International Admission
International students interested in attending the University of Saint Mary are encouraged to begin the admission process at least 90 days prior to enrolling in order to allow enough time for processing records, VISAs, etc. For prospective international students, all necessary documentation supporting an admission decision and issuance of an I-20 must be provided no later than 30 days prior to the start of a term. The following materials must be sent to the Director of Admissions:
- A completed application for admission and a non-refundable application fee of $50.
- Formally evaluated transcripts of all coursework not taken through an accredited U.S. institution by an approved evaluation agency.
- An official copy of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) results, sent directly from the Educational Testing Service (minimum written score of 550 or iBT score of 80). USM accepts equivalent test scores to the TOEFL, including but not limited to a total minimum score of 6.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). *
- For incoming freshmen, the university uses standardized test scores for placement in appropriate college level coursework, utilizing the ACT or SAT sub-scores in English and Math or Next Generation Accuplacer test scores. International students are encouraged to submit these scores, if available, to assist with the advising and registration process. If these tests are not available, the Next Generation Accuplacer tests will be taken on campus upon their arrival for placement purposes.
- A declaration of financial support and bank statement providing evidence that the student’s family or sponsor is able and willing to assume full financial responsibility for the tuition, books, fees, room, and board, personal/miscellaneous and transportation expenses.
- All international students must provide evidence that they are covered by health insurance and insurance must be maintained during the entire semesters of enrollment.
- Students planning to transfer from a college in the U.S. need to first notify the designated school official at their present school of the intent to transfer, then contact the designated school official at the University of Saint Mary concerning issuance of a Form I-20.
Once accepted, international students pay a tuition deposit and receive the Form I-20 for the student to utilize to obtain a student visa from officials in the student’s home country. Formal acceptance into the university does not constitute acceptance to any particular program such as Nursing, Education, or our doctoral programs. Please contact our International Admissions staff for specific programming questions.
* The following are exceptions to the TOEFL/IELTS/English test requirement: (1) students who graduated from a high school in the United States; (2) students who completed three years of U.S. high school; (3) students who have successfully attended an institution of higher learning in the United States with instruction in English, or (4) students who completed a high school equivalent or post-secondary degree program with English as the language of instruction in one of the following countries:
Australia
Botswana
British West Indies
Canada (except Quebec)
Ghana
Ireland
Kenya
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Scotland
Sierra Leone
South Africa
Uganda
United Kingdom
United States Virgin Islands
Zambia
Zimbabwe