Graduate School

 

  • Graduate School
    • Idaho State University
    921 S. 8th Ave
    Mail Stop 8075
    Pocatello, ID 83209-8075
    1-800-374-4781
    1-208-282-2150
    FAX: 208-282-4847
    Email: graddean@isu.edu
ISU Graduate School

International Students

What are the admission requirements for international students?

In addition to the general Graduate School admission requirements and any department specific requirements, international students must meet the following:

  1. International students must submit a financial statement to the Graduate School verifying that they will be able to support themselves financially for one year while attending Idaho State University. This verification must consist of a statement or letter from a bank indicating that funds are available and accessible. The amount of money available to the student must be listed on the financial statement. A graduate assistantship or fellowship awarded by a department or college may be used as part of this amount.
  2. International students who have not graduated from an accredited college or university in the United States and whose native language is not English, normally must achieve satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System test (IELTS). Satisfactory TOEFL requirements for Classified admission are:
    1. Internet-based test: a total score of 80 with a score of 20 on each Section (graduate assistants who teach courses must score 23 or above on the Speaking Section) on the iBT; or
    2. Computer-based test: a total score of 213 with a score of 21 on Section 1 (Listening Comprehension) on the computer test; or
    3. Paper-based test: a total score of 550 with a score of 55 on Section l (Listening Comprehension) on the paper test; or
    4. A level 112 from the ELS Language Centers.

    Information about the TOEFL, including test dates and locations in international countries, can be obtained from Educational Testing Service (ETS). Satisfactory IELTS performance is a score of 6.5 or better. PHOTOCOPIES OF TOEFL and/or IELTS SCORES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

  3. International students may not enter the United States for graduate study without a U.S. Immigration (I-20) form. This form will be supplied by the International Admissions Clerk in the Graduate School after a department or college chooses to accept a student and items 1 and 2 above are met in addition to the admission requirements listed previously.

If you have questions or need additional information, please contact the Graduate School at (208)282-2270, FAX number (208)282-4847.

 

Does an international student have to provide financial documentation before finding out if an application for admission is approved?

Yes. As a step toward obtaining a U.S. visa, international students must submit a financial statement to the Graduate School verifying that they will be able to support themselves financially for one year while attending Idaho State University. This verification must consist of a statement or letter from a bank indicating that funds are available and accessible. The amount of money available to the student must be listed on the financial statement. A graduate assistantship or fellowship awarded by a department or college may be used as part of this amount.

 

What must an international student score on the TOEFL/IELTS to be admitted to the Graduate School?

International students who have not graduated from an accredited college or university in the United States and whose native language is not English, normally must achieve satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System test (IELTS). Satisfactory TOEFL requirements for Classified admission are:

  1. Internet-based test: a total score of 80 with a score of 20 on each Section (graduate assistants who teach courses must score 23 or above on the Speaking Section) on the iBT; or
  2. Computer-based test: a total score of 213 with a score of 21 on Section 1 (Listening Comprehension) on the computer test; or
  3. Paper-based test: a total score of 550 with a score of 55 on Section l (Listening Comprehension) on the paper test.

Information about the TOEFL, including test dates and locations in international countries, can be obtained from Educational Testing Service (ETS). Satisfactory IELTS performance is a score of 6.5 or better. A level 112 from the ELS Language Center also meets the English language proficiency requirements. PHOTOCOPIES OF TOEFL and/or IELTS SCORES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

 

Who at the Graduate School can help international students with their I-20?

International students may not enter the United States for graduate study without a U.S. Immigration (I-20) form. This form will be supplied by the International Admissions Clerk in the Graduate School after a department or college recommends acceptance. For more information contact the Graduate School at: (208)282-2270, or FAX (208)282-4847.

 

How long is an I-20 valid?

The length of validity of an I-20 is based on the individual student and situation. There is no set time for expiration of the I-20.

 

How does an international student contact the ELS program?

