International Applicants

If you are neither a U.S. citizen or a Permanent Resident, you’ll want to apply as an international student! Upon acceptance, we will assist you in securing an F-1 Student Visa or J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa to study in the United States. *Please note that DACA, TPS, and other non-visa students are welcome to apply and attend Gordon College.

All international students can apply via our website or the Common App.

The International Student Finance Form (ISFF) is an important piece of your application. On it, you’ll be able to tell us about your income, sponsors, and other details for how you plan to finance your education in the United States. This form is necessary for starting the VISA approval process, and helps us determine which students could benefit from need-based aid. Please complete this form via your application portal before requesting an admissions interview.

All transcripts must be in English and converted into US grading scale. Please use this Spantran link to convert it. Once you have converted it, you can either upload the copy to your application portal or email it directly to your admissions counselor.

Once you have submitted all of the necessary materials, you should receive an admissions decision within two weeks.

Foreign citizens who are already in the United States for high school or college must continue maintaining their active F-1 Student Visa status to attend Gordon College. If you are currently an F-1 student, we will help you transfer your SEVIS record to Gordon College. Or, if you are currently in a dependent-visa status (such as F2, R2, or H4), you have a choice to keep or change your status.

Expatriates do not need to submit English proficiency scores or complete the admissions interview. They also do not need to go through the F-1 VISA process. However, transcripts that are not in the US grading scale will still need to be translated.

Citizens of Canada and Bermuda generally do not require visas to enter the United States as students, although they must present a valid Form I-20 at the time of admission. For more information check out the Department of State’s website.

In order to maintain your F-1 VISA status, you are required to register as a full-time student.

Classes at Gordon College are taught entirely in English. Therefore, international students must demonstrate English proficiency through one of the following tests: Duolingo, TOEFL, or IELTS. Students from English-speaking countries and students who have previously studied in the United States may be eligible to waive the proficiency test requirement. As a rule of thumb, these are the minimum scores we recommend:
TOEFL : 85
IELTS : 6.5
Duolingo : 105

Reading, writing and class discussions can be overwhelming for students who are trying to learn in a language different from their native tongue. Therefore, The Academic Support Center offers various resources to support students in their transition to Gordon’s academics. International students can meet with an ASC counselor for support with academic reading and writing in English or to discuss issues such as study strategies and time management skills. Certain accommodations may also be available through the ASC for qualified non-native English speakers

Yes! Gordon awards merit-based scholarships based on academic achievement and excellence. These can be renewed annually, as long as you consistently meet grade point average (GPA) requirements. Visit our Financial Aid for International Students page for more information.

That’s great news! If you have a person or organization that is willing to support your tuition expenses over four years, please include their information on your International Student Finance Form. They will need to provide an official Sponsor Letter with your I-20 request.

Yes. Up to 700 students work part-time on-campus each year in over 1,000 positions. During the school year, students can work up to 20 hours a week and have the discretion to use the income however they please. During breaks and the summer, students have the option to work full-time. Learn more about student employment here.

Yes, on-campus housing is always available for international students. Gordon is a very residential community, with over 90% of students living on campus. You can check out all of our dorm options here.

Congratulations! Reach out to your admissions counselor for the initial I-20 request form. Once that’s filled out, you can send it along to the International Student Office. They’ll help you the rest of the way with securing your VISA! Additionally, you can see ISO’s Accepted Students FAQ page here.