International Students

Bienvenido! 안녕하세요! Swagatham!

You’re An International Student If…

You have an F-1 Student Visa or another type of non-immigrant visa.

You do not hold US citizenship or permanent residency.

Since international students come from different parts of the world, speak different languages, study in different schools, and have very different personal circumstances, we will customize your application requirements to your specific circumstances.

Welcoming Community

International students at Purchase College are a vibrant community of important contributors to the arts and sciences on campus. Nearly 10% of the student body carries either an international passport or hails from outside of the United States, and they bring their unique perspectives, talents, and experiences to enrich the classrooms and studios at Purchase.

If accepted , you will join a community of artists and scholars of exceptional talent, aptitude, and motivation.

Advantageous Location

Located in Westchester County, NY, just a short train ride from New York City, Purchase attracts students from around the globe and offers a myriad of academic and co-curricular opportunities for students seeking to study outside of their home country. The many corporate headquarters, cultural organizations, and biotech companies in our surrounding area offer academic internships that put our students on a path to success here and around the world.

However, there’s no need to take our word for it. Purchase was recently ranked as the following:

The Office for Global Education supports international students from their first interest in Purchase College through to application, enrollment, and arrival on campus.

International Student Application Instructions

International students are required to submit various documents outlined below. Some are required for academic review, and others for visa eligibility.

Contact Beatriz Martin-Ruiz, International Admissions Advisor, with any questions.

1. Apply

Submit an application by admissions status.

First Year Transfer Graduate

2. Check Your Email

Once the application is processed, you will receive an email with access to the applicant portal.

3. Submit Supplemental Form

We then ask you to submit the International Supplemental Form, which allows us to customize the applicant checklist.

4. Send Official Transcripts

Offical transcripts from a U.S. institution or International Credential Evaluations must be sent to the admissions office directly. Transcripts submitted by students are considered unofficial.

We require all foreign transcripts be evaluated by an educational credential evaluator. Applicants may use this Spantran- Purchase College Evaluation Application for a discounted rate.

Transfer applicants only must submit a Spantran Divisional Course Analysis in order to receive college credit for prior college coursework. All other applicants must submit a course-by-course analysis.

We also accept evaluations from World Education Services , Educational Credential Evaluators and any agency that is a member of National Association of Credential Evaluating Service (NACES).

Evaluations must be course-by-course evaluations showing all coursework and grades received. Applicants must pay all expenses incurred for this service.

American and Canadian transcripts must be sent directly from the Registrar’s Office of the school. The submission of falsified documents will be considered grounds for rejection or reversal of an admission decision.

Official documents can be emailed to admissions@purchase.edu or mailed to:

International Admissions
Purchase College, SUNY
735 Anderson Hill Road
Purchase, NY 10577

5. Language Proficiency

Submit proof of English Proficiency.

Non-native English speaking students and any applicant whose undergraduate degrees is from a country where English is not the language of instruction are required to demonstrate English Language Proficiency.

English proficiency is demonstrated by providing evidence of meeting minimum test scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) , International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Duolingo. Applicants must submit the completed English Proficiency Report or by meeting the requirements for TOEFL/IELTS Exemption outlined below.

Submit your official TOEFL Test Score Report (Purchase College’s ETS code is 2878) and/or official IELTS or Duolingo score report. The testing service must submit an official report directly to Purchase College. Score reports submitted by the students are considered unofficial, and cannot be used to render a decision.
Submit your completed English Proficiency Report. The English Proficiency Report may be waived for students eligible for a TOEFL/IELTS Exemption. Please have your school counselor fill out the TOEFL Waiver Request Form. However, Admissions still reserves the right to require the completed English Proficiency Report if it is deemed necessary to demonstrate proficiency.
TOEFL Score Requirements
- Internet-Based Test (IBT): 80 and above for unconditional admission
- Paper-Based Test (PBT): 550 and above for unconditional admission
- Computer-Based Test (CBT): 213 and above for unconditional admission
IELTS Score Requirements
- 6.5 Band Score
Duolingo
- 105 or better

Students who do not meet minimum TOEFL/IELTS score requirement are not eligible for admission.