The English as a Second Language Program may be contacted via: ELS, Idaho State University, Continuing Education 152, Stop 8084, Pocatello, ID 83209-8084, or clargord@isu.edu

 

If English is not my native language, must I take a proficiency exam?

International students who have not graduated from an accredited college or university in the United States and whose native language is not English, normally must achieve satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System test (IELTS). Satisfactory TOEFL requirements for Classified admission are:

  1. Internet-based test: a total score of 80 with a score of 20 on each Section (graduate assistants who teach courses must score 23 or above on the Speaking Section) on the iBT; or
  2. Computer-based test: a total score of 213 with a score of 21 on Section 1 (Listening Comprehension) on the computer test; or
  3. Paper-based test: a total score of 550 with a score of 55 on Section l (Listening Comprehension) on the paper test.

Information about the TOEFL, including test dates and locations in international countries, can be obtained from Educational Testing Service (ETS). Satisfactory IELTS performance is a score of 6.5 or better. A level 112 from the ELS Language Center also meets the English language proficiency requirements. PHOTOCOPIES OF TOEFL and/or IELTS SCORES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

 

What financial support is available to international graduate students?

There are 2 types of financial aid students may apply for:

  1. Graduate Assistantships (e.g., teaching research, etc.), which are applied for and awarded through the individual departments; or
  2. Non Resident Tuition Waivers, which are applied for and awarded through the Graduate School.

You should apply for both awards. However, some departments only award assistantships to second-year students. For some programs such as MBA or MPH, there is very little financial aid available, and most of the international students in these programs attend ISU with little or no financial aid.

 

Do international students have to submit a TOEFL/IELTS score?

International students who have not graduated from an accredited college or university in the United States and whose native language is not English, normally must achieve satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System test (IELTS). Satisfactory TOEFL requirements for Classified admission are:

  1. Internet-based test: a total score of 80 with a score of 20 on each Section (graduate assistants who teach courses must score 23 or above on the Speaking Section) on the iBT; or
  2. Computer-based test: a total score of 213 with a score of 21 on Section 1 (Listening Comprehension) on the computer test; or
  3. Paper-based test: a total score of 550 with a score of 55 on Section l (Listening Comprehension) on the paper test.

Information about the TOEFL, including test dates and locations in international countries, can be obtained from Educational Testing Service (ETS). Satisfactory IELTS performance is a score of 6.5 or better. A level 112 from the ELS Language Center also meets the English language proficiency requirements. PHOTOCOPIES OF TOEFL and/or IELTS SCORES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

 

When should an international student take the TOEFL/IELTS?

As soon as possible in the application process.

 

Will the Graduate School accept a photocopy of a TOEFL/IELTS score?

No. Photocopies of TOEFL and/or IELTS scores will not be accepted.

 

How long are TOEFL/IELTS scores valid?

For 2 years from test date.

 

If an international student comes from an English speaking country, is the TOEFL/IELTS required?

International students who have not graduated from an accredited college or university in the United States and whose native language is not English, normally must achieve satisfactory scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System test (IELTS). Satisfactory TOEFL requirements for Classified admission are:

  1. Internet-based test: a total score of 80 with a score of 20 on each Section (graduate assistants who teach courses must score 23 or above on the Speaking Section) on the iBT; or
  2. Computer-based test: a total score of 213 with a score of 21 on Section 1 (Listening Comprehension) on the computer test; or
  3. Paper-based test: a total score of 550 with a score of 55 on Section l (Listening Comprehension) on the paper test.

Information about the TOEFL, including test dates and locations in international countries, can be obtained from Educational Testing Service (ETS). Satisfactory IELTS performance is a score of 6.5 or better. A level 112 from the ELS Language Center also meets the English language proficiency requirements. PHOTOCOPIES OF TOEFL and/or IELTS SCORES WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED.

 

Last Modified: 12/05/08 at 08:26:10 AM