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Apply to CESL

CESL students painting

Apply to CESL

Sign Up for In-Person Classes

If you have any questions, please contact us at esl@ou.edu.

Select the best description of your application type below. Instructions for completing the application will appear. When you are ready to begin, create your application account.

NOTE: You must be 17 years or older to apply to CESL. You can apply to CESL even if you are not planning to study at the University of Oklahoma. However, if you want to study at the University of Oklahoma after finishing at CESL, you can complete another admission form later. If you have any questions, please contact us at esl@ou.edu. We will be happy to help you!

Frequently Asked Questions

"I want to study in person, and I need an F-1 student visa."

Create an Account

Collect Your Documents

You will need:

  • A copy of your passport that contains your picture and exact spelling of your name.
  • Personal or Sponsor’s bank statement* showing financial ability to attend CESL program (must be within the past 90 days). Applicants must show a source of funds sufficient to pay for all expenses and costs while in the CESL program. (*If the bank statement is not in the student’s name, then you must submit a sponsor support letter signed by the bank account holder.) Download the Sponsor Support Letter form (pdf).
  • If your family is coming with you, include passport copies of any dependents (spouse, child).
  • Scan your documents and be ready to upload them as part of your application.

All application information, attachments and file names must be in English.

Be Ready to Pay an Application Fee

You will be asked to pay the application fee by credit card or bank card.

Complete, Sign, and Submit Your Application

  • After you successfully submit the application for CESL’s full time academic English program, we will issue you an I-20.
  • After you receive your I-20, you should apply for an F-1 visa at the appropriate United States consulate. You can find more information about applying for a visa on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website.
  • If you cannot obtain a visa in time to arrive for your chosen session, you may defer to a later session.  There is a $50 deferral fee.

Important information

I-20

  • If you want your I-20 to be for less than one year, please notify CESL immediately after applying.

Notifying CESL

You must contact CESL at least two weeks prior to the start of your session. Tell us if you have received your student visa and will be joining us at CESL, or if you were denied the visa.

Admission to the University of Oklahoma

Admission to the University of Oklahoma is NOT required to enroll at CESL. Applicants wishing to also be admitted to the university will be required to submit a separate admission form and provide additional documentation.

"I want to study in person, and I have a scholarship."

Create an Account

Collect Your Documents

You will need:

  • A copy of your passport that contains your picture and exact spelling of your name.
  • Personal or Sponsor’s bank statement* showing financial ability to attend CESL program (must be within the past 90 days). Applicants must show a source of funds sufficient to pay for all expenses and costs while in the CESL program. (*If the bank statement is not in the student’s name, then you must submit a sponsor support letter signed by the bank account holder.) Download the Sponsor Support Letter form (pdf).
  • If your family is coming with you, include passport copies of any dependents (spouse, child).
  • A copy of your scholarship letter.
  • Your sponsor’s contact information.
  • Scan your documents and be ready to upload them as part of your application.

All application information, attachments and file names must be in English.

Be Ready to Pay an Application Fee

You will be asked to pay the application fee by credit card or bank card.

Complete, Sign, and Submit Your Application

  • After you successfully submit the application for CESL’s full time academic English program, we will issue you an I-20.
  • After you receive your I-20, you should apply for an F-1 visa at the appropriate United States consulate. You can find more information about applying for a visa on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security website.
  • If the COVID-19 situation prevents you from obtaining a visa, you may defer your in-person enrollment to a later date.

Important information

I-20

  • If you want your I-20 to be for less than one year, please notify CESL immediately after applying.

Notifying CESL

You must contact CESL at least two weeks prior to the start of your session. Tell us if you have received your student visa and will be joining us at CESL, or if you were denied the visa.

"I want to study in person, and I am a U.S. Citizen or Permanent Resident."

Create an Account

Collect Your Documents

You will need:

  • Your permanent resident card or a copy of your passport that contains your picture and exact spelling of your name.
  • Scan your documents and be ready to upload them as part of your application.

Be Ready to Pay an Application Fee

  • You will be asked to pay the application fee by credit card or bank card.

Sign and Submit Your Application

  • After you successfully submit the application for CESL’s full time academic English program, you will receive a confirmation email.

"I am coming to the U.S. mainly to visit the area, and I want to take English language classes for my own pleasure or recreation"

If you are coming to the U.S. mainly to visit the area, and you want to take English language classes for your own pleasure or recreation, then a tourist visa (B-2) or Visa Waiver (WT) is appropriate 

Create an Account

Collect Your Documents

You will need:

  • A copy of your passport that contains your picture and the spelling of your name. 
  • Personal or Sponsor’s bank statement* showing financial ability to attend CESL program (must be within the past 90 days). Applicants must show a source of funds sufficient to pay for all expenses and costs while in the CESL program.  *Download the Sponsor Support Letter form (pdf)

Be Ready to Pay an Application Fee

  • You will be asked to pay the $125 application fee by credit card or bank card. 

Sign and Submit Your Application

  • After you successfully submit the application for CESL’s part-time General English program, you will receive a confirmation email.

ADMISSION TO THE UNIVERSITY OF OKLAHOMA 

Admission to the University of Oklahoma is NOT required to enroll at CESL. Applicants wishing to also be admitted to the university will be required to submit a separate admission form and provide additional documentation. 

"I want to transfer my I-20 to CESL and attend classes in person."

Create an Account

Collect Your Documents

You will need:

  • Copies of your visa, I-20 and I-94 documents.
  • A copy of your passport that contains your picture and exact spelling of your name.
  • Personal or Sponsor’s bank statement* showing financial ability to attend CESL program. (must be within the past 90 days) Applicants must show a source of funds sufficient to pay for all expenses and costs while in the CESL program. (If the bank statement is not in the student’s name, then you must submit a sponsor support letter (pdf) signed by the bank accountholder.)
  • If your family is coming with you, include passport copies of any dependents (spouse, child).
  • If you are a scholarship student, you must also include your scholarship letter and your sponsor contact information.
  • Scan your documents and be ready to upload them as part of your application.

All application information, attachments and file names must be in English.

The Oklahoma Memorial Union at night, with trees, benches, and a fountain in the foreground.
Center for English as a Second Language
Office of Global Engagement
Farzaneh Hall
729 Elm Ave., Room 114
Norman, OK 73019
Updated 9/27/2024 by Center for English as a Second Language: esl@ou.edu