Undergraduate Admission
International applicants are selected from those who meet academic and language requirements. Admission is dependent on credentials that demonstrate the applicant’s capacity to succeed academically at the university level. Students who do not meet our minimum language requirements can apply to our intensive English language program American Language and Culture Program (ALCP).
We understand that equivalents between other countries' curricula and that of the United States may not exist. Therefore, the University of Idaho evaluates foreign courses and academic transcripts in terms of approximations.
Individual department requirements may be more rigorous than the general University of Idaho requirements. In those instances, final admission is based on the department’s decision.
If you are a freshman or first-year student:
- Undergraduate applicants who have no previous work at the post-secondary level must have at least a 2.5 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) from a secondary school. Students must also meet the criteria for admission to university-level study in their home country.
If you are a transfer student:
- Undergraduate applicants who have attended a post-secondary institution and have completed at least 14 transferable semester credits at an accredited institution must present a minimum grade point average of 2.0 for all post-secondary work. For admission into the College of Engineering, transfer students must have a cumulative grade point average of at least 2.8. Other departments may have additional requirements. Students who have completed fewer than 14 transferable semester credits (post-secondary) must meet the freshman or first-year student requirements in addition to the transfer student requirements.
- Please note: Students transferring to the University of Idaho from another U.S. college or university must notify their current international student advisor of their plans to transfer to the University of Idaho. Please refer to the SEVIS Transfer Process Form for more information about this topic.
The University of Idaho has “rolling admission.” This means that there is not a hard deadline for receiving an application and required materials.
However, international students face additional steps and need to allow for submitting required documents for review for your I-20 Form, being issued an I-20, registering for classes, applying for your U.S. student visa, making travel arrangements, etc.
In light of this, we have established priority application dates. If you decide to apply outside of these dates, please submit a complete application no later than three months prior to the start of your desired start term. This will give you time to work through your steps and feel prepared for your arrival to the University of Idaho.
Students must submit:
- An international application for admission.
- $50 application fee (nonrefundable).
- Official secondary school transcripts identifying subjects taken, marks received and graduation date. If you have not yet graduated from your secondary school, a transcript showing all completed work may be accepted for early admission. External examination reports should be provided when applicable.
- Official transcripts with subjects and marks received from any colleges or universities attended.
- An official TOEFL score or equivalent.
- Certified, literal translations of all credentials issued in any language other than English. To find more information about the University of Idaho’s policy on academic transcripts and certified translations see the Transcripts and Translations Document.
- A statement of your activities if you've had a gap in education.
Please note: Students applying after the deadlines above or with incomplete files by these deadlines can still be considered for admission if they have their educational credentials evaluated by a professional evaluation service. There are five professional credential evaluation services from which the University of Idaho will accept evaluations.
In order to study in the U.S., students must also meet financial requirements (.pdf) as set by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services regulations. Refer to the cost estimates (.pdf) for more information on this topic.
Students must submit:
- A signed Certificate of Financial Responsibility from the applicant, and applicant's sponsor if they are being sponsored.
- An original bank statement (or letter from an appropriate official on bank letterhead) from the applicant or applicant's sponsor if they are being sponsored, showing that the necessary minimum funds are available.
- A copy of the applicant's passport.