International Admissions FAQ

International Admissions FAQ

International Admissions Frequently Asked Questions

Have questions regarding international admissions at Rowan University? We are here to help!

Who is an "International Applicant"? 

Rowan considers international applicants students who entered or plan to enter the United States on a non-immigrant visa (e.g., F-1 or J-1) and maintain non-immigrant status throughout their study at Rowan University. This includes those who have submitted residency application documents to USCIS, but have not received formal approval verifying that you have become a permanent resident of the United States of America. Domestic (or U.S.) applicants are students who are United States citizens, permanent residents of the United States (“Green Card” holder), asylees, refugees, undocumented students, or DACA students.

Can I apply through CommonApp?

Prospective international undergraduate students are able to apply to Rowan University using CommonApp. However, we also offer our own international-friendly application. We recommend you apply through this application instead. Visit apply.rowan.edu/apply to get started.

What are the international admissions requirements?

You can find a lot of information on international admissions, such as programs, cost, and the admission process by visiting rowan.edu/international. 

For international graduate admissions direct link, click here. 

For international undergraduate admissions direct link, click here. 

Can you waive the application fee for international admissions?

Applicants to any Thesis or Ph.D. program are automatically exempt from paying the application fee. 

Unfortunately, we do not offer an application fee waiver for all other international applicants. International undergraduate applicants (freshman and transfer applicants) must pay the non-refundable application fee of $45.00 (USD) in order to be considered for admission. International graduate applicants (Non-Thesis, coursework-only applicants) must pay the non-refundable application fee of $65.00 (USD) in order to be considered for admission.

There is also a non-refundable enrollment deposit for international applicants of $100 (USD) for those who are offered admission. This deposit is required prior to receiving an I-20 and there are no waivers available.

You can read more on Rowan's International Admissions Policies here.

I have taken the SAT. Can I be exempt from the English Language Test requirement?

Yes! Students who submit a minimum SAT score of 900 or minimum ACT of 16 are eligible for an English Language Proficiency Test waiver. We must receive your official scores, however, which can be sent to us directly from your academic advisor to International-Documents@rowan.edu.

You can read more about our English Language Policy and exemptions here. 

I am planning to apply without SAT scores. Will my application be considered?

Yes! Rowan University is a Test Optional institution. We believe that standardized test scores are not a good indicator for the success of students. Test Optional admissions provides access to students who have excelled academically, regardless of standardized test scores.

You may choose to submit SAT or ACT scores for consideration, however you will not be penalized if you choose not to submit them.

Do you accept 3-year degrees from India?

At Rowan, we accept 3-year degrees from India for graduate admission if the academic transcripts meets the following requirements:

  1. The degree has been earned in Division I (First Class or First Class with Distinction); and
  2. The awarding institution has been accredited by India’s National Assessment and Accreditation Council (NAAC) with a grade of “A” or better

Please note: for 3-year degrees that do not use the classifications, any student with an average of 7+, so long the school is rated A or A+, we will consider 4-year Bachelor’s degree.

If you do not meet the above requirements, then you will be considered an undergraduate transfer applicant.

Do you accept unofficial transcripts?

Unofficial scanned copies of transcripts are accepted for admissions purposes only. Admitted international students are required to submit official transcripts (paper or electronic) prior to registering for classes. If admission is offered, there will be a hold on your student account pending these requirements that will restrict you from registering for classes, viewing your schedule, attending class, adding or dropping courses and more. 

You can read more on Rowan's International Admissions Policies here.

Does my official transcript need to be translated into English?

Yes. We require both your original transcripts in your indigenous language as well as certified English translations. Please contact the International Admissions Office if you have questions about which agency to use.

Where do I send my official transcripts?

Students can request official transcripts to be sent to us via postal mail or electronically .

Official electronic documents should be sent to International-Documents@rowan.edu. These must be sent by a University official/administrator using an institutional email.

Official paper transcripts can be sent through postal mail to:
Office of International Admissions
Rowan University
Enterprise Center, 3rd Floor
225 Rowan Blvd
Glassboro, New Jersey 08028

Can I apply while in progress of my Bachelor’s degree?

Yes! Students can apply while completing their final year of undergraduate study. For the unofficial transcripts requirement, you should submit your mark sheets for all semesters completed. We do not accept coursework in progress. Additionally, we require a Bonafide Certificate in place of the University-issued Provisional or Original Degree Certificate.

How do I know if my transcripts are considered "official"?

Copies of transcripts printed, scanned and/or uploaded to your portal are considered "unofficial". 

"Official" transcripts must be printed in color on official paper, obtain an embossed or raised institutional seal, an administrative signature, and be in an sealed (unopened) official institution envelop.

Official electronic documents must be sent to International-Documents@rowan.edu by a University official/administrator using an institutional email.

How long will my admission decision take?

Admissions decisions typically take 1-4 weeks. This timeframe can change during the busy season. 

Please continue to monitor your applicant portal for an update. Your application portal will always have the most up-to-date status of your application. 

Can I apply for scholarships as a graduate applicant?

Unlike most universities in the U. S. that charge out-of-state price to international students, Rowan University provides in-state tuition and fees price for international graduate students. For this reason, we do not offer scholarships for graduate students.

Does Rowan offer any financial assistance for graduate students?

We know paying for tuition can be difficult. That is why Rowan provides students other financial assistance needed to put their education first. See below:

Graduate Assistant (GA)
Graduate Assistants are graduate students who provide academic and program support. GA responsibilities may be administrative in nature, consisting of duties that typically are not related to teaching or research. Such activities may include assisting with the administration of student services, participating in student recruiting, assisting in program planning, and advising undergraduate student groups. Graduate Assistantships can be granted as full- or part-time during one single academic year (fall and spring terms).

• Full-time GA: 20-hours per week, tuition remission for 9 credits and a stipend each semester
• Part-time GA: 10-hours per week, tuition remission for 6 credits and a stipend each semester

Graduate Research Assistant (GRA)
Graduate Research Assistants are graduate students conducting research under the direction of a faculty member. GRAs are awarded by departments and professors who are currently managing research projects. GRAs are typically funded by sponsored research grants, and receive a stipend and tuition compensation level that can vary. When you apply to any of Rowan’s M.S. Thesis or Ph.D. programs, each applicant is automatically considered for possible research assistantship positions. GRAs are awarded directly by the departments and professors who are currently managing research projects.  Students are encouraged to connect with a faculty member and secure assurance of a research assistantship prior to submitting an application.

For more information, click here.

Can I apply for scholarships as an undergraduate applicant?

You will automatically be considered for available undergraduate scholarships. There is no separate application! International undergraduate students may qualify for the International Student Merit-Based Scholarships, International Baccalaureate (IB) Scholarship, and Brown & Gold Scholarship (out-of-state). Some scholarships are stackable offering high achiever students a greater award ranger.  

Please click here for more information regarding the undergraduate merit-based scholarship for International students.

Is the foreign credential evaluation required for admission?

No! We conduct a course-by-course evaluation of students' transcripts at no cost to you.

However, if students already have a foreign credential evaluation, we will accept the unofficial copies for admissions purposes. Rowan accepts Foreign Credential Evaluation Reports from service providers ​which are members of NACES. Official copies will be required if admission is offered.

I’m interested in attending Rowan University, but I will need to improve my English first. Do you have an English as a Second Language (ESL) program?

For information about our English Language Programs, please click here. You can also email rowanELP@rowan.edu or call +1-856-361-2914 for more information.