Chatham University

Undergraduate Admissions Procedures for International Students

Women of all ages who are graduates of secondary school systems worldwide may apply as first-time college students or as transfer students from accredited international or American colleges and universities. A TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 550 and above on the paper-based TOEFL or 79 and above on the internet based test, an IELTS score of 6.5 or above, or the SAT I is required for full-time, unconditional undergraduate admission.

Applicants should submit the following materials:

  • Completed Undergraduate Student Application for Admission, the Common Application, or visit the University's website at www.chatham.edu to apply on-line free of charge
  • Nonrefundable application fee of U.S. $35 (check or money order payable to Chatham University)
  • Admissions essay
  • All official secondary and postsecondary academic records. Translation and professional evaluation required.*
  • Official copy of TOEFL, IELTS, SAT or ACT score (Chatham code: 2081)
  • One letter of recommendation
  • Copy of U.S. visa (if currently living in the United States)
  • Proof of financial support (one official bank statement indicating enough funds to cover the first year of education at Chatham and a completed certification of finances form provided by the Office of Admissions).
 

Transfer Transcript Evaluation Policy

International credentials from an educational system other than the United States must be evaluated by a foreign credential evaluator who is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. The Office of Admissions maintains a listing of the approved evaluation agencies. The admissions decision and transfer evaluation require official transcripts, translations and professional evaluation. The cost of the professional evaluation is the responsibility of the applicant. (Downloadable AACRAO form)

Click here for a list of approved international credential evaluation services.

Applications are accepted throughout the year (rolling admissions). To receive priority consideration, however, students should apply by March 15 for the fall term and by November 1 for the spring term.

Accepted students who plan to enroll must pay the $150 tuition and $150 housing deposits. Accepted students who pay their deposits and prove adequate financial resources will be issued the Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Status (Form I-20), which will be used by the student to apply for F-1 student visa status.

 

Admission through the Bridge Program for International Students

The Bridge Program is designed to help international students adjust to the academic English-language college environment. In the Bridge Program, international women combine enrollment in English-language courses during the first year with a course from an approved list.

Conditional acceptance, or acceptance through the Bridge Program, is offered to students who receive a score of at least a 500 on the paper-based TOEFL or 60 on the internet-based TOEFL. Students are also encouraged, and at times may be required, to participate in the summer American College English Program.

To participate in the Bridge Program, the student is required to:

 

Proof of Finance

It is incumbent upon each accepted international student to provide sufficient funds to cover all direct and indirect educational expenses before being issued the official I-20 form. Except for the merit scholarship, awarded to eligible international students, no additional financial assistance is provided by Chatham University. The student, her family, and outside sponsors (to be identified by the student) are expected to provide the remaining amount of the cost of attendance.

As part of the application process you must provide proof of sufficient funding. US government regulations require that in order to qualify for foreign student status, you must prove the availability of sufficient funding to meet your expenses for your first year of study and have a reasonable expectation that the same level of support will be available in subsequent years. Therefore, you should consider how you will fund your studies for the entire length of your program. If you receive a scholarship you may deduct that amount from the total amount.

 

Certification of Finances/Financial Documents

All applicants must complete and return the International Student Certification of Finances Form. The certificate can be completed in two ways:

Certificate of Finance

For additional information regarding proof of finances, please contact the international admission counselor at 412-365-1290. Further information is available from the Office of Admissions.

 

TOEFL Registration Information

Submission of an official TOEFL score is required for undergraduate and graduate applications if English is not the student's primary language. Outside the United States, registration information typically is available at U.S. educational commissions and foundations, U.S. Embassies and Consulates, and some private educational organizations, such as the Institute of International Education (IIE) and Peterson's Advising Centers. Students also may request registration information and forms from TOEFL/TSE Publications, P.O. Box 6154, Princeton, NJ 08541-6154 USA. Or they may call 609-771-7100. TOEFL scores can be forwarded directly to Chatham at no additional expense to the student. In order to do so, the student must mark Chatham's four-digit TOEFL code (2081) on the test sheet.

IELTS

STEP

 

Please visit our Office of International Affairs page for more information for International Students.