International Student Admission
Central Michigan University welcomes applications from international students. Students interested in admission for undergraduate study should complete the International Student Application for Admission. Applications can be completed online at (https://apply.cmich.edu/Home/International) and all other required documents should be sent directly to the Admissions Office for processing at least 3 months prior to the intended semester of enrollment. Students interested in admission to the English Language Institute (Pearce Hall 323, 989-774-1717) should complete the English Language Institute application. Additional information regarding admission requirements for undergraduate and English Language Institute study is listed below.
University Admission for Undergraduate Studies
- Complete and submit an International Student Application for Admission (https://apply.cmich.edu/Home/International) with the $35 application fee (credit card, check or money order written from a U.S. bank).
- Submit official transcripts from all secondary and post-secondary institutions attended with English translations, if necessary.
- A copy of the biographic page of student’s passport, which can be e-mailed to cmuadmit@cmich.edu
- Prospective international students who are not citizens or permanent residents of a TOEFL-exempt country must demonstrate proficiency in English. A list of TOEFL-exempt countries is available on the OGE website (https://www.cmich.edu/office_provost/InternationalAffairs/Pages/default.aspx). Prospective students may demonstrate proficiency by any one of the following methods:
- Attain a score of 550 PBT, 213 CBT, or 79 iBT and above on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a score of 6.5 and above on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or a score of 77 or higher on the Michigan English Language Assessment Battery (MELAB), or a score of 53 or higher on the Pearson Test of English (PTE).
- Through the University’s International Bridge Program. CMU’s International BRIDGE program allows students to gain academic admission to the University while giving them a path toward English proficiency through CMU’s English Language Institute. Students admitted to the Bridge Program must take the ELI Placement Test upon arrival at the University. Testing dates can be found on the ELI’s webpage (https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/chsbs/Centers/ELI/Pages/Placement_Test.aspx). If a student’s ELI Placement Test Results show that he or she must take Intensive English Program courses, the student must satisfactorily complete all required Intensive English Program courses before beginning his or her undergraduate degree coursework. If a student’s ELI Placement Test Results show that he or she is under the Dual Program category (https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/chsbs/Centers/ELI/Programs/Pages/default.aspx), the student may take a combination of academic and English Program courses. If a student’s ELI Placement Test Results show that he or she does not need to take any ELI courses, the student will take a full load of undergraduate academic courses.
- Complete ELS Level 112. Prospective students who complete Level 112 of ELS’ English for Academic Purposes program will be considered to have demonstrated the required level of proficiency in English for admission to Undergraduate Study.
- A personal statement that tells CMU about your desired major, your career goals, and why you are interested in CMU.
- Prospective International students seeking F-1 or J-1 status must demonstrate adequate financial support as determined by the United States Department of Homeland Security regulations. Students who are currently in the United States on an E, L, H, TD, TN visa category, or Permanent Residency are not required to submit financial documents.
For students seeking F-1 or J-1 status, a certified bank statement must accompany the application documenting the ability to cover one full academic year of residency at CMU. Students must also include the Office of Global Engagement’s Financial Support Form. You can find this form on their webpage (https://www.cmich.edu/office_provost/InternationalAffairs/Pages/default.aspx). Please submit all documents to the Admissions Office.
Upon admission to CMU and when proof of financial support has been received, the Office of Global Engagement will issue a Form I-20 or Form DS 2019. The Office of Global Engagement will send the form to the student to assist them in acquiring a student visa. For more information on immigration requirements and regulations, please visit the Office of Global Engagement’s webpage (https://www.cmich.edu/office_provost/InternationalAffairs/Pages/default.aspx).
English Language Institute Admission
Complete and submit an English Language Institute (ELI) Application for Admission (https://apply.cmich.edu/Home/International) with the $35 application fee (credit card, check or money order written from a US bank).
Students must submit copy of the biographic page of their passport, which can be e-mailed to cmuadmit@cmich.edu.
Prospective International students seeking F-1 or J-1 status must demonstrate adequate financial support as determined by the United States Department of Homeland Security regulations. Students who are currently in the United States on an E, L, H, TD, TN visa category, or Permanent Residency are not required to submit financial documents.
For students seeking F-1 or J-1 status, a certified bank statement must accompany the application documenting the ability to cover one full academic year of residency at CMU. Students must also include the Office of Global Engagement's Financial Support Form. You can find this form on their webpage (https://www.cmich.edu/office_provost/InternationalAffairs/Pages/default.aspx). Please submit all documents to the Admissions Office.
Upon admission to CMU and when proof of financial support has been received, the Office of Global Engagement will issue a Form I-20 or Form DS 2019. The Office of Global Engagement will send the form to the student to assist them in acquiring a student visa. For more information on immigration requirements and regulations, please visit the Office of Global Engagement’s webpage (https://www. cmich.edu/office_provost/InternationalAffairs/Pages/default.aspx).
English Language Institute students will take an English placement test upon arrival at the university to determine which English courses must be taken. Testing dates can be found on the ELI’s webpage (https://www.cmich.edu/colleges/chsbs/Centers/ELI/Pages/Placement_Test.aspx) After demonstrating English proficiency, as determined by the ELI policies, and if university admission requirements are satisfied, these students may be granted admission to the program of their choice.