University of Pittsburgh
Office of International Services
International Undergraduate Student
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS


1. I am an international student attending a high school in the U.S. Do I need to submit an English language
proficiency test result?

a.
If you will graduate from the high school in the U.S. and you are not a citizen of a country where English is
the official language, and if your critical reading part of the SAT is not 600, then you must also submit the
results of the IELTS or TOEFL. (Please see the instructions for international undergraduate applicants at


b.
If you are an exchange student and will not graduate or will receive only an honorary diploma and you are
from a country where English is not the official language, you must submit the results of the IELTS or
TOEFL.

2. English was the medium of instruction at the school where I studied. Do I need to submit an English language
proficiency test result?

a.
If you are a citizen of a country where English is not the official language (see
then you must submit the results of the IELTS
or TOEFL. If you took the SAT and your critical reading result was 600 or above, then this requirement in
waived.

3. What are the minimum acceptable results on the English language proficiency tests?

a.
The minimum result on the IELTS is 6.5

b.
The minimum results on the TOEFL are:
i. iBT (Internet-based test): 80
ii. CBT (computer-based test): 213
iii. PBT (paper-based test): 550

4. Are copies of test results acceptable?

a.
No. All test results must be submitted directly to the University of Pittsburgh by the testing agency.

5. Will you accept results of the Institutional TOEFL?

a.
No.

6. Do I need to take the SAT or ACT?

a.
If you will graduate from a high school in the United States or a Council of International Schools (CIS)
recognized school, then you must submit the results of the SAT or ACT.

7. Are there minimum scores on the SAT and ACT?

a.
We do not have minimum SAT or ACT scores. We can share with you that our enrolled freshman class for
2005 had mid 50% SAT range of 1150-1310.


8. I am in the United States and am in the process of becoming a U.S. Permanent Resident. Do I apply as an
international student?

a.
Yes. Until you receive your Alien Registration Card (i.e., green card) documenting your final approval as a
U.S. Permanent Resident, you are classified by the University of Pittsburgh as an international student and
must apply as an international student.

9. I and my family have been living in Pennsylvania. Do I qualify for in-state tuition?

a.
Unless you are a U.S. citizen, Permanent Resident, Refugee, or Asylee, you will not qualify for in-state
tuition no matter how long you have been living in Pennsylvania. If you have additional questions or need
additional information, please contact the Tuition Eligibility Office at (412) 624-7610.

10. What academic documents do I need to submit with my application?

a.
Freshman Applications: We need your secondary school (high school) academic records or transcripts,
examination results such as A Levels, West African Examination Council official results, or other official
documents that verify the completion of secondary education. If these documents are not officially issued in
English, then certified English translations must also be submitted.

b.
Transfer Applications: We need all of the above and an official academic record, mark sheet, transcript,
examination results from the university. You must also submit official course descriptions or examination
syllabi for all of the courses or subjects completed at university. If these documents are not officially issued
in English, then certified English translations must also be submitted.


11. Do you need letters of recommendation?

a.
No, we do not require letters of recommendation for international students.

12. I sent my application and the transcripts, when will I know if I am accepted?

a.
Unlike the Office of Admission and Financial Aid, we do not process international undergraduate
applications for admission on a rolling basis. The Admissions Committee reviews all of the files two to three
weeks after the application deadlines. Applicants may expect to receive decisions about a month after the
application deadlines; however, this is subject to change and is not a guaranteed timeline. It may take the
Admissions Committee longer to reach decisions.

13. What are the application deadlines for international undergraduate applicants?

a.
Fall Term: The deadline is February 1
st

b.
Spring Term: The deadline is October 1
st

c.
Summer Term: The deadline is March 1
st


14. I want to apply to Pharmacy (PharmD Program). May I apply with the International Undergraduate

Application for Admission?

a.
If you are applying as a freshman (you have had no university-level study), then you apply first to complete
two years of pre-requisite courses before you apply for admission to the PharmD Program in your second
(sophomore) year.

b.
If you are about to complete the pre-requisites at a regionally accredited college or university in the United
States or a recognized institution in Canada, then you must first contact the PharmD Program and follow the
directions for applying to the PharmD Program. You do not complete and submit the International
Undergraduate Application for Admission until you are asked to complete that application.

c.
If you are studying at university-level in a country other than the United States or Canada, you may not apply
for admission to the PharmD Program. We do not accept courses outside the United States or Canada as
satisfying the pre-requisites. Therefore, if your goal is the PharmD, you must apply for admission as a
freshman (first year student) and complete the pre-requisites to then be eligible to apply for admission to the
PharmD Program.

