INTERNATIONAL FIRST-YEAR ADMISSIONS

Question 1

What is needed to be considered for admission as an International First Year Student?

Answer 1

Must complete secondary school, earn superior marks in academic subjects and receive a certificate of completion that grants you admission to university-level studies in your country.
All first-year applicants are considered using the same eligibility requirements and are included in the same selection process, regardless of being an international or domestic applicant. Still needs to meet minimum math and science requirements.

Our online application is the same for domestic and international students.

Question 2

Does Mines Require SAT/ACT scores for international students?

Answer 2

No, unless they are planning to play an NCAA sport.

Question 3

What transcript requirements are unique to Intenational Students.

Answer 3

1. All students, U.S. citizens or international, who studied/are studying outside of the U.S. during high school are required to submit a credential evaluation in addition to their high school transcript.
2. Must request that your high school send an official, final high school transcript in its original language as well as an English version, after you have graduated.

Question 4

What is a Credential Evaluation?

What are exceptions to this rule?

Answer 4

A credential evaluation is a comparison of your academic record to standards in the U.S., a verification of validity and a translation of your grades to the U.S.-style system.

*You can access this on your applicant portal checklist.

Exceptions:
1. You attended a high school that follows the U.S.-style curriculum, an AP curriculum or an IB curriculum
2. You only completed 9th grade internationally (you’ve completed/are completing 10th-12th grade in the U.S.)
3. You attended a school accredited by the Middle States Association.
4. You are fully sponsored by an official government embassy, government agency, or an organization with an active agreement with Colorado School or Mines, such as Saudi Aramco or KGSP.
5. You attended Taylor’s University in Malaysia

Question 5

Does the Credential Evaluation cost money?

Answer 5

Yes, it is about $150-200.

Question 6

What are the preferred evaluation agencies?

Answer 6

1. World Education Services, (WES)
2. Educational Credential Evaluators, (ECE),
3. Span Tran (use this link to obtain our partner discount), and
4. International Education Research Foundation (IERF)
5. You may use any National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member that performs high school course-by-course credential evaluations.

*Remember to designate Mines as a copy recipient of your evaluation (it is sent electronically to us from the evaluating agency).

Question 7

What about International Pre-university education programs that are 13 years rather than a typical 12-year high school in the U.S. ?

Answer 7

If pre-university education is 13 years long in your country, you must complete all 13 years before entering Mines. You must graduate from secondary school in your country earning a certificate of completion that enables you to attend a university in your country. Admission to Mines is not offered prior to completion of the 13th year.

Question 8

Does Mines Accept IGCSE, AS, AND A-LEVEL CURRICULUM Courses?

Answer 8

The most competitive international applicants whose schools offer the IGCSE curriculums usually present three A-Level exams with grades of at least an A or B. Mines does not currently offer credit for A-Level coursework.

Question 9

What is Unique to students from India and Pakistan?

Answer 9

You must complete your standard XII years of education and sit for 10th and 12th year board/state examinations.

Applicants should have an overall minimum course average equivalent to a 50-59% (Second Class) or above on the Indian grading scale on any one of the following Secondary School Leaving Certificates:

1. Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)
2. Higher Secondary School Certificate (HSSC)
3. Senior Secondary Certificate, Pre-University Certificate, Pre-Degree Certificate
4. Intermediate Examination
5. All India and Delhi Senior School Certificate
6. Indian School Certificate Examination

Question 10

What should you keep in mind if you are going to an international school and want to come to Mines as a first year student?

Answer 10

Your international school must have an appropriate level of recognition in the educational system it follows.
You must also be earning a certificate of completion that will allow you to enter a university in that educational system.
If your international school follows a U.S. curriculum, your school must have U.S. accreditation and you must graduate with a U.S. high school diploma or an equivalent credential.

Question 11

What sort of grades do I need to ensure my IB credits will transfer/ prepare me for acceptance at Mines?

Answer 11

The most competitive international applicants whose schools offer the IB curriculum usually present three IB exams with grades of 5, 6 or 7. Mines does offer credit for some IB-Level coursework. Refer to Mines’ website on IB credit transfer credit.

Question 12

What is unique to Malaysia?

Answer 12

You must complete your SPM and STPM or A Levels to be considered for admission

Question 13

What is unique to NEW ZEALAND?

Answer 13

You must complete Form 7 earning your Higher School Certificate. If you will be receiving a Bursary or NCEA Level 3, please indicate this in your application.

Question 14

What are the English Proficiency Requirements?

Answer 14

International applicants whose native language is not English (identified by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Public Affairs) must provide evidence of English language proficiency if they are accepted and decide to enroll at Mines.

