INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

Policy on International Student Admissions and Issuance of 1-20 Forms

Students who are not US citizens or legal permanent residents should follow the regular admission procedures outlined in the Admissions area of this website, taking note of the special requirements for international students.  The application must be completed in English.  All letters of recommendation must be written in English and on original letterhead stationery.  English translations of all transcripts and explanations of the grading system must be provided.  TOEFL scores must be provided unless English is the applicant’s native language or the applicant completed a post secondary degree at an institution where English is the language of instruction.

Although offers of admission will be made on a rolling basis throughout the application season, I-20 forms will be issued approximately 4 months before the academic term in which the student will begin studies.  This should allow the student ample time to obtain an entry visa and make travel plans.

Before issuing an I-20, we require the following items from you (the applicant):

• A written acceptance from you of our offer of admission (fax or email also acceptable.

• A tuition deposit of $500.00 (five hundred dollars).  This deposit will be applied to your first semester’s tuition, but it is non-refundable.  That is, if you do not enroll, or if you enroll and then withdraw, this deposit will not be returned to you.  The $500.00 deposit should be a check or money order in U.S. currency.  The check must be drawn on a U.S. bank.

• An Affidavit of Support and its associated supporting documentation. Download the GSBMS International Applicant/Financial Affidavit form.  Complete the form and submit it to the GSBMS office.

• A certificate of bank deposit(s).  The certificate must be accompanied by a statement confirming the deposits.  The statement must be endorsed by a bank official and submitted on original letterhead bank stationery.  The amount of deposits must cover the tuition and living expenses for at least one year of study.

These financial documents must be dated no earlier than February 1 for Fall term admission. Thus, if you have previously submitted financial affidavits and supporting documentation that pre-date February 1, you will need to submit new documents.

This policy applies to all international students beginning study after January 2008.  Applicants who have deferred admission from a previous term will be issued a new letter of admission along with the I-20 once we have the required documents and the tuition deposit specified in this policy.

In general, entry to the U.S. on a student visa can occur no sooner than 30 days before the reporting date on the !-20.  The exact date when classes start varies from year to year, but, as a rule of thumb, the earliest entry date would be early August for matriculation in the Fall term, or early to mid-December in the Spring term.

International students who wish to bring a spouse and/or minor dependents into the United States after beginning their graduate study must be in good academic standing and must submit to the dean a written acknowledgement of the student’s intention from his/her department chairperson.  The student must also supply an affidavit of support for the spouse and each dependent, bank statement proving sufficient funds for this support are on deposit, and proof of family plan health insurance that is acceptable to the College.

FALL ADMISSION