6. Additional Documents

We may require additional documents. Upload any requested documents to the applicant portal. Samples of additional documents are:

Educational Data
English Proficiency Report
Letters of recommendation: one is required, additional letters are optional.
Copy of passport identification page.
Copy of visa, if applicable.

Accepted Students: Student (F-1) Visas

Accepted international students who plan to obtain a Student Visa (F-1) must submit student visa funding documents detailed below.

International Student Financial Statement
Official financial documentation

Student Visa Funding Documents

Accepted international students seeking an F-1 student visa must submit the supplemental information below required to be issued the I-20 Certificate of Eligibility for Non-immigrant (F-1 Visa) Student Status (required after offer of admission).

Completed International Student Financial Statement with official financial documentation: Accepted students seeking an I-20 form to obtain an F-1 student visa must complete, sign and submit the International Student Financial Statement along with any required official bank letters verifying the information provided on the form (NOTE: These documents are also required if the student is presently on a B-2 visitor, J-I exchange-visitor or F-1 student visa). For the 2024-2025 academic year all applicants seeking an F-1 student visa are required to demonstrate that the following amounts of funds are available to pay for their education for the first year in 2024 (includes the cost of tuition, room and meals, fees, and health insurance for one year):

Undergraduate Students: $37,500*
Graduate Students: $46,600*
*Fees are subject to a 10% yearly increase

Funding Source	Type of Documentation Accepted
Sponsor (parents, guardians, relatives, friends)	Any of the following: Bank Statements (Savings or Checking accounts)* Certificates of Deposit (CD) Statements - maturity date must be earlier than anticipated enrollment date Line of Credit Letters Loan Letters
Sponsor (business)	You will need both: A copy of the business license and registration showing that the business is approved to operate and who the proprietors of the business are Profit & Loss (P & L) Statement for Business which summarizes revenues, costs, and expenses over a fiscal year
Scholarship	Official scholarship letter from the awarding institution. The award letter must contain the name of the student, the amount of money available for each year of study, the duration of the award (including beginning and ending dates), the degree and major field of study for the award, and confirm the funding is applicable to Purchase College.
Government Funding	Official letter indicating the name of the student, the amount of money available for each year of study, the duration of the award (including beginning and ending dates), the degree and major field of study for the award, and confirm the funding is applicable to Purchase College.
Loans/Lines of Credit	Official letter from credit institution indicating approval of the loan/line of credit and the amount approved.
Personal Funds	Bank Statements (Savings or Checking accounts)*
Free Room & Board from Sponsor	You will need to provide all three: Sponsor Affidavit: Free room and board Proof of Income as described in sponsor affidavit. Proof of Residence as described in sponsor affidavit.

*Whether from your own personal funds or your sponsor’s, we require bank statements from the last three months.

Have More Questions? Let Us Know.

International Admissions Advisor

You’re An International Student If…

Welcoming Community

Advantageous Location

International Student Application Instructions

1. Apply

2. Check Your Email

3. Submit Supplemental Form

4. Send Official Transcripts

5. Language Proficiency

TOEFL Score Requirements

IELTS Score Requirements

Duolingo

6. Additional Documents

Accepted Students: Student (F-1) Visas

Student Visa Funding Documents

Have More Questions? Let Us Know.

Information for:

Need Assistance?

Other Resources:

International Students

You’re An International Student If…

Welcoming Community

Advantageous Location

International Student Application Instructions

1. Apply

2. Check Your Email

3. Submit Supplemental Form

4. Send Official Transcripts

International Credential Evaluations

5. Language Proficiency

English Proficiency

English Test Score Requirements

English Placement Testing Requirements

6. Additional Documents

Accepted Students: Student (F-1) Visas

Student Visa Funding Documents

International Student Financial Statement

Acceptable Financial Documents

Have More Questions? Let Us Know.

Information for:

Need Assistance?

Other Resources: