Graduation from a high school outside the U.S. where English is the primary language of instruction. Provide a letter from a school official on institution letterhead stating that English is the medium of instruction.

4. Completed all years of upper secondary school in Sweden or Denmark with an English proficiency level of English 6 (Sweden) or English B (Denmark).

Post-Secondary (College/University) Academic Records

Transcripts from U.S. institutions showing one (1) academic year of college level English with grades of C or better.

Fees

Academic Year Fees:

The estimated costs for the 2023-2024 academic year at DVC are as follows:

$ 9,840 Tuition and fees based on 12 units/semester
(estimate based on 24 units ($410/unit), for the academic year)
$ 10,800 Food and housing (based on home stay)
$ 1,854 Books and other educational expenses
$ 1,238 Transportation
$ 3,030 Miscellaneous and Personal
$ 1691.04 Mandatory medical insurance ($704.60 Fall 2023, $986.44 Spring/Summer 2024)
$28,454 Total estimated cost for academic year

Tuition is subject to change. The bank statement must show total cost for academic year amount or more. Actual costs of attendance will vary by student based on total amount of units enrolled each semester. 

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Health insurance

All F-1 international students are required to be enrolled in DVC’s health insurance policy. The mandatory health insurance fee is included in your registration costs, and it is due within the first 15 days after classes begin each semester. The insurance coverage begins August 10 for the fall semester and January 3 for the spring semester. Continuing students who pay on time for the insurance will have continuous coverage for the duration of your I-20 program of study. More information about the health insurance policy and fees can be found here. No other insurance may be used to waive this requirement.

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 Transcripts

To be admitted, students must have graduated from high school (or have attained a high school graduation equivalency) or be at least 18 years of age by the beginning of the entering semester. Official transcripts from high school are required from applicants who do not reach 18 years of age at the beginning of the term. Submission of high school and college transcript is highly recommended for all students for possible academic requirement completion.

Foreign transfer credit may be applied toward the 60-­unit requirement for the DVC associate degree only after an evaluation by an approved credential evaluation service (for a list see: http://www.naces. org). Students are advised to meet with a counselor and obtain guidelines from DVC admissions and records before requesting such an evaluation. Evaluations must include a course-­by-­course report with semester unit equivalencies, distinguishing between upper- and lower-division coursework and including letter grades. Students who wish foreign coursework to be used to meet specific course requirements for prerequisites, DVC majors, general education, or certificate requirements must provide detailed course descriptions. Foreign coursework cannot be used to certify California State University General Education (CSU GE) or IGETC requirements, except for the IGETC Language Other Than English requirement. Transfer of credit policy varies from institution to institution. Students who intend to transfer are advised to review the policy of the receiving institution

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 High school graduation requirement

Diablo Valley College does not offer a high school completion program. California State law clarifies that a student must be 18 years of age or a high school graduate by the time their first semester begins.

Applicants who pass a U.S. equivalent GED meet the high school graduation equivalency requirement for international student admission to Diablo Valley College.

The minimum age to attend DVC as an international student is 16. However, a 16 year old must be considered a high school graduate.

O Levels and IGCSE

Students who wish to enter DVC by completing the Cambridge O Levels or the IGCSE must be in an O Level or IGCSE curriculum. 

The IGCSE and O Level qualifications described below meet both the high school graduation equivalency and English language proficiency requirements for international student admission to Diablo Valley College.

Applicants must submit final IGCSE or O Level results showing five subjects passed with grades of C or higher. One of the subjects must be English – First Language, English as a Second Language or English Language. Scanned copies of the final IGCSE and O Level results are accepted. DVC will admit students based on preliminary results for students who take IGCSE (however, final results must be submitted once completed). 

Diablo Valley College will not admit O Level exams as independent or private candidates. 

Chinese High School Graduation 

Students who are applying from a high school in China who will not be 18 years of age when their first semester begins must complete the 12 year of high school study.

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 Transferring to DVC

If you are an international student with F1 status attending another school, college or university who wishes to transfer to DVC:

  1. You must submit a DVC international student application with all required documents before the deadline.
  2. We will let you know by e-mail the status of your application. You will later receive the transfer acceptance information and instructions by e-mail . 
  3. You must follow the transfer out procedures at your current school in order for them to transfer your SEVIS record to DVC. Once we receive your SEVIS record we will be able to issue DVC I-20. 

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 Housing

The DVC International Students Office (ISO) will also assist students in finding appropriate accommodations on a non-guaranteed basis. These accommodations include apartments and rooms for rent. However the student is required to make their own connections and financial arrangements for the non-guaranteed housing possibilities.

The college does not have dormitory facilities. Guaranteed homestays are available for a fee. Please visit Diablo Valley Homestay for detailed information on the guaranteed housing option.

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Orientation and F1 check-in session

Upon acceptance the student will be provided information for beginning studies. It is very important that we have the student’s correct and personal email address in file at all times.

Students will receive a link to the Online International Orientation which will give them information on how to complete the Student Educational Plan or SEP. Completing the online orientation and the Student Education Plan will result in the student getting an earlier class registration/enrollment date. The Online International Orientation will also show students how to register and enroll for classes.

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 Notification of acceptance

Acceptance e-mails will be sent on a rolling basis as complete applications are received and processed.  The e-mail will include information on when the I-20 form will be completed and delivery options.

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