*U.S. Citizens & Permanent Residents are exempt from this requirement.

Question 15

What are the Minimums to pass the TOEFL test?

Answer 15

1. TOEFL: Mines institution code: 4073. Minimum score of 79.
   Tests must have been taken within the past two years and must not expire during the application process.
   If you have multiple valid TOEFL tests, we will super score.
   Mines must have your official scores on file in order to issue you an immigration document. *We accept TOEFL at home test.

Minimums:
Reading=20
Listening = 21
Writing=17
Speaking=21
Total=79

Question 16

Which agencies’ tests do we accept as proof of English Equivalency?

Answer 16

1. TOEFL
2. IELTS
3. DUOLINGO Test
4. Cambridge English

Question 17

What are cases in which an international student would not need to prove English Proficiency via a testing agency?

Answer 17

1. Completion of junior and senior years in a U.S. high school with SAT Verbal score of 550 or ACT English score of 23.
2. They are a citizen of an English-Speaking Country:
   ANTIGUA and BARBUDA
   NEW ZEALAND
   AUSTRALIA
   NIGERIA
   BAHAMAS
   NORTHERN MARIANA ISLANDS
   BELIZE
   PHILIPPINES
   BOTSWANA
   SAMOA
   CANADA
   SOUTH AFRICA
   GHANA
   TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO
   IRELAND
   UGANDA
   JAMAICA
   UNITED KINGDOM
   LIBERIA
   MAURITIUS
   ZAMBIA

Question 18

Do I need to submit a personal statement essay, or letters of recommendation?

Answer 18

Optional, but helpful to respond to essay. Use the Personal Statement section of the online application to write what you’d like to say, or after 24 hours, you will receive a link to your Applicant Portal where you can also upload a .docx or .pdf file.

Letters of recommendation are not required. If you want to add a letter of recommendation to your application, we recommend the letter be submitted by an academic reference (teacher or counselor), be no longer than one page, and be emailed directly to admissions@mines.edu.

Question 19

COST OF ATTENDANCE AND TUITION CLASSIFICATION?

Answer 19

Most international students will pay non-resident tuition and fees. If they are on an F-a or J-1 visa they cannot qualify for resident tuition.
If a student is on an odd visa type, refer to the ISSS website for info on if they can legally start a university program in the U.S. on their current visa and note any restrictions.
If a student is an official asylee or refugee or are undocumented but have attended a U.S. high school, then check to see if they can be considered for resident tuition classification under the Colorado ASSET law. They would have to fill out the COF affidavit and tuition classification form to get residency switched around.
Maura Koch - Director of Admissions Systems has best working knowledge on odd tuition classification cases.

Question 20

Is it possible for International Students to live in CO for a year and get In-State Tuition rates?

Answer 20

International students in the following categories CANNOT qualify for in-state tuition:

F-1, F-2, H-3, H-4 (if the visa holder is the spouse or child of an H-3), J-1, and J-2 (if the J-1 visa holder is a student or trainee), M-1 and M-2.

If you are a refugee, an asylee, or an international student and hold a visa type different than one listed above, you may be eligible for in-state tuition after one year of Colorado residence.
Contact the admissions office to learn about how to petition for in-state/resident tuition.

Question 21

The U.S. Gov requires those applying for student visas to demonstrate financial recourses that show they can afford tuition, living expenses, etc. How does that process work?

Answer 21

Providing proof of financial resources is only required if you are admitted and decide you would like to enroll (commit) to Mines. You do not need to provide financial documents during the first part of the application process. If you are offered admission and decide you want to enroll at Mines, you will work with the International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) office to submit your financial documents.

Students demonstrate sufficient funds by submitting a bank statement, certificate of balance, scholarship letter or any combination of the three. Financial documents must have been prepared within the last 6 months. The ISSS office, not Admissions, processes all financial documentation for immigration purposes. Please contact the ISSS office with any questions.

Question 22

What type of Visa should I get/ can I get more info on immigration?

Answer 22

Please visit the Global Education Office website: https://www.mines.edu/isss/incoming-students-f-1/

Click on the drop-down menu titled, “Which visa is right for me?” You will also be able to learn more information on F-1 visas on this page.

For more information on J-1 visas, click here: https://www.mines.edu/isss/incoming-students-j-1/

Question 23

DOES MINES OFFER CONDITIONAL ADMISSION?

Answer 23

Undergraduate applicants who do not meet our English proficiency requirement or if they have a math class of unclear rigor, they may be conditionally admitted. However, you will not receive any immigration documents until official proof of English proficiency has been obtained. The deadline to provide official scores is May 1.

