International FAQ

Unfortunately, we are unable to provide application fee waivers upon request. Please note that application fee must be paid before the application will be forwarded to the department for review.

Review our Graduate Application Deadline page for general guidelines and program specific application and funding deadlines.

We require unofficial copies of your translated transcript(s) for the application process. Upon admission to Bowling Green State University, the official copies of your transcript and diploma/graduation certificate are required to be presented to Graduate Admissions.

As an option, you may choose to have your documents sent to any evaluator that is NACES accredited. This will be accepted as the final official document. It is strongly recommended that applicants choose an evaluation service that provides electronic transmission, such as Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE), SpanTran (discounted rate available), and World Education Services (WES). Other services may transmit via mail to:

BGSU Graduate Admissions
International Credential Evaluation
200 University Hall
Bowling Green, OH 43403
USA

Applicants are exempt from providing standardized language proficiency test scores if they are: US citizens; from a country whose population speaks English as its first language; or have a previous degree (associate’s, bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate) from a US college/university or from a country in which instruction was delivered in English.  A complete list of qualifying countries follows:

Anguilla; Antigua and Barbuda; Australia; Bahamas; Barbados; Belize; Bermuda; Botswana; British Guyana; Canada (Except Quebec); Cayman Islands; Dominica; Eritrea; Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas); Fiji; Gambia (The); Ghana; Grenada; Guam; Guyana; Ireland; Jamaica; Kenya; Lesotho; Liberia; Malawi; Montserrat; New Zealand; Nigeria; Sierra Leone; Singapore; St. Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha; St. Kitts and Nevis; St. Lucia; St. Vincent and the Grenadine; South Africa; Swaziland; Tanzania; Trinidad and Tobago; Turks and Caicos Isle; Uganda; United Kingdom; Virgin Islands; Zambia; and Zimbabwe

We suggest students attain an 80 on the TOEFL, a 6.5 on the IELTS, 53 PTE (Pearson Test of English), or 110 on the Duolingo.

We do not accept the TOEFL MyBest score.

We do not accept the TOEFL MyBest score.

No, Bowling Green State University does not require the GRE or GMAT for graduate applications.  However, some graduate programs may require the GRE or GMAT as part of their admissions requirements.  Please review the admissions requirements for your program as you prepare your graduate application.

Yes. If submitted, GRE/GMAT test scores will be taken into consideration as part of our holistic review process. However, if you choose not to submit them, you will not be penalized and will be considered for admission just the same as students who do submit scores.  

A cost calculator can be found at on our Bursar’s website to help you determine the overall cost of graduate education.

To be issued an I-20, the document required to present at the visa interview, international students must show proof they have sufficient funds to support themselves while in the USA. When applying for an I-20, students are required to provide financial documents that prove they have the necessary funds whether their program requires 9 credit hours per semester, 12 credit hours per semester, or if it is a required one-year program.

No.

Transcripts from institutions outside of the United States must include the following:

• Name of student
• Name of institution
• Names and grades of all courses from year one to graduation year
• Calculated cumulative GPA (if applicable)
• School seal and original signature of school official
• System of grading, indicating highest mark and the lowest passing mark

Scanned and uploaded copies of transcripts are acceptable for the application. However, please note that a final official transcript (as well as a copy of your completed degree) will be required if you are admitted to BGSU. Failure to provide the final official copy of your transcript and degree will result in a registration hold.

A diploma is a document awarded by an educational institution testifying the recipient has graduated by successfully completing their course of study.  Diplomas may be referred to as a leaving certificate or graduation certificate.  It is an official document usually consisting of the name of the institution, the degree earned, the date the degree was awarded, the graduate's name, and has signatures from University officials.

BGSU will be able to more accurately evaluate if you are ready for college. To upload documents to your application file, please use the Application Status Page and steps shown below.  

• Click on the Application Status Page 
• The Log-in page will open.
• Enter the email address and password used to create your application for admission.
• Review the Application Checklist.
  • Items with a green ✔ have been received.
  • Items with a red X have not been received.

• Use the Upload Materials section to upload your required documents.
• Click the drop-down box to select material type to upload
• Click the Choose File button to select your document file.
• Select the Upload button to upload the document file.

For pending items or application status, please click on the Application Status Page.

For institutions outside of the United States, BGSU requires an official transcript (mark sheets/academic record) AND degree (diploma/graduation certificate).  Transcripts should provide a year-by-year listing of all courses taken and grades earned. Documents issued in a language other than English must be accompanied by a literal (not interpretive) certified English translation. Please note that official documents are the original documents, notarized copies, or official English translations with the official seal or stamp of the notary or the English translator on each document provided in a sealed envelope.

Evaluations by a NACES member agency is acceptable. To be considered official, the evaluations must be sent directly to BGSU by the NACES member agency.

No. We will only accept an official transcript (mark sheets/academic record) AND degree (diploma/graduation certificate) delivered in person upon your arrival to BGSU, or mailed directly from the degree-granting institution in a sealed university envelope to Graduate Admissions (see address below.) Mailed documents will not be returned to applicants. It is recommended that students with limited copies of their official credentials present their documents in person rather than mailing.

BGSU Graduate Admissions
200 University Hall
Bowling Green, OH 43403
USA

nternational Programs and Partnerships will help you prepare the documents necessary for the form I-20 and guide you through the other parts of the immigration process. Please wait for a next steps email from International Programs and Partnerships and follow the instructions provided in the email.

Please contact the iss@bgsu.edu for questions regarding;

• US I-20 form
• USA Visa
• Financial Statement and Supporting Evidence such as a copy of your (or your sponsors) Bank Statements and Affidavits of Support or Certificate of Loan.
• How to Select the Proper Financial Statement
• Copy of Passport Information Page

We only permit applicants to defer one time.  To submit your request to defer your start term, please go to your application status portal and login.  Look for the Forms area (under the Application Checklist area) and choose Deferral Form (in orange).

You have until the 14th day of your admit term to request the deferral.

We only permit applicants to defer once. Since you have already deferred once, you will need to start a new application.  This is a simple process--open your application portal and select New Application.  Complete and submit this application for the new term.  All transcripts and test scores may be transferred to the new application.  Just let us know when your new application is complete and we can move any remaining materials over that you were not able to move yourself.

Admission decisions are made by the program faculty using a holistic admissions review process. If you have specific questions about the decision, please contact the department directly. 

Most students who receive a graduate assistantship are awarded that opportunity directly from their department after a decision has been made on their application.  You are highly encouraged you to reach out directly to your department for more information about graduate assistantship positions and their application process, if admitted.

Some students find graduate assistantships outside of their academic department.  You can review available assistantships on our website.