International Student Application Procedures

Step 1: To begin the Online Application process, Create an Account. Upon account creation, you will receive an email containing a verification link. Follow the instructions in the email and verify your account.

Step 2: Once your email address has been verified, log in to your account and Create A New Student Application for your child. You will then have the flexibility to log in and out of your account and access your open application.

Step 3: Complete the online application form and upload the following:

  • Student’s Photo:
    • Size: Passport photo size (2×2 inches or 35×45 millimeters)
    • Attire: White collared shirt with a dark blue or black tie
    • Background: Plain white
  • Proof of Residency
  • Transcript/grade report(s) from the past 12 months (in English)
  • An Artistic Portfolio (required of all arts track applicants)
  • English and Math Teacher’s Recommendation 
  • A non-refundable application fee of $95

Visa Application

  • I-20 Application (included in the online application)
  • A scan of the applicant’s passport photo page
  • Provide a recent bank statement showing sufficient funds to cover your tuition and living expenses for at least one year of study

Please note:

  • Northern Academy’s application period for the 2025-2026 school year will conclude on May 30, 2025, and any incomplete application package will be canceled after this date.
  • Additionally, the applicant’s application package must be fully completed within one month to remain active. If any application becomes dormant, a $50 fee will be required to reactivate it.

Step 4: The applicant will complete an online English and Math assessment (Check your inbox for assessment email)

 

Step 5: Attend an admissions interview/audition, typically scheduled after completing Step 4 and all required documents has been received by the Admissions Office (Check your inbox for the interview notification email)

 

Step 6: A decision notice is typically sent within 2 weeks of submitting the complete application package (Steps 1-5)

 

View our International Student Application Process

 

Applications for our 2025-2026 school year are now open.

Application period for our 2025-2026 school year will conclude on May 30, 2025. Please be sure to complete your child’s application package before the deadline.Additionally, the applicant’s application package must be fully completed within one month to remain active. If any application becomes dormant, a $50 fee will be required to reactivate it.

Step 7: Read the acceptance email carefully and confirm acceptance of the admissions offer by

  1. Completing your child’s Tuition Agreement form

  2. Pay the non-refundable* deposit of $3,000 USD via this link.

*If your child’s student visa was denied, please send us proof of visa denial within 30 days of receiving the I-20 to admissions@northernacademy.org. Once we receive the proof of visa denial, we will refund you the deposit minus a $300 processing fee. Please note that there will be a $300 fee for each I-20 re-issuance request.

Step 8: Once we receive the completed form and non-refundable deposit, we will then start your child’s I-20 application.

  1. The PDSO/DSO (Principal designated school official/Designated school official) issues a draft I-20 around 5 business days after receiving the deposit.

  2. Double check the draft to confirm all information is correct.

    1.  If corrections are NOT needed, reply to the email stating all information is correct.

    2.  If corrections are needed, reply with the correct information.

  3. PDSO/DSO will send a confirmation email to the applicant’s Parent/Guardian’s email address on the application.

We usually give about a month’s time for the whole visa process and the student can enter as early as 30 days before the start date stated on the I-20. Important: Entry into the United States is not guaranteed after the program start date.

Step 9: After receiving the confirmation email from our PDSO/DSO, proceed with Step 9.

Step 10: Upon receiving Form I-20 from the PDSO/DSO at Northern Academy, please pay the SEVIS I-901 fee.

  • Visit www.fmjfee.com. (You can only pay for the SEVIS I-901 fee using this site, do not pay via any other websites.) Keep the receipt for your visa interview.

Step 11: Schedule a visa interview at your local US Embassy or Consulate

You will need to bring the following documents to your visa interview:

  1. Form I-20, with a signature from the PDSO/DSO

  2. SEVIS I-901 fee receipt

  3. A signed passport, valid for at least 6 months after the date you plan to enter the US

  4. Visa application forms from the US consulate (e.g. DS-160) and required photos

  5. Transcripts and diplomas from previous schools

  6. Tuition receipt from Northern Academy, and/or

  7. Evidence of proof of sufficient funds to cover tuition and living expenses

  8. Acceptance letter from the Northern Academy Admissions Office

  9. Information sheet about Northern Academy

  10. Your intention to depart the US after completing your studies.

Step 12: Prepare for the visa interview

  1. Know the usual questions

  2. Practice your English

  3. Know the program and how it fits your career plans

  4. Employment should not be your main goal to go to the US

  5. Prepare all documents and receipts

  6. Arrive on time

Step 13:

  1. Once you pass your visa interview, continue with Step 13.

  2. If your child’s student visa was denied, please send us proof of visa denial within 30 days of receiving the denial letter to admissions@northernacademy.org. Once we receive the proof of visa denial, we will refund you the deposit minus a $300 processing fee.

Step 14: Notify us of your child’s visa approval by emailing proof to admissions@northernacademy.org. 

Step 15: Complete your child’s Enrollment Consent and Required Documents form by uploading your child’s following documents:

  • birth certificate

  • vaccination records

  • physical examination (completed within one year from your child’s starting date)

  • Northern Medical Center (NMC) consent form

Step 16: Ensure that your child’s full tuition balance is paid off at least 45 days before the program start date listed on I-20.

For your convenience, please view and complete our Acceptance Checklist via this link.

Failure to complete Step 16 at least 45 days before the program start date will result in the cancellation of your child’s enrollment and student visa.

Step 17: You will receive your child’s Official Enrollment email once the health documents have been cleared by our nurse.

The Official Enrollment email contains vital information, including the link to purchase your child’s school uniform, your child’s enrollment date, boarding details, office directory, and more. 

Step 18: Arrange for travel into the US.

Step 19: When preparing for departure to the US, notify your PDSO/DSO (both Mr. Simon Jiang (sjiang@northernacademy.org) and Chloe Chan (cchan@northernacademy.org)) about when you will be arriving in the United States. Please bring the following documents with you:

  • Passport (valid for at least 6 months after you enter the US)

  • Visa stamp or sticker (does not apply to Canadian citizens)

  • Form I-20 (F-1)

  • SEVIS I-901 fee receipt

  • Supporting financial documentation

Step 20: Report to the PDSO/DSO at school on your program start date for an International Student Orientation.

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Our mission is to nurture students to become cultured individuals of exemplary moral character. To this end, we provide an education drawn from the classics and the arts, one steeped in divinely inspired traditional values of the East and West.

We are accredited by the Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Institutions of the Middle States Association.