International Students Frequently Asked Questions

Any student who needs a Visa to attend school is considered an International student.

No, you are considered a permanent resident and should not apply as an International student.

If you are a student who hasn’t yet earned a Bachelor’s degree, then you are considered an undergraduate student. If you have earned your Bachelor’s degree then you are a graduate student.

According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website the F-1 Visa (Academic Student) allows you to enter the United States as a full-time student at an accredited college, university, seminary, conservatory, academic high school, elementary school, or other academic institution or in a language training program. You must be enrolled in a program or course of study that culminates in a degree, diploma, or certificate and your school must be authorized by the U.S. government to accept international students, see the US Citizenship and Immigration Services website, (http://www.uscis.gov).

According to the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) website foreign exchange students will receive a Form I-20 from the DSO of the educational institution that accepted the student to study in the United States. That student must have a Form I-20 to apply for a visa, to enter the United States, and to apply for benefits (http://www.uscis.gov).

According to the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) is used to track and monitor schools; exchange visitor programs; and F, M and J non-immigrants while they visit the United States and participate in the U.S. education system. See the US Immigration and Customs Enforcement website, (http://www.ice.gov).

DSO stands for Designated School Official. The campus DSO works with the Admissions Office to issue your I-20 form and create input your information into SEVIS. The DSO must be able to verify that your SEVIS record is accurate and up-to-date during your entire stay in the United States.

- Undergraduate: https://www.alvernia.edu/apply/undergraduate-admission or Common App (you must designate Alvernia University to receive your Common Application). Watch a helpful video here.

- Graduate: https://www.alvernia.edu/apply/graduate-school

- Undergraduate: https://www.alvernia.edu/admissions-aid/international-students/international-students-application-process

- Graduate: https://www.alvernia.edu/admissions-aid/graduate-admissions/graduate-admissions-international-applicants

You can check the status of your online application by logging into the application portal using your email and password that you created your application with here: https://admissions.alvernia.edu/apply/?sr=2f401222-9608-42c8-a492-5c65bf09945f

- Undergraduate: no

- Graduate: $50 that can be paid through the online application

Both undergraduate and graduate students can mail their application materials to our International Admissions Office. See address below:

International Admissions Office
Alvernia University
400 Saint Bernardine Street
Reading, Pennsylvania, 19607, USA

For express mail, please provide this phone number: 1‐610-796-5190.

Graduate only: Most graduate programs require either two or three letters of recommendation. Each program has its own specific set of admissions requirements.

The primary mode of communication for international students is via e-mail. Email is more efficient and faster than regular postal mail for international students outside of the U.S.  Once you have been admitted to Alvernia, please let the Admissions Office know how you would like your documents sent to you and how you would like to communicate (email, phone, Skype, etc.).

Your primary undergraduate contact is Sibel Ahi, Director of International Recruitment. To contact us, please email us at international.admissions@alvernia.edu or call Sibel Ahi directly at 610-568-1473.

Your primary graduate contact will vary by campus location. To contact us, please email us at gradandadult@alvernia.edu or at 610-796-5187.

The Admissions Offices send important email communications to applicants to ensure you have a positive experience. Please provide the same email address on your online application and any supporting documents. If you change your email address, remember to provide us with your new email as soon as possible.

Undergraduate: Applications are processed in the order they are received. To ensure timely processing submit your application and supporting materials as soon as possible. Normally it takes about 2 weeks to make an admissions decision, once all of your application materials have been submitted and your application is complete. Depending on the time of year, the decision could be made sooner than 2 weeks.

Graduate: All graduate applications are reviewed within the academic department. Most programs review on a rolling admissions basis which means we are constantly reviewing and accepting applications. However, select programs have specific application deadlines and time frames for notification. Please refer to the specific program admissions requirements here

Our Admissions Offices will keep you updated on the status of your application. You can also continually check your online application status here.

