International Student and Scholar Services
Â鶹´«Ã½
Kalamazoo MI 49008-5246 USA
(269) 387-5865
Application Information
The Center for English Language and Culture for International Students (CELCIS) is the intensive English language learning program of Â鶹´«Ã½. Established in 1975, CELCIS provides high-quality, English-language instruction for non-native speakers who will use English to study at an American college or in their workplaces.
Studying English at the WMU Center for English Language and Culture for International Students (CELCIS) has many benefits that include:
- Students who complete CELCIS are admitted directly into the Â鶹´«Ã½ and are not required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score for admission.
- The CELCIS curriculum teaches Â鶹´«Ã½s valuable skills such as research, writing and presenting that will help Â鶹´«Ã½s succeed in the university.
- Full-time faculty have master's degrees in ESL, linguistics or a related field.
- Most CELCIS Â鶹´«Ã½s go on to study in WMU undergraduate or graduate programs.
Intensive English Language Programming
CELCIS is an intensive English program that prepares you to use English effectively in your university study or career. You will participate in activities that simulate future academic and professional environments. Instruction is provided in-person for all proficiency levels. CELCIS helps you meet WMU's English proficiency requirements.
Pathway Program
The Pathway Program is designed for Â鶹´«Ã½s who have completed an English language proficiency test but did not meet the required scores for admission to Â鶹´«Ã½, whether for undergraduate or graduate studies. The included CELCIS support seminar provides you with assistance in cultural adjustment, an extended orientation to the university and general academic support. The program includes Pathway I and Pathway II portions. Students enter at a level consistent with their proficiency. Upon completion of Pathway II, you will be eligible for unrestricted admission to most undergraduate academic programs.
Estimated Costs for 2024-2025
CELCIS Â鶹´«Ã½s must provide proof of financial resources—a minimum of $14,105 USD per semester (four months).
Tuition and fees depend on the ESL structure that Â鶹´«Ã½s will pursue.
Additional Financial Considerations
- Inflation: Be prepared for potential cost increases due to inflation and other academic factors.
- Tuition discounts may be available for spouses/dependents of full-time Â鶹´«Ã½s at Â鶹´«Ã½, Â鶹´«Ã½s studying online, domestic Â鶹´«Ã½s and Â鶹´«Ã½s coming from one of WMU's partner universities. Discounts are subject to change in future semesters. Contact CELCIS to find out if you are eligible.
For full admission to the University and for immigration purposes, international Â鶹´«Ã½s must provide proof of sufficient funds for the first academic year of study at WMU.
To demonstrate sufficient funds, Â鶹´«Ã½s may submit:
- A bank statement in the Â鶹´«Ã½'s name showing adequate funds.
- If the bank statement is not in the Â鶹´«Ã½'s name:
- A letter signed by the financial sponsor indicating their relationship to the Â鶹´«Ã½ and their commitment to cover the cost of attendance.
- Financial statements in parents' names are acceptable without a sponsorship letter if their names are shown in the Â鶹´«Ã½'s passport or government-issued ID.
Important Notes
- All documents must be in English.
- If original documents are not in English, certified English translations must be submitted.
- Proof of sufficient funds must be presented during the visa interview at the United States Consulate.
Application deadlines vary by semester.
Semester | Deadlines | Term Begins |
Spring | Nov. 15 | Early January |
Summer | March 15 | Early May |
Summer II only | May 15 | Early July |
Fall | July 15 | Late August |
For Â鶹´«Ã½s needing visas, it is recommended to apply 180 days in advance of desired semester start date to allow additional time for application/consular processing as some consulates have long wait times.
If your application deadline has passed, you may email @email. We cannot guarantee late-admission to the desired semester but we will do our best to process the application.
CELCIS offers courses 45 weeks of the calendar year in two semesters (Fall, Spring) and two sessions (Summer I, Summer II). In-person instruction is available for all skill areas and proficiency levels.
How To Apply
Step 1 - Complete Online Application
- Create an account on the application portal.
- Complete the online application form.
Step 2 - Upload Your Documents
Upload transcripts/mark-sheets from all secondary and post-secondary schools attended or currently attending, including diplomas, examination results and certificates.*
Please also upload the official grading scales of your transcripts.
Unofficial transcripts and other academic documents are acceptable for admission decision-making. Uploaded documents will show as received only AFTER an admissions counselor has completed the evaluation.
The Office of International Student and Scholar Services (I3S) may accept credential evaluation reports from certain credential evaluation services to make admission decision at Â鶹´«Ã½ for undergraduate and graduate international admissions. Although it is not required, we strongly encourage submission of evaluation reports to expedite application processing and decision-making. Newly admitted and enrolled Â鶹´«Ã½s are required to send your official high school or university transcripts and proof of degree before the beginning of the second semester of your studies. Following are the evaluation agencies that you may use to get your transcripts evaluated:
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*Official Transcripts
Official transcripts can be sent from the issuing institutions to WMU in the following ways:
- Electronic: Transcripts can be emailed directly to @email by the issuing institution.
- Mail: Transcripts can be mailed to Office of International Student and Scholar Services, Â鶹´«Ã½, 1903 W Michigan Ave, Kalamazoo, MI 49008-5246.
- Hand-delivered: Transcripts in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution can be dropped off in the office of International Student and Scholar Services in 3110 Faunce Student Services Building.
*Official Test Scores
- Scores can be sent directly from a testing agency to Â鶹´«Ã½. Â鶹´«Ã½'s code is 1902 for TOEFL and SAT.
- Score reports generated by a testing entity can be mailed, emailed or hand-delivered. Follow the instructions laid out in the transcript section above for more information.
Documents sent by the Â鶹´«Ã½ cannot be accepted as official. If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to us at @email or at (269) 387-5865.
If any document is not issued in English, also provide an official English Translation of each document.
For Â鶹´«Ã½s from certain countries, your educational system may provide exam results rather than traditional transcripts. Please upload these documents along with any official grading scales. Ensure that all documents are in English or include certified translations if they are issued in another language.
Upload proof of sufficient funds. This should be a bank statement covering the full cost of attendance. If the bank statement is not in your name, then additionally provide a letter signed by your financial sponsor indicating their commitment to pay your cost of attendance
Exception: A financial/bank statement is acceptable without a signed sponsorship letter/affidavit of support if it is in the name of either parent as shown on the passport page or other government-issued ID.
If you have received any scholarships, upload the official award letters. These should detail the scholarship amount, duration and any conditions attached.
Upload a clear copy of your passport's identification page. If applicable, also include the passport family information page.
Acceptable forms of documentation include:
- Grade transcripts showing at least one semester of English language study.
- English program certificate.
- Verification of enrollment letter from a school official.
- Official test scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 42 iBT, 437 PBT and above.
- Official test scores from the International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 4.5 and above.
Step 3 - Pay the Application Fee
To complete your application, you must submit a non-refundable application fee of $100. This fee is required for processing your application and securing your place in the admissions queue. Payment can be made online through the application portal using a credit or debit card. Please note that this fee is not refundable, regardless of the outcome of your application. Ensure that you complete this step to avoid any delays in the review of your application.
Additional Information
In the event you experience problems with your application, do not submit a second application. Contact I3S at @email or call (269) 387-5865, between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.
Disability Services for Students at Â鶹´«Ã½ strives to make education accessible and remove barriers to Â鶹´«Ã½ success.
Reasonable academic adjustments and accommodations include but are not limited to:
- Testing accommodations.
- Visual interpreting.
- Textbooks in alternate formats.