An international student is one who wishes to attend college in the U.S. without residency or citizenship, typically on an F-1 visa.

Because the entire process of working through international student matters can take up to a full year from start to finish, we encourage you to begin the process early.

Keep in mind that you will be working not only with the college, but with various financial institutions, your country’s embassy, and the Department of Immigration and Naturalization Services.

How to Enroll

There are three main steps to enroll:

1. Take a standardized exam (if required)
2. Complete the Northwestern College Application for Admission
3. Complete the Financial Verification Form

Each of these steps is discussed in more detail below.

We strongly encourage you to complete these three steps at least two months prior to the term start date.

1. Take standardized exam

If English is not your primary language, arrange to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam.

The minimum TOEFL scores for application to Northwestern College are as follows:

TOEFL
Paper-based: 530
Computer-based: 197
Internet-based: 71

If English is your primary language, or if it is not but you have completed two years of undergraduate or graduate course work in the United States, the TOEFL requirement is waived.

View TOEFL exam details online.

2. Complete the Northwestern College Application for Admission

Download Application

Graduate Admission Criteria

• Evidence of a new birth in Jesus Christ.
• Willingness to subscribe to the ideals and patterns of life and conduct of the Northwestern community, as outlined in the Declaration of Christian Community.
• A bachelor's degree earned from a regionally accredited institution, with a minimum of a 3.0 cumulative GPA.
• Submission of complete application packet (see Application Checklist, below)

3. Complete the Financial Verification Form (FVF) and return it to the Admissions Office.

Note: The line “Total Resources” on the FVF must balance the line “Total Costs.” You must demonstrate the ability to cover the cost of an entire year of education.

Admission decision

When we receive your complete Application for Admission and your Financial Verification Form in satisfactory condition, your documents will be reviewed by the admissions committee and you will be notified of your admission status within 1–2 weeks.

Application Checklist

• Application form
• Application fee
• Statement of Intention Essay
• Professional/Personal Essay
• Official transcripts from all previous undergraduate and graduate institutions (View Transcript Request Form)
• Two Graduate Admission Reference forms: One from pastor or equivalent, one from employer or professor
• An Academic Essay or GRE or GMAT scores at or above the 50th percentile, if cumulative GPA is less than 3.0
• Resume (optional)
• International education credential evaluation report prepared by and directly sent from one of the following organizations. Please contact them directly to find out documentation requirements:

Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
PO Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53203-3400
Phone: 414-289-3400
Fax: 414-289-3411
E-mail: eval@ece.org
Web: http//www.ece.org

World Education Services, Inc.
PO Box 745
Old Chelsea Station
New York, NY 10113-0745
Phone: 800-937-3895
Fax: 212-966-6395
E-mail: info@wes.org
Web: http//www.wes.org