Application and Admission
Admission to Arcadia programs is a rigorous and selective process. In evaluating candidates, the Admission Committee’s major considerations are academic achievement, extracurricular involvement and leadership potential. The goals are to attract a qualified, diverse mix of students and to sustain the University’s active learning community.
Graduate Admission Requirements
Please see the individual program descriptions for a list of required credentials.
Please note that for all graduate programs the minimum TOEFL score is 550 on the paper-based test, 213 on the computer-based test or 80 on the new Internet-based test. The minimum IELTS score is 6.5. Scores must be reported directly to Arcadia. Our code is #2039. IELTS test takers should ask that their scores be sent to Arcadia University, Office of Enrollment Management, 450 S. Easton Road, Glenside, PA 19038.
Arcadia University requires that foreign university transcripts undergo a course-by-course analysis by an expert academic credential evaluator in the United States. Students are responsible for all fees of such evaluations and must make arrangements with the credential evaluation company to send and receive their documents. Arcadia recommends the members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as acceptable evaluators. Information about NACES and its members can be found at www.naces.org.
Undergraduate Admission Requirements
Below are the credentials that undergraduate international students must submit when applying to any major program at Arcadia University. All credentials listed below must be translated into English by an official public translator when applicable. The documents must be submitted to Arcadia in both languages.
- A completed Undergraduate or Transfer application. Click here for application choices.
- $30 Application fee (the application fee is waived when an online application is completed).
- Personal statement (not required of transfers).
- Official academic records (transcripts) from all institutions attended. High school students must submit secondary school records and transfer students must submit previous university transcripts. If less than 30 university credits have been earned, students may be asked to submit their secondary school records as well.
- Original or certified copy of the diploma or secondary school leaving certificate or official letter of graduation (not required of transfers who have earned more than 30 university credits).
- Official results of any comprehensive national examinations such as GCE or CXC exams (not required of transfers who have earned more than 30 university credits).
- Proof of English language proficiency for those for whom English is a second language. Undergraduate students must score a minimum of 530 on the paper-based TOEFL, 200 on the computer-based TOEFL, 70 on the new Internet-based TOEFL, or 6.0 on the IELTS. Test results must be sent directly to Arcadia University. Our TOEFL code is #2039. IELTS test takers must request that their scores be sent to Arcadia University, Office of Enrollment Management, 450 S. Easton Road, Glenside, Pa 19038-3295 USA.
- Copy of the applicant's current and valid passport (picture and address pages). This must be received before an I-20 (for an F-1 visa) or DS-2019 (for a J-1 visa) can be processed.
- A Declaration of finances and accompanying documentation showing proof of financial support for all programs.
- Portfolio review or acting audition (for Fine Arts and Acting applicants only).
For more information about the admission process, requirements and application forms for each program, contact international@arcadia.edu.
Transfer Admission Requirements
In addition to the application, international transfer students must submit certified copies and translations of all university transcripts. Their transcripts must also receive a course-by-course evaluation by an independent service based in the United States. Recommended evaluators can be found through the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) at www.naces.org. Please contact the International Recruitment Coordinator at international@arcadia.edu with any questions.
How to Send Your Admission Documents
International students are required to submit official English translations of all admissions documents (transcripts, diplomas, financial support letters, bank letters, personal essays, letters of recommendation and any other pertinent documents). Documents must be translated into English by an official public translator registered in the U.S. Embassy of the country in which the documents were originally issued.
Students must send all documents to Arcadia in both languages—the official language of the country where the documents were issued and the accompanying English translation. Students may submit their application materials only in the English language if the documents were written directly in English. The name and permit number of the official public translator must appear on each page of the translated documents.
Because we cannot return certificates, diplomas, grades and records, send certified copies of the documents if they cannot easily be replaced. Certified copies of documents must be in English and must be certified by an official public translator, the registrar’s office of the student’s university or a notary public. Non-certified documents are not acceptable.
Students are required to bring their original documents to Arcadia upon arrival for comparison. Applicants should understand that submitting inaccurate or misleading information may be the basis for denial of admission or, if admitted, for suspension or dismissal from the University.
Arcadia University requires that foreign university transcripts undergo a course-by-course analysis by an expert academic credential evaluator in the United States. Students are responsible for all fees of such evaluations and must make arrangements with the credential evaluation company to send and receive their documents. Arcadia recommends the members of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) as acceptable evaluators. Information about NACES and its members can be found at www.naces.org.
Applications for admission will not be reviewed until all required information has been received by Arcadia’s Office of Enrollment Management. The admission decision will be rendered approximately three to four weeks after the completed file has been received by the admission committee. For more information about the application process and requirements for admission, contact international@arcadia.edu.
International Applicants who work with the World Education Group can access Arcadia’s page at ArcadiaWEG.
Application Deadlines
For most programs, applications are considered at any time during the year; however, to be assured of consideration, students should consult their program of choice for specific deadlines and otherwise adhere to the following deadlines:
- Fall semester—May 1
- Spring semester—October 1
- Summer sessions—February 1
Summer admissions must be pre-approved by the Office of Enrollment Management.
Declaration of Finances (Affidavit of Support)
U.S. visa regulations require that a student’s admission be based upon academic acceptance and satisfactory evidence of adequate funds to meet the expenses involved in the proposed program of study. Students must submit documentary evidence of the amount of financial support available from personal resources, family funds or another sponsor (e.g., an employer or government organization) that will provide funds for their educational and living expenses at Arcadia University. The evidence required depends on the source of financial support.
If personal resources: (1) A letter from the student stating that he/she will provide for his/her own expenses; (2) Personal bank statements, an official letter from the student’s bank stating his/her balance, or certification of income from the student’s employer.
If family resources: (1) Letter of sponsorship from the family member(s) indicating his/her relationship to the student and the duration and level of support; (2) Bank statements, an official letter from the sponsor’s bank, or certification of income from the sponsor’s employer.
If other sponsor (e.g., employer, government, organization): (1) Declaration of Finances from the sponsor or organization that states (a) name and address of the sponsor, (b) duration of support, (c) dollar amount available for educational expenses, (d) dollar amount available for living expenses and (e) how the funds will be disbursed to the university (e.g., monthly, quarterly). If the sponsor wishes to be billed by Arcadia, this must be stated in the letter. Be sure to make it clear if fees, room/board, and health insurance should be billed in addition to tuition.
Please note that graduate students will be asked to show proof of tuition costs plus an additional $14,000 to cover living expenses. Undergraduates will be expected to demonstrate the costs of tuition and fees plus an additional $12,000 for living expenses.
For more information about program costs, contact international@arcadia.edu.
Academic Year
After acceptance to the University, students receive information about the dates of orientation and the beginning of classes. Undergraduate international students are required to arrive two weeks before the start of their first semester in order to participate in orientation and to register for classes. The academic year runs from late August through mid-May.
Semesters have the following duration:
- Fall Semester—Approximately August 31 through December 20.
- Spring Semester—Approximately January 16 through May 15.
- Summer Sessions I, II, III—Approximately May 22 through August 25 as determined by the individual session.
- View Academic Calendar
Depending on the student’s academic needs, the study plan may include summer classes (sessions I, II and/or III).
Medical Insurance
All international students must enroll in medical/accident insurance which is designed for international students and includes repatriation. We recommend a company, HTH Worldwide, which works with thousands of international students studying in the United States. Students can access detailed information and even enroll online at www.hthworldwide.com. Click on “International Study”, then “Individual”. There are two plans: students may decide on either the "Global Student USA Preferred" plan or the "Global Student USA" plan, both of which are acceptable to the University. See the website for full details about program costs. The primary difference between the two plans is as follows:
Global Student USA Preferred Health Plan covers 100% of reasonable expenses up to a $5,000 medical claim, after the deductible, and then 80% of costs up to $245,000. Cost = $50/month if aged 19 or under; $67/month if aged 19-23; $98/month if aged 24-30; $142/month if aged 31-40; $243/month if aged 41-50.
Global Student USA covers 80% up to $10,000 of a medical claim, after the deductible and then 100% up to $240,000. Cost = $35/month if aged 19 or under; $38/month if aged 19-23; $74/month if aged 24-30; $110/month if aged 31-40; $182/month if aged 41-50.
Arcadia University is committed to ensuring equal opportunity to all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, race, color, religion, creed, sex, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, age, or disability in its educational programs, activities, admissions, or employment practices as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendment of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other applicable statutes. Inquiries concerning Title IX, Section 504 and ADA compliance and information regarding accessibility should be directed to the Affirmative Action Officer, 450 S. Easton Road, Glenside, PA 19038-3295; phone 215-572-2947.
