We welcome your interest in Mills College. As an international student, you will find that understanding the American regulations on international student admission is of utmost importance to your success in enrolling in a graduate program. The International Applicant Packet and information below describes the specific procedures that you must follow if you apply to and are admitted to Mills. Please note the earlier application deadlines (October 1 for spring admission, December 15 for fall admission) due to the additional requirements.

Transcripts

We will need one hard copy of official evaluated transcripts, as well as one hard copy official transcript in the native language, if applicable, of all your undergraduate and graduate work, showing a strong academic record. Evaluation of your transcripts by a NACES member organization is necessary to ensure that an equivalent of a four-year US baccalaureate degree has been obtained.

Recommendations

Written recommendations sent in support of your application should speak to your English writing and speaking abilities, potential for success in graduate studies, as well as your commitment to your academic purpose. Special recommendation forms are provided as part of the online application or are available for download on the program application page.

TOEFL/IELTS Examinations

International students whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) examination. Graduate admission to our programs in English and Computer Science require minimum TOEFL scores of 600 for the paper-based exam, 100 for the internet-based exam, or an IELTS overall band-score of 7.0 or greater. All other programs require minimum TOEFL scores of 550 for the paper-based exam, 80 for the internet-based exam, or an IELTS overall band-score of 6.0 or higher.

Official scores should be submitted directly to Mills College Office of Graduate Admission from the testing agency. For fall admission, these tests should be taken by the end of October of the preceding year. Generally, international students are admitted for the fall semester.

Certification of Finances

The Certificate of Finances form and bank statement are due with all other application materials.

US government regulations require that international students show evidence of guaranteed funds to support their tuition and living expenses while studying in the US.

These funds may be provided by a person other than the student and this may be indicated on the Certificate of Finances form. Official documentation of the funds, usually in the form of a bank statement, is also required.

Upon receipt of the Certificate of Finances form and all other application materials (such as official and evaluated transcripts, official TOEFL scores, etc.), your file will be forwarded to the graduate program for review.

Obtaining a Visa

When we send you the I-20 form, you will take the form, passport, and proof of your ability to support your college education (bank statements, letters of credit, scholarship letter, etc.) to the nearest US consulate. An official at the consulate will stamp an F-1 visa inside your passport. Together with your I-20 form, this visa will enable you to enter the United States and to be a student at the institution named on the I-20. Should you change your mind and decide to study at another institution, you may jeopardize your student status and may not be allowed to remain in the country. Consult with the nearest US consulate or embassy if you have any questions about the visa application process.

Do You Have Questions?

If you have further questions about the graduate admission application process, please contact the Office of Graduate Admission at 510.430.3309 or grad-studies@mills.edu.