International Undergraduate Admissions

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Office of Undergraduate Admissions - International Undergraduate Admissions

International students are required to meet academic performance standards which are equivalent to those established for all domestic applicants; however, freshman students educated outside the United States are not required to participate in the ACT or SAT. Participation in such tests for students educated outside the U.S. is only necessary for students wishing to qualify for certain scholarship opportunities. (See “Undergraduate Admissions” for the academic performance standards.)

Application Procedure

For purposes of admission, an international student is defined as a student who is, or will be, in the United States on a non-immigrant student visa. 

When to Apply. Applications for international students are processed on a rolling basis just as domestic applicants; however, students are encouraged to submit materials by the following dates to ensure adequate time for their VISA interview process (out of country) or SEVIS transfer (in-country):

  • Summer term: March 1 for out of country applicants / May 1 for students already in-country
  • Fall term: June 1 for out of country applicants / July 1 for students already in-country
  • Spring term: November 1 for out of country applicants / December 1 for students already in-country

How to Apply. Students can apply online via the Undergraduate Admissions website. OSU requires a non-refundable application fee of $90 USD, which can be paid online with the application.

Freshman. For the purpose of determining admission, a freshman student is one who has earned no more than six hours of college-level credit after graduation from high school (Higher Secondary). (This excludes credits earned concurrently with high school enrollment and credit earned by examination.)

Transfer. For the purpose of determining admission, a transfer student is one who has earned seven or more semester hours of college-level credit from an accredited U.S. college or university or a recognized post-secondary level institution located outside of the U.S. after graduation from high school (Higher Secondary). 

Readmission. A student who has previously attended OSU, but was not enrolled during the immediate past semester (except the summer session), must submit an updated application for Admission/Scholarship and a current application fee. A student who has enrolled in another college or university since last attending OSU must submit a transcript from each institution, an updated application for Admission/Scholarship and a current application fee. Admission status will be determined after completion of Financial Guarantee and an evaluation of all previous work has occurred.

Freshman Admission Requirements

For the purpose of determining admission, a freshman student is one who has earned no more than six hours of college-level credit after graduation from high school (Higher Secondary).

Performance Requirements. International students qualify for assured admission if they meet the following criteria:

   •   English-language proficiency exams - TOEFL PBT 500+ OR IBT 61+ OR IELTS 5.5+, OR PTE 44+ OR DET 95+ AND

   •   High School GPA 3.0+ (based on 4.0 scale)

Freshman Documents Required:

  1. An application for admission and a fee of U.S. $90.00 made payable to OSU.
  2. An official or certified true copy1 of each academic record in native language along with a certified English translation. Students enrolled at U.S. institutions may have certified true copies of their foreign records sent by their current institution.
    • Secondary school records (yearly mark sheets or transcripts).
    • National examination results.
  3. English-language Proficiency 2: All new applicants for undergraduate study for whom English is a second language are required to present either a minimum paper-based score of 500, or a minimum Internet-based score of 61 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or a minimum score of 5.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or a minimum score of 44 on the Pearson Test of English Academic edition (PTE), or a minimum score of 95 on the Duolingo English Test (DET), taken within the last two years.
  4. Complete OSU Financial Guarantee form and Bank Certification.
  5. Copy of passport biographical page.

In extraordinary and deserving cases, the President or the President’s designee may admit a student who does not meet the above English proficiency exam requirements. In these situations, the applicant must have demonstrated proficiency in the English language prior to admission. For further details, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Transfer Admission Requirements

For the purpose of determining admission, international students will enter as a transfer student if they have earned seven or more semester hours of college-level credit from an accredited U.S. college or university or a recognized post-secondary level institution located outside of the U.S. after graduation from high school (Higher Secondary).

Performance Requirements for Credit Hours Attempted:
In evaluating undergraduate college-level credit for coursework completed outside of the U.S., OSU requires that the institution where the credit was earned and the program of study be recognized as tertiary level through the standards set by the country where the institution is located. OSU evaluates semester credit hours and grades earned based on U.S. equivalency standards. This excludes incomplete grades, passing grades (ex: "P" or "S"), remedial/developmental coursework, repeated/forgiven credit and activity courses.

1. Students who have earned between 7-23 hours of college credit must satisfy both freshman admission requirements and achieve a transfer GPA of 2.25 or higher in all undergraduate college-level coursework attempted.
 

2. Students who have earned 24-59 hours of college credit must achieve a transfer GPA of 2.25 or higher in all undergraduate college-level coursework attempted.

3. Students who have earned 60 or more hours of college credit must achieve a transfer GPA of 2.00 or higher in all undergraduate college-level coursework attempted.

