Score Deadline Eligibility

English scores must be valid on the first day of the academic year. Due to this, the date of your official test must be on or after September 1, 2024 for Fall 2026 admission. We do not accept official scores before this date. 

Timeline and Deadlines

1. Upload in Application (Due with App Deadline): A copy of your TOEFL or IELTS score must be uploaded in your application. If you have been unable to schedule an in-person exam before the application deadline, you may submit a temporary TOEFL iBT Home Edition or IELTS Online score - but you must submit official in-person scores by March 1 for Fall Applicants, and December 1 for Spring Applicants.
2. Interview & Assessment: Not all applicants are required to complete an interview with an assessment - check the ELP Interview dropdown for more information. Interviews for Spring applicants will be scheduled individually before December 1. Interviews for Fall applicants will be scheduled during January and February either in-person on their audition date or via Zoom.  By December 20, 2025, fall applicants will be notified if they are required to complete the holistic interview.
3. Official In-Person Scores: Official in-person scores sent directly from the testing organizations are due by March 1 for Fall applicants or December 1 for Spring applicants. If you submit temporary at-home or online ELP scores with your application, you must also submit your in-person scores by these deadlines.
4. Final Passing Scores: Spring applicants admitted on probation with a non-passing TOEFL or IELTS score must submit a new score that meets the minimum requirements by January 1. Fall applicants admitted on probation with a non-passing TOEFL or IELTS score must submit a new score that meets the minimum requirements by May 1.
5. English Diagnostic at Orientation: This diagnostic is given at Orientation for all those whose native language is not English. The diagnostic determines if you need to take ESL classes at SFCM. This is given in January Orientation for Spring entry, in August Orientation for Fall entry. 

Accepted Tests

• TOEFL iBT (Testing Center). In School TOEFL Code: 4744
• IELTS (Online at Testing Center)

TOEFL iBT (Home Edition) and IELTS Academic (Online at Home) exams can be submitted within the application as a temporary score until an in-person/at testing center exam can be scheduled. In-person/at testing center tests are due by March 1 for Fall applicants. 

Not Accepted Tests

We do not accept Duolingo or "MyBest" scores. We also do not accept TOEFL or IELTS scores dated before September 1, 2024. 

English Language Admittance

Admissions based on English Language Proficiency is determined through a combination of official English test scores and a holistic interview administered by our English Language faculty. 

All applicants should work hard to achieve a minimum score, however, those with scores under the minimum requirement are still encouraged to apply. If your test score does not meet the minimum requirement, you will be required to complete a diagnostic interview with our English Language faculty during auditions, and may still be admitted with our without TOEFL/IELTS probation. Applicants admitted on TOEFL/IELTS probation are required to submit updated minimum scores by May 1 for Fall entry and January 1 for Spring entry. 

More details regarding the interview are available under the ELP Interview dropdown.

Minimum Score

The following table outlines the minimum scores required to enroll by degree level, including specific requirements for TAC and RJAM applicants. 

Eligibility for ELP Waiver

The following applicants may request an English Language Proficiency (ELP) Waiver:

• All current SFCM students
• US Permanent Residents (all must submit for further review)
• International applicants who have completed 4 years of education at an institution where the primary language of instruction was English.
• International applicants who are currently enrolled in their 4th year at an institution where the primary language of instruction is English. All four years must be completed before enrolling at SFCM.

Deadlines

The final deadline to submit an ELP waiver is as follows: 

• October 14 at 11:59 PM PST, for Spring applicants.
• November 30 at 11:59 PM PST, for Fall applicants.

Applicants are encouraged to submit the waiver earlier in the application process to allow time for processing. 

How to Access Request Form

Access the ELP waiver request under the language or forms tab in the SFCM application. 

Transcript Review

All students must provide unofficial transcripts within the application to verify their institution. In addition to transcripts, applicants may also submit a letter from their school. 

Orientation Diagnostic Exam

All enrolling students whose native language is not English will also undergo an English diagnostics/placement exam during Orientation (usually the week before classes begin). This includes those who receive an ELP waiver. 

This exam is made up of two components: a writing evaluation and a speaking interview. Regardless of degree/program level, students may be placed into remedial English courses based on the results of this placement exam during Orientation.

SFCM takes academic integrity very seriously. If it is discovered that an applicant submitted fraudulent scores or cheated on their TOEFL/IELTS test, their application will be canceled and no application refund will be issued.