Question 24

I CURRENTLY ATTEND A COLLEGE OR UNIVERSITY IN THE U.S. BUT WANT TO TRANSFER TO MINES, DO I APPLY AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT OR A TRANSFER STUDENT?

Answer 24

Any student with more than 12 credit hours of college level coursework after their high school graduation date must enter as a transfer student. Our application for international and domestic transfers is the same. Just remember that in the “CITIZENSHIP” section, you should put “Foreign National/International”. If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, you are always considered an international student.

https://www.mines.edu/undergraduate-admissions/transfer-students/

Question 25

DO I HAVE TO ATTEND THE INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ORIENTATION AND THE NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION?

Answer 25

If you are an international student holding an F-1 or J-1 visa, you are expected to attend orientation.

The International Student Orientation program will help to familiarize you with Mines, how the education system works, U.S. customs and lifestyles, visa and immigration matters, the Golden area, and other Mines students.

The New Student Orientation is a separate program that is also required for all new Mines students in order to complete enrollment at Mines.
New Student Orientation sessions focus on degree requirements and the registration process at Mines and offers you the opportunity to meet with academic advisers, new and current Mines students, attend workshops on housing and learn about other campus resources.

Question 26

THE EDUCATION SYSTEM IN THE U.S. IS DIFFERENT THAN IN MY COUNTRY. CAN YOU EXPLAIN UNDERGRADUATE STUDIES?

Answer 26

Study at the undergraduate level in the U.S. leads to the first university degree, a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or a Bachelor of Science (B.S.). A bachelor’s degree is generally four years of study, which includes general studies as well as specific studies in your academic area of interest. Students seeking undergraduate studies have either completed secondary school or are planning to transfer from another institution but have not yet completed a bachelor’s degree. A four-year bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from other countries is required for further study at the graduate level.

Question 27

WILL I BE ABLE TO WORK OFF-CAMPUS?

Answer 27

Not for AT LEAST ONE YEAR, and probably not until you graduate. You may work off-campus only if you have first received authorization from the DSO and DHS. Please see the ISSS office for more information.

You would have to apply for curricular practical training (CPT) and be approved by the DSO to do any internship or work off campus. You would be limited to 20 hours a week.

*If you work illegally, you must voluntarily leave the country or face deportation. You cannot be reinstated.

Question 28

WILL I BE ABLE TO WORK ON-CAMPUS?

Answer 28

POSSIBLY. On-campus work requires a Social Security card and work authorization letter from the DSO in addition to maintaining your full-time status. You can’t apply for a Social Security card until you are registered and attending school. If you are able to get a job, you may not work more than 20 hours per week while semesters are in session. Jobs are scarce as many students are competing for each campus job. Please see the ISSS office for more information.

Question 29

WHEN WILL I RECEIVE MY I-20?

Answer 29

In order to receive an I-20, you must first be accepted to Mines AND confirm your attendance by filling out the Student Enrollment Decision Form on your Applicant Portal. You have until May 1st to confirm your attendance. You will receive instructions by email from the Mines International Student and Scholar Services office on how to obtain your I-20 within 2-3 business days of completing the Enrollment Decision Form. If you are conditionally admitted, you will not receive any immigration documents until you are officially admitted without conditions. We must have official proof of English proficiency before your immigration document will be issued.

Question 30

I’M HAVING TROUBLE ENTERING MY PHONE NUMBER IN THE APPLICATION. WHAT SHOULD I DO?

Answer 30

If you are experiencing issues with entering your phone number in our online application, please enter 555-555-5555 then send us an email at admissions@mines.edu with the correct phone number(s) after submitting your online application.

Question 31

DOES MINES OFFER ANY SCHOLARSHIPS TO INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS?

Answer 31

Mines awards very few scholarships for new first-year or transfer international students. If you are eligible, we will invite you to fill out our scholarship application after you have been accepted to Mines.

Once enrolled, international students may find funding opportunities through an academic department or the Global Education Office: https://www.mines.edu/isss/

We also encourage you to visit the website below for additional scholarship opportunities for international students offered by other sources: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1UE9Bjw51x_7A76XayExT52uYAM-FmMDyUTEqU8WaVHs/edit?pli=1

Question 32

AM I ELIGIBLE TO FILL OUT THE FAFSA AS AN ASYLEE?

Answer 32

As long as your I-94 shows “Asylum Granted” you are considered an eligible non-citizen to use the FAFSA to apply for aid. If you are pending being granted asylum you cannot claim this status. You should be able to provide a copy of your I-94 if needed to show the Asylum Granted status. You must enter your ARN (alien registration number) on the FAFSA for their status to confirm. Please contact finaid@mines.edu if you have additional questions.