International Freshmen
Freshman applicants are those who are either currently enrolled in high school, have graduated from high school and have not attended college/university, or have attended college/university and earned less than 30 transferable hours.
Application Deadlines
Fall Semester (begins in August) - 1 June
Spring Semester (begins in January) - 1 November
Summer Term (begins in June) - 1 March
How to Apply
- Submit the Undergraduate Admission Application along with the $40 non-refundable application fee.
- Academic Transcripts
- Applicants who have graduated from a non U.S. accredited high school or attended a non U.S. accredited college/ university must provide a professional transcript evaluation by a NACES or AICE evaluator or Lisano International. We recommend using Josef Silny (PDF), World Education Services, or SpanTran. Official transcripts from any U.S. college/university attended must be submitted. A minimum 2.5 GPA is required.
- Professional transcript evaluations of high school transcripts must include a document-by-document evaluation with GPA calculation
- Professional transcript evaluations of college/university transcripts must include
a course-by-course evaluation with GPA calculation
- Official SAT and/or ACT scores
- Applicants whose native language is English do not need to submit proof of English language proficiency but must submit official SAT or ACT test scores meeting traditional freshman requirements SAT/ACT is only required for students who have graduated high school within the last 5 years and have less than 30 transferable college credit hours..
- SAT: 480 Evidence-Based Reading/Writing and 440 Math
- ACT: 17 English or 17 Reading and 17 Math
SAT/ACT test score requirements are waived for freshmen with a 3.0 or higher in their Required High School Curriculum through Summer 2024.
- Proof of English language proficiency
Applicants whose native language is not English must provide evidence of English language proficiency. The English proficiency requirement may be fulfilled by meeting one of the following:
| Test | Minimum Score Requirement |
|---|---|
| TOEFL - Test of English as a Foreign Language (Includes Computer Based (IBT), Home Edition, My Best, and Paper Edition) Note that TOEFL Essentials will not be accepted  |
69 |
| IELTS - International English Language Testing System (Includes Indicator version; Indicator scores accepted through December 2023) |
6.0 (Overall Band Score) |
| SAT Evidence-Based Reading/Writing | 480 |
| ACT English or ACT Reading | 17 |
| EIKEN | Pre-1 |
| MET - Michigan English Test | 59 |
| Cambridge FCE, CAE, or CPE | 177 |
| Cambridge International Examinations (CIE) - IGCSE and "O" Level English Exams | D or better |
| UK GCSE English Exam | C or better |
| UK GCE A-Level English Exam | C or better |
| Edexcel International A-Levels and IGCSE English Exams | D or better |
| Pearson (PTE) Academic (conventional and online) | 58 |
Receiving an I-20
Applicants applying for an F-1 student visa will need to be issued an I-20 from Columbus State University. An I-20 will only be issued to students who have been fully admitted to CSU and have provided the required financial documentation. Once accepted, a completed Financial Guarantee form (PDF), bank statement, and copy of passport must be submitted to the Admissions Office.
Immunizations
All students must submit a completed Immunization Record before registering for any classes.
Conditional Admission
Columbus State University offers conditional admission to qualified applicants providing all academic requirements for admission have been met, but there is insufficient English language proficiency. Conditionally admitted students will be required to enroll in the English Language Institute (ELI) and successfully meet minimum TOEFL requirements before enrolling in degree-seeking courses at Columbus State University. A student may remain on conditional admission status for no more than three semesters.
