4.2.4. International Students (Freshman and Transfer Applicants)

International applicants are individuals who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. International applicants may be either first-time freshmen or transfer students within the TU program.

4.2.4.1. Deadlines

International applicants seeking freshman admission may choose to apply under the Early Bird plan, the Early Action plan (November 1 deadline) or the Regular Decision plan. For more details about each plan, please refer to Sec. 4.2.1.1.

International applicants seeking transfer admission are considered on a rolling admission basis. Applications are reviewed in the order in which they are completed, provided that sufficient time remains for processing and enrollment.

4.2.4.2. Admission Consideration

International applicants who are able to provide evidence of suitable academic background and adequate financial resources are encouraged to apply. Admission to Oglethorpe is open to qualified students of all nationalities.

Eligible freshman candidates should demonstrate academic achievement in a secondary curriculum, and transfer candidates should demonstrate academic achievement in college or university coursework. Candidates should also show proof of English language proficiency as outlined in Sec. 4.2.4.5. The admission office encourages international students to arrange telephone or online interviews.

4.2.4.3. Application Requirements

A completed international application includes submission of the application form, payment of the application fee, and the following:

  • Official, original versions of secondary school, college, or university documents, certificates, or diplomas.
  • Transcript evaluation, for all non-U.S. transcripts and records.
    • Evaluations must include an English translation, a “course-by-course” evaluation, semester credit hours, grades and detailed course descriptions, and must be sent directly to Oglethorpe.
    • Oglethorpe recommends the use of a firm such as Josef Silny and Associates, Inc. (jsilny.com or +1 305 273 1616)
  • Application essay of at least 250 words (typed, in English).
  • A completed financial statement of support, and a document on bank letterhead that certifies available funds.

The materials above typically are required before an admission decision can be made. In addition, Oglethorpe strongly recommends that all international applicants prepare the following credentials as part of the application process, as they are important in subsequent steps toward enrollment:

  • Passport photocopy
  • International Student Financial Aid Application, available from the financial aid office.

 

4.2.4.4. Enrollment Policies

Admitted international students must secure their place in the class by submitting an enrollment deposit no later than May 1 (if the student will enroll in the fall semester) or January 1 (if the student will enroll in the spring semester). Entering international students must submit an official final transcript from the secondary school and, if applicable, from all colleges and universities. All international students must complete the online housing application or the housing exemption form as soon as possible after the housing application is released. For more details about campus residency requirements or to complete an online housing form, please visit https://reslife.oglethorpe.edu/.

International students should be mindful of the additional steps needed to secure a visa before attending Oglethorpe. Admitted international students should make an enrollment decision in a timely fashion, allowing ample time for visa issuance at their local U.S. embassy.

All entering students must fulfill the requirements of our immunization policy (see Sec. 6.5.).  Instructions are available at https://health.oglethorpe.edu/immunizations/.

4.2.4.5. English Proficiency

Before selecting an international applicant for admission, the admission committee verifies that the applicant shows proficiency in English, in order to fully participate in Oglethorpe courses by speaking, listening, reading and writing.

All international applicants must demonstrate English proficiency by submitting one of the following:

If English is not the first language:

  • Official transcript from an ELS, Inc., language center.
    • Must indicate completion of level 112.
  • Official scores from an ESL test.
    • Must indicate completion of level 7.
  • Official scores from the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).
    • Minimum score of 79 on the Internet-based test.
    • Minimum score of 213 on the computer-based test.
    • Minimum score of 550 on the paper-based test.
    • Oglethorpe’s college code for the TOEFL is 5521.
  • Official scores from the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) test.
    • Minimum score of 6.5.
  • Official scores from the Pearson Test of English.
    • Minimum score of 60
  • Official scores from the Versant Test.
    • Minimum score of 64+
  • Official scores from iTEP Academic Test.
    • Minimum score of 3.9-4.0
  • Official scores from Duolingo Language Exam
    • Minimum score of 105-115
  • Official scores from the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test).
    • Minimum score of 550 on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section.
    • Oglethorpe’s college code for the SAT is 5521.
  • Official transcript from a regionally accredited United States college or university.
    • Minimum combined cumulative grade-point average of 2.3 with no grade below a “C” in two English composition courses.

If English is the first language:

  • Official scores from the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test).
    • Minimum score of 550 on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section.
    • Oglethorpe’s college code for the SAT is 5521.
  • Official scores from the ACT.
    • Minimum composite score of 21.
    • Oglethorpe’s college code for the ACT is 0850.
  • Official copy of approved regional examinations (for example, “A” or “O” level examinations).