The Office of Admissions will coordinate to have the I-20 document processed and mailed.  As soon as it is available, you will receive an official offer of admission and an I‐20 document, including important information regarding the required confirmation process. The acceptance packet will be mailed to you via FedEx Express Courier Service (FREE) to your postal mailing address. To ensure delivery, make sure that we have your correct postal mailing address and phone number. Alvernia University must have your complete physical or street mailing address.

Once accepted to Alvernia, students will be first notified by e-mail of their acceptance and then mailed (to their home country mailing address):

Once the F-1 student visa is approved, the student will be responsible for making travel arrangements that allow him/her to arrive to the United States in time for orientation weekend in August (usually the third week of month) of the year they are to enroll.

During the first week of class the student must provide a copy of his/her passport and I-94 card to the campus DSO.

The student is to complete his/her Health and Wellness documentation so they can be reviewed by the Health and Wellness Office

Once the student receives the package they must make an appointment with the American Embassy or Consulate in their home country to apply for an F-1 visa.

Prospective undergraduate students must send a total of $550 USD to finalize the enrollment process.

$300 USD for confirmation of enrollment

$250 USD for housing deposit

Prospective graduate students must send a $300 USD for confirmation of enrollment. If graduate students would like to reside on campus, they would need to work with their admissions representative to secure a housing contract.

All undergraduate international students must arrive to campus prior to New Student Orientation weekend.  New Student Orientation usually takes place the third (3) week of August.  Please contact the admissions office to find out the exact date you should plan to arrive to the United States.

All graduate students will have an opportunity to participate in an online orientation prior to the start of the semester.

An Alvernia representative will meet you at the airport and bring you to main campus in Reading, PA.  All international students arriving to campus must share their travel itinerary with the International Admissions Office so that proper pick up is scheduled. Also note there are several airports in the area.  Alvernia University prefers international students arrive at the following airports:

• Philadelphia International Airport
• Harrisburg International Airport

*If you have any questions, please contact our International Admissions Office via email or call Director of International Recruitment Sibel Ahi directly at 610-568-1473.

For an more in-depth look at life on campus for an international student, please read our handbook.

An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English Proficiency. Please consult the CIA World Factbook to see if your country is considered English speaking.

The most common tests are TOEFL or IELTS. 

Acceptable scores:

Minimum Score Requirements:

• TOEFL: 75 or higher for the Internet-based test.
• IELTS: 5.5 or higher.
• DUOLINGO: 95 or higher.
• PTE: 60 or higher

No. When taking the TOEFL or IELTS test, arrange for the official score report to be sent to Alvernia University from the testing service.

-Undergrad

International Admissions Office
Alvernia University Undergraduate Admissions
400 Saint Bernardine Street
Reading, Pennsylvania, 19607, USA
 

-Graduate

International Admissions Office
Alvernia University Graduate & Adult Ed. Admissions
400 Saint Bernardine Street
Reading, Pennsylvania, 19607, USA

The Office of Admissions should receive the test scores on or before the posted application deadline.

-Spring enrollment: due October 1st

-Fall enrollment: due May 1st.

No. The function of TOEFL is to test the applicant’s English language skill only. When your most recent test score is lower when taken a second time, it usually indicates decreasing language skill. Successful applicants maintain or increase language skills over time.

We are not able to review applications without the required English Proficiency test score when English is not your first language or if you don’t meet any of the exceptions (See above question). You may prove English Proficiency with a TOEFL score, IELTS, or the American standardized tests such as the SAT or ACT.

You may be waived from the standard TOEFL test if you meet one of these criteria:

-you are enrolled in a high school in an English-speaking country for a minimum of 2 years and graduated (or will graduate) with a high school diploma

OR

-you are enrolled in an accredited U.S. college/university and earn a grade of C or better in English Composition I AND English Composition II

The test is not required for international students but is encouraged. Alvernia University understands that SAT and/or ACT tests are not offered in many countries around the world.

