International Applicants
Please refer to ‘How to Apply’ for required regular application documents and materials. International Applicants must submit Proof of Finances in addition to all other application requirements.
We highly encourage early application and interview for all international students to allow sufficient time for visa and passport processing.
Proficiency in speaking, reading, and writing English is required. TOEFL/IELTS scores are not required but will be taken into consideration if submitted.
Questions? Please contact Anthony Reimer in International Student Affairs at areimer@neighborhoodplayhouse.org and Paula Gregorio at pgregorio@neighborhoodplayhouse.org.
Proof of Finances:
International Applicants (applicants who are not US Citizens, Green Card holders, or Permanent Residents) MUST provide documentation of sufficient funds available to cover tuition and living expenses (calculated at $2,000 USD per month) while attending The Playhouse as it is illegal to work in the USA while on an F-1 Student Visa. The US Department of Homeland Security requires the school to verify prospective applicants/students have sufficient funds prior to acceptance and enrollment. The Proof of Finances requirement can be fulfilled by submitting official bank letter(s) or statement(s) verifying funds equal to or in excess of the required amount. All bank information submitted for verification must be in English, reflecting the monies available in US Dollars. If your bank does not supply statements/letters in English and/or US dollars, then you or your guarantor may submit the official bank letter(s)/statement(s) along with an official English translation attached. All translations must be notarized. If the financial statement is in a name other than your own, the person whose name appears on the account must submit a letter of financial support and submit their bank account statements/letters with your application.
F-1 Student Visas:
International students must obtain an F-1 Student Visa to enter the United States and attend The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre. If you currently hold a valid F-1 Student Visa and I-20 SEVIS Form or any other type of visa you believe to be valid for study in the USA, then please include a photocopy of these documents with your Application.
If accepted, the student will receive necessary documents to begin the F-1 Student Visa application process from The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre after full payment for program tuition and fees has been received and verified by the school’s accounting department. International Students who apply for the F-1 Student Visa are responsible for the postage/mailing cost of the I-20 SEVIS Form to the student (this is separate from the I-901 SEVIS fee).
Again, F-1 Student Visa holders are not permitted to work in the US or any of its territories for the duration of their F-1 Student Visa and/or program of study. Please financially plan accordingly. International applicants should apply 60 to 120 days prior to a program’s start-date, but NO LATER than the specified Application Deadline listed for all Neighborhood Playhouse program offerings above. Application deadlines are set so that accepted students have sufficient time to complete the F-1 Student Visa process. The I-20 SEVIS Form needed for the US Embassy/US Consulate F-1 Student Visa application appointment is NOT issued until the applicant is formally accepted to The Neighborhood Playhouse School of the Theatre and the payment of their tuition and fees has been received by our bank account and verified by our accounting department.
Evaluation of International Credentials:
Academic records and official transcripts from foreign schools must be submitted with an English translation and evaluation to demonstrate the equivalency of a U.S. high school diploma. Below are a few approved agencies you may request the documents from or you can visit https://www.naces.org/members for additional approved agencies. Students have the option to request the translated and evaluated documents be directly sent to the school.
SpanTran: Neighborhood Playhouse on SpanTran
Phone Number: (646) 475-2570
Email: status@spantran.com
Education Credential Evaluators, Inc.: www.ece.org
Phone Number: 414-289-3400