If you are not a US citizen and plan to attend USW on an F-1 student visa to pursue an undergraduate degree, you are in the right spot and are one step closer to officially becoming a Mustang!
Admission Requirements
- First-time freshman admission is based on a combination of grade-point average, class rank and ACT/SAT score.
- To be considered for admission to USW, you must satisfy two out of the three admission criteria:
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- Rank in the top 50% of your high school class
- 940 SAT composite or 18 ACT composite
- Minimum 2.0 GPA (4.0 scale)
- First-time freshmen or transfer students who do not meet the standard undergraduate admissions requirements will be required to submit an appeal to be reconsidered for admission.
International First-Time Freshman Application Process
- Complete the free International Undergraduate Admissions Application.
- The application deadline for international first-time freshmen entering the Fall 2021 semester is July 18.
- The application deadline for international first-time freshmen entering the Spring 2022 semester is December 10.
- Transcripts
- Official evaluated transcripts are required for admittance. Students who have attended high school outside of the U.S. must submit an official transcript that has been evaluated by an accredited agency. We recommend a document-by-document evaluation (with a GPA) for high school credentials and a course-by-course evaluation for college/university transcripts from non-U.S. institutions. These evaluation agencies can convert your high school grades and/or international college credits to the American 4.0 grade point average (GPA) scale. They also can provide a translation into English, if necessary.
- USW will accept evaluation results from the following providers:
- World Education Services
- http://wes.org/
- P.O. Box 5087
- Bowling Green Station
- New York, NY 10274-5087
- Phone: 1-212-966-6311
- Fax: 1-212-739-6100
- Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute (ACEI)
- English Proficiency
- Demonstrated proficiency of the English language is required for all international applicants whose sole and official language is not English and who have not studied full-time for one uninterrupted academic year at a university-level institution in which English is the language of instruction. Proof of proficiency may be submitted in one of the following forms:
- Score a minimum of 525 on the paper-based TOEFL (pBT)
- Score a minimum of 197 on the computer-based TOEFL (cBT)
- Score a minimum of 69 on the internet-based TOEFL (iBT)
- Score a minimum of 6.0 on the IELTS
- Score a minimum of 19 on the English portion of the ACT
- Score a minimum of 450 on the Evidence Based Reading and Writing portion on the SAT
- Score a minimum of 95 of the Duolingo English Test
- Financial Statement
- Submit an official bank statement or current financial letter of support (within the last 6 months) showing the ability to finance the estimated cost of attendance for one year of study. A prospective international student must demonstrate that she/he can meet all expenses incurred while a student at USW. International students are required to prepay their first semester's tuition, fees, room and board. All bank statements and letters of support must be officially certified, notarized or attested.
- Copy of passport with photo and address pages. Copies of visas and most recent I-94 (If applicable)
- Health Insurance
- Health insurance is required for all international students. Please submit proof of health insurance coverage at the same time you submit your transcripts and test scores. If proof of insurance is not provided or you do not have coverage, health insurance is available for a reasonable cost through the following international insurance providers: www.nriol.net and www.hccmis.com.
- International admission documents can be sent via mail to:
- University of the Southwest
International Admissions
6610 N Lovington Hwy, Suite T-20
Hobbs, NM 88240
- Or electronically through the following e-transcript providers: Parchment, eScrip-Safe and National Student Clearinghouse.
- Transcripts delivered in person must remain in the sealed envelope it was issued.
- Student copies, personal copies, PDF’s or photos of test scores/transcripts do not constitute official records and will not be accepted.
- After all admission requirements have been satisfied, you will be issued a Form I-20 (Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant (F-1) Student Status – For Academic and Language Students).
- Questions about the international admissions requirements/application process? Contact Dacia Johnson at djohnson@usw.edu or 575-492-2163.
International SEVIS Transfer
If you are not a US citizen and plan to transfer to USW from a US college or university with a current F-1 student visa to pursue an undergraduate degree, you are in the right spot and are one step closer to officially becoming a Mustang!
- Complete the free International Undergraduate Admissions Application.
- Transcripts
- Final and official college transcripts from all previous institutions
- Transfers with fewer than 24 college credits must submit official evaluated high school transcripts.
- Proof of valid F-1 status. (Copy of Passport & Visa)
- Financial Statement
- Submit an official bank statement or current financial letter of support (within the last 6 months) showing the ability to finance the estimated cost of attendance for one year of study. A prospective international student must demonstrate that she/he can meet all expenses incurred while a student at USW. International students are required to prepay their first semester's tuition, fees, room and board. All bank statements and letters of support must be officially certified, notarized or attested.
- Transfer-In Form
- If you are deemed eligible for admission, USW will issue you a transfer-in form that must be completed by your previous institution and returned to the Director of International Admissions in order for your active Visa information to be updated.
- After all admission requirements have been satisfied, you will be notified via email.
- Communication with your current international admissions office and USW’s Director of International Admissions is vital to making a smooth transition.
International Student Check-In
International students are required to check in with the Director of International Admissions prior to their program start date. Failure to complete your immigration check-in will place you in violation of your student status.
Please bring the following documents to complete your check-in:
- Passport containing F-1 visa
- I-94
- Signed I-20
- Health insurance
- Social security card and driver’s license (if applicable)
Copies of your documents will be made for your file and you will be provided with useful information regarding next steps and how to get acclimated to USW’s campus.
Also, don’t forget to:
- Submit your Housing Application and review Residential Living information.
- Contact Director of Housing Cory Hitchcock at chitchcock@usw.edu or 575-492-2158 if you have specific questions.
- Contact the business office at 575-392-6562 or email osisneros@usw.edu to pay your housing deposit.
- If you do not plan to live in university housing, a local address must be submitted on the application for admissions.
- Check out additional scholarship opportunities.
- Make plans to attend New Student Orientation.