In addition to the general application requirements, international students have additional requirements.
Seattle University does not require the ACT or SAT of international freshman applicants. However, these scores do enhance an application, and sufficiently high critical reading scores will be accepted in lieu of the TOEFL.
Seattle University offers a limited number of merit-based scholarships to international students. No separate application is required for scholarship consideration; determinations are based on the strength of your academic and extracurricular record. Additionally, a limited amount of need-based financial aid is available. More information is available in the financial aid section.
International student applications should be submitted 6-9 months prior to the application quarter of entry to allow for international mail and visa processing.
Students for whom English is a non-native language must demonstrate English proficiency regardless of English language studies, academic history, residence in the United States, coming from a country where English is a primary language, or immigration status. Admission can only be granted with the demonstration of sufficient English proficiency.
English proficiency may be met with the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). ELS Language Center (US centers only) students who have completed level 112 with a 2.75 ELS grade point average are considered to have the equivalent TOEFL score of 68/190/520 and will be considered for the undergraduate Culture and Language Bridge (CLB) program. For more information on the ELS program visit the ELS Language Center web site, or you can contact the Seattle center directly at (206) 623-1481; sea@els.edu.
The chart below outlines the English proficiency requirements for general admission as well as admission to the CLB program. The TOEFL exam has three different grading scales. In 2005, the new internet based TOEFL was introduced with scores ranging from 0-120. The computer based test is still offered, with scores ranging 40-300, but will be phased out over the next few years. The paper based TOEFL is still available with scores ranging from 310-677. For more information on what the TOEFL consists of and a list of official testing centers visit the ETS web site. All three score requirements are listed below.
| Undergrad General Admission | Graduate General Admission | Undergrad CLB | Graduate CLB* | |
| TOEFL (Internet) | 92 | 92 | 68 | 86 |
| TOEFL (Computer) | 237 | 237 | 190 | 227 |
| TOEFL (Paper) | 580 | 580 | 520 | 567 |
| IELTS | 7.0 | 7.0 | 6.0 | 6.5 |
| Institutional MELAB | 83% | 83% | 75% | 80% |
| ELS Language Centers | N/A | N/A | Level 112 with a 2.75 GPA | N/A |
* Some graduate programs are not able to accommodate CLB students in the curriculum as designed, so admitted students would need to complete CLB prior to starting their graduate studies.
Students with TOEFL scores in the CLB range will take a placement essay test upon arrival at Seattle University. Some students may have their CLB requirement waived based upon the results of the placement essay test.
Seattle University welcomes those applicants who have an IB Diploma and many applicants are granted degree credit upon being accepted. Successful applicants for admission typically have scores 4 in each of the six subject areas, with successful applicants typically having aggregate scores of 30 or higher. In general, students with "higher level" courses and examinations have been deemed to be eligible for course credit and advance standing with scores of 5, 6, or 7. "Subsidiary/standard" courses will not ordinarily be recognized for credit, but with a score of 6 or 7, some exceptions may be made as determined by the appropriate department.
IB Diploma recipients applying for admission to Seattle University should complete at least three higher level subjects out of the six total. Seattle University does not require the extended essay score; however, should applicants complete this portion of the IB curriculum those points will be added to their aggregate scores. Initial admissions decisions will be based interim grades reported by the secondary school. Accepted applicants are required to submit final copies of their IB result to confirm completion of the program. It is important to provide all secondary school documents as admission decisions may be conjunction with partial IB credit, along with graduation granted from other coursework competed.
Applicants from systems with comprehensive national exams based upon the 5th form British qualifications (such as the O-Levels, HKCEE, IGCSE, or GCSE certificates) must have completed examinations in at least six subject areas, including at least one science, language, mathematics, and social science or humanities. Students may also be admitted with a combination of 5th and 6th form qualifications (such as A-Levels, HKALE, or AICE) or three at the 6th form level. For each advanced level exam completed an applicant needs two fewer ordinary level results (for example, submission of four O-level results with one A- result from range of subjects meets the requirements for freshmen level consideration.) Applicants having completed three Advanced level exams are not required to present additional scores as Seattle University regards this as equivalent to completion one year of American university level studies. Such applicants are granted one year of advanced standing credit toward a Seattle University degree (i.e. 15 quarter college credits per passed exam, with a maximum of 45 credits awarded.) Seattle University does not provided credit for Advanced Supplemental exams; they may, however, fulfill subject tests distribution required for initial entry. Official certificates are required for all examination results and must be send directly from the testing board (Cambridge, Edexcel, OCR, etc). Students with an aggregate passing marks of “C” or higher on an “A-E” scale are considered competitive candidates for admission . However, results will be considered individually as there are many independent testing boards and systems around the world, each with its own testing components.
Freshman applicants from the Indian educational system must complete either the Indian School Certificate (All India, senior school, etc) or the Higher Secondary Certificate. It is understood there is some variation in which exam students may take regionally, but all must be year or standard XII. Students must earn at least 50 percent or Second Class/Division and Good standing on examinations whose marks are based upon a 100 scale. Those who complete Central Board examinations with a B2 overall average or higher are competitive candidates for admission. Students completing India School Certificate examinations are expected to have at least an overall grade of 6. However, it should be noted that students meeting these minimums are still expected to fall within the overall academic average for the entering Seattle University freshmen class. Higher scores are preferable to insure admission consideration. Applicants must have a subject distribution that includes language, mathematics, some form of social science or humanities, and either an applied science or vocational training. Certificates must be certified by the appropriate authority at the secondary school or administering body. Provisional certificates may be provided for initial admission; however enrolling students are required to submit final secondary school certificates upon completion. As India has many secondary school options individual variations are factored in each admissions decision.
Seattle University is a recognized university by the Saudi Arabian Ministry of Education government scholarship program. Freshman applicants from the Saudi educational system must submit their final certificate results: either the official original, or those that have been copied and certified by the Ministry of Education or Cultural Mission. Applicants must have a core subject distribution that includes mathematics, language, social science, and applied science. Both the scores in each core subject and the applicant’s accumulative average must be above 75 for the application to be considered a competitive candidate for admission (typically admitted student from the Saudi Arabian educational system have higher aggregate scores.) Once transcripts and certificates have been received by Seattle University, we are unable to return them. Therefore, we recommend submission of certified copies of secondary certificates rather than originals. Sealed official transcripts are required from all post secondary institutions (colleges, universities, training schools) that the applicant has attended.
