Santa Clara University

International Applicants

It is important that applicants become familiar with the admission process for either:

Freshman Applicants

Transfer Applicants

In order to complete the admission application, applicants must complete either the freshman or transfer requirements along with the additional items as follows:

1) Course-by-course evaluation of all international transcripts by an accredited evaluation agency. We recommend that you find an agency through the NACES's page:  http://www.naces.org. However, this requirement is waived for applicant if he/she is attending or a school and/or college using one of the following types of curricula: American, International Baccalaureate, or British. Please send email to appstatus@scu.edu if you meet any of these exemptions.

2) Any of the following English Proficiency Tests and Scores is acceptable: TOEFL (PBT): 575, TOEFL (CBT): 230, TOEFL (iBT): 90, IELTS: 6.5, iTEP: 4.5, Pearson: 61, or SAT Critical Reading: 630. 

3) Certification of Finances. Applicants must download and complete the College Board Certification of Finances Form (PDF), and submit the form directly to the Undergraduate Admission Office. The Certification of Finances must be certified by a bank official.  It is important that the names on the COF match the name on the application.  By not doing so, applicants run the risk of not completing the application.  The minimum amount that must be reflected is total cost of the first year of attendance.

Important Information

* Applicants must be careful when completing their applications.  All application items must have the same name. This is crucial to ensure we complete all international applications.

*Based on the country of application, applicants must submit all the secondary school transcripts (grades 9th-11th) or equivalent, including national examinations (if applicable).

Mailing Application Documents

If you are mailing your application or supporting documents, mail to:

Santa Clara University
Undergraduate Admission
500 El Camino Real
Box N202
Santa Clara, CA 95053-0153U.S.

Citizens and Permanent Residents studying outside the U.S.

American citizens and permanent residents who have attended or are enrolled at a high school or university outside the United States may be required to submit a course-by-course evaluation by an accredited evaluation agency. Applicants exempt from submitting a course-by-course evaluation must have attended or be enrolled in one of the following types of curricula: American, International Baccalaureate, or British. Please send an email to appstatus@scu.edu if you meet any of the exemptions.

It is important that applicants follow one of the following admission processes:

Freshman applicants

Transfer applicants

If you are an international applicant planning to enroll at SCU, you and your family must assume the total cost of a Santa Clara education.

Estimated Costs: 2012–2013 Academic Year

For Non-U.S. Citizen or Non-U.S. Permanent Resident Applicants

An international student is eligible for academic merit award consideration (Dean's Scholarship) using the same criteria as used for other students.  Awards range from $6,000 -$18,000. Consideration for other university assistance (Athletic, performing arts) is dependent on unique department needs, student ability, and available funding.

For U.S. Applicants or Permanent Residents Studying Outside of the Country

U.S. Permanent Resident students are eligible for the same financial aid consideration as U.S. Citizens provided they meet the test of "Eligible noncitizen".  An eligible noncitizen is a U.S. permanent resident who has a Permanent Resident Card (I-551 or I-151; a conditional permanent resident (I-551C); or a noncitizen who has an Arrival-Departure Record (I-94) from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services with one of the following designations: Refugee (including noncitizen victims of human trafficking), Asylum Granted, Parolee (the I-94 confirms paroled for a minimum of one year and status has not expired), T-Visa holder or Cuban-Haitian Entrant

An F-1 student is non-immigrant who is pursuing a "full course of study" to achieve a specific educational or professional objective. A J-1 student must be admitted to a degree program at an "accredited educational institution" for a "full course of study" or be engaged full time in a non-degree "prescribed course of study."

SCU will issue appropriate documentation for F-1 or J-1 visas once the applicant has been admitted as a degree candidate and has been financially certified by the International Student Services Department (ISS).  Once admission is granted and only after you admitted applications have deposited, applicants can complete the following I-20 documents and submit them to the ISS Department:

1. I-20 Request Form
2. Affidavit of Support 
3. Transfer Clearance Form (complete only applicant currently holds an I-20 from another U.S. institution and have decided to attend SCU).
4. Financial Documents (applicants must submit original financial documents even though they were sent with the admission application. Bank statements, stocks, checking and savings accounts are acceptable. The I-20 request form is not complete without the financial documents).

Applicants interested in the J-1 visa (DS-2019), please contact Admission Office for the appropriate forms. 
 

For more information, students interested in the F-1 or J-1 student visas only should call International Student Services (ISS) at 408-551-7037 or email at iss@scu.edu. 

Does SCU offer an orientation program for international students?
Yes. We offer a mandatory orientation program for all incoming international students (F-1 and J-1) prior to your term of enrollment. For details regarding the international orientation, visit: http://www.scu.edu/studentlife/iss/new-student.cfm.

Can I attend a community college in the U.S. and transfer to SCU?
Yes. Santa Clara works with and enrolls students from 19 of the community colleges in California. We suggest you review the lists of required and recommended courses if you plan to transfer to Santa Clara from a local community college. These lists are available in our transfer guides.

What are the advantages of attending a community college prior to applying to SCU?
If you wish to enroll in an ESL program, community colleges offer several programs to help you prepare for Santa Clara. SCU has transfer guides with 19 local community colleges to help you select courses that satisfy our Core Curriculum requirements.

Will my merit aid increase each year?
All Dean's Scholarship, merit awards are fixed amounts and are not indexed to changes in tuition, therefore they will not increase annually. You are required to maintain specific program eligibility requirements in order to retain your merit award.

Exchange programs
For students interested in a direct-exchange program, this site can answer all your questions and help you make the most of your time at SCU.

Graduate programs

ED USA