Applying as an International Transfer
Each year we search for students with diverse backgrounds, skills and perspectives to challenge and support each other on our campus. And that doesn’t mean just glancing at a GPA and clicking a button.
We look at each application fully. Our biggest goal is to ensure your academic success, and we do that by seeing your application as a window into your life. The results of our review process and of the quality of our education speak for themselves, and we hope we can count you among the thousands that will do their best to be part of our community this year.
WHEN TO APPLY
DEADLINES, DATES AND TIMELINES
Fall semester (begins in August)
Fall semester is the most common start term. The application for fall semester opens August 1, one year prior to the start of the term.
After June 1, fall admission and scholarship consideration is offered on a space-available basis. Securing a student visa can take at least six weeks, so you’re encouraged to apply early.
Spring semester (begins in January)
Spring semester is our second most popular term for students to enter. The application for spring semester opens in March, ten months prior to the start of the term.
After November 1, spring admission and scholarship consideration is offered on a space-available basis. Securing a student visa can take at least six weeks, so you’re encouraged to apply early.
Summer Session (begins in May)
Summer Session is not a recommended entry term; course expectations are more rigorous, and campus services can be more limited. Contact the international team if your circumstances require a summer start. (March 1 is the recommended application date when Summer Session is approved.)
What we need
THE COMPONENTS OF A COMPLETE APPLICATION
There are several items that we consider necessary to make an informed decision about your potential for academic success at Colorado State. Know that each item is taken seriously, but the admission decision is made based on the sum of all of them.
Your application file will be reviewed for a decision only once we receive all of these items.
A complete application includes:
Use the CSU Application to apply for transfer admission.
Applying to CSU requires a $50 application fee as part of completing your application file (before an admission decision).
You cannot pay your fee in installments. If you are unable to pay when you’re ready to submit your application, either wait to submit your application once the funds are available OR request a fee waiver with the appropriate documentation.
Fee waivers are available and can be requested after you’ve submitted your application. (Do I qualify for a fee waiver?)
- A final, official transcript reflecting graduation is required of all applicants.
- Only transcripts sent directly from the school or stamped and sealed are considered official.
- If a record is not in English, a certified literal English translation must accompany the transcript.
- High school / secondary school transcripts are not required for second bachelor’s candidates.
- Faxed transcripts are not accepted.
- Transcripts must be official. If only one original is available, an attested or certified copy may be submitted.
- Transcripts submitted electronically will only be considered as official if uploaded using a secure transcript delivery service or emailed directly from a college / university official.
- If a record is not in English, a certified literal English translation must accompany the official transcript.
- Faxed transcripts are not accepted.
- An evaluation of transferable academic credits will be completed only after you’re admitted.
Every CSU undergraduate degree requires at least one mathematics or statistics course (three credits) to graduate. The admission requirement in mathematics is designed to ensure that transfer applicants are on track to satisfy this graduation requirement.
Only international applicants who’ve completed college work in the U.S. are reviewed for completion of the admission requirement in mathematics, though all applicants are encouraged to have university-level math complete at the point of application.
There are several ways to satisfy the mathematics requirement.
Within your application, you’ll be prompted to indicate whether you are seeking direct or clear admission (English proficiency required) or conditional admission (no English proficiency required).
- If you wish to be considered for direct or clear admission, we’ll ask how you intend to demonstrate English proficiency.
- If you plan to submit TOEFL, IELTS or PTE scores, we prefer results sent directly from the testing service. Alternatives to these tests are considered on a case-by-case basis.
- Applicants who do not present (sufficient) evidence of English proficiency can be considered for conditional admission and, if admitted, will be referred to the Intensive English Program.
Applicants from Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom whose first language is English are exempt from this requirement.
Short written responses to the Academic Explanation and Academic Gap prompts are optional and allow you to provide more context for us to understand your academic background.
Transfer applicants are not required to submit a personal statement/essay.
ACT and SAT
- ACT and SAT results are not evaluated in the transfer admission decision but can be helpful for composition placement purposes if you have not taken a transferable college composition (writing) course.
- ACT code: 0504
- SAT/College Board code: 4075
- Allow 2-3 weeks for scores to arrive from the testing agencies.
Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) and CLEP
- AP, IB and CLEP results are not evaluated in the transfer admission decision but can evaluated for transfer credit after you’ve been admitted.
- To be considered for transfer credit, official score results must be submitted directly from the testing agency.
If you need a student visa, you must submit the following items in order to secure an I-20 or DS-2019:
- Immigration Information Form
- Copy of the identification page of your passport (must be valid for at least six months beyond the first day of classes)
- Financial support document(s) demonstrating the ability to meet or exceed your estimated expenses. (Because none of our institutional scholarships cover the full cost of attendance, you must be able to show outside funding.)
Immigration information is not considered in the admission decision, but the official admission packet and I-20 or DS-2019 are express mailed to admitted students only after these immigration details have been received, verified and approved.
Immigration information can be submitted as part of the application for admission or using these instructions for submitting documents.
You are not required to submit your enrollment deposit in order to receive an I-20 or DS-2019.
Submitting your documents, transcripts and fee is easy and we’re always here to help. Start by reviewing submission instructions and contact us if you have any questions.
Who we look for
THE TYPE OF STUDENT THAT MAKES A RAM
Every incoming class looks different, but we always work to maintain high academic standards while providing access to higher education as part of our land-grant mission.
Important factors
A 2.0 cumulative GPA for all college work attempted is the threshold for consideration. Applicants who have a cumulative GPA below 2.5 should be prepared to demonstrate academic success in the form of an upward GPA trend and no D/F grades in their most recent terms.
Students transferring more than 90 credits may not be able to complete their major in a timely manner, and credits that transfer may not meet specific degree requirements at CSU.
Our review process
Our review process allows us to learn about your academic successes and the experiences that have impacted and prepared you for life at Colorado State. These are the four areas we concentrate on when considering your application.
Some competitive majors require specific course work and/or a higher grade point average in order to be admitted.
What to expect
THE APPLICATION PROCESS AND WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE
You’re in control
Completing the online application typically takes 30-45 minutes.
Within two days after you submit your application, you’ll receive an email with instructions to check your application status online. Check your status regularly for nearly real-time information, including the decision on your application.
We’ll use email to keep you updated, too. Check your email at least once a week throughout the admission process.
How decisions work
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Most students will receive a decision within four weeks after submitting a complete application with required documents.
Check your email and online status regularly; decisions are announced electronically before anything is mailed. If a student visa is not required, the official admit packet is mailed within four weeks. If a student visa is required, the official admit packet is express mailed only after all immigration information has been received, reviewed and verified.
Notifications generally fall into one of these categories:
After a decision has been made
Admitted students receive additional communications from Admissions and other CSU offices outlining the confirmation and enrollment processes. To stay on track to enroll, admitted students are expected to check email regularly and make sure to complete the next steps for admitted students.
Getting started
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO NOW TO BECOME A RAM
The next step is to begin preparing your academic documents and to start an application. We recommend you submit your application before your required documents for quickest completion of your records.