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FGCU is Committed to Diversity and Welcomes International Students
The admissions process begins with Undergraduate Admissions. This office provides
international students with university information and applications, determines admission
acceptance (including issuing I-20s), and works with International Services to prepare
international students for university enrollment. International students who meet
all university and U.S. Immigration requirements may be accepted for admission. You should begin six months to one year prior to date of beginning classes to complete
required academic admissions tests, obtain immunizations, secure financial support
and prepare other required documents.We encourage you to respond promptly, as some documentation requires additional time
to be received and reviewed. The University cannot issue you an I-20 form (certificate
of eligibility) to attend Florida Gulf Coast University until you have completedalldocuments and metalladmissions and U.S. Immigration requirements. The application and all official supporting
documents must be submitted by the deadlines below for the requested entry date.
This school is authorized under Federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students.
Students who enter a university in the U.S. must complete 12 years (or equivalent)
of preparatory education. International students applying to FGCU as first-time-in-college
freshmen must have the equivalent of a U.S. high school diploma.
Bachelor's degree:The first university degree awarded is a bachelor's, which normally requires four
years of study (more for some programs). This degree includes required general education
courses as well as specialization courses in the chosen field.
Master’s degree:A bachelor’s degree is required of all students who desire to enter a master’s degree
program. This degree generally requires two years of study beyond the bachelor’s degree,
depending on the number of courses a student completes each academic term.
Level of placement and transfer of academic credits:Florida Gulf Coast University does not evaluate foreign credentials or transcripts
on campus.
For international student transcript evaluations, we suggest you contact one of the
international agencies located on the following website:NACES
A course-by-course evaluation is required for college courses taken and is recommended
for high school equivalency unless a GPA is included in the evaluation. If so, then
a document-by-document evaluation will suffice.
You need to request that the agency send the results directly by mail to Undergraduate
Admissions as an official document. Should you require additional information, contact
the Admissions Office at our toll-free number (888) 889-1095 or e-mailUndergraduate Admissions
All foreign transcripts should be evaluated for equivalency purposes:University-level coursework undertaken abroad may be transferable if earned at a recognized
institution depending on academic equivalency. International students who have completed
some university level education and are interested in transferring academic credit
to Florida Gulf Coast University should submit an original evaluation of courses taken
and an English translation of course syllabi for which credit is desired. The evaluating
agency will review your transcripts and determine your level of academic study comparable
to the U.S. education system. Undergraduate students are placed at the appropriate
level for their educational background. However, academic departments have the option
of denying credit for any coursework not applicable to that department.
The University recommends choosing the course-by-course evaluation, with grades or
marks and credit hours equated to the system in the U.S.
First-time-in-college or lower-level transfer students may choose the document-by-document
evaluation for their high-school courses if they wish, however, if the evaluation
agency does not provide a GPA, the student must meet the minimum ACT (21) requirement
or SAT (1060) requirement.
Transcripts and test scores received and opened by the university may not be transferred
to a third party or the applicant and become the sole property of FGCU.
This school is authorized under Federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students.
Applicants are classified as international if they are not United States citizens,
dual citizens, or permanent residents, and if they are applying for an F-1 student
visa or a J-1 Exchange Visitor visa (Exchange visitors are classified as either scholar
or student). International students may apply to study in any degree program or major
for which the University has been granted authorization by the U.S. Department of
Homeland Security, Student Exchange Visitor Program, or U.S. Department of State to
enroll international students. Degree majors with program designs and limitations
that do not comply with federal regulations or are pending federal approval are not
open to international student applicants.
Florida Gulf Coast University requires that applicants submit official English language
proficiency test scores if English is not the native language.Scores must be current (not more than 2 years old). Official test scores must be sent
to FGCU.
Language Proficiency Requirements:
Attended a US high school for 4 years and graduated or earned a degree from a US college
or university
FGCU will review your test scores and transcripts to determine your admissibility.
If you meet the minimum requirements, your admissions is not guaranteed.
***NOTE*** THE ADMISSION DEADLINES FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS ARE DIFFERENT FROM
THOSE FOR DOMESTIC APPLICANTS – PLEASE SEE THE ADMISSION DEADLINES ABOVE FOR INTERNATIONAL
APPLICANTS.
The Office of Admissions issues the I-20 Form (the certificate of eligibility to study
in the U.S.) to International Students who intend to pursue full time studies to obtain
a degree (undergraduate or graduate). An I-20 Form will not be issued to any student
who does not meet the university admission and U.S. immigration requirements. International
Students must present the I-20 Form to a U.S. Embassy or Consulate when applying for
a student visa (generally this will be an F-1 visa). If you currently have a U.S.
visa, and are in the U.S., you may be required to complete a Visa Clearance Form or submit additional immigration forms. You may also need to present your I-94 Card,
your passport, a U.S. visa and any other immigration documents you currently hold,
to the Office of Admissions.
If you currently have a visa other than an F-1 visa, you should contact the Office
of Admissions to discuss your immigration status. Each visa category has restrictions
on whether or not the visa holder can enroll at the university. Prospective students
who have visas, passports or other immigration documents that are expired may need
to seek the services of an immigration attorney. Florida Gulf Coast University does
not provide legal advice on immigration matters. Prospective students who are determined
to be "out of status" with immigration, cannot be admitted to the university.
For information on credits, scholarships and financial aid, medical insurance, housing
and transportation, please refer to our International Admission Guide.
All International students must provide proof of vaccination against Rubella and Measles
(MMR) as described in the immunization policy before registering for classes. The
Florida Legislature, recognizing the potential fatal nature of hepatitis B and meningococcal
diseases, has enacted legislation effective July 1, 2008, that all new matriculating
students must provide documentation of vaccinations against meningococcal meningitis
and hepatitis B OR provide a signed waiver for each declined vaccination. This is
in addition to the existing requirements for measles and rubella (MMR) vaccines. A
student is unable to waive out of the MMR requirement. For more information on required
immunizations, please visit the web page of Student Health Services.
The International Services Office provides support services for International Students, who have been admitted to the
university. This includes: orientation to living and studying in the U.S., assistance
with cross-cultural adjustment and transition issues, information on and assistance
with U.S. Immigration documents and regulations, and integrates international students
into the university and community experience.
The application process requires a step-by-step approach to complete the required
forms, application and documentation.