Transfer Documents Required:

  1. An application for admission and a fee of U.S. $90.00 made payable to OSU.
  2. College transcript1 from each institution attended. Transcripts must be submitted in the original language and translated to English. Students enrolled at U.S. institutions may have certified true copies of their foreign records sent by their current institution.
  3. English-language Proficiency3: All new applicants for undergraduate study for whom English is a second language are required to present either a minimum paper-based score of 500, or a minimum Internet-based score of 61 on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or a minimum score of 5.5 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or a minimum score of 44 on the Pearson Test of English Academic edition (PTE), or a minimum score of 95 on the Duolingo English Test (DET), taken within the last two years.
  4. Complete OSU Financial Guarantee form and Bank Certification.
  5. Copy of passport biographical page.

In extraordinary and deserving cases, the President or the President’s designee may admit a student who does not meet the above English proficiency exam requirements. In these situations, the applicant must have demonstrated proficiency in the English language prior to admission. For further details, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Non-Degree Seeking Students

Students who would like to take coursework at Oklahoma State University but do not intend to pursue a degree can apply to enroll in up to twelve credit hours without meeting admission requirements. Non-degree students are not required to submit a Financial Guarantee and will not receive immigration documents from OSU.

Non-Degree Documents Required:

  1. Completed application for admission and $90 nonrefundable application fee (paid by credit card).
  2. Copy of passport biographical page.
  3. A letter from the international office at the current institution stating that the applicant is currently in-status with immigration, in good standing, and have permissions to take a course(s) from OSU.

Readmission Requirements

For the purpose of determining admission, international students are considered for readmission if they have previously attended OSU, but not enrolled during the immediate past semester (except the summer session).

Performance Requirements:

International students qualify for readmission if they left OSU in good standing:

   •   1-30 hours of college credit and achieved a minimum GPA of 1.7 or higher in all college-level coursework attempted.
   •   31+ hours of college credit and achieved a minimum GPA of 2.0 or higher in all college-level coursework attempted.

Readmission Documents Required:

  1. An application for admission and a fee of U.S. $90.00 made payable to OSU.
  2. Complete OSU Financial Guarantee form and Bank Certification.
  3. Students who attended another college since last enrolled at OSU must submit official transcripts1 from each institution attended. Transcripts must be submitted in original language and translated to English. Students enrolled at U.S. institutions may have certified true copies of their records sent by their current institution.

Immigration 

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) require that international students file a statement with the University showing adequate financial support for their education. OSU has its own Financial Guarantee that international students complete as a requirement to receive admission and an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility.

The I-20 is required in order to pay the SEVIS fee, apply for and receive an F1 visa, and to enter the U.S. lawfully in a student status. Students currently studying in the U.S. will receive detailed instructions on how to transfer their I-20/SEVIS record to OSU prior to enrollment. Questions related to SEVIS, other visa types, or individual immigration status issues should be sent to international@okstate.edu.

Orientation Information. All international students are required to attend and complete the ISS Immigration and Orientation and Enrollment sessions prior to enrollment. Orientation will include such topics as academic information, immigration regulations, housing, food, Stillwater community, transportation, banking practices, health care and American customs. The orientation programs occur the week before classes begin each fall and spring semester. Students should make their travel plans accordingly. Direct questions regarding these programs to the Office of International Students & Scholars (iss@okstate.edu) and the Office of Undergraduate Admissions (admissions@okstate.edu).

Immunization Records. OSU’s University Health Services requires all students to complete a health history and immunization form. TB testing is required and available on-campus at University Health Services (in lieu of the TB form). The Medical History & Immunization Record form is online at uhs.okstate.edu. It is recommended that students complete this form prior to arrival on campus. The form can be submitted in person upon arrival at University Health Services, or mailed to:  University Health Services, 1202 W Farm Rd., Stillwater, OK 74078.

Additional Requirements for Admission or Continued Enrollment

Enrollment Information

Admitted freshmen must pay the $300 enrollment deposit beginning December 1 to register for housing and orientation and enrollment. Room selection will be based on the date and time students submit their application for housing. Sponsored students will complete the online process and have their enrollment deposit deferred. The enrollment deposit can be refunded in part ($250) until May 1.

After admission is granted, international students will receive detailed information on arrival and international orientation. The enrollment process for freshmen is completed during scheduled orientation sessions conducted on campus the week before classes begin. New freshmen are required to submit a final official high school transcript which includes confirmation of high school graduation to complete their admission record.

 
1

Scanned copies of transcripts from international institutions are accepted for admission purposes ONLY. You can send us copies of your transcripts by email to international@okstate.edu. In order to avoid delays in enrollment, applicants who are offered admission to OSU must submit official transcripts prior to enrollment at OSU.

2

English-language proficiency exams will be waived for domestically-based international high school students who have attended an English-speaking school. According to OSHRE policy, results of the TOEFL taken at international testing centers and special testing centers will be accepted. Results of the TOEFL taken at institutional testing centers will only be accepted by the administering institution. 

3

English-language proficiency exams will be waived for transfer students who have 24 or more transferable credit hours from a U.S. or English-speaking post-secondary institution. According to OSRHE policy, results of the TOEFL taken at international testing centers and special testing centers will be accepted. Results of the TOEFL taken at institutional testing centers will only be accepted by the administering institution.