Bellevue College’s International High School Completion (IHSC) Program caters to academically driven F-1 students aged 16 and 17 who have not yet completed high school. This program enables eligible students to enroll in courses that contribute towards both a high school diploma and a transfer associate degree simultaneously. Successful completion of the IHSC program is necessary to obtain both degrees.
Please note: The IHSC program involves regular college classes alongside local students. Applicants should be academically motivated and demonstrate maturity. Some universities may require IHSC students to meet international freshman admission criteria instead of transfer conditions. To prepare accordingly, work closely with Bellevue College advisors and university admission staff.
A student must:
- Be 16 years old or older before the first day of the quarter
- Be on a valid F-1 status to study full-time
- Have successfully completed the U.S. equivalent of 9th grade in the student’s home country or other location. Successful completion of the U.S. equivalent of 10th grade is strongly advised
- Not have already received a high school diploma or equivalent in your home country or in the US
Apply through our International Student Portal by our listed Dates and Deadlines. If you are a new applicant, please see the bottom of the International Student Portal page and click new user. Make sure to save the email and password you use.
- An online international student application form, including the signature document.
- A non-refundable $50 application fee paid online.
- A copy of the passport photo page, including expiration date.
- A bank statement dated no earlier than 6 months before application, with a minimum balance of $28,762 USD. Please see our breakdown of Tuition, Fees & Living Expenses.
- Students with sponsors must complete the Financial Responsibility Form.
- Transcripts from the current and/or previous schools translated to English: A transcript shows classes taken and grades received issued by the school
- Valid proof of English language proficiency is required for the IHSC students seeking direct admission to the college-level. ** The IHSC student without proof of English language proficiency may start from the Intensive (ESL) program.**
- High school transcript including the 9th grade professionally translated into English.
- Completed and signed the Limited Power-of-Attorney (POA) and Attorney-in-Fact (AIF) forms.
- Click “Submit Application” at the top of the application page. This is the last step and must be completed for us to review your application.
Acceptance packets can be sent via email at no cost or mailed to an international address for the cost of shipping. Students must cover the express mail fee through eShipGlobal and upload the air bill with a full mailing address to their online application within the International Student Portal.
Students must submit all general requirements and will be required to submit additional documents if they are underage (16 and 17):
- All students must be at least 16 years old before the first day of their classes.
- Completed and signed the Limited Power-of-Attorney for Healthcare Purpose and Attorney-in-Fact forms.
Students must submit all general requirements and will be required to submit additional documents including a copy of each F-2 dependent’s passport photo page, including expiration date and adding an additional $5,000 USD per dependent to the bank statement.
Important Notes:
After acceptance, all IHSC students must send their official transcripts to IE. The transcripts must include 9th grade and be professionally translated into English. A sealed copy must be express mailed to IE.
- Official transcript must be in a sealed envelope of the issuance school.
- Transcripts issued in English by the issuance school are acceptable. Transcripts issued in the students’ native language by the issuance school must be translated by a certified translator.
- IE recommends that students request two (2) sets of transcripts from their school. The first set (unofficial) is for translation and uploading to the online application, and the second set (official) is to be sent to IE via express mail.
Student must meet one of the following:
- 95 with a Production Score of 75 or higher
- Incoming college-level students will receive automatic placement into either English 93 or English 101. Students must still enroll in their placement level class.
- More information about Duolingo English Test
- Overall score of 6.0 with all sub-scores 5.5 or higher
- More information about Academic IELTS
- 61 (iBT) or 500 (PBT)
- More information about TOEFL
- A grade of “A-” in Integrated Skills 5 and “B-” in all other courses taken that quarter
- More information about the BC’s Intensive English program – Level Description
With a grade of “C-“
A valid placement result from another college into the equivalent of BC’s English 101
- Successful completion of Advanced (C1) level at Kaplan.
- Successful completion of Level 6 at California Language Academy.
- Successful completion of Advanced (C1-1) level at EF International Language Schools, Inc.
- A “C” or higher in English
- More information about Cambridge IGCSE Subjects
- More information about Cambridge O-Level Subjects
- 3 (places into English 101 at BC(*))
- (*) Official exam result issued by the testing company is required for the placement into English 101.
- More information about AP English Language or Literature/Composition
- If SAT or ACT taken within the last five years or PSAT taken within the last two years
- SAT or PSAT Reading/Writing score of 480 or higher
- ACT Composite score of 22 or higher
- 3 (places into English 101 at BC(*))
- (*) Official exam result issued by the testing company is required for the placement into English 101.
- More information about Smarter Balanced ELA
- 4 (places into English 101 at BC(*))
- (*) Official exam result issued by the testing company is required for the placement into English 101.
- More information about the IB International Baccalaureate
Successful completion of the advance 5 with a passing grade (a verification letter from the school official is required) (reviewed on a case-by-case basis)
Two years of regular English courses (non-ESL) in a U.S. high school or international school with a cumulative 3.0 GPA or higher (reviewed on a case-by-case basis)
If your citizenship is from one of the countries listed below, please submit your passport to the “English Proficiency” section of the application in addition to the passport section.
1. Anguilla, 2. Antigua and Barbuda, 3. Australia, 4. Bahamas, 5. Barbados, 6. Belize, 7. Bermuda, 8. Botswana, 9. British Virgin Islands,10. Cameroon, 11. Canada (except Quebec), 12. Cayman Islands, 13. Dominica, 14. England, 15. Fiji, 16. The Gambia, 17. Ghana, 18. Gibraltar, 19. Grenada, 20. Guyana, 21. Ireland, Northern, 22. Ireland, Republic of, 23. Jamaica, 24. Kenya, 25. Lesotho, 26. Liberia, 27. Malawi, 28. Malta, 29. Mauritius, 30. Montserrat, 31. Namibia, 32. New Zealand, 33. Nigeria, 34. Papua New Guinea, 35. Scotland, 36. Seychelles, 37. Sierra Leone, 38. Singapore, 39. Solomon Islands, 40. South Africa, 41. St. Kitts and Nevis, 42. St. Lucia, 43. St. Vincent and the Grenadines, 44. Swaziland, 45. Tanzania, 46. Tonga, 47. Trinidad and Tobago, 48. Turks and Caicos Islands, 49. Uganda, 50. United Kingdom, 51. Vanuatu, 52. Wales, 53. Zambia, 54. Zimbabwe
Last Updated October 4, 2024