How to Apply: First-Year International Undergraduates

International student admission is separate from receiving an I-20 form for a visa application. Admission to Dominican University does not guarantee that you will obtain an I-20 form. Please review the requirements for international student admission and the requirements for obtaining an I-20.

For Admission

• Online Application
• Official high school transcripts, emailed directly from the issuing institution

• Official high school transcripts/marksheets and translations through a certified translation agency must be emailed to the Director of International Enrollment at nencina@dom.edu. If relevant, include a school leaving certificate, certificate of secondary education, higher secondary certificate, or matriculation examination/official national examination results, and scratch card. 

  Incoming international freshmen are not required to submit a credential evaluation; however, one may be requested if transcripts cannot be verified by Dominican.   

• For advanced standing students must submit official transcripts to be evaluated by any of these evaluation agencies. This official evaluation, along with the official college/university transcript, must be emailed directly to Dominican University at nencina@dom.edu.
  • Scholaro (please use this specific link to obtain a 10% discount)
  • SpanTran (please use this specific link to obtain a 10% discount)
  • Education Credential Evaluators
  • World Education Services
  • Educational Perspectives

Nutrition Students: Please note that the nutrition program only accepts credential evaluations from SpanTran, Scholaro, WES, and Educational Perspectives.

Proof of English Proficiency

International students who are not native speakers of English must provide proof of English language proficiency as part of the application to Dominican University. Accepted forms of proof are listed below.

Completion of qualifying academic program

• International Baccalaureate (IB): Successful completion of a full IB Diploma Program in English.
• Completion of a U.S. degree
• Completion of English 101 & 102 (or equivalent) with C- or better at a U.S. college or university
• Successfully completed degree taught in English curriculum from a U.S. accredited institution.
• Successfully completed degree from any of the following countries where English is the official language: Countries with English as Official Language

English Proficiency Exams

• Internet-based TOEFL iBT: minimum score of 79-80
• At-home TOEFL iBT test: minimum score of 79-80
• Paper TOEFL PBT: minimum score of 79-80
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS): minimum score of 6
• Completion of ELS 112 (ELS Language Centers)
• Pearson Test of English (PTE) Academic: minimum score of 53. Please note that PTE Online is not currently accepted by consulates for visa applications. If taking the PTE exam, please provide us with a PTE Academic Test score.
• ACT: minimum score of 21 in the English and Reading portion and a minimum score of 8 in the writing section
• SAT: minimum of a 520 in the Reading and Writing portion

Completion of other qualifying programs, courses, or degrees

• Cambridge Assessment International Education (CAIE): B2 First
• International Baccalaureate (IB) English A: 5 or higher
• Advanced Placement (AP) English Language and Composition with a minimum score of 4
• British Curriculum GCE (AS/A levels) English Language and/or English Language & Literature with a minimum result of C
• EdExcel IGCSE requires a minimum grade of B with speaking endorsed separately on the certificate.

If you have alternative English language qualifications or schooling, such as Malaysia SPM, GCE-O levels, or CBSE or ISC Indian Standard XII examinations, please feel free to email Nereida Encina, Director of International Enrollment, for a case by case evaluation.

Applicants without proof of English proficiency can apply to the ELS program that is housed at Dominican University. Visit ELS program application and information to learn more.

Please note that U.S. citizens/permanent residents who have lived in the United States for less than eight years must submit an English proficiency test result.

For I-20

• Bank Statement showing a minimum of $53,978 USD and completed and a signed Financial Statement Form (pdf opens in a new window)
• A copy of your passport bio page

Application Deadlines

*All documents needed for an I-20, such as Financial Statement, bank statement, copy of passport, and in some cases copy of visa, previous I-20, etc. must be submitted before the deadline date for an I-20.