International Student Admission

The University of Montana-Missoula International Programs-International Admissions Office will issue the Immigration Form I-20  (necessary for obtaining an F 1 student visa) to international applicants who are academically eligible for the undergraduate degree status (see above) and who supply complete credentials as described below. In certain situations an international applicant may not need an I- 20; in these cases, International Programs-International Admissions should be contacted for individual advice regarding admission status, academic eligibility, and admission requirements. International students are encouraged to submit ACT or SAT scores if available, but ACT or SAT scores are not required for admission.

How to Apply

Receipt of the following credentials constitutes a complete international application for admission:

1. International application form. This form can be obtained by contacting International Programs-International Admissions. The form must be complete and signed. Applications are also available on the UM Admissions International web page.
2. $30.00 paper application fee. This non refundable fee is payable once at the undergraduate level when payment is followed by enrollment. In all other cases record of payment will remain on file for one year. Payment of this fee is expected prior to consideration of the application. The University of Montana-Missoula waives the application fee for students who have attended an affiliate campus: Montana Tech and the Division of Technology, Helena College of Technology, and Western Montana College.
3. Academic Credentials:
   1. Official or certified copies of non-U.S. academic credentials beginning with secondary school and continuing through the highest level of achievement. The transcripts must be in the original language accompanied by an English translation. The applicant may make the translation themselves. Photocopied, scanned, or emailed copies will not be accepted. 
   2. U.S. transcripts. Complete official transcripts showing all U.S. high school and college/university attendance.
4. Statement of Financial Support. The applicant must submit a certified statement from a bank or sponsor verifying that adequate financial resources are available to pay for the student's estimated expenses for the first year (tuition, fees, room, board, miscellaneous expenses, student health insurance, expenses of dependents, etc.). This estimated amount is adjusted annually and is available by contacting International Programs-International Admissions.
5. English Language Proficiency.

   Montana University System campuses require international-student applicants to present evidence of proficient English use.  Campuses may impose additional requirements on applicants from other countries in order to assure student success.

   The University of Montana considers applicants to be international students if they are neither U.S. citizens, immigrants (permanent residents) nor refugees. These applicants may include holders of F (student) visas, J (exchange visitor) visas, and M (vocational training) visas.

   All international students must be academically prepared and demonstrate sufficient proficiency in English to qualify for admission.  In order to demonstrate sufficient proficiency, students must meet one of the following admissions standards at the undergraduate level:

EXEMPTIONS

Exemptions to the English proficiency policy may be considered for any one of the following:

• applicants whose native language is English;
• applicants with two or more years of attendance at an institution of higher education where English is the primary language of instruction; or
• applicants who transfer an equivalent for WRIT 101.

Students who are citizens of the following countries need not submit proof of English language proficiency unless English is not the student's native language. These countries include: Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and South Africa.

Students who have test scores below the minimum requirement may be eligible for conditional admission.

Any questions concerning the evidence of proficiency in English should be directed to International Programs-International Admissions. When the student arranges to take one of the proficiency tests, he or she should request that examination results be sent directly to INternational Programs-International Admissions, The University of Montana-Missoula, Missoula, Montana 59812. (Code N. 4489 00)

FULL ADMISSION

The University of Montana will consider for full admission only those undergraduate students

providing evidence of English language proficiency in the form of one of the scores listed above:

Full Admission with Academic Support:  International-student applicants qualify for admission with academic support if they have (i) completed one of the English proficiency examinations (either TOEFL, IELTS, or MELAB) and (ii) earned scores within the ranges presented below:

Any student scoring in the advanced or intermediate proficiency ranges are strongly recommended to enroll in academic support service courses.

            •  During their first semester of attendance, advanced-proficiency students may take 3 but no more than 6 credits coursework in English as an Academic Second Language (EASL). 

            •  During their first two semesters in attendance, intermediate-proficiency students may take 6 but no more than 12 credits of coursework in EASL. 

Academic Support coursework entails EASL courses, credited toward a degree.  The University offers EASL 250 and 251 (intermediate) as well as 450 and 451 (advanced) in order to assist international students in becoming ready for and effective in mainstream college coursework. 

See http://www.umt.edu/catalog/cat/cas/linguist.html.

CONDITIONAL ADMISSION

Students who do not meet the required English language proficiency for full admission but are otherwise academically qualified may seek eligibility for conditional admission.  Students submit International applications and all required supporting documents to the Admissions Office, and upon a review of their academic eligibility, students may then be admitted conditionally.  Enrollment Services issues the conditional-acceptance letter and an I-20 form and then forwards this information to the English Language Institute.

Summary:  An iBT score of 70 is required for full admission; an iBT score between 70-93 places an academic-support recommendation on full admission.  These international students are encouraged to complete one or more Academic Support courses which count for degree credit.

Justification: A score below 70 iBT indicates a pre-emergent proficiency for academic purposes, failing a full-admission standard; a score between 70-93 iBT indicates emerging proficiency for academic purposes, thus meeting a full-admission standard with a recommendation for academic support with a projected increase of 12 iBT points per semester; emerging proficiency is intermediate (70-81) and advanced (82-93).  These students enroll in a program of study delivering academic support that respects timely passage toward a program of study leading to degree.  This range reflects most universities' admissions standards and sets a ceiling with those of prestigious ones.

It is recommended, (i) this policy be revisited for review and revision to respond to developments, (ii) an admission deadline for international-student applications be May 15, 2015 for Academic Year 2015-2016,  and (iii) ASCRC coordinate its recommendations for this undergraduate international-student standard with Graduate Council, setting the graduate international-student standard.

When to Apply

Applications and all required documents must be received by the following dates:

●   Autumn Semester Deadline – May 15

●   Spring Semester Deadline – October 15

 Applications received after the deadline will be considered for admission for the next term.