Santa Clara University

Application Questions

 

English Proficiency

Adequate command of spoken and written English is required for admission. TOEFL or IELTS scores are required of all applicants whose first language is not English or if you do not have a degree awarded by a U.S. university/college.

• Our minimum TOEFL score requirement is IBT/79-80 or CBT/213
• Our minimum IELTS score requirement is 6.0

English Language Exception:

• Individuals who have earned a U.S. Bachelor's or Master's degree from a college or university accredited by a regional accrediting association in the United States
  -OR-
• The equivalent of either degree from a non-U.S. college or university of recognized standing where all instructions are provided in English. This exception does not apply if the courses were completed in a country where English is spoken but not all instructions are provided in English.

NOTE: Being a U.S. citizen does not automatically exempt an applicant from taking the TOEFL; if the applicants first language is not English, the applicant must meet the exception above or submit the TOEFL.

TOEFL
The Engineering Graduate Programs accept computer-based, paper-based, and Internet-based (iBT) TOEFL tests. Scores should be sent directly to us from the Educational Testing Services (ETS). While waiting for the official scores to arrive, students are encouraged to send us a photo-copy of the test result as a place holder. Santa Clara University's TOEFL code is 4851.

IELTS
The Engineering Graduate Programs also accept the International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS) exam. IELTS is jointly owned by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia, and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations. While waiting for the official scores to arrive, students are encouraged to send us a photo-copy of the Test Report Form ("TRF") which details the test scores as a place holder. Select Santa Clara University when you request for your official score report to be sent to us. There is no institutional code needed.

Requesting an I-20 for F1 Visa
To request an I-20 visa form, you must provide evidence of sufficient funds for at least one year of study, but plan on an average of two years to complete your degree requirements. The following information is to help you plan for the time you will spend as a full-time graduate student at Santa Clara University.

To apply for an F-1 student visa, you must complete the following paperwork:
I-20 Request Form (pdf) This form must be completed by all students requiring an I-20 from Santa Clara University to apply for an F-1 Visa. To support your request, you must submit financial documents such as statements for bank accounts (either checking or savings), 401K accounts, or stock accounts. These documents may not be over 90 days old. Your I-20 request is not complete without these supporting documents. The amount you must show on your financial statement is $34,097 (tuition $17,040, living expenses $14,721, health insurance $1,931, association fee $405) for academic year 2009-2010. This should cover all your tuition, fees, living, and other expenses for one year. For dependents, the living expense is $9,840 for the spouse, and $5,374 for each child.

Affidavit of Support (pdf) This form must be completed only if someone other than yourself will be funding all, or a portion of your educational expenses at Santa Clara University. Original Financial Statements for the recent three months are required to be attached. Examples of other persons providing support are parents, friend sponsors, and other families.

Transfer Eligibility Form (pdf) This form is required only if you are currently holding an I-20 issued by another U.S. Institution. This form will be completed by the institution that issued the I-20. It is very important to complete your transfer on time. Failure to comply can adversely affect your student status in the U.S.

 

Concurrent Enrollments

"Concurrent Enrollment" means that a student is enrolled in two places at the same time. An international student at Santa Clara University may be given permission to engage in Concurrent Enrollment provided the student meets the USCIS requirements. For more information, see http://www.scu.edu/advising/internationalstudents/conc_enroll.cfm, contact the International Student Services Office or call at 408-554-4318.

 

Optional Practical Training

Under Optional Practical Training, students are eligible for a total of 12 months of employment that must be directly related to the student's field of study. Students must apply through the International Student Services. Click here for details.

 

Cooperative Education Program (Co-op)

Co-op is a paid and credit-bearing internship program designed for our international students. The Program is managed by the Career Center. Click here for details.

 

Admission Questions and Answers

Does your department provide scholarships for Master applicants?
We generally do not offer any financial assistance to Master degree applicants, as ours is a professional program, such as an MBA, rather than a research program. Almost all of our international students pay their own tuition, while some find on-campus employment and participate in the Cooperative Education Option in the local Silicon Valley companies.

Do I need to choose what program I want to apply for?
Yes. When you fill out the on-line application, you will be asked what program you would like to apply for.

How many international students are accepted into your Program?
We accept as many qualified international students as we can into our Program each quarter. Students can apply for admission for the fall, winter, and spring. Students on F1 or J1 visa are required to take 8 units or more each quarter to maintain their full-time international student status.

Is TSE score required for TA applicants?
No. The few TA positions are available to Ph.D. students only. Students should contact their advisor upon acceptance into the Program about any TA positions.

In addition to GPA and test scores, what courses should I have learned?
Most of the departments have required pre-requisites or foundational courses. Please check with the department website of your choice for details.

My undergraduate degree is not conferred yet, but can I still apply for the M.S. program?
Yes, you should go ahead and apply. Students in their final year of undergraduate study may be admitted on the condition that their bachelor's degrees are awarded before they enroll at SCU and they are in good academic standing in their senior year.

To be admitted as a regular graduate student, an applicant must have earned a bachelor's degree or its equivalent from a college, university, or technical school of acceptable standing.

Do I have to have a Master's Degree before applying for the Ph.D. Program?
Yes, you do. We offer Ph.D. in Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering. All of the Ph.D. candidates will need to complete 72 units (36 in course work, and 36 in dissertation), write a quality dissertation, and earn a Grade Point Average of 3.0 or better to graduate from the Program.

Is the GRE Mathematics Subject Test Score required for Ph.D. applicants?
No. Only the GRE general test is required.

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