Prospective Students

Why you should choose Sofia University

Accredited

Sofia University is regionally accredited by WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), the nation’s premier accreditation body for higher education.

Affordable

Many of our programs are the most affordable in the California area, providing you an opportunity to get ahead and graduate with less debt.

Supreme Location

We offer you two influential metropolitan cities to choose from. Our Palo Alto campus is located in the heart of Silicon Valley, home to companies like Google, Facebook, and Apple, and a short drive to San Francisco. Our Costa Mesa campus is located in Orange County, home to fortune 500 and 100 companies, beaches, and a short drive to Los Angeles.

7 – minute drive from Google Headquarters

12 – minute drive from FB Headquarters

15 – minute drive from Apple Headquarters

“

As a computer science student at Sofia University, this has been a very positive educational experience for me and I feel very happy that I am a part of it. The faculty really care about the students and the academics are excellent. This is one of the best schools in the Bay area.

Harish Muuvala Alumnus, MS in Computer Science, Class of 2016

Become a Sofia Student in 4 Simple Steps

Step 1: Submit Your Application

Start your application, and submit the non-refundable fee of $50 USD Application Fee. Submit an official copy of your Official Transcripts or Foreign Transcript Evaluation

 

  • Official Transcripts:
    Please mail your previous sealed official transcripts from all secondary/high schools and/or universities attended to Sofia University. Official e-transcripts can be sent to Registrar@sofia.edu as well. You may send/scan unofficial transcripts while we wait to receive your official U.S. transcripts. You can also send a sealed copy of your transcripts to our office by mail at Sofia University, Registrar Office 1069 East Meadow Cr. Palo Alto, CA, 94303

 

  • Foreign Transcript Evaluation: (*waived with completed bachelor’s degree or master’s degree from the U.S.)

If required, Sofia will convert international GPAs before conduction the application evaluation. Applicants submitting transcripts from outside the United States may submit a document-by-document GPA report equivalent to a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the U.S.A. course-by-course GPA report will be required if you wish to transfer course credits to Sofia University. 

  • Foreign Degree Transcript Evaluation Instructions: 

Official transcripts evaluation report must be done by an approved NACES agency (https://www.naces.org/members) and sent directly to the Office of the Registrar at registrar@sofia.edu or via post to: Sofia University Office of the Registrar 1069 East Meadow Cr. Palo Alto, CA 94303

  • Documentation Required:

The Admissions Counselor will review all the documents provided and send your official Sofia acceptance letter. In addition to that, please submit the following documents for the issuance of your initial Sofia I-20 through the Sofia portal or directly to our admissions team at admissions@sofia.edu

If you’re a TRANSFER student, please also submit the following documents.

 

Foreign Transcript Evaluation Instructions

Sofia University accepts document-by-document GPA reports equivalent to a bachelor’s or master’s degree in the U.S. if your degree is NOT from a U.S. accredited institution. A course-by-course GPA report will be required if you wish to transfer course-credits to Sofia University; this report includes the CGPA and course listing.

Applicants must use a NACES certified evaluation service (https://www.naces.org/members) for evaluation. These evaluation services are not affiliated with Sofia University, and applicants are responsible for any associated processing fees.

Official foreign transcript evaluation reports should be sent DIRECTLY from the evaluation service. Documents sent from students will not be considered during the admissions process.

Instructions

Option 1: Please refer to the NACES website to select an evaluation agency.
Option 2: If you have decided to choose the Foundation for International Services (FIS) as your evaluation service, please refer to the instructions below. NOTE: FIS is not affiliated with Sofia University.

Step 1: Please navigate to the FIS website and select the “Individuals” option.
Step 2:

• Select the Modified Document-by-Document Evaluation option to include the CGPA calculation.
• Select the Course-by-Course evaluation option IF you wish to transfer course-credits.

Step 3: Pick the ideal delivery time based off of the schedule that works best for your needs.
Step 4:

• Please have official evaluation reports emailed to Registrar@sofia.edu (recommended).
• Any sealed evaluation reports can be mailed to: Sofia University, Registrar Office, 1069 East Meadow Cr. Palo Alto, CA, 94303

Step 4: Follow up with the FIS and Sofia’s Registrar Office (registrar@sofia.edu) to ensure that your Foreign Transcript Evaluation Report has been delivered.
Step 5: For more information or inquiries, please email FIS at info@fis-web.com.

Submit Your Statement of Purpose

Requirements vary from program to program, please call our admissions team to further discuss what is needed for your program of interest. *Undergraduate Applicants are not required to complete a statement of purpose.

English Proficiency Exemptions

If your native language is not English but you have been instructed in the English language, you are not necessarily exempt from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the Test of Written English (TWE) and the Oral Proficiency Interview (OPI) requirements.

If you meet at least one of the following requirements, you are exempt from TOEFL/TWE/OPI:

• Your native language is English.
• You have completed all secondary or postsecondary education in the United States, Canada or other another English-speaking country.
• Attended a U.S. educational institution for 1 year or more and earned a degree (not a certificate) with a 3.0 Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) or higher.
• Attended an institution in a country where the native language is English for 1 year or more and earned a degree (not a certificate) with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher.
• Attended an institution for a year or more and earned a degree (not a certificate) with a 3.0 cumulative GPA or higher where the official language of the institution was English for ALL coursework.
• Attended and successfully completed a Sofia approved Intensive English Program in the U.S. (Please contact the Office of Admissions for an approved list of English programs.
• Have taken a different English proficiency exam and achieved an equivalent score that meets Sofia’s requirement. Please send your official valid English score to the Office of Admissions.