15. I have an F-2 visa. May I take courses at the University of Pittsburgh?

a.
In general, the answer is “No.” According to federal law, someone in F-2 status may not take courses unless
the course(s) is deemed to be “avocational” or “recreational.” This generally means that the courses may not
be part of a degree program or otherwise to meet requirements for awarded of any educational credential.
This is a complex issue and may require review by an Immigration Specialist in OIS.

16. I am now studying at another university in the United States. May I transfer to the University of Pittsburgh?


a.
In general, you may apply for admission as a transfer student. You must apply using the international
undergraduate application for admission. The deadlines for submitting an application as a transfer student
are the same.
b.
Please Note: The School of Arts and Sciences requires the completion of at least 48 semester credits to be
eligible to apply for admission. Students interested in other program should check the web site for
information about transfer requirements and remember that you they must apply using the International
Undergraduate Application for Admission and submit your application by the deadline.

17. My mother/father is here on an H1B visa. I am in H-4 status. The deadline for submitting an application is
past. May I still apply for the next semester?

a.
In general, no. However, you should contact the Office of International Services – Admissions Section as
we may be prepared to make an exception.

18. I want a paper application. Can you please send me an application?

a.
We are sorry. Our application process is now an on-line process. You must apply on-line at
or go to and click the
link for “International Undergraduate Student Application.”

19. It is possible to download, print out, and submit the International Undergraduate Application for Admission?

a.
We are sorry. Our application process is now an on-line process. You must apply on-line at
or go to and click the
link for “International Undergraduate Student Application.”


20. I already have a university degree from another country. May I continue my studies at the University of
Pittsburgh?

a.
If you have a degree that we recognize as comparable to a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited
institution in the United States, you may apply for admission as a post-baccalaureate student or you may
apply for graduate admission (master’s degree or doctoral degree.)

b.
If you have a degree that we do not recognize as comparable to a bachelor’s degree from a regionally
accredited institution in the United States, then your only option is to apply for undergraduate transfer
admission.

21. I was born in the United States but all my studies were in another country. Am I an international student?

a.
If you are a U.S. citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident, Refugee, or Asylee then you are not classified as an
international student. You must apply through the Office of Admission and Financial Aid.

b.
If you are not a U.S. citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident, Refugee, or Asylee, then you are classified as an
international student. You must apply through the Office of International Services.


22. I am a U.S. citizen and did my education in a foreign country. Do I need to take the TOEFL?

a.
No. However, you must submit the results of the SAT or ACT and apply for admission through the Office of
Admission and Financial Aid. The web site is:

www.pitt.edu/~oafa/index.html.

23. I was admitted for the previous semester but could not come. May I use the same application for this
semester?

a.
No. You need to formally request a deferral of your admission, telling us which term you now want to start.
If you have had no university study from the time you were admitted and the time you now wish to start, we
will consider your application based on the application that we have on file.

b.
If you have taken university study since you were offered admission, then you will need to re-apply
submitting official academic records from the university attended (attending).

24. How do I apply for financial aid or scholarships?

a.
We are sorry, but international undergraduate students are not eligible for scholarships or financial aid from
the University of Pittsburgh.

25. Do I need to attend international student orientation?

a.
Yes. It is mandatory for international undergraduate students.

26. What is the tuition at the University of Pittsburgh?

a.
This information can be found at our Web site:


27. May I have on-campus housing?

a.
It is possible to obtain on-campus housing. But you must apply by submitting a housing contract. You will
receive information when admitted and submit the tuition deposit.

28. Do I need to submit financial documents when I apply?

a.
Financial documents are not part of the decision making process in applying for admission to the University
of Pittsburgh. However, submitting financial documents when you apply may make the process of issuing a
visa document (Form I-20 or Form DS-2019) more efficient if you are offered admission.

29. How do I get a Form I-20 or Form DS-2019?

a.
If you are offered admission and we have acceptable financial support documents, then you will be issued
and sent a visa document (Form I-20 or Form DS-2019) from the Office of International Services,
Immigration Services & Advising unit, once we receive the tuition deposit and your case has otherwise
cleared all internal processing.