The world at Rochester
The University of Rochester prides itself on being a global institution. We’re home to more than 4,200 international students and scholars from around the globe. As a Rochester student, you’ll join a welcoming and diverse community that embraces students from all backgrounds and more than 130 different countries.
Meet some of our students
Who is considered an international student?
You are considered an international student if you arenota United States citizen or a permanent resident.
Explore frequently asked questions about applying as an international student
Applying as an international student
To become an undergraduate student at the University of Rochester in Arts, Sciences & Engineering, you must apply either as a first-year or a transfer applicant.
If you’re interested in studying solely at the University of Rochester’sEastman School of Musicfor a bachelor of music degree, you must apply directly through theEastman School application.
International first-year applicants
How to apply
Apply online through theCommon Application(CA) or theCoalition for College Application(CoA).
Required supporting materials
The followingrequired materials must be submitted to us directly by your school via common application or the Coalition/Scoir Application, testing site, or family member, depending on the document. The Office of Admissions will not consider official, nor process documents submitted via email from another party.
- Secondary school transcript
- Teacher recommendation (one required)
- School report/counselor recommendation
- Mid-year report(when available)
- Final transcript (when available)
- College transcript (if applicable)
- English language exam resultsOREnglish Proficiency Requirement Waiver Request
- International Financial Support Form (IFSF) (for applicants who do not require need based financial aid) or CSS Profile (for applicants who require need based financial aid). Submit your Profile to the University school code 2928.
Optional supporting materials
You can alsosign up for an interview(highly recommended) and/or submit the followingoptional materials:
- Official test scores
- Links to electronic media (music, websites, photos, videos, etc.)
- Writing sample
- Family/Peer Recommendation Form
Combined degree program applicants
Combined degree programs allow you to fast-track your master’s or other advanced degree, or enroll in multiple University of Rochester schools at once.
To be considered for one of these programs, indicate the program you’re applying for in the application portal you’ve chosen. You will then be required to complete a short essay related to your interest in the program. Our counselors will consider your entire application along with any supporting materials.
International transfer applicants
If you have graduated from high school or earned a high school equivalency and have enrolled in eight or more college credits (typically one semester) following graduation, you would be considered a transfer applicant.
How to apply
Apply online through theCommon Application (CA).
Required supporting materials
The followingrequired materials must be submitted to us directly by your school, testing site, or family member, depending on the document. We prefer documents to be submitted electronically. The University of Rochester school code is 002894. Required materials include:
- Official college transcript(s)
- Final high school transcript*
- College Report (CA)
- Academic evaluator recommendation (CA)
- English language exam resultsOREnglish Proficiency Requirement Waiver Request
- International Financial Support Form (IFSF)(for applicants who do not require need based financial aid) or CSS Profile (for applicants who require need based financial aid)
- ACourse-by-CourseCredential Evaluation of college transcripts (required if college education has been outside the US).Acceptable outside companies to use for the evaluation areWorld Education Services (WES)orEducation Credential Evaluators (ECE). Please ensure you’ve requested your reports to be sent to the University of Rochester upon completion. Visit Rochester’s ECE landing page.
*If you have completed at least one year of full-time college coursework, you may requestthis item to be waived after applying. Please email us at admit@admissions.rochester.edu after you’ve applied to request this. However, sending more information may improve your chances of admission.
Optional supporting materials
You can alsosign up for an interview(highly recommended) and submit the followingoptional materials:
- Transfer Mid-term Report (CA) (recommended)
- Official test scores
- Additional academic evaluator, teacher, or counselor recommendation
- Links to electronic media (music, websites, photos, videos, etc.)
- Writing sample
- Family/Peer Recommendation Form
Scholarships and financial aid
We understand that there are numerous factors that impact a student’s ability to finance their university education. We are committed to meeting the full demonstrated need of all admitted students regardless of citizenship. The University provides a combination of merit and need-based aid in an effort to make enrollment affordable. Financial need is a contributing factor, however, for international applicants. As a result, admission is highly selective for students with financial need.
During the application process, international applicants are required to demonstrate they have the financial means to attend Rochester (through private funds or sponsorship) or apply for need-based aid. The documentation you must submit as a part of the application process will depend on whether or not you require need-based financial aid.
