International Students
When you’re far from home, there’s a community close at hand — one that’s all yours.
We are an internationally inclusive, vibrant and equitable community. As an international student, you bring a wealth of perspectives, cultures, and experiences that enrich our campus and broaden our understanding of the world. You will thrive and achieve success in our supportive environment and career network. Studying in a new country can be both exciting and challenging, and we are committed to providing you with the resources and support you need to thrive. Our dedicated faculty and staff are here to assist you every step of the way, from academic advising to personal support and everything in between.
I’m a first-year student from Delhi, India. Alma College is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before, particularly with regard to experiential learning. As a high school student in India, I had no idea what this meant. Now, I know there is a lot to your education that goes beyond the classroom.
Model UN is the most formative experience I have ever had. Dr. Hulme is amazing. It’s a demanding program and you work very hard in Model UN, but the rewards are worth it. It’s a group of people who are all very smart and driven to succeed. It makes you want to do your best.
I’m a first-year student from Delhi, India. Alma College is unlike anything I’ve ever experienced before, particularly with regard to experiential learning. As a high school student in India, I had no idea what this meant. Now, I know there is a lot to your education that goes beyond the classroom.
Model UN is the most formative experience I have ever had. Dr. Hulme is amazing. It’s a demanding program and you work very hard in Model UN, but the rewards are worth it. It’s a group of people who are all very smart and driven to succeed. It makes you want to do your best.
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Apply to Alma College
Apply to Alma College
As an international student, you can complete the free Alma College application or apply through the Common Application.
After submitting your application, please be sure to follow the additional steps.
Submit Transcripts
- If you will be a first-year student, official secondary school transcripts in English should be sent to admissions@alma.edu directly from your school.
- If you’re a transfer student, official transcripts, in English, of all college coursework must also be sent directly to admissions@alma.edu from the institutions attended.
Overseas Course Credentials
For applicants seeking possible transfer credit for coursework taken at other universities, class syllabi for each course must be obtained and sent to Alma College. These will be evaluated to determine if transfer credit may be offered.
Alma College can evaluate most overseas course credentials. However, an independent course credential evaluation may be needed in some unique cases. The College will notify applicants if a professional evaluation is required.
- Complete the International Student Declaration of Finance Form. All international students on F-1 or J-1 visas must provide evidence of sufficient finances to support their U.S. education. Sources of funding may be from parents, guardians or a sponsor.
English Language Requirements and Test Scores
English Language Requirements and Test Scores
English Language Requirements and Test Scores
English proficiency is required for all students.
All undergraduate international students who apply to Alma College and who are not native English speakers must provide proof of English language proficiency.
Citizens of the English Test Exempt Countries do not have to fulfill the English language requirement.
Ways To Satisfy Your English Requirements:
You can satisfy the English language requirement in one of the following ways. Submit your scores through the testing service. If you have not yet sent your official scores via the testing service, email finchva@alma.edu. We do not accept test scores that are more than two years old.
1. Submit official scores at or above these minimum scores:
- TOEFL internet-based: 79 (school code 1010)
- IELTS overall band: 6.5
- PTE (Pearson Test of English) Academic overall score: 50
- MET (Michigan English Test, 4-skill): 57
- Duolingo English Test: 105
- iTEP Academic: 3.7
2. Submit official SAT or ACT scores at or above these minimum scores:
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 510
- ACT (English section only): 21
3. Complete 3 Advanced Level subjects or 3 Higher Level IB subjects.
4. Transfer students currently enrolled in undergraduate study in the United States at a regionally accredited college or university can fulfill the
English language requirement if you have passed a course equivalent to Alma College’s English 101.
5. Successfully complete level 112 at an ELS Language Center.
6. The completion of English language programs outside Alma College may be considered on an individual basis. Include certificates of completion with your application.
7. Applicants may qualify for a waiver based on high school language instruction. On an individual basis, we will waive the English proficiency requirement for applicants who have successfully earned a high school diploma at an international high school where the only language of instruction is English. Your graduation date should be less than two years ago to qualify for this waiver.
