Washington State University

International Programs

International Undergraduate Admission

Requirements
WSU International Undergraduate Admission is still open for Fall 2013.
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Secondary School

Applicants must complete at least 12 years of elementary through secondary school, culminating in an appropriate secondary certificate or external examination. Grades must be distinctly above average. We may consider the first year or two of university in some countries to be secondary level.

Smart people love WSU! (And WSU loves them, too.) If you're among the top 10 percent of your high school class or if you've earned at least a 3.5 GPA, you're assured admission to WSU. Apply for admission, keep your grades up, and no worries: you're in.

Applicants graduating from accredited high schools outside the U.S. must have a minimum grade point average of 2.70 (on a 4.00 scale). Your schooling should include preparation in humanities, mathematics, basic sciences, and social sciences.

College or University Transfer

International transfer applicants need to have a minimum grade point average of 2.50 (on a 4.0 scale) in at least one full year of study at a recognized or accredited post-secondary school.

You'll be notified if any additional documents are needed to review your application.

Transfering from a U.S. institution? Submit your transfer-in I-20 request form.

English Proficiency

There are three options for international students to meet the English proficiency requirement.

1. Take a language exam

The two most commonly accepted exams are the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and IELTS (International English Language Testing System). Other examinations may also be accepted.

Scores must come directly from the testing agency to Washington State University; do not send copies.

 Applicants will need to score at least 550 (paper test) or 79 (electronic test) or 213 (computer based) on the TOEFL. The IELTS minimum score is 6.5.  MELAB minimum is 77.

2. Study English at WSU

If you qualify academically but can't meet the minimum English proficiency requirement, you may be able to study English at the University's Intensive American Language Center (IALC). If you complete level 5 of the IALC program with a "B" average and meet all other eligibility requirements, you will be considered for admission.

3. International Bridge Program

The Washington State University (WSU) International Bridge Program is a structured, degree-seeking program with specialized English courses designed to help you satisfy the ELP requirement while earning credits towards your Bachelor’s degree.

4. Qualify for a language waiver

You can qualify for a language proficiency waiver if you meet one of these criteria at the time you apply:

At least 3 years of attendance at a U.S. high school (SAT or ACT will be required)

You have attended a U.S. regionally accredited college/university and:

  • By the beginning of classes, you have completed a a transferable equivalent of WSU's English 101 and 102 with a minimum of a 3.0 ("B" on a 4.0 scale) and have 27 semester (40 quarter) transferable credits at the time of application.
  • By the beginning of classes, you have earned at least 53 semester (80 quarter) hours of transferable credits from an accredited U.S. college or university at the time of enrollment with grades averaging at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) .
  • By the beginning of classes, you have completed an Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college with a minimum GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale)

Applicants from these countries are exempt from the English proficiency requirement: Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, British Guyana, Canada, Great Britain, Ireland, Jamaica, Liberia, New Zealand, Trinidad, Tobago, and Zambia.

If you were schooled outside the U.S. in a country not included in the list above and the language of instruction was English. If so, you must provide an official letter from the school stating that English was the language of instruction while you attended there.

Finances

Along with the admission application, you'll need to submit the Certificate of Finances to demonstrate that you have adequate financial resources to meet your educational expenses.

Washington State University requires that all F-1 or J-1 visa status applicants submit evidence of adequate financial support to cover costs of attendance for at least one full year of studies. This support may be provided through any combination of personal or sponsored funds.

Download the Certificate of Finances form and mail, email, or fax to IP Global Services - Undergraduate Admissions: Fax 1-509-335-2982, Email: international@wsu.edu

Send all mailed materials to:

Office of International Programs
Global Services - Undergraduate Admissions
Bryan Hall Room 206
PO Box 645121
Pullman, WA 99164-5121
USA

Materials sent to Washington State University will not be returned.

If supported by personal and/or family funds, submit signed Certificate of Finances and original bank letter reflecting an available bank balance equal to or greater than $43,500 for Fall 2013-Spring 2014.

If sponsored by a government, educational institution, or official agency, please submit an official letter reflecting that the scholarship is valid for use at WSU.

Personal bank and sponsor letters may be either a certified copy or original and must be signed by the bank/sponsor official. These letters cannot be older than three months from the date of application to the university. (Please understand that you are responsible for all payments to the university, even if you sponsored by your government or other agency.)

Scholarships for International Students Estimated Costs

If you meet the prerequisite requirements, you're ready to apply for admission.

Evaluation

The student must provide complete, official academic records from secondary (equivalent to high school education in the U.S.) and post-secondary schools. Records should include courses taken, grades received, and degrees or certificates earned. Secondary school transcripts (equivalent to high school education in the U.S.) - if not originally in English - must not only be translated into English, but also must be evaluated for U.S. credit.

WSU recommends translations and evaluations be performed by one of the approved credential evaluation agencies, such as Worldwide Education Services (WES) or Education Credential Evaluations (ECE). Other reputable agencies can be found on the NACES website (www.naces.org).

Foreign Credential Evaluation

The student must provide complete, official academic records from secondary (equivalent to high school education in the U.S.) and post-secondary schools. Records should include courses taken, grades recieved, and degrees or certificates earned. Secondary school transcripts (equivalent to high school education in the U.S.) - if not originally in English - must not only be translated into English, but also must be evaluated for U.S. credit. WSU recommends translations and evaluations be performed by one of the approved credential evaluation agencies, such as Worldwide Education Services (WES) or Education Credential Evaluations (CEE). Other reputable agencies can be found on the NACES website (www.naces.org).

Select credential evaluation service

The most commonly used evaluation services include:


Applicants may select any member organization of NACES to complete the credential/transcript evaluation.  See the full list of approved evaluation services.

Request the correct evaluation

Freshmen/first year students
  • Applicants whose only education includes high school/secondary school work need to request that the evaluation include a cumulative grade point average (GPA).
Transfer students
  • Applicants with college/university coursework need to request a course by course detailed transcript evaluation.  Applicants with less than one year of college/university work need to have both high school and college/university transcripts evaluated.

Under specific circumstances WSU can provide foreign credential evaluations. 

If you provide WSU with original transcripts and wish for us to complete a credential evaluation, please fill out the "request for evaluation" form and email to international.wsu.edu.

Passport

Submit a copy of the identity page of your passport or national identification card. If you will be accompanied by dependents (wife, husband, or child) you must provide a copy of each person's passport identity page or national identification card.

Office of International Programs

International Programs, PO Box 645121, Washington State University, Pullman WA 99164-5121, 509-335-2541, Contact Us