International applicants who do not require need-based financial aid
Applicants who are able to meet the fullcost of attendancemust submit a completedInternational Financial Support Form (IFSF)with their application for admission.
- Your application will remain incomplete without a completed IFSF on file.
- Acceptable sources of funding are listed on the IFSF.
- Applicants securing funding from their government, a private sponsor, or other source of funding not listed on IFSF should submit a copy of a sponsor letter as supporting documentation.
Questions about this form can be directed tointernational@ur.rochester.edu.
International applicants who require need-based financial aid
If you are unable to meet the full cost of attendance for Rochester without need-based aid or sponsorship from the University, you must submit the CSS Profile.
The CSS Profile is used to determine your potential eligibility for need-based University of Rochester grant funding and must be completed each year of attendance. The CSS Profile can be submitted beginning October 1.
Due to limited resources, only a small number of international applicants will qualify for need-based financial aid from the University.
Applicants unable to secure the needed funding to cover the cost of attendance either through private funds or sponsorship cannot be admitted to the University.
We recognize that the CSS Profile Fee may be a financial barrier for some high-need international students. As a result, we have purchased a limited number of CSS Profile fee waivers to provide to eligible students. To submit a CSS Profile Fee Waiver Request, students must:
(1) Have submitted a Common Application or Coalition for College Application to Rochester
(2) Attest that the CSS Profile Fee will present a significant financial burden.
The deadline to request a waiver is January 15 for first-year applicants and April 15 for transfer students. Spring applicant’s deadline is November 15.
Once the request is submitted, International Admissions will follow up directly with the waiver credentials.
Merit scholarships opportunities
All applicants, regardless of citizenship, are considered formerit scholarships. No additional documentation is required to compete for a merit scholarship. Since merit scholarships are awarded independent of a student’s need, you must still submit the appropriate documents with your application as described above to complete your application for admission.
English language exams
All international students are required to submit proof of English language proficiency. Students can demonstrate proof of English language proficiency through English language proficiency exams or by submitting an English Proficiency Waiver Request Form.
English language proficiency exams
If your native language is not English and you are attending secondary or higher education institutions in a non-native English speaking country, you must take one of the following English language exams:
English language proficiency test scores must be submitted officially. DET scores must be sent directly from Duolingo. There is no cost to send these scores. Preferably, IELTS and TOEFL scores will also be submitted directly from the testing agencies. If, however, cost is a barrier to sending these scores to Rochester, you may have your school counselor submit a copy of your results.
You may submit test scores from one or more exam type (eg. one DET and one IELTS score). You may also submit more than one exam result (eg. results from two sittings of the TOEFL iBT).Please note, however, that we do not super-score or combine sub-scores from different test sittings. We also do not accept TOEFL My Best Score results. We will look at your sub-scores and totals from each individual test sitting.
Exam | Recommended score |
---|---|
Duolingo English Test | 130 |
IELTS | 7.5 |
TOEFL iBT (School Code: 2928) | 100 |
Admission to the University of Rochester is based on a holistic review process. Applicants whose test scores fall outside of the ranges displayed above are still encouraged to apply.If we evaluate your English proficiency to be at a level that would benefit from additional support to succeed at Rochester, you may gain admission through theEnglish for Academic Purposes Program (EAPP).
EAPP is a two-semester program that gives students additional time to focus on critical reading, reasoning, writing, and research skills. Students in EAPP begin coursework for their Rochester degree and EAPP in their first semester. Applicants to Rochester cannot apply directly to EAPP.
English Proficiency Waiver Request Form
You can submit an English Proficiency Waiver Request if you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- You are a native speaker of English.
- You completed at least three years of high school where English was the primary language of instruction.
- You are a transfer applicant who has completed a year or more of college-level courses taught in the United States, including at least one writing-intensive course.
Waiver requests will be reviewed after the submission of an application and transcript. If approved, your application status will automatically be updated. International applicants must submit English proficiency exam scores or request a waiver by their application deadline.
Let's Connect
Have a question?
We’re here to help—and no concern is too big or too small. Feel free to reach out to our International Admissions team at international@ur.rochester.edu.
For questions about data privacy view our GDPR notice.
Explore frequently asked questions about applying as an international student
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