Applying as an International Student

Find a place for yourself here

JMU hosts more than 425 international and foreign-born students from 75 countries.
Learn more about Madisons location in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia,
rigorous academic programs, and our affordable tuition and fees.

Admissions Process
International undergraduate applications are accepted on a rolling basis, or all year round!
See below for application requirements.
Please Note:
Graduate students should visit our Graduate School for application information.
U.S. citizens living abroad and students living in U.S. territories should follow the same
application process as domestic students.

Authors: Jordan Beard, Chris Clark, and Jackie Brennan

Table of Contents
1 Admissions Process
a International Dates & Deadlines
b Application Guideline & Materials
c How to Demonstrate English Language Proficiency
2 Need to Improve English First?
3 Finances
a Tuition
b Financial Aid and Scholarships
4 Obtaining Transfer Credit
5 Cambridge International Program
6 More Resources

International Dates and Deadlines

Term

Application deadline for all application

materials

Fall
August December

April 1 (same calendar year)

Spring
January May

October 1 (calendar year before)

Summer
June July

January 1 (same calendar year)

Application Guidelines and Materials

Application
May be submitted online or by mail (download) with a $50 application fee
Transcripts or statement of marks of all secondary and post-secondary education,
translated into English.

Authors: Jordan Beard, Chris Clark, and Jackie Brennan

Must be complete. Applicants still enrolled must also include grades for the most recent
term.

Must be an original copy certified by the sending institution .

Excellent class rank and an academic background that shows a strong program of study.

At least one letter of recommendation.

Financial certification form (download)

Must be completed by the student's sponsor or financial guarantor and submitted with the
application materials.

Copies of your temporary visa documents.

F-1 or J-1 Transfer Clearance Form.

This form must be completed by all freshmen applicants attending high school in the United
States and transfer students attending college in the U.S.

Proof of English language proficiency (see How to Demonstrate English Language

Proficiency below

Optional standardized test scores

Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Testing Assessment (ACT).

How to Demonstrate English Language Proficiency

For applicants from non-English speaking countries:

The Send TOEFL scores must be sent directly from Educational Testing Services to
the Office of Admissions. Please specify the JMU CEEB code (005392) on the testing
form.

Minimum paper-based test scores: 550 paper-based TOEFL, or 80-81 Internet-based

TOEFL.

IELTS score of 6.5-7. Submitted scores must be directly from IELTS. Student copies will
not be accepted.
Authors: Jordan Beard, Chris Clark, and Jackie Brennan

Other means of demonstrating proficiency:

SAT score of 500 on the Critical Reading Portion of SAT exam.

Submission of a General Certificate of Secondary Education or General Certificate of

Education O level in English language.

Possession of an American associates or bachelors degree equivalent from an

accredited institution located in a country where English is the native language.

Graduation from an accredited high school in a native English-speaking country

where the applicant has resided for at least four years.

For applicants who meet all other admission requirements but lack the necessary TOEFL
or IELTS score, the student may enroll in the English Language Transition Program.

Need to Improve Your English First?

For students whose academic qualifications meet the entry requirements, but whose
English is not yet proficient, it is possible to be admitted to JMU with enrollment and
Successful completion of our intensive English Language Transition Program.

If our English Language Transition Program is not a good fit, JMU also has a partnership
with Eastern Mennonite University, a smaller university located in the same city as JMU
(Harrisonburg, VA). EMUs Intensive English Program is another option for transitioning to
coursework at JMU.

Finances
Tuition
Tuition: $21,738 per year
Room and Board: $8,128 per year
Yearly Total: $31,539
Financial certification amount required for I-20: $34,000

Financial Aid and Scholarships

For international applicants who demonstrate financial need and academic excellence

Authors: Jordan Beard, Chris Clark, and Jackie Brennan

Awards yearly range from $500-$13,000

Scholarship decisions based on application for admission, transcripts and test scores

Those who apply by February 15 are given priority consideration

Obtaining Transfer Credit

If you have taken courses at a non-U.S. college or university and would like to apply for transfer
credit, you must first have your transcripts translated by a global evaluation service. JMU
accepts evaluations from any member of NACES, the National Association of Credential
Evaluation Services. View list of NACES members.
Direct your global evaluation service to send a copy of your evaluation directly to
James Madison University
Office of International Admissions
MSC 0108
481 Bluestone Dr.
Harrisonburg, VA 22807 USA
Please Note: The global evaluation is simply a translation of your work. It is not a guarantee of
credit. JMU will complete an evaluation of credit after the translated transcript is received and
an offer of admission has been made.

Cambridge International Program

Students who participated in the Cambridge International Examination program can earn
college credit at JMU. View the 2012-2013 Undergraduate Catalog for CI exam listings, required
scores, and more information.

More Resources

Authors: Jordan Beard, Chris Clark, and Jackie Brennan

Frequently asked questions about visas, travel requirements, working in the U.S., what
to bring to JMU, health insurance, questions about your spouse and more

Support services for international students

Information for admitted international students

Ask a JMU student! Find out what its really like to be an international student at JMU
from one of our current students

Schedule a Skype session! Email us at international@jmu.edu to schedule a 30-minute

admissions council

Authors: Jordan Beard, Chris Clark, and Jackie Brennan