International Students - Undergraduate Admissions (2024)

International Students - Undergraduate Admissions (1)

The world at Rochester

The University of Rochester prides itself on being a global institution. We’re home to more than 4,200 international students and scholars from around the globe. As a Rochester student, you’ll join a welcoming and diverse community that embraces students from all backgrounds and more than 130 different countries.

Meet some of our students

Meet Damian,Class of 2024At Rochester, Damian studies mechanical engineering, actuarial studies, and Spanish.
Meet Abivanth,Class of 2025At Rochester, Abivanth is pursing a degree in business, with a focus on finance.
Meet Yousra,Class of 2025At Rochester, Yousra is majoring in computer science and business. She’s also studying music theory.

Who is considered an international student?

You are considered an international student if you arenota United States citizen or a permanent resident.

Explore frequently asked questions about applying as an international student

International Students - Undergraduate Admissions (2)

Applying as an international student

To become an undergraduate student at the University of Rochester in Arts, Sciences & Engineering, you must apply either as a first-year or a transfer applicant.

If you’re interested in studying solely at the University of Rochester’sEastman School of Musicfor a bachelor of music degree, you must apply directly through theEastman School application.

International first-year applicants

How to apply

Apply online through theCommon Application(CA) or theCoalition for College Application(CoA).

Required supporting materials

The followingrequired materials must be submitted to us directly by your school via common application or the Coalition/Scoir Application, testing site, or family member, depending on the document. The Office of Admissions will not consider official, nor process documents submitted via email from another party.

  • Secondary school transcript
  • Teacher recommendation (one required)
  • School report/counselor recommendation
  • Mid-year report(when available)
  • Final transcript (when available) – you will be required to submit a final transcript with formal graduation date after your successful completion of high school.
  • College transcript (if applicable)
  • English language exam resultsOREnglish Proficiency Requirement Waiver Request
  • International Financial Support Form (IFSF) (for applicants who do not require need based financial aid) or CSS Profile (for applicants who require need based financial aid). Submit your Profile to the University school code 2928.
Optional supporting materials

You can alsosign up for an interview(highly recommended) and/or submit the followingoptional materials:

  • Official test scores
  • Links to electronic media (music, websites, photos, videos, etc.)
  • Writing sample
  • Family/Peer Recommendation Form
Combined degree program applicants

Combined degree programs allow you to fast-track your master’s or other advanced degree, or enroll in multiple University of Rochester schools at once.

To be considered for one of these programs, indicate the program you’re applying for in the application portal you’ve chosen. You will then be required to complete a short essay related to your interest in the program. Our counselors will consider your entire application along with any supporting materials.

International transfer applicants

If you have graduated from high school or earned a high school equivalency and have enrolled in eight or more college credits (typically one semester) following graduation, you would be considered a transfer applicant.

How to apply

Apply online through theCommon Application (CA).

Required supporting materials

The followingrequired materials must be submitted to us directly by your school, testing site, or family member, depending on the document. We prefer documents to be submitted electronically. The University of Rochester school code is 002894. Required materials include:

  • Official college transcript(s)
  • Final high school transcript*
  • College Report (CA)
  • Academic evaluator recommendation (CA)
  • English language exam resultsOREnglish Proficiency Requirement Waiver Request
  • International Financial Support Form (IFSF)(for applicants who do not require need based financial aid) or CSS Profile (for applicants who require need based financial aid)
  • ACourse-by-CourseCredential Evaluation of college transcripts (required if college education has been outside the US).Acceptable outside companies to use for the evaluation areWorld Education Services (WES)orEducation Credential Evaluators (ECE). Please ensure you’ve requested your reports to be sent to the University of Rochester upon completion. Visit Rochester’s ECE landing page.

*If you have completed at least one year of full-time college coursework, you may requestthis item to be waived after applying. Please email us at admit@admissions.rochester.edu after you’ve applied to request this. However, sending more information may improve your chances of admission.

Optional supporting materials

You can alsosign up for an interview(highly recommended) and submit the followingoptional materials:

  • Transfer Mid-term Report (CA) (recommended)
  • Official test scores
  • Additional academic evaluator, teacher, or counselor recommendation
  • Links to electronic media (music, websites, photos, videos, etc.)
  • Writing sample
  • Family/Peer Recommendation Form
International Students - Undergraduate Admissions (3)

Scholarships and financial aid

We understand that there are numerous factors that impact a student’s ability to finance their university education. We are committed to meeting the full demonstrated need of all admitted students regardless of citizenship. The University provides a combination of merit and need-based aid in an effort to make enrollment affordable. Financial need is a contributing factor, however, for international applicants. As a result, admission is highly selective for students with financial need.

