International Students: Criteria

Admission of international students is based on two factors: meeting the academic criteria for admissions and English language proficiency. Although the guarantee of sufficient financial resources to meet the cost of attendance is essential to maintaining one’s respective status; it does not solely determine admissions into Hunter College. For purposes of admission, an international student is defined as an applicant who currently holds a student (F-1) or Exchange visitor (J-1) visa or seeks to change such an immigration status upon enrollment. The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires documentation of financial support before approving the issuance of a F-1 or J-1 Exchange Visitor status within the United States (if the admitted student is within the United States) and the State Department reviews financial status and substantial home ties of the applicant before issuing a visa, if the admitted student is overseas. Academic credentials from non-U.S. institutions are evaluated by the Office of Graduate Admissions in order to establish U.S. baccalaureate degree equivalency. Applicants need not submit third party equivalencies; however, they must submit official English translations of academic records written in languages other than English. The evaluation is conducted in accordance with minimum criteria set by the Hunter College Senate, and it takes place before the completed application is referred to the departmental admissions committee.