International First-year Applicants

The Office of Global Engagement staff is available to assist international students through every stage of the journey, from new applicant to graduation.​

If you are still completing a high school or secondary school education, or have completed high school or secondary school and attempted fewer than 16 college or university credits, you may apply for admission as an international freshman student.

On this page you'll find information on: 

Application Deadlines

Application Process

Scholarships & Assistantships

English Language Proficiency Requirements 

Fall 2026 International First-year Application Deadlines

Early Action Application Deadline

December 1, 2026; decisions released by December 24, 2026 (College of the Arts applicants may receive decisions later based on audition/portfolio review).

Nursing Application Deadline

February 1, 2027; decisions released by April 1, 2027.

Scholarship Consideration Deadline

March 1, 2027; decision notification typically 3-6 weeks after completion of application.

Final International Application Deadline*

June 1, 2027; decision notification typically 3-6 weeks after completion of application.

(These are suggested deadlines for students outside the U.S.; international students currently in the U.S. may have additional flexibility.)

I‑20 Application Deadline*

June 15, 2027; I‑20 is issued within 5-10 business days after a complete I‑20 application is submitted.

(These are suggested deadlines for students outside the U.S.; international students currently in the U.S. may have additional flexibility.)

International First-year Application Process

Submit your online application. 

After you submit the application, you will see instructions for paying the $65 non‑refundable application fee on the status page of your application portal. 

If you are applying to a program with an audition fee (Dance, Music, Music Therapy, Musical Theatre, Theatre), you will also be able to pay your audition fee through your status page.

Upload or mail your academic records from all secondary schools attended. If your transcripts, diploma or any other academic documents are not in English, you must include an official English translation. 

Include any exam scores such as IB, AP, CAPE, IGCSE/A levels, and 10th + 12th results, if applicable. 

For additional information about international high school diploma equivalencies, see our required academic documentation page.

International students, with the exception of those eligible for waivers (noted below), must submit proof of English proficiency. Students must submit one of the following exams as proof:

Exam Requirements

TOEFL IBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language, Internet Based Test)   

Minimum score: 70

School Code: 2520

IELTS (International English Language Testing System)     

Minimum Score: 6.0

Duolingo       

Minimum Score: 95

Pearson’s PTE-A (Academic)     

Minimum Score: 48

ITEP (International Test of English Proficiency)

Minimum Score: 3.7

SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) 

Minimum Score: 480 EBRW section       

School Code: 002520

ACT (American College Testing)     

Minimum Score: 22 English section       

School Code: 2572

Complete and upload your essay/personal statement. You will be able to upload it before submitting your application. Essay prompts vary by major. 

If you wish to submit a resume or list of extracurricular activities for review, you can upload this document in your application or on your status page after submitting your application. 

A resume is required for Dance, Musical Theatre, and Theatre majors, but optional for all other programs.

For most majors, a recommendation letter is not required but is strongly encouraged. Submit one recommendation letter from a college counselor or teacher.​

Dance, Musical Theatre, and Theatre majors require two recommendation letters; at least one letter should speak to your candidacy for your field of study.

Recommendations can be submitted online through your admission application, or letters can be mailed or faxed to:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Montclair State University
1 Normal Avenue, Cole Hall
Montclair, NJ 07043
Fax: (+1) 973‑655‑7700

Official SAT or ACT scores are optional. Students submitting SAT scores should enter our CEEB code (002520). Students submitting ACT scores should enter our ACT school code (2572).

Scholarships & Assistantships

Scholarships for First-year International Students

Montclair offers merit‑based scholarships to freshman international students. Qualified students can receive our Presidential Scholarship, a renewable award for up to four years for students who meet specific GPA criteria. Students who qualify are automatically awarded this scholarship and must maintain a minimum GPA to continue receiving it; more information is provided upon acceptance.

ScholarshipUniverse

This scholarship‑matching tool for enrolled students helps you discover external scholarships. You will be matched with best‑fit opportunities based on your profile. ScholarshipUniverse is available for deposited students only (a NetID is required for access).​

English Language Proficiency Test Requirement Exemptions

The English Language Proficiency requirement may be waived if you meet one of the criteria listed below.

  • You are a citizen of the United States.
  • You are a citizen of one of the countries listed in the section “English Proficiency Test Exemptions are Granted for the Following Countries.”
  • OR you meet one of the undergraduate enrollment criteria below.

Undergraduate First-year Students (Freshmen)

You may qualify for an English proficiency test waiver if:

  • You have graduated/will graduate from a high school in the United States, a U.S. territory, or any of the countries on the below list.
  • You have attended an international school that follows the educational system of any of the countries listed below (for example, IGCSE or IB programs).

Note: students who change high school mid-stream (for example, from a local, non-English speaking curriculum to an IB program) are expected to be enrolled in non-ESL English courses consistent with their peers and should have a B average or better in the English courses. 

English Proficiency Test Exemptions Are Granted for Citizens of the Following Countries

Anguilla
Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Bahamas
Barbados
Belize
Bermuda
Botswana
British Virgin Islands
Canada (excluding Quebec)
Cayman Islands
Christmas Island
Dominica
Falkland Islands/Malvinas
Gambia
Ghana

Gibraltar
Grenada
Guyana
Ireland
Jamaica
Kenya
Lesotho
Liberia
Malawi
Mauritius
Micronesia (Federated States of)
Montserrat
Namibia
New Zealand
Nigeria
Palau

Saint Lucia
St. Helena
St. Kitts and Nevis
St. Vincent and the Grenadines
Sierra Leone
South Africa
Swaziland
Tanzania
Trinidad and Tobago
Turks and Caicos
Uganda
United Kingdom (England, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland)
United States of America
Zambia
Zimbabwe

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