International Students

As an international student, you can complete the free Alma College application or apply through the Common Application.

After applying, you’ll need to take a couple of additional steps:

• If you will be a first-year student, official secondary school transcripts in English should be sent to admissions@alma.edu directly from your school.
• If you’re a transfer student, official transcripts, in English, of all college coursework must also be sent directly to admissions@alma.edu from the institutions attended.
• Complete the International Student Declaration of Finance Form. All international students on F-1 or J-1 visas must provide evidence of sufficient finances to support their U.S. education. Sources of funding may be from parents, guardians or a sponsor.
• Meet English language proficiency requirements (see below).
• Provide a valid passport copy (photo & F-1 visa pages only).

Once accepted to Alma, students must download and complete the I-20 Transfer Form if already studying in the U.S.

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Overseas Course Credentials

For applicants seeking possible transfer credit for coursework taken at other universities, class syllabi for each course must be obtained and sent to Alma College. These will be evaluated to determine if transfer credit may be offered.

Alma College can evaluate most overseas course credentials. However, an independent course credential evaluation may be needed in some unique cases. The College will notify applicants if a professional evaluation is required.

All undergraduate international students who apply to Alma College and who are not native English speakers must provide proof of English language proficiency. 

Citizens of the English Test Exempt Countries do not have to fulfill the English language requirement. 

Ways To Satisfy Your English Requirements 

You can satisfy the English language requirement in one of the following ways. Submit your scores through the testing service. If you have not yet sent your official scores via the testing service, email finchva@alma.edu. We do not accept test scores that are more than two years old. 

1. Submit official scores at or above these minimum scores:
   TOEFL internet-based: 79 (school code 1010)
   IELTS overall band: 6.5
   PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic overall score: 50
   MET (Michigan English Test, 4-skill): 57
   Duolingo English Test: 105
   iTEP Academic: 3.7
2. Submit official SAT or ACT scores at or above these minimum scores:
   SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 510
   ACT (English section only): 21
3. Complete 3 Advanced Level subjects or 3 Higher Level IB subjects.
4. Transfer students currently enrolled in undergraduate study in the United States at a regionally accredited college or university can fulfill the English language requirement if you have passed a course equivalent to Alma College’s English 101.
5. Successfully complete level 112 at an ELS Language Center.
6. The completion of English language programs outside Alma College may be considered on an individual basis. Include certificates of completion with your application.
7. Applicants may qualify for a waiver based on high school language of instruction. On an individual basis, we will waive the English proficiency requirement for applicants who have successfully earned a high school diploma at an international high school where the only language of instruction is English. Your graduation date should be less than two years ago to qualify for this waiver.

International transfer students enrolled in an accredited college or university where the language of instruction is English may qualify for a waiver upon completion of a minimum of 24 semester credit hours of undergraduate coursework. 

Once accepted to Alma College, a Form I-20 (for an F1 Student Visa) or DS 2019 (for a J1 Student Visa) will be emailed directly to you along with your official acceptance letter.

You must schedule an appointment in your home country’s U.S. Embassy/U.S. Consulate Office to obtain your student visa. Be sure to pay your I-901 SEVIS fee and carefully review the visa application processes within your home country before your appointment at the U.S. Embassy. We also recommend that you pay your $300 commitment deposit early!

Per the Department of Homeland Security, the I-901 SEVIS fee for F and M international students is $350. The full I-901 SEVIS fee for J exchange visitors — excluding those in the au pair, camp counselor and summer work or travel program participant categories — is $220.

Ease your transition to college and the United States with personal academic guidance and excellent programs in a caring and friendly community. International students include those who hold U.S. visas as students, exchange visitors or those in other non-immigrant classifications.

International Student Scholarships