International Student
OPISOP is committed to serving a diverse population of students from not only the United States, but the world. To learn more on how to apply to OPISOP as an international student, please pay close attention to the instructions below.
In order to ensure that required long distance coordination may be completed in time to accommodate admissions for the desired term, admission applications must be received by the following deadlines:
- Fall Application: September 1
- Summer Application: March 1
- Spring Application: October 1
In addition, international students must submit an official academic transcript accompanied by official/or notarized English translations. These documents must be sent directly from the institution(s) attended. Personal copies are not accepted.
All foreign (non-U.S.) transcripts must be translated and evaluated by the World Education Services (WES) or a current member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation. This review must provide conclusive evidence that the applicant is the recipient of a degr
American bachelor’s degree, which normally terminates 16 years of full-time study, four years of which are at the post-high school level.
The official transcripts must show all post-high school work attempted, including grades or marks in each course, examination grades and standing in examinations and classes, or whatever other credentials are available to give a clear description of the student’s academic accomplishments. Other requirements for international students include:
3. A certified financial statement indicating the applicant’s ability to pay for the cost of education. An original/official bank statement no more than six months old at the time of registration must be submitted to the Graduate School in order to obtain the I-20 for the F-1 student visa. In certain cases, advance payment of tuition and fees may be required.
4. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Testing System (ELS) Certification Examination is required if the applicant’s first language is not English; the minimum score for admission on the TOEFL internet-based version is 500 (paper-based test) or 61 (internet-based test), and the 5.5 on the ELS Certification Examination.
The Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey 08540, administers these tests in testing centers all over the world. Further information about the test and testing dates may be obtained at www.ets.org or from the nearest U.S. Embassy, Consulate or United States Information Service, United States Educational Commission and foundations abroad and binational centers.
Admission to graduate study does not carry any implication concerning the award of financial aid. Aid for graduate
students in the form of assistantships is available from some departmental programs and administrative units, but applicants from abroad are in competition with U.S. students for available awards.
The institution reserves the right, even after the arrival and enrollment of students from another country, to make individual curricular adjustments whenever particular deficiencies or needs are found. Students may be required to take such courses without credit and at their own expense. This could also apply to additional coursework in English as a foreign language whenever necessary.