S1 School Facts: Sofia University

Facts as of October 2026. Schools can change their rules, so confirm with us before you apply.

Where you study

• Campus: California.
• How often you come to campus: once a month.

Who can get Day 1 CPT

Day 1 CPT means you can start CPT (work authorization tied to your program) from day one.

• Transfer (F-1 from another US school): Yes
• New F-1 from abroad: Yes
• Change of status (to F-1 inside the US): Not confirmed — our senior admission consultant can check your case. Confirm with us before applying.
• Reinstatement (restoring terminated F-1 status): Not confirmed — our senior admission consultant can check your case
• End of status / grace period (program or OPT finished): Not confirmed — our senior admission consultant can check your case

Job and employer requirements

• No job needed to enroll. If you can't find an internship, you can submit a waiver form.
• Employer documents are required; proof of employment is accepted. CPT needs your employer's co-op signature.
• CPT is renewed every semester and can start from your program start date.

Academic and English requirements

• Minimum GPA: 3.0.
• English test waived if you've studied or worked in the US.
• Minimum scores: TOEFL 79, IELTS 6.5 or Duolingo 110.

States the school doesn't accept

• Not accepted if you live in: Alabama; Arkansas; Connecticut; Delaware; Georgia; Idaho; Indiana; Kansas; Kentucky; Maryland; Michigan; Minnesota; Mississippi; New Jersey; New Mexico; New York; North Carolina; North Dakota; Oklahoma; Oregon; Rhode Island; Virginia; Washington, DC; Wisconsin; Wyoming.

Costs

• Estimated total tuition: $27,696–$36,928 (DBA costs more). Fees are extra.
• Fees: application $75, I-20 $100, one-time $475, CPT $500 (ask us if the CPT fee is per term).
• Proof of funds (money you show for your I-20): $31,000 (DBA: $39,654), via bank statements or a sponsor's affidavit of support.

Application documents and timing

• Documents: online application, passport, your highest-degree transcript and proof of funds, plus a resume and a personal statement.
• DBA: a 500-word business pitch, another short essay and 2 recommendation letters.
• Foreign degree: a NACES credential evaluation (approved US evaluator) is accepted.
• You can transfer in up to 9 credits.
• Deadline: usually about 35 days before the start date, for transfer and change of status.
• Admission decision: usually 1–2 weeks for transfers, 2–3 weeks for change of status.
• Ask us for the next start date.

Recent school updates

• Announced August 25, 2026: No CPT approval without your employer's co-op signature.