International

Interviewing

The admissions interview is an important part of applying to the University of Rochester. Each year from July to January, University of Rochester Admissions professionals, alumni, and representatives connect with prospective high school seniors all over the world in one-on-one interviews. These interviews are an opportunity for us to get to know you better and for you to ask us about Rochester.

The Value of an Interview

Why should you interview?

• At Rochester, we want to learn more about you! An interview is the best place for you to share with us your interests and passions. We’re eager to find out what you love to do and what excites you, so this is a perfect opportunity to show us how amazing you are.
• You get to speak one-on-one with a Rochester Admissions professional, a current Rochester student, or an alumni representative and learn more about Rochester. It’s your chance to ask all of your tough questions. An interview can help you understand if Rochester is the right school for you.
• Interviews can help determine merit scholarship candidates, so if you plan on competing for merit-based awards, an interview is strongly recommended.

We offer several types of interviews to international students on a first-come, first-served basis. Please select the interview type that you prefer, understanding that your top preference may no longer be an option. Interviews fill up quickly, so schedule your appointment early!

Scholarships and Financial Aid

The University of Rochester is committed to welcoming international students each year who represent cultural and ethnic diversity from a wide variety of countries. We understand that there are numerous factors that may affect a student’s ability to pay for his or her college education. In some cases, the University will work with students and their families to identify available financial resources to make it possible for the student to attend.

During the application process, international applicants are required to demonstrate they have the financial means (either through private funds or sponsorship) to attend the University of Rochester. The documentation you must submit will depend on your financial situation below.

Merit Scholarships

All applicants, regardless of citizenship, are considered for merit 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

If your native language is not English and you completed your secondary or higher education in a non-native English speaking country, you must take a test of English language proficiency. In some instances, admission to the University will be contingent upon participation in the University’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Program.

Applicants to the University can choose one of three language proficiency examinations to submit to the Office of Admissions: the TOEFL, the IELTS, or the PTE Academic. The table above shows how exam results correlate to results at Rochester.

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 your scores are slightly lower than the minimums listed above, and your application is strong in other ways, you may earn access to Rochester through the English for Academic Purposes (EAP) Program.

Some applicants who meet minimum score requirements but also require additional English language support may be recommended for EAP. Applicants to Rochester cannot apply to the EAP program. If you are granted access to Rochester through the EAP program, you will take undergraduate classes alongside EAP program courses.

To have ETS send your TOEFL results to the University of Rochester, use school code 2928.

Requests to Waive English Proficiency Exams

If you meet one or more of the following criteria, you may request a waiver of the English proficiency examination requirement (IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE-Academic) by emailing Admissions.

• You are a native speaker of English in your home environment.
• You completed three or more years of secondary education at an American or International School where English is 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.

Common Questions

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

Testing Policy

Standardized Tests

Standardized Tests results may appear on high school transcripts but scores must be sent directly from the testing agency to be considered official. The University of Rochester considers the highest combined SAT/ACT score, even if they are from different test dates. Only your highest scores will be considered in our final admissions decision. Each time you submit scores, we will update your record with any new higher scores.

We encourage you to submit your scores each time you take the SAT. Sending your scores each time helps us to consider you for all available degree programs, special programs, and scholarships.

You can choose to further differentiate yourself from other applicants with links to electronic media (music, websites, photos, videos, etc.). Admission reviewers will consider these contents (if submitted by the deadline) during our process.

Test-Flexible Policy

At the University of Rochester, admission to the College of Arts, Sciences, and Engineering is based on a holistic review process that includes a “test-flexible” philosophy. As we seek to enroll a diverse and talented class each year, our review procedures incorporate a variety of factors, including many kinds of academic records.

In addition to submitting a record of courses and grades during secondary school, applicants must show evidence of preparation through examination results. A wide variety of test results can fulfill this requirement, including SAT Reasoning exams, the ACT, two or more results from SAT Subject exams, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, AS- and A-level exams (in UK and Commonwealth countries), Gao Kao (China), and results from many other national secondary exams.

Please note that for International Baccalaureate (IB), submission of test results should come as a signed and dated letter of predicted IB scores from the IBO coordinator on campus. The more detail included, the more helpful the results are to us.

Admission offers we make based on predicted IB and A-level results may be revoked in summer if the final results are not a close match for the predicted values.

Read the Rochester test-flexible policy blog post by the Dean of College Admission.

List of Approved Tests

The list below indicates, country by country, which examinations will fulfill an applicant’s standardized testing requirement. The list is not comprehensive, and will be updated as new examinations are approved. Please email admit@admissions.rochester.edu with questions regarding examinations that are not included in this list.