International Student Admission

International students can apply to become a part of the Southwest Minnesota State University (SMSU) Mustang family. The deadline to submit an application for a Fall semester start is June 1st and November 1^st for the Spring semester start. Interested students will need to 1) Apply for Admission online; 2) Get the SMSU I-20; 3) Apply for the International Student Visa; 4) Make plans to arrive to SMSU in time to attend the Mandatory International Student Orientation (MISO) before classes begins.

Admission and I-20 requirements include

Apply for Admission

Apply through the online application at https://www.smsu.edu/admission/international/step1_apply.html.
Pay the $100 International Admission Processing Fee for all new undergraduate international students applying from abroad. The fee is $50 if the student is a high school student or college student currently studying in a US institution on an international student visa.
Submit High School Transcripts, your country’s National Exam results, and any other post-secondary transcripts. Applicants must have an equivalent US minimum GPA of 2.5.
Submit proof of English Language Proficiency (ELP) to begin studies at SMSU. Evidence of ELP minimal requirement includes being from one of the English Waiver List of approved countries where English is one of the official language. Other acceptable ELP verification includes:
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
  - Applicants must earn a score of 4 or higher on the NEW internet-based tests (iBT)
  - Applicants must earn a score of 61 or higher on the internet-based tests (iBT)
  - Applicants must earn a score of 500 or higher for paper-based tests (PBT)
  - Applicants must earn a score of 173 or higher for computer-based tests (CBT)
  - SMSU school code for TOEFL is 6703
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System): Score of 5.5 or higher
- DuoLingo (DET): 95 or higher
- TOEIC (Test of English for International Communication): Score of 600 or higher (green range - high)
- CSAT English: Score of level 3 or lower (lower means higher proficiency)
- Cambridge Assessment English: B2 or better
- Michigan Test of English Proficiency (MET): Score of 64 or higher
- Pearson (PTE): Score of 47 or higher
- ACT: Score of 21 or higher
- SAT: Evidence Based Reading & Writing section - Score of 540 or higher
- Successful completion of Level 109 at an English Language School
- International transfer applicants already studying at other U.S. high schools, colleges, or universities must submit the following:
  - Successful completion of one semester of Freshmen English Composition with an earned grade of a "C" or better
- Completion of coursework at an approved level from an English Language Program accredited by the Commission of English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) at any U.S. and/or overseas institution listed through the CEA website. SMSU must approve course levels for a given CEA-approved institution unless already listed below:
  - Open Hearts Language Academy – Advanced Level 2 or above

Get Your SMSU I-20

Be officially Admitted to SMSU.
Submit Bank Statements less than 3 months old, shows a balance to cover the costs of one year’s tuition and fees and living expenses.
Submit a Financial Sponsor Form if the Bank Statements you submit are not officially in your name.
Submit a clear, legible, color copy of your Passport photo page with the expiry date.
Submit a clear, legible, color copy of your student Visa if you have one.
If you are currently enrolled in a US high school or college, you will need to submit the SMSU SEVIS Transfer Form

Please visit our International Admission website, https://www.smsu.edu/admission/international/index.html for more information on requirements and step-by-step directions on how to apply, get your visa, and start your studies at SMSU. Contact the Center for International Education (CIE) by email at cie@smsu.edu or call +1 (507) 537-6018 to speak with someone about applying to SMSU as an international student.