International First-Year Students

I am an International First-Year Applicant because I can answer “yes” to all of the following statements:

• I am not a U.S. Citizen or U.S. Permanent Resident.
• I have not previously enrolled in college-level coursework.

Step 1: Start Your Application

Step 2: Application Requirements

Send Official Transcript

Have your former high school send an official transcript directly to Shenandoah University’s Office of Admissions. If an institution is unable to send original documents, you must have an appropriate school official certify that the copy is an official copy with a stamp and signature. Documents must include courses completed, grades or marks earned and certificates or degrees awarded. All transcripts must be sent electronically from the institution, or sent via the mail and received in unopened envelopes that have been stamped or signed across the envelope seal by an authority at the sending institution. Shenandoah will also accept verified transcripts from academic credential evaluation companies in place of official transcripts sent from the applicant’s previous institutions (see list of accepted evaluation companies below).

Send Academic Credential Evaluations of Non-U.S. Transcripts

All transcripts from non-U.S. institutions must also be submitted for an academic credential evaluation to obtain equivalency information regarding courses, credits, grades and degrees earned. For first-year applicants, a general or document-by-document report is sufficient, and must include GPA. It is the responsibility of the applicant to make arrangements for the evaluation. Please note that each company may have different requirements regarding document submission. An official copy of the completed evaluation should be sent from the company directly to Shenandoah University. For convenience several companies who evaluate international credentials are noted below, but a complete list of qualified companies may be found at www.naces.org/ and http://aice.eval.org.

Audition (For Music, Theatre, and Dance Applicants Only)

Not only must Conservatory students be academically admissible, they must also complete and pass the audition, interview, and portfolio review process. Musical Theatre and Voice Performance applicants must also complete a prescreening audition before being invited to audition.

View the Undergraduate Conservatory Audition, Interview, and Portfolio Review Requirements

Send Evidence of English Language Proficiency

All applicants must demonstrate English proficiency in one of the following ways:

1. Completion, or pending completion, of a high school diploma (or equivalent) from the following countries:
   • United States of America (except Puerto Rico)
   • United Kingdom: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales 
   • Ireland
   • Canada
   • Anguilla
   • Antigua and Barbuda
   • Australia
   • Bahamas
   • Barbados
   • Belize 
   • Bermuda
   • The British Virgin Islands
   • Cayman Islands
   • Cook Islands
   • Dominica
   • Falkland Islands
   • Fiji
   • Gibraltar
   • Grenada
   • Guyana
   • Jamaica
   • Montserrat
   • New Zealand
   • Saint Kitts and Nevis
   • St. Lucia
   • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
   • Trinidad and Tobago
   • Turks and Caicos Islands
2. Completion of a post-secondary degree (or equivalent) with a cumulative GPA of a 2.5 or higher from the following countries:
   • United States of America (except Puerto Rico)
   • United Kingdom: England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales 
   • Ireland
   • Canada
   • Anguilla
   • Antigua and Barbuda
   • Australia
   • Bahamas
   • Barbados
   • Belize 
   • Bermuda
   • Botswana
   • The British Virgin Islands
   • Cayman Islands
   • Cook Islands
   • Dominica
   • Eswatini
   • Falkland Islands
   • Fiji
   • The Gambia
   • Ghana
   • Gibraltar
   • Grenada
   • Guyana
   • Jamaica
   • Kenya
   • Lesotho
   • Liberia
   • Malawi
   • Montserrat
   • Namibia
   • New Zealand
   • Nigeria
   • Philippines
   • Saint Kitts and Nevis
   • Sierra Leone
   • Singapore
   • St. Lucia
   • St. Vincent & the Grenadines
   • Tanzania
   • Trinidad and Tobago
   • Turks and Caicos Islands
   • Uganda
   • Zambia
   • Zimbabwe
3. Completion of the equivalent of Shenandoah’s ENG 101 with a grade of B or better at a regionally-accredited U.S.-based institution.
4. Successful completion of an approved English Language Program.
5. Receive one of the following scores:
   • 176 or higher on the Cambridge English Assessment or Completion of B2 First, C1 Advanced, or C2 Proficiency Exam.
   • 480 or higher on the Evidence-based Reading and Writing (ERBW) section of the SAT (test must be taken within two years of submission).
   • 18 or higher on the English Composition section of the ACT (test must be taken within five years of submission).
   • 79 or higher on the TOEFL IBT for all programs, except those in the School of Nursing,School of Health Professions, and Music Therapy programs, for which an 83 or higher is required (the test must be taken within two years of submission).
   • 21 or higher on each section of the TOEFL Paper-delivered test for all programs, except those in the School of Nursing or School of Health Professions, for which a 24 or higher is required (test must be taken within two years of submission)
   • 6.5 or higher on the IELTS test (test must be taken within two years of submission). 
   • 53 or higher on the PTE (Pearson Test of English) (test must be taken within two years of submission)
   • 105 or higher on the Duolingo English Test (DET) (test must be taken within two years of submission).

Provide Financial Documentation to Obtain an I-20

Please complete the F-1 Visa Information Form and provide financial documentation in order to start the process of obtaining an I-20. To be eligible to receive a SEVIS I-20 form from Shenandoah, please send financial information and documentation explaining how you plan to cover your educational and living expenses while studying at Shenandoah. 

A limited amount of scholarships and financial aid is available to international students. You should expect to pay the full costs of your educational and living expenses. The estimated total cost for tuition, books, health insurance, a residence hall room and food service for one full year (excluding summer) is $44,690 for full-time undergraduate study. Costs may vary by program.