*Your English score cannot be older than 2 years at the time that is submitted to Sofia University

The following countries are also exempt from TOEFL/TWE/OPI:
Antigua and Barbuda
Anguilla
Australia
Barbados
Bermuda
Bahamas
Belize
Canada
Cayman Islands
Dominica
Ghana
Great Britain (UK)
Grenada
Greenland
Guyana
Jamaica
Liberia
New Zealand
Saint Lucia
South Africa
St. Kitts Nevis Ang.
Trinidad & Tobago
Virgin Islands (British)
Virgin Islands (US)

English Proficiency Requirements

 Bachelor’s Degree:

Test Minimum score required for full admission How to submit your English score
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet Based Test (IBT) 61 Official English score sent by Test Center; Sofia University School Code:9770
TOEFL Computer Based Test (CBT) 173 Official English score sent by Test Center; Sofia University School Code:9770
TOEFL Paper Based Test (PBT) 500 Official English score sent by Test Center; Sofia University School Code:9770
International English Language Test System (IELTS) 6.0 Official English score sent by Test Center
Person Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) 50 Official English score sent by Test Center
International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP) 3.5 Official English score sent by Test Center
Cambridge English Exams 169 Official English score sent by Test Center
Duolingo English Test 85 Official English score sent by Test Center

 

Masters and Doctoral Degree:

Test Minimum score required for full admission How to submit your English score
Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) Internet Based Test (IBT) 79 Official English score sent by Test Center; Sofia University School Code:9770
TOEFL Computer Based Test (CBT) 212 Official English score sent by Test Center; Sofia University School Code:9770
TOEFL Paper Based Test (PBT) 548 Official English score sent by Test Center; Sofia University School Code:9770
International English Language Test System (IELTS) 6.5 Official English score sent by Test Center
Person Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) 50 Official English score sent by Test Center
International Test of English Proficiency (iTEP) 4.0 Official English score sent by Test Center
Cambridge English Exams 176 Official English score sent by Test Center
Duolingo English Test 90 Official English score sent by Test Center

 

Step 2: Receive an Initial Sofia I-20 Form

The Admissions Counselor will review all the documents provided and send your official Sofia acceptance letter. The admitted student is expected to pay the $200 program acceptance fee as this will automatically confirm your acceptance into your program and allow us to activate your student email account. Initial international students need to pay the $200 program acceptance fee when arriving in the US, transfer international students need to pay the $200 program acceptance fee when we receive the SEVIS record.

 

Step 3: Prepare for Your F-1 Visa Interview

Schedule a mock "Visa Interview" session (optional)

You must present the complete admissions package to the U.S. consulate/embassy in your home country. Before you make an appointment for an interview at the U.S. consular/embassy office near you, be sure to pay your I-901 SEVIS fee and complete DS-160 application.

Also, ensure to bring the following documents with you:

  • Sofia I-20 Form (Do not forget to sign I-20)
  • Passport valid for at least six months
  • Printed receipt of your I-901 SEVIS Fee
  • Documentation that you have paid the Visa Application Fee
  • Confirmation of your visa interview appointment
  • Evidence that you have the amount of funding indicated on your I-20
  • Sofia Program Acceptance Letter
  • English TOEFL Test Scores or Transcripts if needed

Helpful Links:

Step 4: Arrival to the United States

As soon as you receive your F-1 visa, please email us at dso@sofia.edu so that we can prepare for your arrival.

Remember, students on F visas are not permitted to enter the United States earlier than 30 days before the start date of their program stated on their initial I-20 Form.

When you enter the U.S., show the immigration officer:

  • Your Sofia I-20 form
  • Your passport with a valid student visa
  • Sofia Program Acceptance Letter
  • Financial Documents

Transfer Students

International Transfer students are students who have completed university credit at another college or university and intend to complete their new degree at Sofia University. University credits can be transferred from community colleges/universities in the United States. If you have started taking university courses in the United States, you must disclose this to your admissions counselor. The admissions counselor requires that we have your entire academic record before completing your admissions process.

Step 1: Reach your DSO at your current institution

Notify your DSO at your current school that you intend to transfer to Sofia University. The DSO will enter a SEVIS release date into your record. On this date, your SEVIS record will automatically transfer to Sofia University. The release date is usually the last day of enrollment at your current school. Please coordinate accordingly with your DSO and choose an appropriate date to make these changes.

Step 2: SEVIS

Please provide the name, direct phone number, and email address of your International Student Advisor at your current school. Also, please inform the date in which your SEVIS record will be released to Sofia University.
Please remember, Sofia University can only issue an initial I-20 for you once your current school releases your F-1 record to us in SEVIS, and your SEVIS release date has passed.

Step 3: Submit Documents

In order to obtain a new transfer I-20 from Sofia University:
• Copy of passport identification page (passport should be valid for at least six months)
• Copy of current F-1 Visa
• Financial Documents
• Financial affidavit of support (if applicable)
• Completed Initial I-20 request Form
 
Please contact the DSO at Sofia University, should you have any additional questions at 888.820.1484 ext. 10361 or via email at dso@sofia.edu

Have questions? We've got answers!

We understand that enrolling in a university to begin your academic journey is a big step. Our dedicated admissions team is here to guide you through the admissions process and identify the right program for you and your career goals.

If you’re ready to learn more, simply fill out our Request More Information form to the left and we’ll reach out to you. →

+1-888-820-1484
admissions@sofia.edu 

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