During the application process, international applicants are required to demonstrate they have the financial means to attend Rochester (through private funds or sponsorship) or apply for need-based aid. The documentation you must submit as a part of the application process will depend on whether or not you require need-based financial aid.

International applicants who do not require need-based financial aid

Applicants who are able to meet the fullcost of attendancemust submit a completedInternational Financial Support Form (IFSF)with their application for admission.

  • Your application will remain incomplete without a completed IFSF on file.
  • Acceptable sources of funding are listed on the IFSF.
  • Applicants securing funding from their government, a private sponsor, or other source of funding not listed on IFSF should submit a copy of a sponsor letter as supporting documentation.

Questions about this form can be directed tointernational@ur.rochester.edu.

International applicants who require need-based financial aid

If you are unable to meet the full cost of attendance for Rochester without need-based aid or sponsorship from the University, you must submit the CSS Profile.

The CSS Profile is used to determine your potential eligibility for need-based University of Rochester grant funding and must be completed each year of attendance. The CSS Profile can be submitted beginning October 1.

Due to limited resources, only a small number of international applicants will qualify for need-based financial aid from the University.

Applicants unable to secure the needed funding to cover the cost of attendance either through private funds or sponsorship cannot be admitted to the University.

We recognize that the CSS Profile Fee may be a financial barrier for some high-need international students. As a result, we have purchased a limited number of CSS Profile fee waivers to provide to eligible students. To submit a CSS Profile Fee Waiver Request, students must:

(1) Have submitted a Common Application or Coalition for College Application to Rochester

(2) Attest that the CSS Profile Fee will present a significant financial burden.

The deadline to request a waiver is January 15 for first-year applicants and April 15 for transfer students. Spring applicant’s deadline is November 15.

Once the request is submitted, International Admissions will follow up directly with the waiver credentials.

Merit scholarships opportunities

All applicants, regardless of citizenship, are considered formerit scholarships. No additional documentation is required to compete for a merit scholarship. Since merit scholarships are awarded independent of a student’s need, you must still submit the appropriate documents with your application as described above to complete your application for admission.

English language exams

All international students are required to submit proof of English language proficiency. Students can demonstrate proof of English language proficiency through English language proficiency exams or by submitting an English Proficiency Waiver Request Form.

English language proficiency exams

If your native language is not English and you are attending secondary or higher education institutions in a non-native English speaking country, you must take one of the following English language exams:

English language proficiency test scores must be submitted officially. DET scores must be sent directly from Duolingo. There is no cost to send these scores. Preferably, IELTS and TOEFL scores will also be submitted directly from the testing agencies. If, however, cost is a barrier to sending these scores to Rochester, you may have your school counselor submit a copy of your results.

You may submit test scores from one or more exam type (eg. one DET and one IELTS score). You may also submit more than one exam result (eg. results from two sittings of the TOEFL iBT).Please note, however, that we do not super-score or combine sub-scores from different test sittings. We also do not accept TOEFL My Best Score results. We will look at your sub-scores and totals from each individual test sitting.

ExamRecommended score
Duolingo English Test130
IELTS7.5
TOEFL iBT (School Code: 2928)100

Admission to the University of Rochester is based on a holistic review process. Applicants whose test scores fall outside of the ranges displayed above are still encouraged to apply.If we evaluate your English proficiency to be at a level that would benefit from additional support to succeed at Rochester, you may gain admission through theEnglish for Academic Purposes Program (EAPP).

EAPP is a two-semester program that gives students additional time to focus on critical reading, reasoning, writing, and research skills. Students in EAPP begin coursework for their Rochester degree and EAPP in their first semester. Applicants to Rochester cannot apply directly to EAPP.

English Proficiency Waiver Request Form

You can submit an English Proficiency Waiver Request if you meet one or more of the following criteria:

  • You are a native speaker of English.
  • You completed at least three years of high school where English was the primary language of instruction.
  • You are a transfer applicant who has completed a year or more of college-level courses taught in the United States, including at least one writing-intensive course.

Waiver requests will be reviewed after the submission of an application and transcript. If approved, your application status will automatically be updated. International applicants must submit English proficiency exam scores or request a waiver by their application deadline.

Let's Connect

Have a question?

We’re here to help—and no concern is too big or too small. Feel free to reach out to our International Admissions team at international@ur.rochester.edu.

For questions about data privacy view our GDPR notice.

Explore frequently asked questions about applying as an international student

Let’s keep in touch

Connect with us on social media, follow us on WeChat, and check out our blog for advice, reminders, and updates.

