U-M School of Nursing international applicants
We strongly advise international applicants to submit all application materials at least one month prior to all published deadlines. This allows more time for licensure and immigration documents to be processed if offered admission. Applicants that apply early can expect to receive a decision Mid-March. The University of Michigan International Center also has excellent resources for your review.
- Please note that International students that have been admitted, but did not submit their applications early, are not guaranteed to receive all necessary immigration materials in time for the fall term.
Request more information.
“The faculty has really helped me a lot. They are very welcoming to international students.”
— Youmin Cho, U-M School of Nursing international Ph.D. student.
BSN Deadlines and application requirements
Deadlines and additional requirements can be found on the BSN program pages.
Entrance exams:
- Standardized test scores: Incoming first year students are encouraged to submit either the ACT (code 2062) or SAT (code 1839). Test scores can be self-reported on the student’s application unless the student is applying under a test flexible option.
- International students who may be more limited in their ability to take the SAT or ACT, we would hope to see predictive and/or national examination results.
- For more information please visit the Office of Undergraduate Admissions website.
- We also know that this situation continues to evolve and we will monitor these developments carefully and make accommodations to meet individual students' needs as appropriate.
- Official test scores must be sent to the university directly from the testing agency itself and received by U-M before the application deadline.
- Undergraduate applicants can find language test score information on the Office of Undergraduate Admissions website.
- To view additional guidelines for undergraduate international applicants please see the Office of Undergraduate Admissions website.
Transcript
All international applicants must submit an official foreign transcript evaluation directly to NursingCAS at the following address:
NursingCAS
P.O. Box 9201
Watertown, MA 02471
Transcript evaluation
Applicants that have transcripts from institutions that do not issue records in English, are required to provide a course by course transcript evaluation by either World Education Services, Inc or Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc. Translations must be literal and complete versions of the original records. For additional information, refer to the NursingCAS FAQs section. If an applicant receives an offer of admission, we then require official transcripts and an official diploma from the original institution to be sent directly to the School of Nursing. Once the School of Nursing receives official transcripts, the originals cannot be returned to the student. For additional information, refer to the NursingCAS FAQs section.
Please note: Course-by-course evaluation for academic purposes is a separate application from the Certificate Program for licensure. If you do not hold a nursing license at the time of application to the U-M School of Nursing, you will be required to have obtained your nursing license by the first day of classes. To learn more about the timeline and process to obtain a nursing license, please see the section about licensing below.
Deadlines and application requirements
Transcripts and evaluations
All prospective international applicants need to review the requirements for academic credentials from non-U.S. institutions and submit the required documents listed to Rackham Graduate School as instructed.
Deadlines and application requirements
Graduate applicants qualify for an exemption from taking an English proficiency examination if one of the following criteria are met:
- You are a native speaker of English.
- You completed all of your undergraduate education and earned an undergraduate degree at an institution where the language of instruction is English only. Undergraduate degree requirements must be completed before the start of classes at U-M.
- You completed all of your graduate education and earned a graduate degree at an institution where the language of instruction is English only. Graduate degree requirements must be completed before the start of classes at U-M.
- If you completed a Master’s degree that was strictly research and no academic classes, that degree does not meet the exemption. This type of Master’s degree is generally awarded at a non-U.S. institution.
- A one year graduate degree does not meet an English exemption.
- You are a current U-M student.
If you have questions about qualifying for an exemption from taking an English proficiency examination, please contact the Office of Admissions and Records at UMSN-GradAdmissions@med.umich.edu.
English proficiency exemption documentation
If you think you qualify for an exemption based on receiving a degree from an institution where the language of instruction is English only, you must have your previous institution submit a letter directly to the School of Nursing following these guidelines:
- The letter must state that the language of instruction for all courses taken at the institution was English only.
- The letter must be signed, stamped, dated and sent in a sealed envelope directly from a school official to the School of Nursing.
- Documentation sent directly from students will not be considered for an exemption. *
Letters may be sent to the following address:
Admissions & Records
400 N. Ingalls St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5482
Exemptions will be considered on a case-by-case basis and are not guaranteed.
English language test information
- Scores must be sent directly to the University of Michigan
- Test scores are valid for two years after the test date.
