Requirements

International Student Admissions

Friends University welcomes international students to our institution.  The experiences and cultures they bring continue to enhance all students’ learning throughout their journey at Friends University. We’re here to help you every step of the way to obtain all the necessary paperwork to work with the government entities required and necessary to complete the admissions requirements.

Before Applying for an F-1 Student Visa

A prospective F-1 visa student from outside the United States is required to pay a one-time fee to the United States Department of Homeland Security. This fee must be paid BEFORE applying for an F-1 visa at a United States embassy/consulate and/or before entering the United States. For more detailed information, please visit the International Student and Exchange Visitor Program site.

Obtaining an F-1 Student Visa

Once you have received your Form I-20 from Friends University, you will want to schedule an appointment at your local United States embassy/consulate office to obtain an F-1 Student Visa. Visa procedures vary from one embassy/consulate to another, so please contact your respective embassy/consulate office to determine what documentation you will need to bring with you to support your application.

If you encounter any problems obtaining your visa, please notify your undergraduate admissions representative or your graduate admissions representative, as well as your DSO/international advisor.

Transferring from Another SEVIS University

Students transferring from another SEVIS university within the United States must complete the Friends University admissions requirements for international students.  In addition, they need to secure a Transfer Request Form, which is completed by the previous university’s international student advisor. This form verifies that the student has the immigration status necessary to transfer. The transfer process is complete once the student enrolls in class and Friends University registers this enrollment in SEVIS. The student must also sign their new transfer I-20 no later than 15 days after the start of the program.

International Undergraduate Admission Requirements

An international student application may be attained through the Friends University Admissions Office, or can be completed online. The applicant should airmail or express mail ALL admissions requirements to the Friends University Admissions Office:

Friends University
Undergraduate Admissions Office
2100 W. University
Wichita, KS  67213

  1. Application for Admission
  2. U.S. $40 nonrefundable application fee
  3. Completed and signed Declaration of Support, along with the most recent bank statement on the applicant’s account. A letter, signed by the applicant’s bank manager on bank letterhead, must also be provided, which specifies the name of the account holder and the current balance. This document should show that the applicant will have sufficient financial support for at least the first year of school. Costs that must be considered include tuition, books, fees, housing, health insurance and living expenses
  4. Official high school transcript(s)
    • All international students must have a high school equivalency cumulative grade point average of 2.0 on a 4-point scale to be admitted
  5. Official college or university transcripts if the applicant has postsecondary education
  6. Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or ACT/SAT score
    • Native speakers of English from a country in which English is a national language will not be required to submit a TOEFL score
    • Non-native speakers of English who have graduated from high school where the language of instruction is English will not be required to submit a TOEFL score. The Director of Admissions has the right to waive the TOEFL requirement for students presenting a grade of B or better in an introductory composition class from an accredited U.S college or university
  7. Transfer Request Form from previous university’s international student advisor

Undergraduate TOEFL Score Requirements

The following is a list of TOEFL score requirements. Please remember that an acceptable ACT/SAT score can be used to be fully admitted instead of a TOEFL score.

  • All international students with a computer-based TOEFL score of 173 will be fully admitted.
  • An international student with a computer-based TOEFL score between 172 and 150 will be provisionally admitted.
  • International students with a computer-based TOEFL score between 149 and 117 will be reviewed on an individual basis by the Admissions Committee and the Director of Cross-Cultural Programs and Services for consideration for admission. Additional documentation of English proficiency may be requested.
  • An international student with a computer-based TOEFL score below 117 will not be admitted to the University.

International Graduate Admission Requirements

An international student application may be attained through the Friends University Graduate Admissions Office, completed online or downloaded. The applicant should airmail or express mail ALL admissions requirements to the Friends University Graduate Admissions Office:

Friends University
Graduate Admissions Office
2100 W. University
Wichita, KS  67213

  1. Completed and signed application for graduate admissions.
  2. U.S. $65 non-refundable application fee
    • Students who are already enrolled at Friends University at the undergraduate level and are moving to the graduate school will be assessed the regular $45 application fee.
  3. A minimum score of 83 on the computer-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the satisfactory completion of one year of study at another U.S. college or university.  This requirement can be waived by the program director for students from English-speaking countries.
  4. A personal interview with a designated representative of Friends University.