International Undergraduate Admissions

Applications are reviewed holistically to consider many factors. For specific program requirements, please review the program’s admissions requirements. Competitive applicants typically have the equivalent of a 3.0 grade-point average or higher on a U.S.-based 4.0 scale.

Transfer applicants from other colleges or universities may have specific prerequisite requirements. Check your program’s transfer requirements for more details.

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Applicants should provide copies of transcripts/grade reports for the equivalent of US grades 9-11, and grade 12 if it has been completed. We recognize that grade 9 is considered middle school/lower secondary in many countries; however, we still would like to see transcripts for at least 3 years of coursework. If you are from a country with a national exam system (e.g. GCSE/IGCSE, WAEC, KCSE, Gaokao, Indian Boards), please send copies of those results as well. Copies of academic records are accepted for admission decision purposes; however, official documents will be required after admission and before enrolling at the university.” (“Official” documents are those that are sent directly to Seattle University from the issuing institution.) Please address any questions to international@seattleu.edu.

First year applicants will provide two letters of recommendation — one from a classroom teacher and one from a school counselor or other school official. Be sure to include your recommenders' names and contact information on your Common Application.

F-1 applicants will be asked to complete a pre-financial information form as part of their application for admission. This form provides us with information about your plans and available resources for financing your education but does not require evidence of finances.

Students who have been admitted to Seattle University and have confirmed their decision to enroll will be asked to complete a Declaration of Finances form and to submit bank statements showing financial resources to cover at least one year of costs. This is a U.S. government requirement before an I-20 (F-1s) or DS-2019 (J-1s) can be issued. More information will be provided after the point of admission.

Seattle University does not require international first-year or transfer applicants to submit ACT or SAT scores. Sufficiently high critical reading and writing scores (500+ for the SAT and 20+ for the ACT) can enhance an application and will be accepted in lieu of the TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo/PTE to demonstrate English proficiency.

Applicants for whom English is not a first/native language must demonstrate English Proficiency regardless of English language studies, academic history, residence in the United States or other English-speaking countries or immigration status.

How to Meet Our English Proficiency Requirement

Seattle University maintains the right to require English Proficiency testing when deemed necessary. The most recent demonstration of English Proficiency (i.e. test scores or course work, as per the policies described below) will be counted toward the English Proficiency requirement, regardless of whether previous scores are higher. Following the submission of English Proficiency score reports, requests for testing waivers will not be considered.

Exam Options

English proficiency may be met through any of the tests listed below.

The chart below outlines the English proficiency requirements for general admission as well as admission to the English Language and Cultural Bridge (ELCB) program. Both score requirements are listed below.

Students with scores in the English Language and Cultural Bridge (ELCB) range will take diagnostic tests on the first day of classes at Seattle University. Some students may have their ELCB requirement waived based on the results of those diagnostic tests.

TOEFL “My Best Score”, IELTS “One Skill Retake”, and SAT superscores are accepted to meet English proficiency.

The most recent demonstration of English proficiency (i.e. test scores or course work) will be counted toward the English Proficiency requirement, regardless of whether previous scores are higher.

Because of their cohort nature and the sequencing of requirements, these programs require proficiency above the level that includes the addition of ELCB classes:

• Nursing
• Diagnostic Ultrasound
• Business and Law (3+3)
• Criminal Justice/Specialization in Law (3+3)

Additional Exam-Based Options

1. Applicants who have been enrolled in the Cambridge curriculum and have completed one of the following courses (with the minimum grade required) will have met the English proficiency requirement:
   

   GCSE/IGCSE/GCE Ordinary Level

   English with final grade of “C”/5   
   English First Language with final grade of “C”/5
   English Language with final grade of “C”/5
   English as a Second Language with final grade of “B”/6; for students who took IGCSE English as a Second Language (0510) pre-2024, a score of 1 or 2 on the speaking endorsement is required.
   Note that IGCSE English as an Additional Language is not accepted.

   GCE AS level/A level/AICE

   English Language and Literature with final or predicted grade of “C
   English General Paper with final or predicted grade of “C” 
   English Language with final or predicted grade of “C 

2. Applicants from West African countries who have taken the WAEC or NECO exam (Ghana, Liberia, The Gambia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone) will have met English proficiency if their WAEC/NECO English subject score is C4 or higher.

3. Applicants who have been enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program (IBDP) and have completed one of the following courses (with the minimum grade required) will have met the English proficiency requirement:  

   English A: Literature: with grade of 4+  
   English A: Language and Literature: with grade of 4+  
   English Literature and Performance: with grade of 4+  
   English B:  with grade of 4 (HL) or 5 (SL)  

4. Applicants who have completed an English Language and Composition or English Literature and Composition Advanced Placement (AP) course in a U.S. or U.S.-accredited school and who have scored 3, 4, or 5 on the AP examination will have met English proficiency.  

Other Ways to Provide Proof of English Proficiency

• Post-Baccalaureate Applicants: Post-baccalaureate applicants who have earned a bachelor’s or advanced degree at Seattle University or at a recognized/accredited college or university in the U.S. or in any of the above exempted countries will be considered to have met the English proficiency requirement. 
• Transfer Applicants: Students transferring from a U.S. regionally accredited college or university may use college-level English composition to satisfy English proficiency. To meet this exemption requirement, all the following criteria must be met: 
  • 45 quarter credits (or equivalent) completed from a regionally accredited US college or university complete at the time of application; 
  • Completion of college-level English composition with a 3.0/B or higher grade; and 
  • Cumulative college-level GPA of 3.0 or higher 
• ELS Language Center: Students who have completed level 112 at an ELS Language Center (US centers only) with a 3.0 GPA are considered to have the equivalent to a TOEFL score of 86 and will have met English proficiency. 
• U.S. High School (or other English-speaking country): Students who have completed their entire high school curriculum (equivalent of grades 9-12) in a U.S.-accredited high school either in the U.S. or overseas, as well as in the countries listed below, will have the English proficiency requirement waived if all these criteria are met: 
  • Their transcript does not include any ESL/ELL/developmental English coursework; 
  • The high school cumulative unweighted GPA is 3.0/B or better; and 
  • The transcript shows an average of 3.0/B in 4 years of English composition and/or literature courses. 
  • Students who have completed their primary and secondary education in the following countries will be exempt from demonstrating English proficiency: 
    
    

    Anguilla	Guyana
    Antigua and Barbuda	Ireland
    Australia	Jamaica
    Bahamas	Montserrat
    Barbados	New Zealand
    Belize	St. Kitts and Nevis
    Bermuda	St. Lucia
    British Virgin Islands	St. Vincent and the Grenadines
    Canada (English speaking)	Trinidad and Tobago
    Cayman Islands	Turks and Caicos
    Dominica	United Kingdom
    Grenada	U.S. Virgin Islands

Questions about English Proficiency requirements? Contact international@seattleu.edu.