# 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. **Continue to:** - [Application Process](#application-process) - [Scholarships](#scholarships-assistantships) - [English Language Proficiency Requirement Exemptions](#english-proficiency-info) ## Spring 2027 International First-year Application Deadlines\* *If you intend to apply for a scholarship, **early application** is strongly encouraged.\** ### November 1, 2027\* **Final International Application Deadline for January start (Spring 2027)** Decision notification typically 3-6 weeks after completion of application. --- ## Fall 2027 International First-year Application Deadlines ### December 1, 2026 **Early Action Application Deadline** Decisions released by December 24, 2026. (College of the Arts applicants may receive decisions later based on audition/portfolio review) ### February 1, 2027 **Nursing Application Deadline** Decisions released by April 1, 2027 ### March 1, 2027 **Scholarship Consideration Deadline** Decision notification typically 3-6 weeks after completion of application. ### June 1, 2027\* **Final International Application Deadline** Decision notification typically 3-6 weeks after completion of application. ### June 15, 2027\* **I‑20 Application Deadline** I‑20 is issued within 5-10 business days after a complete I‑20 application is submitted. \**Suggested deadlines for students outside the U.S.; international students currently in the U.S. may have additional flexibility.* ### International First-year Application Process STEP 1: Online application Submit your [online application](https://apply.montclair.edu/portal/admissions). STEP 2: Application Fee 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. STEP 3: Secondary School Transcript 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](/admissions-aid/how-apply-montclair-state-university/international-applicants/international-first-year-applicants/international-transcripts-and-high-school-equivalency-requirements "International Transcripts and High School Equivalency Requirements"). STEP 4: English Language Proficiency Test Scores (If Required) 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)**](https://www.ets.org/toefl) Old Version: Minimum score: 70 New version: Minimum score: 4.0 School Code: 2520 [**IELTS (International English Language Testing System)**](https://www.ielts.org/en-us) Minimum Score: 6.0 [**Duolingo**](https://englishtest.duolingo.com/home) Minimum Score: 95 [**Pearson’s PTE-A (Academic)**](https://www.pearsonpte.com/) Minimum Score: 48 [**ITEP (International Test of English Proficiency)**](https://www.itepexam.com/) Minimum Score: 3.7 [**SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test)**](https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat/registration/dates-deadlines) Minimum Score: 480 Reading and Writing Section School Code: 002520 [**ACT (American College Testing)**](https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/registration.html) Minimum Score: 22 English section School Code: 2572 STEP 5: Personal Statement/Essay and Resume/List of Co-Curricular Activities Complete and upload your essay/personal statement. You will be able to upload it before submitting your application. [Essay prompts vary by major](/admissions-aid/how-apply-montclair-state-university/how-apply-montclairs-undergraduate-programs/essay-prompts "Essay Prompts"). 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. STEP 6: Letter of Recommendation 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 STEP 7: SAT/ACT Test Scores (optional) 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 ### 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 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 ## We’re Here to Help. International Applicant Support Prospective and admitted international students seeking information about Montclair State University, the application process, enrollment, and pre-arrival support. - - Telephone [+1 973-655-6862](tel:%2B1973-655-6862) - Address Cole Hall 148 I-20 and DS-2019 application and issuance questions Prospective students with questions about the I-20 application and I-20 issuance process. - Current Student Support -