Source: The University of Michigan
International students thrive at the University of Michigan. At both the undergraduate and graduate level, they come from 120+ countries, representing a highly diverse global community. More than one-third of our international students are undergraduates.
Here, you will find an unmatched combination of excellence and opportunities in more than 275 undergraduate degree programs, faculty with national and international reputations for excellence in teaching and research, impressive facilities for every academic endeavor, and a safe place to live and learn in one of the best college towns in America. It all adds up to one of the most recognized degrees in the world.
Requirements & Deadlines
International students are valued members of the University of Michigan campus community. The wealth of global and cultural experience they bring adds significantly to the rich and varied tapestry of backgrounds they will find here. The university has a long history of engaging the world on many levels — as an international student, you help maintain and further our standing and deep connection with the global community.
How to Apply
The application process for international students at the University of Michigan is the same process all undergraduate students undertake, with a few key differences. The requirements may vary depending on your country of origin and specific educational history, particularly the type of transcript you will need to submit.
Before you apply, it is important to note that international students on temporary visas are not eligible for financial aid, and are expected to pay the full cost of attendance. Few scholarships are available.
Important Application Steps
1.You must apply via the Common Application or Coalition Application, along with a $75 application fee (Please note that both application options include specific University of Michigan questions, and there is no advantage to submitting one over the other.)
2.All undergraduate first-year applicants are required to submit test results from either the SAT or the ACT.
3.Submit the School Report.
4.Submit one Teacher Evaluation (academic teacher).
5.Submit a Counselor Recommendation (encouraged, but not required).
6.Submit your high school transcript. An official English translation is required to accompany the transcript if the transcript is not issued in English by the school. (Students who have already completed high school, including university transfer applicants, should be sure to have final high school transcript submitted showing the graduation date. Also provide a detailed explanation of any educational gaps.)
7.If you are a speaker of English as a second language, you will need to submit your MELAB, TOEFL, or IELTS scores.
8.Please note that international students on temporary visas are not eligible for financial aid, and should expect to pay the full cost of attendance. Scholarships are generally not available.
Do not submit any extra documents unless specifically requested, as this may only delay your decision.
Your SAT/ACT test scores must be sent directly from the testing agency and received in our office by our deadline. Please plan ahead— rush paper scores are not accepted. Also note that if you plan to take the ACT or SAT in October, those scores will not arrive in time to complete your application for Early Action. If you have not yet had your scores reported, you can have them sent online using these links:
ACT (U-M Code is 2062)
SAT (U-M code is 1839)
Deadlines
As one who lives a great distance from Michigan and the United States, it’s important to submit your application, test scores, and related materials as soon as possible — ideally, long before you plan on attending U-M. Your application materials will be reviewed once all of them have been received. Although deadlines vary by school, college, or program, some general deadlines to keep in mind include:
Fall term—February 1
Early Action—November 1
Winter term—October 1
Spring term—February 1
Summer term—February 1
Exams & Visas
An important exam that non-native speakers of English will need to take for admission consideration to the University of Michigan assesses English language proficiency. We are seeking a high level of proficiency in English due to the nature of the environment into which you will be entering—although the campus community represents a wide range of cultural and geographic backgrounds, American English is the dominant language in the classroom. As a result, we do not offer intensive English make-up course work for conditional admission. Once enrolled, you can undertake a course of language study to improve your skills. Freshman applicants must also submit the SAT or ACT on top of their English proficiency exam results. SAT and ACT are not required for transfer students but may be submitted if previously taken.
English Proficiency
If English is your second language, you must take the TOEFL, IELTS, ECPE, CAE or CPE, PTE Academic, MELAB or MET examinations and earn a passing score in one of the following acceptable ranges:
General English Proficiency Score Ranges
TOEFL (iBT): 100 range with section scores 23+ in listening & reading and 21+ in speaking and writing
TOEFL (PBT): 600 range with section scores 57+
IELTS: 7.0 range with section scores 6.5+
ECPE: Certificate with all sections at least a C
CAE (C1 Advanced): 185 with no less than 180+ in all sections (CEFR C1)
CPE(C2 Proficiency): Pass with B (CEFR C1)
PTE Academic: 68 with all sections equally strong
MELAB (plus speaking): 85 range with section scores 80+ and 3+ in speaking (scores only officially reportable through June 2020)
MET: 64 with section scores of 59+
Exceptions: You can be exempted from taking any of these exams if your SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing score is 650 or above (600 or above if presenting an old SAT critical reading score), or if both your ACT Reading and English scores are 27 or above, and if you have recently completed at least 4 years of rigorous academic study in any of the following countries: Anguilla, Antigua, Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, England, Federated States of Micronesia, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Montserrat, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Seychelles, Shetland Islands, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks and Caicos Islands, United States (other than Puerto Rico), US Virgin Islands, Wales. (Those in American Schools and British Schools abroad may also be exempted if at least 4 years of rigorous academic study has recently been completed if scores meet above standards.)
English Language Institute (ELI)
The English Language Institute provides advanced English language instruction to non-native speakers of English who enroll at the University who already meet general MELAB, TOEFL or IELTS requirements and who already have a high level of English proficiency. It offers students courses in English for Academic Purposes to continue to polish English skills at an advanced collegiate level in the summer prior to enrollment.
Visas
All international students at the University of Michigan need both a passport from their home governments and a temporary visa from the United States. Above all, these documents provide you with proof of residence as well as highly reliable forms of identification. Because you will need the visa before you enter the United States, it’s a good idea to apply for it when you apply for your passport (if you haven’t already done so). At the latest, you should receive a valid visa a few months before your studies begin at U-M. In order to receive your visa, enrolling students must first fill out the Financial Resources Statement.
Visa Types
The two most common types of visas international students use are the F-1 student visa and the J-1 exchange visitor visa:
F-1
Most international students use the F-1 temporary student visa. To qualify for it, you must offer evidence that you will be enrolled full-time during the academic year. You can do so once you are admitted and confirm your intent to enroll. After we receive proof of full financial support, U-M will send you a Form I-20 to start the process of obtaining your visa. Once you have filled it out, you can take the form to a United States Embassy or a Consular Official and apply for the visa.
Note: If you already are studying in the United States and have an F-1 visa, you need to follow the transfer procedures explained on your new University of Michigan I-20 form on page two. You are required to present your new Michigan I-20 to advisors at our International Center within the first few days following enrollment at U-M. (An International Center advisor will be glad to assist you.)
J-1
If you are an international student who is sponsored by your government or another public source, you will qualify for the J-1 exchange visitor (student category) visa. For this temporary visa, you must provide evidence that you will be enrolled full-time during the academic year. Once you have been admitted and have confirmed your intent to enroll, the university or various sponsoring organizations will send you the DS-2019 form necessary to obtain this visa. You then can take the DS-2019 to a United States Embassy or Consular Official to apply for the visa.
Note: If you are a Canadian citizen who has been admitted to the university, confirmed your intent to enroll, and have proven that you have funding, you do not need a visa. Instead, at the port of entry you will be required to present the following:
Your passport or proof of Canadian citizenship
A certificate of eligibility for non-immigrant status (which is the I-20 or DS-2019 we provide)
Evidence of adequate funding for your proposed program of study
You will then be issued an I-94 card indicating your student visa status.
For more information, please visit the International Office of the University of Michigan.
