Special Information for International Applicants and Students Who Have Studied in Other Countries

Application must be completed by applicant. Students applying for admission must complete and sign the application for admission to Montclair State University themselves. A friend or relative cannot complete the application.

Confidentiality of the Application Process

The law requires that the Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services maintain the confidentiality of both the information submitted by applicants and the status of their applications.  This information can only be shared with the applicant or someone the applicant has designated in writing as their proxy.  Any applicant whose personal circumstances require that someone else contact the Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services in conjunction with their application must send us a signed letter formally designating that person as their proxy.  the Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services cannot discuss an application with anyone but the applicant without this document.  

Deadlines for Applying: All international applications, that is those from students with non-U.S. degrees and/or those who are neither U.S. citizens nor permanent residents, who need Student (F-1) Visas, must be received and completed by

• June 1 for the Fall
• November 1 for the Spring

If the program applied for does not have an earlier deadline which would take precedence.

Transcripts and Admissions Tests

The Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services does not evaluate transcripts of non-U.S. degree programs and coursework.  All applicants must request a COURSE-BY-COURSE evaluation from any member of the http://www.naces.org/ organization of all college/university level studies completed at any foreign institution.  Send for the "Application for Evaluation of Foreign Credentials" from WES (see below for WES contact information).  Requests for evaluation are usually honored within twenty working days of receipt of all required materials and fees.  You must provide WES with copies of transcripts from all previous educational institutions as well as certified English translations and include instructions on the application to send a copy of the evaluation to the Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services at Montclair State University.   Students do not need to submit official transcripts to the Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services. An official Course-by-Course evaluation sent to Montclair State University from WES is the only requirement.

GRE, GMAT, and TOEFL are administered worldwide by Educational Testing Service (ETS). Contact ETS to request their latest bulletin (see below).  Montclair State University's institutional code for test reporting is 2520.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language/Internet Based Test where available (TOEFL/ IBT or IELTS) is required of all students whose native language is not English and whose degree was obtained in a country where English is not the official language. In addition, there is an English language proficiency test, administered at Montclair State University, required once the student arrives in the United States.  Upon review of the English language proficiency test score, students may be required to enroll in English as a Second Language (ESL) courses at Montclair State University.

Immigration Process

Students who are eligible for admission based on WES COURSE-BY-COURSE transcript evaluations, GRE/GMAT/MAT scores (as required by program), and TOEFL or IELTS scores will be required to submit notarized statements documenting sufficient funds to pay necessary educational and other costs to the Office of International Services (OIS).  If the university accepts the financial evidence provided, the OIS will issue the I-20 "Certificate of Eligibility for Non-Immigrant (F-1) Student Status" or the IAP-66 "Certificate of Eligibility for Exchange Visitor (J-1) Status" ,  whichever is appropriate. Students will also receive further directions regarding orientation, registration, immigration regulations and step-by-step arrival instructions.

F-1 student visa.  Although requirements for the F-1 student visa may vary from country to country, and issuance of the I-20 is not a guarantee of receiving the F-1 visa, students should be prepared to present to the visa issuing office their student I-20, passport, and whatever additional documentation is requested.  Upon issuance of the F-1 student visa, students should arrange transportation to the United States consistent with the instructions received from the Office of International Services.

Housing Information

If you anticipate needing on-campus housing, you should request a housing application from the Office of Residence Life. On-campus housing is very limited; we recommend that you contact the Office of Residence Life [Bohn Hall, (973) 655-5188] as quickly as possible after receiving your acceptance from the Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services.

When You Arrive

It is very important that students arrive in sufficient time for the orientation program described in the materials sent by the Office of International Services. If students have arranged on-campus housing, they will be able to move in by the report date listed on the I-20.  Students will also need to take an English Language Proficiency test at Montclair State University, which is separate from the TOEFL or IELTS, before they will be able to register for classes.

Last-Term Seniors

Students who have not completed their undergraduate degree may apply during their last term of undergraduate work.  They should request an official COURSE-BY-COURSE evaluation of their transcript by World Education Services (WES) or any other member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services be sent to the Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services at the time the application is submitted.  All other required credentials must be received in the Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services before the application will be reviewed. After the undergraduate degree is posted on the transcript, a final, official COURSE-BY-COURSE evaluation from World Education Services (WES) or any other member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services) indicating the awarding of the degree must be submitted to the Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services. Last-term seniors who are admitted on a provisional basis must supply this final evaluation in order to register for subsequent terms.

Financial Aid

There are four forms of financial assistance available for international students who are eligible:

Students applying for graduate assistantships or student assistant positions will need a United States Social Security number which can be requested from a local United States Social Security office with documentation provided by the Office of International Services (OIS).  An application for a graduate assistantship is available on this website.  Employment on campus is extremely limited and must be approved by the Office of International Services.  Hiring decisions are based on departmental needs. A limited number of international students who demonstrate financial need may also be eligible for an International Student Tuition Waiver after they have successfully completed one full semester at Montclair State University.  Contact the OIS for an application, eligibility criteria, and deadline information during your first semester of matriculation.

Advising, Matriculation and Registration

Students must contact the graduate Program Coordinator for their program as soon as they arrive in the United States to develop a work program. This is a formal statement of the academic requirements for the degree and must be completed before they register.  International students must also take the English Language Proficiency test administered on campus before they will be allowed to register. Students should contact the Office of Graduate Admissions & Support Services regarding procedures for initial registration. Students with F-1 visas must register for at least nine credits each semester in order to maintain their immigration status.

Applicants Already Studying in the United States

If you are coming directly to Montclair State University from another USA institution, the Office of International Services will notify INS about your transfer. In order to complete this procedure, you must submit the following documents no later than fifteen days after the first day of classes to the Office of International Services at Montclair State University:

Copy of the I-20 issued by the school you attended right before you transferred to Montclair State University.

The Foreign Student Advisor's Report: signed and completed by the International Student Advisor of the school you are transferring from.

Copy of the I-20 issued by Montclair State University. This I-20 is valid only if it has your signature.

Non F-1 visa students should submit copies of documents that indicate their current immigration status to the Office of International Services.