Admissions Procedures
for International Undergraduate 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, 213 and above on the computer based TOEFL, 79 and above on the internet based test or the SAT I is required for full-time undergraduate admission. Chatham University now accepts the IELTS test. Please see information on bridge program for international students who do not meet our admission requirements
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 or SAT score (Chatham code for both: 2081). Chatham also accepts the IELTS
- 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)
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 500 and above on the paper-based TOEFL, 173 and above on the computer-based TOEFL, or 61 and above 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:
- Enroll in three ESL classes for two terms and take one elective course from an approved list.
- To successfully complete the Bridge Program and remove the conditions of admission, the students must successfully complete a post-test and have a strong faculty recommendation.
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. Students must provide:
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 (link form). The certificate can be completed in two ways:
- Fill out the certificate completely and take it to your bank or financial institution and have a bank official sign the certificate and place the bank seal on it.
- Completely fill out the certificate and ask your bank or financial institution to write a statement letter of verification indicating that the person financially responsible for the student has the funding necessary for one year's tuition.
- A letter from the student's sponsor indicating ensured support for the remaining years at Chatham University may also be submitted.
Certificate of finance
For additional information regarding proof of finances, please contact the international admissions 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
- 5.0 Admission with ESL required alongside regular courses the first year of study (Bridge)
- 5.5 Admission with ESL required alongside regular courses the first year of study (Bridge)
- 6.0 Admission with ESL possibly required, student should be tested and advised upon arrival
- 6.5 Full Admission; follow regular course requirements for incoming students
STEP
- STEP Grade 1; follow regular course requirements for incoming students
- Pre-1st Grade; Admission with ESL possibly required, student should be tested and advised upon arrival
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