Common Questions

Meet our FAQ contributors

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  Kyra Bradley '14
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  Natasha Chainani '14
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  Xin Xu '14
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  Zack Taschman '10

Who is considered an international applicant?

International applicants are individuals who need a visa in order to study in the United States.

Permanent Residents of the United States of America, no matter where in the world they live or go to school, are not considered international applicants.

How do I apply if I am a U.S. Permanent Resident?

Do not apply as an International Student. Instead, make sure to specify your citizenship where indicated on your application materials.

In addition, Permanent Residents of the U.S. are required to submit a copy of their Permanent Resident card (green card) with their application.

What is the International Financial Support Form? Do I need to fill it out?

The IFS form should show your ability to cover the first year of tuition and provides projections for the next three years of attendance. All international applicants are required to fill out the form and should submit it with official financial documentation, such as a bank statement. Letters of employment or tax returns will not be accepted as documentation.
A hard copy of the IFS form and supporting documentation is required and can be mailed to the Office of Admissions.

What type of testing is required to apply as an international student?

Students can submit any approved national or international test result. For a list of approved tests, please visit our testing policy page.

If English is not your native language and your secondary or higher education was completed in a non-native English speaking country, you must take a test of English Language proficiency.

I'd like to interview, how can I set up an appointment?

If you are visiting campus, we strongly encourage you interview during your visit.

For many students living far away, an off campus event or interview is the best way to get a chance to talk to a University of Rochester representative. The University of Rochester also accepts the CIEE Applicant Interview (CAI) for students currently in China To find out more about these options, visit our Off-Campus events page.

What is an I-20?

An I-20 is a government form that the universities issue to certify to the United States government that the admitted student is eligible for a student visa. Visit the International Services Office's page for more information.

Are International Students eligible for financial aid?

Unfortunately, international students are not eligible for state and federal aid. International students are eligible for merit scholarships. Visit the Paying for Rochester page for more details.

I attend a school where English is the primary language of instruction.
Do I still need to submit results from an English Language Examination?

If you have been in a school where English is the primary language of instruction and have completed three years or more by the application deadline, you do not need to submit results from an English Language Examination. You can find out more our English Language testing policy here.

If you have a question, please contact us through email at international@ur.rochester.edu .

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