International Student FAQ

Do you admit international students?
I am an international student. Where do I send the Certification of Finances Form?
I am an international student and am having trouble obtaining official transcripts from my overseas educational institutions. What do you suggest I do?
I am an international student. Am I required to submit TOEFL scores, and is there a minimum score that I must receive in order to be considered for admission?
For how long are my TOEFL scores valid?

Do you admit international students?
Yes. At least half of our entering class over the past few years has consisted of international students. We consider applications from all countries and undergraduate institutions, though the quality of the undergraduate institution is a factor in our admissions decision.

I am an international student. Where do I send the Certification of Finances Form?
Please send the Certification of Finances Form to:

Enrollment Services Operations
Application for Graduate Admission
Room 0130 Mitchell Building
University of Maryland
College Park, Maryland 20742

I am an international student and am having trouble obtaining official transcripts from my overseas educational institutions. What do you suggest I do?
Transcripts for international applicants are handled by the Office of International Education Services Office. If you have questions or problems with regard to obtaining your transcripts, they will be happy to help you. Please contact them directly via telephone at 301-314-7740, or visit them on the web at http://www.international.umd.edu/ies/97.

I am an international student. Am I required to submit TOEFL scores, and is there a minimum score that I must receive in order to be considered for admission? Yes, you must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores and satisfy certain minimum scores for unconditional or provisional admission. Please note that you must satisfy the requirements in speaking, listening, reading and writing http://www.international.umd.edu/sparkplug/common/images/ies/EnglishTestRequirements2009.pdf If you do not meet the TOEFL or IELTS requirements for provisional admission, then the Economics Department will not be able to evaluate your application for admission.

If you are offered provisional admission to the University, you will be required to take an English proficiency examination during orientation.

The TOEFL test is a mandatory and non-negotiable application requirement for students whose native language is not English. Waivers are only permitted if the student will obtain a degree from an institution in an English-speaking country ( i.e. The United Kingdom, English-speaking Africa, Canada and the Caribbean, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand etc.), prior to entering the Ph.D. program in Economics.

All applicants must comply by this policy regardless of citizenship status, number of years residing in the United States, and language of instruction of his or her university.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to include a photocopy of their TOEFL report with the application materials. Do not assume that your TOEFL scores will be reported to the University in a timely manner simply because you have taken the test. The Admissions Committee will not review your file without the TOEFL scores. Contact www.toefl.org to request an official copy of your test scores to be sent to the University of Maryland at College Park - institutional code 5814.

Please refer to the University rules regarding English proficiency for international students: http://www.international.umd.edu/sparkplug/common/images/ies/EnglishTestRequirements2009.pdf

How long are my TOEFL scores valid?
TOEFL scores are valid for two years. If, however, an applicant requests ETS to send the TOEFL score to our University before the TOEFL expires, it should not be a problem. The applicant should call ETS and request that a score report be sent to our institution, code 5814. ETS only keeps TOEFL scores on file for two years. Once the 2-year deadline passes, the applicant will no longer be able to request a score from ETS.