International Student Admissions

Non-U.S. Citizens applying for undergraduate admission must submit the following by July 1 for fall enrollment and by November 1 for spring enrollment:

Catawba College offers one pathway for International applicants to apply.

Apply Online

You must also submit the following supplemental items to complete your admissions file:

1. Translated Transcripts from all secondary/high school and post-secondary schools attended.
   • All transcripts must be evaluated and translated by an accredited international education evaluation organization. Our office prefers that you use SpanTran, however, you are welcome to use any NACES approved organization. Visit the SpanTran website to begin your application.
2. A Copy of Your Passport Photo 
3. Declaration of Finances / Bank Statement 
4. Proof of English Proficiency via Test Scores*
5. A Writing Sample. To fulfill this requirement, you will provide responses to three short answer questions:
   
   • At Catawba, the ideals of Scholarship, Character, Culture and Service are central to the mission and life of the college. Which of these ideals do you find most compelling in your own life and why?
   • Why are you interested in the major you indicated as your first choice major? (If you selected undecided, please share what academic areas you wish to explore at Catawba and why.)
   • Describe how your experiences, perspectives, talents, and/or your involvement in leadership activities (at your school, job, community, or within your family) will help you to make an impact both in and out of the classroom while enrolled at Catawba College. 

Recommended

1. Letters of Recommendation 
2. Resume

Optional

1. Official standardized test scores: either SAT, ACT, TOEFL, or IELTS
2. Personal Statement

*English Proficiency Testing

Students whose native language or language of instruction in secondary/high school IS English must meet at least one of the following requirements to be considered for admission:

1. An SAT score of 810 or higher with at least 400 on the Evidence Based Reading & Writing (EBRW) section.
2. An ACT score of at least 17
3. Above average scores on the "O" level or "A" level examinations in the British system schools or their equivalent in Northern Ireland or Scotland 

Students whose native language or language of instruction in secondary/high school is NOT English must meet at least one of the following requirements to be considered for admission:

1. Complete Level 112 from ELS Inc., an English as a Second Language Center
2. Score a minimum of 550 on the Paper Based TOEFL or a minimum of 79 on the Internet Based TOEFL
3. Score a minimum of 6.0 on the IELTS
4. Score a minimum of 100 on Duolingo English Proficiency Test
5. Score 450 or more on the verbal section of the International Scholastic Aptitude Test
6. Have a combined 2.000 GPA with no grade below a "C" in two English composition courses from a regionally accredited US college or university.

*Catawba offers a Test Optional admission program. If you would like to inquire about test optional admission, please visit our Test Optional website or contact admissions. 

The following information is not required as part of your application for admission; however, it is required to obtain a student visa if you are accepted and plan to enroll at Catawba College:

1. A PDF Color Photocopy of your passport (required for all applicants from outside of the U.S)
2. Completed Certificate of Finance Responsibility
3. Original English translated bank statement from bank. Bank statement must be within 6 months of submission.
   • Statement must show the estimated out-of-pocket is available in the account.
   • Sponsor's name must be present on the bank statement. 
4. Catawba I-20 Forms 

*Catawba reserves the right to request any documents that we deem necessary. Please note that any documents that are given to the college become the property of Catawba College. Per federal guidelines the college is required to keep all original documents.

Please note that the college is unable to begin the I-20 process until after the $200 enrollment deposit is paid.

All I-20 documentations must be submitted by July 1 for Fall enrollment and November 1 for Spring Enrollment. 

Students must schedule an appointment with the consulate in their home country to be considered for a visa. Find out more on how to obtain your student visa online.

All Catawba College students are required to have health insurance. You will be charged for a school-sponsored health insurance plan or you may waive this option if you are currently covered by a comparable insurance plan of your own. We strongly encourage you to contact our Health Services Office to discuss your plan prior to filing your insurance waiver.

Non-U.S. Citizens are eligible for all merit or talent based Catawba College scholarships, such as the Presidential or Trustee Scholarships, Access Grants, and Socratic Scholarships. International students may also qualify for Athletic, Music, and Performing Arts Academic Scholarships.  All Catawba scholarship information can be found on our Scholarships webpage.