International Applicants

Skip Menu

Questions regarding English language proficiency scores, financial statements, or I-20s should be directed to International Admissions. See Contacts for the Application Process for IAO's contact information.

See the University of Utah International Admissions Office (IAO) for information on the requirements for admission of international applicants to the university.

See Deadlines for recommended application dates for international applicants.

The University of Utah International Center offers support services for international students. See their information for new students about what you need to do before you come and when you arrive.

English Proficiency Testing (TOEFL or IELTS)

Questions regarding English proficiency test requirements should be directed to International Admissions rather than to the Department of Metallurgical Engineering.

If you are not from an English-speaking country (United Kingdom, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand, Canada excluding Quebec, American Samoa, or Puerto Rico), the university requires a minimum score on a test of English proficiency. If you have a degree from a university in the U.S., or are completing such a degree, this requirement may be waived.

International Admissions accepts either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The Department of Metallurgical Engineering prefers a higher score than the university's requirement.

Test	Minimum score required by the University	Score preferred by the department
TOEFL internet-based (IBT)	61	71
TOEFL computer-based (CBT)	173	197
TOEFL paper-based (PBT)	500	530
IELTS	6.0	6.5

It typically takes several weeks after the test for the score to be transmitted to the university. Keep application deadlines in mind when choosing a test date to register for. IAO will not evaluate your transcripts until they receive your English proficiency scores.

If you did not list the University of Utah as one of the schools to receive the TOEFL test results, request official copies be sent to Admissions from Educational Testing Service, PO Box 6151, Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6151, USA.

The English proficiency examination is valid for only two years. If the score expires between acceptance and admission, you may be asked to retake the examination upon arrival at the university.

The University of Utah offers classes in English as a foreign (or second) language through the English Language Institute, part of the Division of Continuing Education.

Financial Statement, I-20, and Visa

A student is usually on an F-1 visa. An I-20 Certificate of Eligibility is needed when applying for a visa. The I-20 is issued by International Admissions after an applicant is accepted.

To qualify for an I-20, you must have available to you a minimum amount in U.S. dollars to cover the first-year tuition and living expenses, as proved by your Affidavit of Support (financial statement) and supporting documents such as bank statements. See IAO for the current minimum and documentation required. This may include financial assistance from the department, if offered. If you are bringing family, an additional amount is required per dependent. All costs are subject to change.

Your application can be evaluated without the financial statement. A financial statement is necessary before an I-20 Certificate of Eligibility is issued. If you are offered financial assistance from the department, the department will supply the financial statement.

Take the I-20, along with notice of acceptance, proof of financial responsibility, and a receipt for payment of the SEVIS fee, to the visa officer of the U.S. embassy or Consulate in your home country. See the U.S. Dept of State website for a list of embassies and consulates. To allow time for the visa to be issued, for Fall semester the appointment should be August 1 or earlier, or for Spring semester December 1 or earlier (Iranian applicants should plan on an extra three to six months to obtain a visa). If approved, you are then granted a student visa to enter the U.S.

How to Avoid Delays in Issuance of Your I-20

I-20s will be issued after completion of document verification for authenticity by the International Admissions office. Parts of the verification process takes place after you notify us that you accept our offer. Your patience is appreciated, since the time it takes to evaluate all docs, and the issuing of the I-20, varies from applicant to applicant. Following the instructions in these points will speed up the process.

Surname on Passport. Ensure your passport accurately reflects your name. If you don't have an actual surname, or given name, be aware that the SEVIS system requires a family name/surname, so please address this issue early. If you possess a passport without a surname, your I-20 will be issued with your given name(s) listed as your surname. The first name field on the I-20 will be entered as FNU (First Name Unknown). An alternative is to contact your government's passport agency to see if it is possible to apply for a name correction/adjustment to your passport by means of adding an addendum or possibly by re-issuing your passport.
Name Must Match. The name on the Affidavit of Support needs to exactly match the name on the bank statements. The affidavit must be completely filled out.
Support Documents. Financial support documents should be no older than 6 months old. These documents should include funds that can be available at a moments notice at the time of the I-20 issuance. Extra funds in the account provide a margin against currency exchange rate fluctuations dropping the balance below the amount required.
Submit What is Needed & No More. Only submit support documents requested. Note that the more documents you submit for financial support, the more time it takes to verify them.
Email documents to IAO. Please e-mail all your financial support documents and the bio-page of your passport to the International Admissions Office at .
Check Your Email. Actively check your e-mails so you can find out if we need additional information from you.

Questions regarding financial statements and I-20s should be directed to International Admissions. See the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement for questions about the requirements for issuance of a U.S. visa, and what to expect when you arrive at a U.S. port of entry.

Arrival

An international student may arrive up to forty-five (45) days before the start of the semester for which s/he is admitted, or no later than the last day to add classes (typically the second week of the semester). If the department is providing support, arrival by the first day of classes is required.

As soon as you arrive in Salt Lake, please visit the department office at Room 412 William C. Browning Building. Our hours are 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Summer Admission

Our department does not offer any courses during the summer. To maintain visa status, international students who are admitted for Summer term should plan on taking either courses in another department or thesis research.