There are TWO main advantages:

(a) the SAT or ACT verbal test score, if high enough, may prove English language proficiency. The minimum score for the SAT is 500 on the Critical Reading section or a 21 on the English section of the ACT.

(b) Applicants with high test scores are considered for merit scholarships.

If you choose to take the test, Alvernia University does not specify a minimum test score. Admission review at Alvernia University is based on a comprehensive holistic review process. This means the admission decision is made after reviewing ALL the required application materials.

No. The official test result must be sent directly from the appropriate test provider.

-Undergrad

International Admissions Office
Alvernia University Undergraduate Admissions
400 Saint Bernardine Street
Reading, Pennsylvania, 19607, USA
 

-Graduate

International Admissions Office
Alvernia University Graduate & Adult Ed. Admissions
400 Saint Bernardine Street
Reading, Pennsylvania, 19607, USA

Some programs require these exams:

-The Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT) Program requires students to submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The school code to have scores forwarded to PTCAS on behalf of Alvernia is 1619.

-The Master of Business Administration (MBA) Programs only require GRE or GMAT scores if the applicant’s GPA is below 3.0

-The Entry-Level Master of Science in Occupational Therapy (MSOT) Program requires students to submit Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores for students that have been out of school for 5 or more years prior to applying to the program.

Alvernia University

ATTN: Graduate & Adult Ed. Admissions
400 Saint Bernardine Street
Reading, Pennsylvania, 19607, USA

Alvernia’s GRE Institution Code is 2431 for all programs other than DPT. This allows the test scores to be sent directly to our admissions team.

If you have a passport, please provide a photocopy. This will help verify your legal name and date of birth for accurate issuance of the I‐20 document, if you are admitted.

No. Submit your application materials at your earliest convenience BEFORE the application deadline.  However, you will need a passport to travel into the United States.

Alvernia University has a specific application deadline for international students.  Applications will be reviewed after all application materials are received, and students will be notified as soon as the decision is available.

Undergraduate: Alvernia University offers merit-based scholarships for academic excellence among new first‐year and transfer students. You may also apply for outside scholarships.

Graduate: No, there are no graduate scholarships for international students.

.

Yes, we have an opportunity for students to apply for Graduate Assistantships (GA). GAs work within our University departments and commit to working within their offices for 20 hours per week. GAs also have their tuition costs covered in exchange for working as well as being paid hourly. Below is the link to one of our opportunities offered to International Students.

https://www.canva.com/design/DAEbpxYYqN0/8Jsz-oOYvwEupibqd1gXiA/view?utm_content=DAEbpxYYqN0&utm_campaign=designshare&utm_medium=link&utm_source=sharebutton
 

Undergrad only: Students must apply and receive admission from Alvernia University. All admitted students are considered for merit scholarships automatically. Additional scholarship information.

Undergrad only: No separate application is necessary for any of Alvernia’s merit scholarships. However, please make sure to apply for admission and complete the application requirements before the posted deadline.

Undergrad only: Unfortunately, no. Alvernia University offers merit-based scholarships to admitted students; this scholarship fund is not awarded based on need. Therefore, when a new student is awarded a scholarship, he/she may continue receiving the stated amount for the 4‐year duration of study as long as the GPA requirement is maintained.

International Students are not eligible for federal financial aid.

Our cost of attendance is listed here.

F‐1 or J‐1 visa applicants or current holders MUST provide proof of financial support BEFORE the application can be reviewed for an admission decision. This allows the Office of Admissions to consider the application and the I‐20 may be issued immediately, if admitted

(a) a signed and dated International Student Financial Statement

AND

(b) proof of financial verification, normally in the form of a bank statement showing account balance. Provide supporting documents in English and in US currency.New accordion content

At Alvernia University ‘cost of attendance’ encompasses tuition, room, board, fees, cost of books, cost of living, health insurance, travel and personal expenses.

Students from Brazil, Canada, Ireland, Saudi Arabia, Tanzania, Turkey, and Vietnam are currently studying at Alvernia University.