International Students - Undergraduate Admissions (2024)

FAQs

Can international students apply for undergraduate? ›

International undergraduate students are considered non-residents of California and are required to pay non-resident tuition in addition to fees paid by legal residents of California. For the most current fee information, please visit the Office of the Registrar.

Is it hard for international students to get into US colleges? ›

The Competitive Edge

One of the primary reasons it is more difficult for international students to gain admission is the heightened level of competition. American colleges and universities have limited seats reserved for international applicants.

How can international students go to college in the US? ›

While the F-1 visa is the most common for students studying in the United States, you can determine which type of visa you should apply for on the Department of State website. The next step is to schedule a visa interview with the U.S. embassy or consulate in your country to determine your visa eligibility.

How to get accepted into college as an international student? ›

In general, American universities require the following from international student applicants:
  1. Personal information.
  2. Transcript.
  3. Standardized test scores. SAT or ACT. English proficiency test scores (TOEFL, IELTS, iTEP, PTE Academic)
  4. Essay.
  5. Recommendations.
  6. Copy of your valid passport.
  7. Information on extracurricular activities.

Can a US citizen sponsor an international student to study? ›

Yes, you can! When you apply for a student visa, you are permitted to receive financial support for your studies from scholarships, fellowships, assistantships, grants, or loans from your university or college, government, or personal sources such as friends or family.

What are the admission requirements for international students? ›

International Admission Requirements
  • Unofficial academic records, from all schools attended (in original language and an official word for word English translation)
  • English proficiency score.
  • Passport.

Which US university accepts most international students? ›

New York University had around 24,496 international students studying there in the academic year of 2022/23, making it the most popular university for international students in the United States.

Which university is easiest to get into as an international student? ›

The Easiest Universities To Get Into For International Students in 2024
  • Which Are The Easiest Universities To Get Into In The USA?
  • University of Kentucky.
  • University Of Wyoming.
  • University of Aberystwyth.
  • Nottingham Trent University.

Which university in the USA has a 100% acceptance rate for international students? ›

US Universities with 100% Acceptance Rate 2022
US Universities with 100% Acceptance Rate
Alliant International UniversityCameron University
University of GuamUniversity of Maine--Presque Isle
The University of Texas at El PasoWeber State University
Grand View UniversitySouthern Virginia University
3 more rows

How to get admission in USA universities for international students? ›

However, these are the items you are most likely to need if you apply to a university in the US:
  1. Transcripts or records of grades (high school and/or university)
  2. Résumé/CV.
  3. Test scores (SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT)
  4. Proof of English-language proficiency.
  5. Motivation letter or statement of purpose.
  6. Application fee.
  7. Writing sample.
Mar 12, 2024

How do international students pay for college in the US? ›

Unlike domestic students, international students don't qualify for federal or state aid and typically use personal and other financial resources, mainly from outside the U.S., to cover tuition and expenses. But there are options available at the institutional level, including grants and scholarships.

How can I stay in the US as an international student? ›

The most common options include:
  1. Optional practical training (12-24 months depending on major)
  2. Immigrant work visas such as EB1, EB2 and EB3.
  3. Entrepreneur visas such as E2, EB5.
  4. Non-immigrant work visas such as H1B, E3, L1 & O1.
  5. Marry a US citizen.
  6. Green card lottery.

What college do most international students go to? ›

New York University

For the 2021-2022 school year, NYU had the most international students.

Which college has the highest acceptance rate for international students? ›

1. Which University Has the Highest Acceptance Rate for International Students? Colorado State University has the highest acceptance rates. In 2020, they had 668 international students apply and accepted 667, giving them a 100% acceptance rate.

Do international students get scholarships in USA undergraduate? ›

Yes, you can get a full scholarship as an international student, but it is rare. Studying in the U.S. can be expensive, so finding a scholarship to cover tuition, housing, and other expenses is important.

Can an international student study in a US high school? ›

Public School Enrollment

An international student may attend an SEVP-certified public secondary school (grades 9-12) with certain restrictions. International students may study at public high school for a maximum period of 12 months. This time limit includes all public high schools the student attends.

Can international students apply for federal student aid? ›

Unlike domestic students, international students don't qualify for federal or state aid and typically use personal and other financial resources, mainly from outside the U.S., to cover tuition and expenses. But there are options available at the institutional level, including grants and scholarships.

Can international students be non degree seeking? ›

Students may apply for enrollment under non-degree status if they are not pursuing a degree but intend to have credits received from the University transferred elsewhere, or desire to take courses for personal enrichment only.

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