Readmission

Otis welcomes students who have left and wish to re-enroll in a BFA or MFA program to apply for readmission. This applies to anyone who was approved for a leave of absence but did not return the semester they indicated, did not submit a leave of absence form, or withdrew from the college entirely.

Note: Students on an approved leave of absence who are returning within two semesters do not apply for readmission. Instead please visit the Leave of Absence section on the Registration and Records home page page to review the steps for returning from a leave of absence.

Readmission Application

Readmission Application Time Frame

Term for Intent to Return

Application Time Frame

Notification of Readmission Decision

Fall

January 1st - April 1st

Mid-April

Spring

April 1st - October 1st

Mid-October

Summer

January 1st - March 1st

Mid-March

Step 1: Submit Readmission Application

Submit the Readmission Application by the recommended timeline. Allow at least 10 business days for a decision. Students will be provided their MyOtis log in credentials by email.

Step 2: I-20 Request Procedures

In order for Otis to issue your I-20 to apply for your visa, please complete the steps below as soon as possible after applying for readmission. I-20 Request Procedures:

  • Submit the I-20 Request for Readmitted Students
  • Normal processing time is 10 business days.
  • After your I-20 has been issued, your I-20 will be shipped by FedEx (3-5 days for delivery) to you or emailed to the email address you provided.
  • You will be given a new SEVIS ID with instructions to pay the I-901 SEVIS Fee, and how to schedule a visa appointment in the U.S. Embassy/Consulate by email.

Step 3: Clear Holds on MyOtis

Active holds will appear in the Student Holds widget in MyOtis. You can clear the Enrollment Agreement and Emergency Notification holds in the Tasks section.  All holds must be cleared in order to register.

Step 4: Registration Opens By Class Standing

Fall registration begins in early April and Spring registration begins in mid-November. Registration opens based on class standing. Review DegreeWorks to see your class standing and required courses for the upcoming semester. Courses are first come, first serve. Review the Academic Advising Module in the Nest accessible from your MyOtis.Schedule an appointment with Academic Advising to discuss your degree progress or with your department Chair to disucss specific studio courses.

Step 5: Arrange Payment by the Deadline - Fall: June 15, Spring: December 15

Review the Cost of Attendance. Your charges will appear on your Transact Account after you enroll. Make payment arrangements by payment deadline: Fall - June 15, Spring - December 15. Review the Finances MyOtis for payment options.

Step 6: Order Official Transcripts (if applicable)

If you enrolled and completed a course at off-campus and wish to apply the credits completed at the toher school towards a degree requirement at Otis College, please send your Official Transcript with final grades to the One Stop. Submit Transfer Credit Approval Request to request for your approval of the off-campus course to be applied to Degree Works.

After you submit your readmission application, allow at least 10 business days for a decision. Students who are granted readmission, will be provided their MyOtis login and credentials by email as well as step by step re-enrollment procedures. See enrollment procedures below:

Step 1: Submit Readmission Application

Submit the Readmission Application by the recommended timeline. Allow at least 10 business days for a decision.

Step 2: Submit FAFSA for Upcoming Academic Term

Submit FAFSA for the upcoming academic year, coinciding with your return semester. Ensure that your FAFSA application information will be delivered to Otis College: 001251 – After you submit your FAFSA, Office of Financial Aid (SFS) will review your information, and you will be emailed once your aid offer is ready for viewing on your MyOtis.

Step 3: Clear Holds on MyOtis

Active holds will display as yellow notifications above the My Account section of your MyOtis. Clear the Enrollment Agreement, Emergency Notification, and any other student account or registration hold on your record prior to registration.

Step 4: Registration Opens By Class Standing

Fall registration begins in early April and Spring registration begins in mid-November. Registration opens based on class standing. Review DegreeWorks to see your class standing and required courses for the upcoming semester. Courses are first come, first serve. Review the Academic Advising Module in the Nest accessible from your MyOtis.Schedule an appointment with Academic Advising to discuss your degree progress or with your department Chair to disucss specific studio courses.

Step 5: Arrange Payment by the Deadline - Fall: June 15, Spring: December 15

Review the Cost of Attendance. Your charges will appear on your Transact Account after you enroll. Make payment arrangements by payment deadline: Fall - June 15, Spring - December 15. Review the Finances MyOtis for payment options.

Step 6: Order Official Transcripts (if applicable)

If you enrolled and completed a course at off-campus and wish to apply the credits completed at the toher school towards a degree requirement at Otis College, please send your Official Transcript with final grades to the One Stop. Submit Transfer Credit Approval Request to request for your approval of the off-campus course to be applied to Degree Works.

Students who are considering returning to Otis College under a new Major must contact Academic Advising at advising@otis.edu to talk about the change and complete the additional necessary paperwork.

Readmission applications for students who left the college while on academic probation (term or cumulative grade point average below 2.0), were academically dismissed with the possibility of returning, or were sanctioned at any point by the Student Conduct Committee will be reviewed by the Academic Standing Committee who may request an in-person interview. Academically dismissed students who are eligible to apply for readmission must complete a Readmission Application and must have met all conditions outlined in their dismissal letters.

International students are recommended to submit the readmission application before the priority deadlines to ensure processing of visa and immigration documents. F-1 students will need to be approved for readmission prior to being eligible to receive an I-20, and may be required to apply for a new F-1 Visa before entering the United States. The One Stop will email complete instructions on how to obtain the I-20 after the student has been readmitted to Otis College. We encourage F-1 Students to visit the travel.state.gov site to learn more about applying for student visas, and to check the current visa appointment times.

Degree Progress Evaluation:

Students who began their studies prior to fall 2015 and left Otis College with a semester or less remaining in their program should complete a Degree Progress Evaluation Form to verify their remaining courses and credits prior to submitting the readmission application.

Once a request is submitted, the offices of Academic Advising and Registration will send the student's transcripts to the appropriate Department Chair/advisors for review to determine remaining courses. The One Stop will notify students of any remaining requirements. Once notified, students can contact the Academic Advising to talk about a plan for completion.

Things to Consider:

  • Please note that most courses must be completed at Otis College.
  • The appropriate department must approve any off-campus courses before registering.
  • According to the Otis College Handbook 'BFA program students must complete all degree requirements within a period of ten (10) years from their first date of registration. Students who fail to complete all degree requirements by the stipulated deadlines will be required to complete the current curriculum requirements that are published in the course catalog, which may entail additional coursework and credits.” In other words, if you do not finish your outstanding requirements within 10 years after the date you first enrolled at Otis College, your record will be evaluated against the most recent catalog and you will likely have additional coursework required to complete your degree.

Questions about readmission should be directed to the One Stop Office by email at onestop@otis.edu or by calling 310-665-6999.

Contact Us

Call or email the One Stop office for any requests or information regarding registration and records.

Monday – Friday,
8:30AM – 5PM PST
Phone: 310-665-6999

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