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International Students

Every summer, dozens of students from all across the world participate in our programs. We love the cultural diversity and opportunities for international exchange that these students bring to our programs.

We consider international students to be any student:

  • without a U.S. passport who lives outside the United States.
  • or a student who is attending school in the United States on a visa.

International students are welcome to apply to any of our programs, however, we only support student visas to our High School Summer Scholars Program. We have the same application for both domestic and international applicants, though we do require proof of English proficiency for international students.

English Language Proficiency

We require that international students provide documentation of their ability to complete coursework in English by providing an official TOEFL iBT score report with a minimum score of 90. Score reports must be sent via the ETS website using the Washington University institution code of 6929 and select "Undergraduate." We do not accept scanned/emailed TOEFL iBT score reports. Once a score is received via ETS, it will be added to the student's application by our office. TOEFL iBT scores are valid for 2 years. For the 2023 application cycle, test dates must be dated from April 3, 2021 or later. We will accept an IELTS Academic score of 6.5 or better in lieu of a TOEFL. An official IELTS score report needs to be emailed to our office. We do not accept Duolingo.

The TOEFL requirement is waived for citizens of Australia, Cameroon, Commonwealth Caribbean nations, Ghana, India, Ireland, Kenya, Liberia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Singapore, Uganda, the United Kingdom, Zambia and Zimbabwe. It may also be waived for international students currently studying in the United States.

Undocumented or DACA-eligible students are not required to submit results of English Language proficiency testing.

    Important Information

    Student Visas

    We only support student visas for students enrolled in two courses through our High School Summer Scholars Program.

    International students applying to our High School Summer Academy, which includes enrollment in credit course work, must already hold an F-1 student visa in order to attend. You may not attend High School Summer Academy on a B-2 tourist visa. We do not support student visas to High School Summer Academy.

    Students applying to any of our noncredit programs (Healthcare Continuum Institute, Environmental Studies Institute, Creative Immersion Institute, or High School Summer Launch) should contact the United States embassy or consulate in their home country to determine if they need a visa, and what type of visa needs to be issued to participate in these programs. A B-2 tourist visa allows for brief stays that may include participation in short recreational course of study not for credit towards a degree. We can provide students with a formal invitation letter if needed.  

    Scholarship Assistance

    We do offer scholarship assistance for international students. Students applying for a scholarship need to provide official documentation, in English, of their parents' total yearly income. This can include a letter from your parents' employers or other official government documentation. 

    Scholarships do not cover travel to and from the program, personal expenses, or textbooks. 

    Health Insurance

    All international students are required to have health insurance written by a company in the United States. Check any health insurance very carefully to be sure that it meets the criteria. One online option we recommend is StudyUSA-Healthcare from Travel Insure. Be sure to purchase short-term medical insurance, not to be confused with “travel insurance.”

    Please note, whichever company students use it must have a U.S. mailing address and phone number.

    Cell Phones

    We require that all residential students have a cell phone with a United States phone number. This includes international students. Students must provide this number at check-in for the program.

    Immunizations

    All pre-college students must provide proof of immunization for the following:

    • Two vaccines each for measles, mumps and rubella after the age of one year old. A blood test to check for immunity (titers) may be provided in lieu of the immunizations. 
    • Meningococcal vaccine (Menactra, Menveo, MenQuadfi, MCV4, MenACWY, MPSV4).
    • One tuberculosis test (PPD skin test or blood test such as T-spot or Quantiferon gold) in the past six months for students at high risk of tuberculosis. High risk for tuberculosis includes: born in a high-prevalence country; travel for more than two months to a high-prevalence country; contact with active tuberculosis; HIV positive; suppressed immune system from illness or medication (e.g., organ transplant, prednisone treatment); medical conditions such as diabetes, cancer or kidney failure; body weight 10% or more below ideal body weight; work in prison, nursing home, homeless shelter or hospital; work in lab with mycobacteria; history of abnormal chest X-ray.
    • As a condition of employment, enrollment, and/or access to Washington University and affiliated facilities, all University employees, students, and trainees must be immunized by vaccination against COVID-19 unless granted a medical or religious exemption from the University. Additional information on immunization requirements can be found here.