Syracuse University has a long tradition of welcoming international students to its campus, and we're eager to expand the cultural diversity of the student population even more. Please be sure to explore the many services we offer to our international students by clicking here. Syracuse University will be represented at a variety of overseas college fairs this fall. Click here to find out more. View a PDF of the Guide for Undergaduate Students Living Outside the United States 2007-2008.

To be admitted to Syracuse University, international students must:

• Demonstrate sufficient academic preparation to achieve success in their studies at Syracuse University.
• Demonstrate the ability to pay for their education here.
• Demonstrate proficiency in the English language.

Key topics:

• For First-year Students
• For Transfer Students
• Spring Semester
• Admissions Notification
• Standardized Tests
• Financial Requirements
• Financial Aid and Scholarships
• English Proficiency Requirements
• Conditional Admission
• Credentials
• Student Visas and Immigration
• Dependent Information

For First-year Students:

Regular Decision is the plan you generally use when you apply in the beginning of your final year in secondary school. Completed applications must be postmarked by January 1. Applications are accepted after January 1 if space is available in the program to which you have applied.

Early Decision should be seriously considered if Syracuse University is your first choice. As an Early Decision candidate, you agree to enroll at Syracuse University if admitted to your preferred college at SU. You may apply to other colleges and universities with the understanding that you will withdraw these applications if you are admitted to Syracuse University. Completed applications must be postmarked by November 15.

For Transfer Students:

We encourage transfer students to apply under the January 1 Regular Decision plan deadline to receive full consideration for admission and housing. Enrollment in some colleges and programs may be limited. Transfer applications will be evaluated by the Admissions Committee as they are received and become complete.

Spring Semester:

Students wishing to apply for admission for the spring (January) semester are encouraged to submit their applications early in the fall (mid to late October).

Admissions Notification:

As soon as all necessary credentials and documents are received, international applicants are reviewed by the Admissions Committee and notified of the admission decision by email and letter.

Standardized Tests:

All first-year applicants, with the exception of those living in China, must take the SAT or the ACT, including the optional Writing Test (if available in your country). SAT Subject Tests are not required. Transfer students who have completed at least one full academic year at an institution of higher learning are not required to take the SAT.

In addition, all international undergraduate applicants to Syracuse University whose first language is not English must take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language). Please go to English Proficiency Requirements for more information.

Financial Requirements:

In addition to what is required of United States citizens or permanent residents, international applicants are required to submit proof of sufficient funding. Any international applicant who requires an F-1 Student Visa to come to Syracuse is required to submit documentation that demonstrates the ability to fund his or her education for one full academic year. The U.S. dollar amount for applicants to either the spring 2008 semester or the fall 2008 semester must total $47,825. Acceptable proof includes, for privately sponsored applicants, a signed letter of support from the bank that includes the U.S. dollar amount of support and certified bank statements, which indicate that the sponsor has sufficient funds to meet your first-year expenses at Syracuse University per the University's current estimate of $47,825. The certified bank statement need not show the total amount of funds in the account. Rather, it must state that the account has funds to meet your first-year expenses at Syracuse University. Government-sponsored applicants must submit a certified copy of the award letter that includes the U.S. dollar amount of the award per year, the duration of the award, and a list of expenses covered by the award. All international students must complete the International Applicant Form (PDF). Photocopies of financial documentation are acceptable. You may fax documents to 011-315-443-8427. Please include a copy of your passport with the financial documents you send us. Be sure to write your name, date of birth, and name of the program to which you are applying on all documents you send. In addition to the above expenses, international students must plan on expenses for the winter break and summer months. These additional personal and living expenses are estimated at $3,500. If you are returning to your home country or are traveling to another location, you need to anticipate those travel expenses.

Financial Aid and Scholarships:

All students, including international students, are eligible for merit-based scholarships, but international students are not eligible for need-based financial aid. Merit-based scholarships are awarded at the time of application review and are granted based on a student's academic credentials. Qualified first-year students are offered one of three scholarships:

• Founders' Scholarship
• Chancellor's Scholarship
• Dean's Scholarship

Merit–based scholarships are renewable each year as long as a student maintains at least a 2.75 G.P.A on a 4.0 scale.

Eligible transfer students can be offered either the Chancellor's Scholarship or the Dean's Scholarship.