International transfer students enrolled in an accredited college or university where the language of instruction is English may qualify for a waiver upon completion of a minimum of 24 semester credit hours of undergraduate coursework.
Key Dates and Deadlines
Key Dates and Deadlines
Application Deadline – We review applications on a rolling basis, but you are encouraged to apply by July 1 (fall semester) and November 1 (winter semester). Visa interview wait times vary by country. International students are now able to apply for a student visa as soon as the I-20 is issued.
Commitment Deadline – Submit your $300 commitment deposit by May 1 to receive priority housing selections.
Obtaining Your VISA
- Contact Vic Finch in the International Admissions Office at finchva@alma.edu with any questions about these F-1 visa requirements.
- After you have submitted the above paperwork and you have been accepted to Alma College, a Form I-20 (for an F1 Student Visa) or DS 2019 (for a J1 Student Visa) will be emailed directly to you along with your official acceptance letter.
- Please review your I-20 / DS 2019 to make sure all the information on it is correct. If you have any questions, please contact finchva@alma.edu.
- If you are under the age of 18, your parents must sign the Form I-20 for you.
- We also recommend that you pay your $300 commitment deposit early.
- Before you apply for your visa, you must use the SEVIS I-901 website to pay your I-901 fee to the US Department of Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
- Your “SEVIS ID” number is a 10-digit number that starts with “N” and is on the top left-hand corner of your I-20. The SEVIS I-901 fee is paid directly to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and is used to cover their SEVIS operational costs. All new students or scholars who have been issued an I-20 or DS-2019 form will be required to pay the SEVIS fee (in addition to the other visa application fees).
Per the Department of Homeland Security, the I-901 SEVIS fee for F and M international students is $350. The full I-901 SEVIS fee for J exchange visitors — excluding those in the au pair, camp counselor and summer work or travel program participant categories — is $220.
- After you have paid your SEVIS I-901 fee, you need to apply for a US F1 visa using this online DS-160 Form. Watch an overview of the online application process and read Frequently Asked Questions about the DS-160 if you have questions.
- If you do not have family in the United States, use this point of contact and address: Vic Finch, Alma College, 614 W. Superior Street, Alma, MI 48801, USA.
- When asked for the person paying for your trip, list your primary source of funding as it appears on your I-20/DS-2019.
- After you have completed the DS-160, you must take the next steps below:
- Print and keep the DS-160 barcode page. (You will not need to print the full application.)
- You must schedule a visa interview appointment with the US embassy or Consulate closest to you. (The U.S. Embassy or Consulate does not schedule an appointment for you.) Visit the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website where you will be interviewed for country-specific instructions.
- Pay the visa application processing fee. Review country-specific instructions on the U.S. Embassy or Consulate website.
- Alma College does not have direct contact with US embassies or consulates: each has their own internal procedures and set of requirements. You are responsible for working directly with the consulate/embassy to complete all visa application steps.
- You must take responsibility for submitting all visa application materials on time. If you submit an incomplete/incorrect application or submit your materials late, it may not be possible to obtain your visa in time for the start of the semester, which jeopardizes your participation in the program.
Career Advancement through CPT/OPT
As a student at Alma College, you’ll learn in both the classroom and the real-world. Our instruction is future-focused, tech-infused, and designed for you to apply in hands-on environments. International students complete CPT and OPT and travel on faculty-led programs worldwide.
Job and Graduate School Support
Our advisors in Career Services and International Student Services provide comprehensive support in your career search, offering guidance on work applications, eligibility verification, and step-by-step instructions for both CPT and OPT.
The Princeton Review, Colleges of Distinction and the Fiske Guide to Colleges all have recognized Alma College for academic excellence and quality of campus life. Start your application now, or scroll down to dive into the details.
Our partnership with AccessUSA
AccessUSA is a unique program designed by premier Michigan colleges and universities to accelerate admission for international students. Learn how you can kick-start your international career as early as ninth grade.