International Students

International Freshman Admission

Steps to Apply for Admission

First-year students applying to Georgia Southern University for the summer and fall 2020 semesters can be admitted without an ACT or SAT score, if they have a sufficiently high GPA. This is yet another way Georgia Southern is adapting to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has prompted the College Board and ACT to suspend all upcoming ACT and SAT testing dates. Attention: Non-native English speakers require a Proof of English Proficiency (see below).

• Complete Admissions Application
  Complete the Online Application. The non-refundable application fee of $30 (US) can be paid by credit card (MasterCard or Visa).
• Submit High School Transcripts
  Either mail your official transcript or have a school official email your transcript to intladmissions@georgiasouthern.edu. Academic records must have a seal or an original signature. If your transcripts are not provided in English, you must submit a certified English translation of all documents.
  • Photocopies are acceptable if they are noted as “Certified True Copy” and signed by a school official.
• Submit Proof of English Proficiency (see table below)
  Non-Native English Speakers must submit Proof of English Proficiency. They may submit SAT, ACT, IELTS, TOEFL (Including Home Edition), and Duolingo English Test. Results must be submitted directly from the testing service.
  • Non-native speakers who attend four years of high school in the United States do not require Proof of English Proficiency.

International Transfer Admission

Evaluating and transferring credit from foreign institutions takes time to complete so we recommend applying for admission early. As educational systems vary worldwide, it is possible that many classes taken outside of the United States will not transfer to Georgia Southern.

Steps to Apply for Admission

• Complete Admissions Application
  Complete the Online Application. The non-refundable application fee of $30 (US) can be paid by credit card (MasterCard or Visa).
• Submit College/University Transcripts
  Submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities that you have attended (foreign and within the United States). Academic records must have a seal or an original signature. If your transcripts are not provided in English, you must include a certified English translation of all documents.
  • Photocopies are acceptable if they are noted as “Certified True Copy” and signed by a school official.
  • If you have less than 30 transferable semester hours, you must submit secondary school transcripts (see freshman requirements).
  • Georgia Southern may require you to submit a credential evaluation for certain college/university coursework. You will be notified by an admissions counselor if this is required.
• Course Descriptions- Foreign Credit Only
  Mail or email course descriptions for courses that may apply towards your chosen degree program at Georgia Southern. Acceptable course descriptions can be sourced from course syllabuses or official college/university catalogs.
  • Equivalent Georgia Southern credit cannot be awarded until course descriptions are evaluated by Georgia Southern officials.
• Submit Examination Results
  Non-Native English Speakers must submit IELTS, TOEFL (Including Home Edition), or Duolingo English Test, if they have not successfully completed ENGL 1101 from a college or university within the United States. Results must be submitted directly from the testing service.

Examination Requirements

If you are a prospective Graduate student visit the College of Graduate Studies.

To apply for conditional admission visit the English Language Program.

Questions: Email intladmissions@georgiasouthern.edu

Annual Cost Estimate (2019-2020)

How to Qualify for an I-20

To qualify for an I-20 form for an F-1 visa, international students must provide official documentation of financial resources available to cover at least one year’s educational and living expenses.  Semester costs payable to Georgia Southern are typically due the first week of classes.

Financial Assistance

Georgia Southern offers a limited number of need-based and academic scholarships for international students.

For general information about financing U.S. study, visit edupass.org/finaid.

International Student Diversity Scholarships

Georgia Southern awards a limited number of International Diversity Scholarships (out-of-country tuition waivers) to undergraduate international students who demonstrate good academic standing, financial need, and commitment to the university and community.

• Valued at approximately $13,000 per year
• Awarded for 4 years to freshman and 2 years to transfer students
• Scholarships are competitive
• Offered to Fall admission applicants only, priority deadline is February 1st

To learn more and apply, click here.

Academic Scholarships for Freshmen

• Recommended scores: 1300+ SAT Redesign (Evidence-Based Reading/Writing + Math) or 28 ACT to be competitive.
• Must demonstrate achievement inside the classroom, leadership experience, and extracurricular involvement.
• Offered to Fall admission applicants only, the deadline to apply is November 1st.

To learn more and apply, click here.

Your Next Steps

After being admitted to Georgia Southern, the following steps must be completed prior to enrolling. The Office of International Programs and Services will assist you with many of these steps.

Apply for an I-20

Learn how to apply for an I-20 here.

Apply for Housing

Freshmen students are required to live in a Residence Hall for the 1st year.  Transfer students can choose to live in a Residence Hall or a private apartment.

• Submit Housing Application and $100 nonrefundable fee
  • We recommend international freshmen live in the Global Crossroads Community in Centennial Place Residence Hall on the Statesboro Campus and in Compass Point Residence Hall on the Armstrong Campus.

Register for SOAR (Orientation)

All students must attend SOAR.  To register and learn more visit the SOAR website.

Complete Immunization Forms

Submit the following forms to Health Services prior to arrival.

• Certificate of Immunization to be completed by a doctor or healthcare provider.

If you have not done so already, take a Virtual Campus Tour.  It’s a great way to see and learn about all the opportunities at Georgia Southern!

Questions: Email intladmissions@georgiasouthern.edu

Where Can You Go From Here?

There are many ways to gain professional experience and leadership skills at Georgia Southern.  The Office of Career & Professional Development helps students write resumes, gain internships, participate in existing co-op programs, and provides many other services.  The Office of Leadership & Community Engagement helps students develop leadership skills while engaging with communities throughout the world.

40 of the Top 100 Fortune 500 Companies Recruit at Georgia Southern

Each semester, we invite hundreds of companies to campus to conduct interviews with  soon-to-be graduates. This is just a sample of companies that have employed Georgia Southern international students:

Our alumni go on to some of the best graduate schools in the world and gain employment with internationally recognized companies and institutes. They go fully prepared because their Georgia Southern education not only helped them to be successful, but to see themselves as successful – and that opens many doors.

The International Ambassadors (IAs) are a select group of students who represent the voice and experience of international students at Georgia Southern. They love to answer questions and tell prospective students about their experiences.

To speak with an International Ambassador complete the Ask an IA Form.

Common questions are:

1. What is it like to live in Savannah or in Statesboro?
2. What is it like on the Statesboro and Armstrong Campuses?
3. What do you do in your major?
4. What should I pack for the semester?

Follow the IAs on Instagram to see all that they do!