How to Apply

International Student Application Process

International students applying to Dominican University must have completed the equivalent of a United States secondary school education.

Completing the Admission Application

Complete one of the Dominican University online applications: freshman, transfer or graduate.

Required Documents

In addition to program-specific requirements, international students may need to provide additional documentation as part of their application process. Submission of these additional documents, which may include an official credential evaluation and proof of English proficiency, is necessary before an application is considered complete.

Official Transcripts and Credential Evaluations: Applicants who completed coursework at institutions outside of the United States must submit a credential evaluation from one of the credentialing agencies listed below. To be considered official, the evaluations must be sent directly to Dominican by the credentialing agency.

Credential evaluations must include details for all courses taken (course-by-course report).

The credential evaluation submitted by the agency to Dominican should include a copy of the official transcript(s) that are being evaluated. If the credential evaluation provided to Dominican does not include the official transcript(s), the student must submit official transcript(s) (translated into English, if applicable) to Dominican.

Admitted applicants who submitted a credential evaluation for an in-process university degree at a non-U.S. institution, are required to submit a new or updated credential evaluation once the degree is completed and prior to the start of their coursework at Dominican. This new or updated credential evaluation must be sent directly to Dominican by the credentialing agency.

Admitted first-year applicants who submitted a credential evaluation for in-process high school courses must submit a final official transcript (translated into English, if applicable) prior to the start of their coursework at Dominican.

Dominican accepts credential evaluations from the following agencies:

Proof of English Language 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.

  • Undergraduate Students
    • Computer-based TOEFL: minimum score of 213
    • Internet-based TOEFL: minimum score of 79–80
    • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): minimum score of 6
    • Completion of English 101 & 102 (or equivalent) with C- or better at a U.S. college or university
    • Completion of ELS 112 (ELS Language Centers)
    • Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 53

       
  • Graduate Students
    • Computer-based TOEFL: minimum score of 213
    • Internet-based TOEFL: minimum score of 79–80
    • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): minimum score of 6
    • Completion of an undergraduate degree at a U.S. college or university
    • Completion of an undergraduate degree program outside the U.S. that was taught in English
    • Completion of ELS 112 (ELS Language Centers)
    • Pearson Test of English (PTE) score of 53
International Admission Policy

International students who are currently residing out of the United States must be accepted to their program by no later than one month prior to the start date of their program. International students who are currently residing in the United States must be accepted to their program by no later than two weeks prior to the start date of their program.

Admitted Students: Supplemental Application Form

Admitted international students who require an F-1 or J-1 visa, or whose visa needs are unclear, will be asked to complete a supplemental form, providing Dominican documents required for the university to generate an I-20 (F-1 students) or DS-2019 (J-1 students). Either the I-20 or DS-2019 document will be required for students to obtain a U.S. visa from an American embassy or consulate.

Those admitted applicants who need to completed a supplemental form will be informed via email a few days after being notified of their admission to Dominican. The documents students will need to provide in the supplemental form may vary slightly for each student, but will include a financial statement form, proof of funds, and a copy of their passport. Students with a current U.S. visa will be asked to provide a copy of the visa.

Financial Statement Form: Enrolling students requesting documentation for an F-1 or J-1 visa must submit a Financial Statement Form to the Office of Admission via the Supplemental Form component of their application. Please select the appropriate Financial Statement Form document to complete from those listed below.

Proof of Funds: Applicants requesting an F-1 or J-1 visa must submit, via the Supplemental Form, documentation which provides proof of funds that will cover their expenses for the first year of their program of study. Allowable documents include a letter from a bank, scholarship award letters, and government funding confirmation letters. All documents are required to be on the relevant institution's letterhead, must be written in English, and need to be dated. Funding amounts or account balances should be listed in U.S. dollars.

Passport and Visa: Applicants requesting an F-1 or J-1 visa must submit a photocopy of their passport. If the applicant currently holds a U.S. visa, they will also need to submit a copy of that visa. Both of these items should be submitted through the Supplemental Form of your application.

Form I-20: Upon receipt of the above documents, the International Student Advisor, will issue a form I-20, which will be transmitted directly to the student electronically. We will not mail any I-20 forms.

For More Information
Admission Questions
Immigration and Visa Concerns
English Language Center
  • Contact ELS located on Dominican University’s campus at chi@els.edu, or call (708) 488-5010. Please note: As a result of COVID, the ELS Language Center at Dominican University is suspending operations until further notice.