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Research and Graduate Education

Admissions Criteria/Information for International Students

Admission is preferentially given to US citizens and permanent residents. International students are considered for acceptance by the Admissions Committee if they have excellent academic credentials and research experience and can demonstrate stipend support for the duration of PhD training from an individual source, government source, or by written agreement with a WVU HSC faculty mentor.

The Deadline for International Applications is January 15, 2009.
General Information for International Applicants:
  • All inquiries should be directed to Mrs. Claire Noel at the end of March.

  • Acceptance notifications are sent for international applicants via email or a first class letter.

  • Login periodically to check your information status & the comment box.

  • TOEFL score-International applicants should take an English-language proficiency examination. WVU will accept scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The minimum accepted TOEFL score is 600 for the paper-based exam, 250 for the computer-based exam and 100 for the new, internet-based exam. The minimum IELTS score is 6.5. Applicants are urged to arrange for one of these exams well in advance of the desired enrollment period.

  • The WVU Institution Code for the TOEFL examination and the GRE is R5904.

NOTICE: Due to increased attention to national security, international applicants are experiencing longer waiting periods for visa approval than in the past. Please consult the International Admissions Office if you have questions.

International students receiving financial support in the form of a stipend:

After arriving in the United States, it can take 6 weeks or more to obtain social security numbers and complete payroll information. Because of this delay, you should be prepared to support yourself financially for at least 6 weeks after beginning your graduate work.

Proof of Required Academic Credentials

Original or certified (attested) copies of original academic documents from non-U.S. schools must be submitted with each application. The required documents include:

  • Official academic record(s) (showing course titles, dates taken, and grades received)

  • Diploma(s) or Certificate(s) showing degree awarded

These documents must be in the original language of issue. Official English translation of these credentials is required in addition to the original language documents.

Applicants who have attended U.S. institutions must request that official transcripts be sent to WVU directly from that institution.

Applicants for graduate programs must submit records from all post-secondary education. In some cases, secondary-level education documents may be required from applicants to graduate programs.

Proof of Financial Support for Visa Approval

Before West Virginia University can issue the document necessary to apply for a student visa (Form I-20 or Form IAP-66) the student must provide proof that he or she has the adequate financial resources to provide for his or her expenses incurred while studying at WVU. Certification of financial support can take one of or a combination of the following forms:

  1. If the student or student's parent will fund the student's studies at WVU, the student must provide an official bank statement showing the availability of the required amount. Bank statements can be no older than 6 months.

  2. If the student will be supported by a private sponsor, the sponsor must provide a letter declaring intent of sponsorship AND an official bank statement showing the availability of the required amount. Bank statements can be no older than 6 months.

  3. If the student will be sponsored by a government agency or a public or private institution, the agency or institution must provide official certification that the appropriate costs will be covered. Sponsorship statements can be no older than 6 months.

NOTE REGARDING OFFICIAL DOCUMENTS: West Virginia University must have the original or a certified copy of the original certification of financial support in order to issue the form I-20 or IAP-66. Since the student may need to provide the same certification of financial support when applying for a student visa, it is recommended that the student obtain duplicate certifications or provide WVU with certified copies. Photocopies that are not certified as true copies of the original will not be considered as acceptable proof of financial support.


NOTE REGARDING FINANCIAL AID: Students who will be receiving financial aid from West Virginia University (assistantship, fellowship, etc.) must realize that if the amount of aid is not at least as much as the indicated estimated expenses, the student will be responsible for showing proof of support for the remainder.

Applicants should not assume that financial aid will be provided or that it will be sufficient to cover all expenses. Applicants should be prepared to provide adequate certification of support even if they are applying for an assistantship, etc. It is the responsibility of the student to submit to the Office of Admissions and Records all documentation of financial support, including financial award letters or notice of assistantship.