International Students

Requirements and considerations for International Students before starting the application process.

Studying in the United States as an international student involves a few extra requirements and considerations that can make the application process seem complicated. However, because international students represent such an important part of the Andrews family, we've done our best to assist international applicants with the application process, making it as easy and simple as possible to complete all the application requirements. To find out what an international student should do to study at Andrews, please contact the International Student Services office at 1.269.471.6688.

English as a Second Language

Students who don't speak English as a first language will need to demonstrate the ability to pursue studies in the English language by passing either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or MELAB (Michigan English Language Assessment Battery), both of which are offered in most countries. All Andrews undergraduate programs require a 550 on the TOEFL or an 80 on the MELAB in order to fulfill the English language requirement. The test must be recent - within one year prior to admission.

Requirements

If English is not your native language and you have not gone to school since the seventh (7th) grade in a country whose primary teaching language is English, such as Australia, Bahamas, Canada, Great Britain, Jamaica, South Africa, or the United States, you must take an English proficiency test in your country and have your scores sent to the places listed below before you will be accepted into the University*:

1. The Admissions Office of Andrews University, and 
2. The Office of the Director of the English Language Institute of Andrews University. 

This is very important! ESL students who meet the above conditions must present a TOEFEL or MELAB test results prior to acceptance. If this requirement is not met, a 'language hold' will be placed on the student's application in the computer. This means that registration cannot be completed until a copy of the student's proficiency scores has been received.

ESL students who have gone to school in one of the English speaking countries listed above since the seventh grade should send a copy of the names and addresses of the schools they have attended, the years they attended, and the language of instruction.

The College of the Arts and Sciences, the College of Technology, the School of Business and the School of Education require a minimum score of 80 on the MELAB or 550 on the TOEFL in order to fulfill the English language requirement for regular admission to one of their programs. Students applying for an English major or minor must receive a TOEFL score of 590 with no section score lower than 57, and a score of 5.0 on the TWE (Test of Written English; or an average MELAB score of 90 with no section score lower than 87. No test score may be older than one year.

We encourage you to work on your English language proficiency before coming to Andrews. It is usually less expensive to study English in your home country. However, the University does have a Center for Intensive English Programs (CIEP) which offers in-depth English Courses designed to assist international students who wish to study English at Andrews. The classes a student may take outside of CIEP will be determined in consultation with the CIEP Director and the student's advisor. For English composition classes, there are special proficiency requirements located in the Andrews University bulletin for English composition classes. 

International Student Expenses

International Students must provide the following information:

Applicants from outside the United States are required to supply support for sponsorships together with twelve months of bank documentation for all personal and family funds. These documents should prove financial ability to sustain educational expenses for the duration of the educational program, prior to the issuance of the I-20 form, to secure a U.S. student visa. Additionally, international students, excluding those from Canada and Mexico, (graduate and undergraduate) are required to remit a deposit of $2000 plus payment in full for the first semester to the Student Financial Services Office.

The $2000 deposit is held in an interest-bearing account until the completion of the program of study or withdrawal from the University. The deposit may only be used to cover educational expenses for the last semester of enrollment.

For all subsequent semesters, international students will be required to pay full semester expenses less their Andrews Partnership Scholarship prior to registration.  Undergraduate students will be required to pay full semester expenses less their Undergraduate Andrews Partnership Scholarship prior to registration.

The tuition for all non-CIEP classes available to international students is calculated at the normal per credit rate for undergraduate or graduate classes. The maximum a CIEP student will be charged is the normal tuition charge of his or her respective program.

Please Note

*Graduate Students:
If English is not your native language and if you are not a four-year graduate of an accredited college in the United States or one of the following: Adventist Seminary of West Africa, Avondale, Canadian Union College, Caribbean Union College, Helderberg, Hong Kong Adventist College, Middle East College, or Newbold College; you will need to take an English proficiency test and have your scores sent to Andrews University, Graduate Admissions Office. We must have these scores before action can be made on your acceptance.

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