Students who receive their secondary education outside of the United States must demonstrate their ability to perform college-level work in the U.S.
Required Items
- Submit the admissions application online at http://RochesterU.edu/apply-now. The application deadline is April 1 for the fall semester, and October 1 for the spring semester.
- Freshmen applicants who have completed 12 years of education outside of the United States (US high school equivalent) are required to submit official original copies of evaluated transcripts. All international transcripts must be evaluated by an evaluation company who is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). A list of approved evaluation companies can be accessed at www.naces.org/members. International student athletes are encouraged to have their coursework evaluated by Incred International Credential Evaluations, the official credential evaluation service of the NAIA. More information can be found at incredevals.org. All evaluated transcripts must include a cumulative GPA.
Transfer applicants who have completed college or university coursework outside of the United States must also submit evaluated transcripts. See the section “Transferring Credit” below.
Applicants who have received an education in the United States should refer to http://RochesterU.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/ for information on sending transcripts to RCU. - Applicants born in a country where English is not an official language must submit test documentation of English language proficiency. Rochester Christian University will accept:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 520 on the paper based (pBT) or 68 on the internet-based (iBT) test. Official results must be mailed from TOEFL directly to Rochester Christian University. More information can be found atwww.ets.org/toefl.
- Duolingo English Test with a minimum score of 95. More information can be found at https://englishtest.duolingo.com/.
- Michigan English Test (MET) with a minimum score of 70. More information can be found at http://michiganassessment.org/michigan-tests/michigan-english-test-met/.
Once Rochester Christian University receives all the required items described above, applications are evaluated. All students educated outside the U.S. or Canada automatically enter Rochester Christian University on academic alert, which may limit the number of hours for which they can enroll.
Transferring International Credit
Canadian Credit
Rochester Christian University may transfer credits from Canadian colleges or universities when course grades are C- (1.7 on a four-point scale) or higher, provided that: 1) the institution uses English-based curriculum*; 2) the institution grants a baccalaureate or associate degree; 3) the courses presented for transfer are shown to have equivalency or are determined to be of traditional academic nature and are acceptable to a Rochester Christian University Department; and 4) the courses are taught by faculty with a master’s degree or above.
If the requirements above are met, the student’s transcripts will be reviewed by the Office of the Registrar and the appropriate faculty. See the “Transfer Practices” section of this catalog for details.
*Canadian students with transcripts from French-based curriculum institutions are required to have transcripts evaluated. (See below)
International Credit
College coursework from institutions not in the U.S. or Canada may be accepted for transfer credit. Transfer will only be considered if coursework is deemed by a third party evaluation company to be equivalent to coursework at a U.S. Regionally Accredited Institution. All international transcripts must be evaluated by an evaluation company who is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). A list of approved evaluation companies can be accessed at www.naces.org/members. International student athletes are encouraged to have their coursework evaluated by Incred International Credential Evaluations, the official credential evaluation service of the NAIA. More information can be found at incredevals.org. All evaluated transcripts must include a cumulative GPA.
In order to receive full credit, transfer applicants should select a course-by-course evaluation.
The third-party transcript evaluation report required for transfer must be submitted to Rochester Christian University’s Admissions department. This report will then be reviewed by the Office of the Registrar and the appropriate faculty. See the “Transfer Practices” section of this catalog for details.
Verification of Financial Resources and Student Account Payment for International Students
The details of the cost of attendance at Rochester Christian University, financial documentation required, and tuition payment schedule are contained in the International Student Statement of Finances, which can be obtained from the Admissions Office. Once the ability to pay for education at Rochester Christian University has been established, the university will issue a SEVIS Form I-20, which can be used to apply for a student visa (F-1).
For information about cost of attendance, please visit: Undergraduate, Cost of Attendance.
Immigration Procedures
When an international student has been accepted into Rochester Christian University and all required financial statements and deposits have been received, the university issues an I-20, a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Students that is used to show reason for entry into the United States and is, in effect, an invitation to attend school. Once the I-20 is received from Rochester Christian University, an appointment at the closest U.S. Embassy or Consulate must be made to apply for an F-1 student visa. It is important to understand that the nature of an F-1 student visa assumes that the student will return to the student’s home country upon completion of studies and any authorized practical training. Each country is different in how it processes student visas. It may be possible to make an appointment prior to receiving the I-20 as long as the student possesses the I-20 at the time of the appointment. Please contact the nearest embassy or consulate for specific details. Also, note that in many countries several attempts are required to receive an F-1 student visa, so the student should be prepared to try again if the application is initially denied. Once granted an F-1 student visa by the embassy or consulate, the international student should contact Rochester Christian University to confirm the starting date and whether assistance is needed with travel plans to Michigan. International students may not move to the United States earlier than 30 days prior to the start of classes.
For more information on applying for and obtaining a student visa, please see http://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html.
On-campus work is authorized under the F-1 visa for a maximum of 20 hours per week while school is in session and full-time when school is out of session if a position is available. Off-campus employment is generally not available to F-1 students except through application to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Financial Aid for International Students
No state or federal aid is available to international students who are in the United States on student visas. However, international students are eligible to receive institutional scholarships for athletics and academics, as well as other tuition discounts from Rochester Christian University.
Institutional scholarships and tuition discounts are awarded by the admissions department and are based on the applicant’s academic credentials and need. For more information about institutional scholarships, please visit: Undergraduate, Paying For College.
