International Requirements

We consider you an international student if you do not have U.S. citizenship, dual-U.S. citizenship, or permanent residency.

1. Common Application and Emerson College Supplement

Apply online with the Common Application»

We require that you submit the Common Application, Emerson College Supplement before we can begin to review your application. The $65 application fee is waived for all international applicants for Fall 2013 and Spring 2013 start terms.

Please make sure to use the same name listed on your passport as the name you provide in your application. You will receive an application acknowledgement via email once these three application components have been submitted. You will also receive acknowledgement via email when your application becomes complete.

2. Supporting Academic Credentials

The following supporting credentials are required for international applicants. If you are an international transfer student, please visit the international transfer student page. Please include your full name and date of birth on all application materials that you submit.

International Supplement to the Secondary School Report: This form is required is to be completed by students who have attended secondary schools using non-U.S. educational systems. International Supplement to the Secondary School Report (PDF)

Teacher Evaluation: A minimum of one official teacher evaluation from someone who has taught you in an academic subject (i.e., English, social studies, science, foreign language, or history) must be submitted. Teacher Evaluation Form (PDF)

Official Transcripts: Official transcripts are required from each secondary school attended, and should include courses taken and grades received. All transcripts must include an English translation if they are in a foreign language. Translations must be performed by an official agency and accompanied by the original document.

• Official documents must be original transcripts and examination results, not faxes or photocopies. If you only have one original and it is not possible to obtain another, please contact your secondary institution and ask them to notarize or stamp a certified true copy. This will be considered an official copy. We will only accept attestations from your secondary institution, the exam issuer, U.S. Educational Advising centers, and official translation agencies.

First marking period grades and Mid-Year Report: We ask that all applicants submit first marking period (first quarter, midterm, first trimester) or midyear (second quarter, first semester, second trimester) grades when they become available. We understand that school schedules for releasing report cards vary quite a bit. Grade reports alone will not prevent your application from being reviewed, but they must be submitted as soon as they become available.

Test scores and English language proficiency requirement: All international applicants should submit standardized testing scores according to the following guidelines:

• Take the TOEFL or IELTS if:
  • You are a freshman (first-year) applicant who has not completed four years of secondary study at an institution that uses English as its primary language of instruction.
  • You are a transfer applicant who has not completed at least two years of post-secondary study at an institution that uses English as its primary language of instruction.

• Take the SAT or ACT if:
  • You are a freshman (first-year) applicant and you have completed secondary study at an institution that uses English as its primary language of instruction. SAT code: 3367, ACT code: 1820
  • You are a transfer applicant who has completed fewer than two years of post-secondary study at an institution that uses English as its primary language of instruction. SAT code: 3367, ACT code: 1820

If you take the TOEFL or IELTS, please note the minimum score requirements for admission to Emerson College:

• TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
  • Internet-Based Test (iBT) 80
  • Computer-Based Test (CBT) 213
  • Paper-Based Test 550
• IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
  • minimum score requirement: 7

We encourage you to submit application materials online through the Common Application. You can also mail supporting credentials to:

Emerson College Undergraduate
Admission Processing Center
PO Box 880
Randolph, MA 02368-8880

3. Major- or Program-specific Requirements

Additional application materials are required for the following:

• Performing Arts Applicants
  
• Cinematography/Videography or Film Applicants
  
• Honors Program Applicants

4. Learn about Proof of Graduation and Visa Requirements for Accepted Students

Fall applicants only need to submit the following materials if they receive an offer of admission. Spring applicants must submit the following materials as a part of their admission application.

Proof of Graduation

Proof of graduation in one of the following forms is due by July 1 for fall admission or by December 15 for spring admission:

• If you attended a U.S. accredited secondary school that issues U.S. diplomas, please submit an official final transcript that indicates your date of graduation.
• If you are an IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma recipient, please request that an official copy of your IB (International Baccalaureate) Diploma is sent to us. You do not need to have it translated or evaluated.
• If you did not graduate from a U.S. accredited secondary school, request a credential evaluation of your non-U.S. diploma/certificate stating it is equivalent to a U.S. diploma. We recommend World Education Services, Educational Credential Evaluators, or the Center for Educational Documentation.

The credential evaluation service you choose will inform you about which official documents it requires (transcripts, diplomas, exam scores, etc). This varies, depending on the country where you attended school.

We cannot accept the following as proof of graduation:

• IB exam scores without accompanying diploma
• Photocopy or scan of high school diploma
• Exams such as the German Abitur, European Baccalaureate, French Baccalaureat, and Swiss Maturité

Visa and I-20 Form Information

Once we receive the following materials, we will send you a Form I-20. You will need this form to apply for your F-1 student visa from the U.S. Embassy in your country.

• Enrollment Deposit
• Proof of Secondary School/ High School Graduation 
  Please submit final transcripts with proof of graduation or a certified copy of your diploma according to the Proof of Graduation guidelines above.
• International Student Contact Form (Download PDF)
  This form provides information necessary for your I-20 Form (immigration document).
• Bank Document (Sample PDF)
  Please provide us with a bank document that meets the following criteria:
  • In English
  • In U.S. Dollars
  • An original copy
  • Showing a minimum of US$48,000
  • Signed by a bank official
  • Issued within 12 months of the start date of your program. (Please note that the funds must be liquid: real estate and forms of property are not acceptable forms of documentation.)

  Complete guidelines for Bank Document »

• Letter of Sponsorship (Download PDF)
  If your official bank letter represents finances of someone other than you, then please include this letter of sponsorship. Please make sure your financial sponsor signs and dates the letter.
  Complete guidelines for Letter of Sponsorship »

• Passport Photocopy
  Please submit a copy of the biographical/identification page of your passport. This is the page that shows your photo, your date of birth, passport number, date that the passport was issued, expiration date, and country of citizenship.

Visas for Students Already Studying in the United States

If you are already studying in the United States, you must submit one copy of the following:

• Current F-1 student visa
• Form I-94 arrival/departure record (the small, white card stapled into your passport)
• Previous Form I-20
• Transfer Verification Form

Complete guidelines for transferring a visa »

SEVIS Fee

The United States Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requires all applicants for F-1 student visas and J-1 visas to pay a one-time fee of US $200 before applying for a visa. More details about paying this fee can be found at U.S. Immigration & Customs Enforcement.

Social Security Number Information

It is not necessary to have a social security number for admission or for obtaining a visa. Some students will apply for a Social Security Number after starting college in order to work on campus. Please visit the U.S. Government Social Security website.

5. Check the Status of Your Application Credentials

Within one week of submitting your application, you will receive an email from Emerson College with an Emerson ID. You can use your Emerson ID and date of birth to log into the Application Portal to determine whether your application is complete or incomplete.

Please keep in mind that it may take up to 2 weeks for credentials to show in our system after they have been received. Materials that are postmarked by the appropriate application deadline will be considered on time. Feel free to contact us if your application materials do not show in the Application Portal within 2 weeks.

Login to the Application Portal now »

6. Watch for Updates from Emerson College

We will send you information to the mailing address and email address listed on your application. Please make sure to check your mail and email so that we can provide you with important updates. We also ask that you update your email settings to allow correspondence from admission@emerson.edu. Remember that if you opt out of emails from Emerson College, you may miss important deadline reminders!

7. Decision Notification

Notification deadlines are posted on our dates, deadlines, and options for admission page.

External Links

• Education USA
• Links to U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide
• Download a visa application form
• Visa wait times