International Students/ International Studies

In addition to documentation required of all applicants to undergraduate and graduate programs, applicants who have international studies are also required to submit the following:

1. All applicants who were educated outside the United States must submit an official, professional course-by-course evaluation based on all official foreign educational documents and transcripts.  Official evaluations based on unofficial transcripts/documents or copies of transcripts/documents will not fulfill this requirement. You may choose to have your academic records evaluated by any of the following three credentials evaluation services, at your cost (approximately $150):

• Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.
• World Education Services (WES)
• Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)

International students applying to the Biomedical Sciences, Ph.D. or Biostatistics, Ph.D. programs:   If you are selected by one of these programs to have a foreign transcript evaluation paid for at GHSU’s expense, the foreign transcript evaluation will be performed by Josef Silny & Associates, Inc.

2.  Applicants must request that GHSU receive official results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language  (TOEFL), if English is not your first language.*

• A score of at least 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based), or 79 (Internet-based) is required to be considered for most programs.   Achievement of minimum scores does not guarantee admission.
• A score of at least 600 (paper-based), 250 (computer-based), or 100 (Internet-based) on TOEFL is required to be considered for some graduate programs. (For Physician Assistant admission, a score of at least 50 on TSE-P is also required.)  Achievement of  minimum scores does not guarantee admission.

*Exemption from the TOEFL requirement is allowed for undergraduate transfer students who satisfy at least one of the following four criteria:

• Complete courses equivalent to English Composition I and II at a regionally accredited U.S. college or university and earn at least a 2.5 grade point average (on a 4.0 scale) on the two courses, with neither grade below a "C"
• Submit a score of at least 430 on the Verbal portion of the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT-I)
• Take and pass both the Reading and Essay portions of the University System of Georgia’s Regents Exam
• Submit proof of earning a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university at which English is the language of instruction

 *Exemption from the TOEFL requirement is allowed for graduate students who submit proof of earning a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university at which English is the language of instruction.

3.  International applicants who are offered acceptance must provide proof that funds for at least one academic year are available to you for tuition, fees, living expenses including room and meals, health insurance, local transportation, books and supplies.  This requirement must be met before a Form I-20 or Form DS-2019 can be issued.  Proof of availability of funds requires the completion of GHSU’s Certificate of Finances form.  The Certificate of Finances form documents both the availability of funds and, if appropriate, your sponsor’s willingness to support you in the amount designated by the university.

• If your spouse and/or children will accompany you, proof of support for these dependents is also required.
• All official, original financial documentation must be reported in U.S. dollar amounts or U.S. dollar equivalency.  [NOTE: To convert your currency into U.S. dollars, visit OANDA, The Currency Site.] 
• Certifications of employment, letters of credit or bank letters that do not state the exact amount in the account are not acceptable. 
• Original documents become the property of GHSU. 
• Financial documents must be no more than one year old by the date of GHSU enrollment. 
• Financial support may come from more than one source.
• Financial information will not be used in the admissions decision.

 4. International students who are currently in the United States are required to provide copies of all immigration documents prior to GHSU enrollment.  International students who are or were previously enrolled as students in the United States may be required to provide documentation from their current and/or former colleges or universities.

In accordance with Board of Regents Policy 4.3.4, all applicants for admission  to  Georgia Health Sciences University for Fall 2011 or any academic semester thereafter, and who seek to be classified as in-state for tuition purposes, will be required to provide validation of residency and lawful presence in both the State of Georgia and the United States. Acceptance to the  Georgia Health Sciences University is conditional until lawful presence is verified.  ALL applicants must submit documentation that verifies his/her lawful presence in the United States at time of application to Admissions@georgiahealth.edu.