- Official score reports must be received from the testing agency no later than the program application deadline.
- Tests accepted are the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) for graduate applicants.
- Only the highest total score from one test date will be considered in the admissions process.
- Photocopies and/or faxes of English proficiency scores will not be accepted.
TOEFL (Preferred)
- Total score must be 94 or higher
- We accept TOEFL internet-based-test
- Applicants submitting TOEFL scores must send an official score report directly to the University of Michigan, School Code 1839.
- For testing information, please view: https://www.ets.org/toefl
IELTS
- Total score must be 7.0 or higher
- We accept IELTS, IELTS indicator exam
- Applicants can submit IELTS scores electronically to the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor or have them mailed to the following address:
Admissions & Records
400 N. Ingalls St.
Ann Arbor, MI 48109-5482 - For testing information, please view: https://www.ielts.org/en-us
All admitted international students are expected to have a U.S. nursing license before they begin classes. If you currently do not have a valid U.S. nursing license, please note that the process to obtain this license can take anywhere from 6 months to 1 or 2 years. Please visit the website below to learn more about the process, timeline, and resources on preparing for NCLEX on the Global Health Resources website: https://nursing.umich.edu/global/global-resources.
International students will receive information and instructions regarding submitting mandatory documents to begin processing their F-1 or J-1 visas if offered admission. Required documents include a copy of the student’s passport, official transcripts and diploma, proof of financial support, and if applicable, a copy of current F-1 or J-1 visa, and a copy of current I-94. You are strongly encouraged to begin sending documents as soon as you receive an offer of admission to allow for adequate processing time.
The University of Michigan requires evidence of full financial support before they will issue Form I-20s or DS-2019s. Therefore, prospective international students should carefully investigate funding sources during the application process.
The University of Michigan School of Nursing will not begin processing I-20s or DS-2019s until all documents are submitted and approved. It can take up to six weeks after submitted documents have been approved for I-20s or DS-2019s to be issued.
For more information on obtaining a visa and other details specific to international students, visit the International Center.
You are strongly encouraged to begin sending documents as soon as you receive an offer of admission to allow for adequate processing time. Issuing of the I-20 or DS-2019 is contingent upon timely receipt of all required documentation.
Financial documentation
Please note that government sponsorships may have specific curricular requirements for funding eligibility. It is important for an international applicant to be aware of these requirements, including restrictions on enrolling in online courses as our graduate program plans all contain online courses. For more information about graduate program plans please contact the graduate advising team at UMSN-GradAdvisors@med.umich.edu.
Acceptable means of support to meet the estimated expenses
Personal funding:
- Please provide an official bank statement in your name that includes the requirements for documentation of funds below.
Family or other individuals:
- Each individual contributing financially to your education must complete the Affidavit of Financial Support for International Students and submit an official bank statement that includes the requirements for documentation of funds below.
Government/Employer/Organization sponsor:
- Please provide a detailed letter from the sponsor stating the exact U.S. dollar amount being provided for tuition, living expenses, health insurance and dependents (if applicable).
- All sponsorship letters must be original and on official letterhead and include the date of sponsorship.
- All sponsorship letters must be dated within three months of initial enrollment
Scholarships or awards:
- Please provide a detailed letter from the sponsor stating the exact U.S. dollar amount being provided for tuition, living expenses, health insurance and dependents (if applicable).
- If the award does not cover the total estimated expenses, you must provide personal funds that cover the remaining balance.
Requirements for financial documentation
The name of the financial institution.
The account holder’s name.
Type of account, clearly indicating the currency and the account balance.
Must be dated within three months of enrollment.
All documents must be in English: Financial statements in the native language must be accompanied with an official English translation.
All accounts must be easily accessible.
Do not submit statements with the transaction history.
Unacceptable financial documentation
Statements verifying employment and salary.
The maturity/expiry date for fixed/term deposit is after the start of the semester.
Insurance premiums and policies.
Non-liquid assets of property or personal assets (automobiles, land, buildings, jewelry, etc.).
Stocks, bonds, equities and retirement accounts.
Income tax returns.
Attestations stating that a sponsor can meet the expenses.