English Proficiency Requirements:

All undergraduate international applicants to Syracuse University whose first language is not English must prove they are proficient in the English language. The TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) is required of all undergraduate applicants whose native language is not English, whether they are applying as a first-year or a transfer student. The minimum TOEFL score required on the written test is 550 (600 if applying to the Newhouse School of Public Communications). The minimum TOEFL score required on the computerized test is 213 (250 if applying to the Newhouse School of Public Communications). The minimum TOEFL score required on the internet-based test (iBT) is 80 (100 if applying to the Newhouse School of Public Communications). The minimum IELTS score is 6.5. Applicants to the S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications should achieve a score of at least 7.0. A student can also satisfy the English language proficiency requirement by attending our English Language Institute (E.L.I.) and completing Level 4 at the Institute. For more information on the E.L.I., click here.

It is possible to have the TOEFL or IELTS requirement waived in certain situations. For example, if a first-year applicant attends a school in the U.S. or one outside the U.S. that is based on the American system of education, if the language of instruction for a student's entire schooling has been English language, or if a student has strong SAT critical reading and writing scores, the requirement may be waived. A transfer student who has been studying at a college or university in the United States for at least one full academic year and has a strong record of academic performance may also have the English language requirement waived. However, the decision to waive the standard requirement is at the discretion of the Admissions Committee. We, therefore, recommend that all students whose native language is not English take either the TOEFL or IELTS test as part of the application process.

Conditional Admission:

International applicants can be granted Conditional Admission to Syracuse University if the academic requirements for admission have been met, but there is:

1. Insufficient English proficiency and/or
2. Insufficient financial support.

Conditionally admitted students are not considered fully admitted to the University and will not be issued the SEVIS I-20 form (the form that is needed to obtain the F-1 Student Visa) until the University receives the necessary English proficiency credentials and/or the necessary proof of sufficient funding. A student will remain conditionally admitted until these terms have been satisfied. We cannot guarantee space will still be available at the time a student meets the condition.

Credentials:

Students who have completed academic work outside the U.S. must also provide official academic credentials as well as English translations of the documents. If only one document is available, we will accept notarized or certified copies of the original document. If translations are needed, it is the student's responsibility to have the credentials translated by a reputable translation and evaluation service. Syracuse University will not provide translations for the student. A key to the marking system or grading scale should also be included if it is not indicated on the transcript. In addition, all transfer applicants should provide course descriptions of all work completed so that a credit evaluation can be completed.

View a listing of selected required credentials and advanced credit policies. (PDF)

Student Visas and Immigration:

If you are at another institution in the United States in F-1 immigration status:

Your school will need to transfer your SEVIS record to Syracuse University by 'Releasing Your Record.' This would happen on a date that you and the international student advisor at your current school agree upon. Please inform the Syracuse University Office of Admissions of the date your school will release your record and we will arrange for your I-20 to be processed and then sent to you.

Most importantly, to maintain your legal status, you must be released and Syracuse University must issue a 'Transfer Pending I-20' no later than 60 days after your program end date (likely the last day of final exams or the graduation date at your previous school).

Your current International Student Advisor can notify Syracuse University of your intent to transfer by accessing http://international.syr.edu/transfer_to_su.htm.

*It is also important to remember that if you are going back to your home country between the time you finish at your current school and the date you are coming to Syracuse University, you need to enter the United States with the I-20 of Syracuse University. If you are going home and your current F-1 visa is valid, you do not need to apply for a new visa. However, if your F-1 visa is expired and you are leaving the U.S. and re-entering, you do need to apply for a new F-1 Student Visa. See the directions below for applying for a Nonimmigrant Visa.

If you have been studying outside the United States prior to coming to Syracuse University:

You will need an I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status) in order to apply for your student visa. You would do this at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. When you receive the I-20 from the Slutzker Center for International Services, directions will be provided on exactly how you apply for the visa and what documents you need, but for further information you can visit the Slutzker Center web site.

Dependent Information:

If your spouse and/or children would be accompanying you to Syracuse, please complete the Dependent Information Form.

For additional information for international students, please visit the FAQ page for international students.

Please contact us by phone at 315-443-3611, or by fax at 315-443-4226, for additional information.