Undergraduate Admissions

Frequently Asked Questions

  • What can you tell me about KU?
    • A great source for information on the University of Kansas can be found here:
    • About KU
  • Is the university accredited?
    • The primary institutional accrediting body of the University of Kansas is the North Central Associations of Colleges and Schools: www.ncacasi.org
    • The University of Kansas is governed by the Kansas Board of Regents: www.kansasregents.org
    • KU is the only Kansas Regents university to hold membership in the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU): www.aau.edu
    • In addition, the University of Kansas has numerous accreditations by various boards, assemblies, associations and councils. Check with the schools and departments for professional accreditation.
    • Accrediting Bodies
  • How is KU ranked?
    • “KU is among the top 50 national public universities,” say the editors of U.S. News and World Report. KU tied for 43rd out of 164 national public universities. The magazine used academic reputation, retention and graduation rates, and other criteria to determine the rankings of the undergraduate education offered at the nation's great institutions.
    • Read more about nation rankings and reviews: www.ku.edu/about/achievements.shtml
  • What are KU's strongest programs of study?
    • Selective and competitive admission is required for many of the undergraduate programs, including the Schools of Allied Health, Architecture, Design and Planning, Business, Education, Engineering, Journalism and Mass Communications, Music, Nursing, Pharmacy and Social Welfare.
  • What schools does KU have exchange programs with?
    • Since the 1950's, the University of Kansas has promoted international exchange as a vital link in education. A national leader in providing low-cost, high-quality study abroad programs. The office of Study Abroad administers more than 100 study abroad programs in about 50 countries throughout the world. For more information, please visit their home page: www.studyabroad.ku.edu
  • What are the admission requirements for freshmen?
    • The requirements depend on your chosen major. Complete details can be found in the Admissions Options document

    • Freshmen

    • Completion of secondary education in a college preparatory curriculum with courses in mathematics, natural sciences, social studies, English, language and literature.
    • General admission to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences requires the following:
      • Grade point average - minimum GPA equivalent of 2.5 on the 4.0 scale. Our admissions officer will calculate your GPA based upon your official academic records. Higher GPAs are required for selective programs.
      • Programs with selective admissions may also require SAT or ACT scores.
      • Degree-seeking applicants must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores with application. Provisional admission can be offered with any level of English proficiency.
  • What are the admission requirements for transfer students?
    • The requirements depend on your chosen major. Complete details are available this chart

    • Transfer students

      • Have at least 24 credit hours (approximately 1 year of study) with a minimum GPA equivalent of 2.5 or higher on the 4.0 scale from an accredited university, college or community college. GPA will be calculated on university-level courses only and will not include ESL, remedial or physical education courses. (Students with fewer than 24 hours at time of application will be evaluated on a combination of their college and high school GPAs. They must send both high school and college transcripts.)
      • Programs with selective admission may also require SAT, ACT or other examination scores and completion of specific pre-requisite courses
      • Degree-seeking applicants must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores with application. Provisional admission can be offered with any level of English proficiency.
  • How do I apply if I am a US dual citizen?
    • Undergraduate applicants born in the USA, who are eligible for a US passport, cannot apply for a US non-immigrant student visa. Dual citizen must apply through the KU Office of Admissions and Scholarships.
    • Admissions Website
  • I am a permanent resident of the US. Do I apply through the ISSS Admissions office?
    • If your application for permanent residence is still pending approval, you apply through the Office of International Undergraduate Admissions.
    • If you have been approved for US permanent resident status, you apply through the office of Admissions and Scholarships. US citizens, dual citizens (who are eligible for US passports), approved US permanent residents, and US political asylees apply through the Office of Admissions and Scholarships. Admissions Website
  • I am an international exchange student at a high school in Kansas or another US state, which office do I apply through?
    • The KU office you apply through is determined by your immigration status not the location of your school. If you are an international student of any non-immigrant status attending high school in Kansas or another US state, you make your application through the Office of International Undergraduate Admissions.
  • Will you accept photocopies or unofficial copies of academic records?
    • No, academic documents must be original or attested copies, showing official school seal and signature of administrative official. Transcripts should be sent to our office directly from the school. Your full name must be written on each document. All documents must be in the native language of instruction and have English translations. You must provide official academic records from every educational institution you have attended.
  • Is an essay required as a part of my application for admission?
    • No, except for certain academic programs and for scholarships. Specific requirements for each program are available this chart
  • How much does it cost to attend KU?
    • The total cost depends upon your level and field of study as well as the number of credit hours of enrollment. The estimated expenses for one academic year in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS) based on an enrollment of 15 credit hours per semester are:
      • Tuition: $22,860
      • Fees: $968
      • Housing (on-campus residence hall, double occupancy): $3,804
      • Food (390 meals plan): $3,454
      • Personal Expenses (laundry, clothing, toiletries, etc.): $1,530
      • Books and Supplies: $900
      • Mandatory Health Insurance: $1,040
      • Total Estimated Expenses (1 year): $10,728
    • Optional summer classes will invoke further costs, approximately $5,539 based on enrollment in 3 credit hours.
    • For details about costs of studying at KU, visit www.tuition.ku.edu.
  • Is an enrollment deposit required for KU students?
    • International freshman and transfer students are required to pay the $350 New Student Fee.
  • Are international students eligible to pay Kansas resident (in-state) tuition?
    • Usually international students pay the non-resident (out-of-state) tuition rates. The International Undergraduate Admissions Office does not determine Kansas state residency. Residency for tuition purposes is determined by the residency specialist in the Office of the University Registrar.Residency
  • Does KU offer financial aid to international students?
    • Unfortunately, KU does not offer financial assistance or full scholarships that pay for all international students' expenses. ISSS Scholarships
    • KU requires that applicants provide evidence of one full year's financial support as part of the admissions process. If an applicant qualifies to be considered for a scholarship based upon an excellent academic record, they will be informed of the scholarship opportunity after they have applied and been accepted for admission.
  • Does KU have any scholarships for international students?
    • KU offers a few partial scholarships for qualified newly admitted international students. To be considered for a scholarship, a student must meet the scholarship deadline and be admitted. Eligibility is based on academic records, generally requiring a 3.5 GPA or higher on the 4.0 scale, TOEFL and SAT scores, essays and letters of recommendation. If a student qualifies to be considered for a scholarship based upon and excellent academic record, they will be informed after they have been admitted. Priority deadlines for scholarship consideration are January 15 and March 1 for the Fall. ISSS Scholarships
  • Do KU academic departments offer scholarships?
    • Some KU academic departments also offer scholarships to first year students. If a student is eligible for consideration, the ISSS Admissions Office will forward the student's application to departments that have scholarships. Generally, departmental scholarships are competitive and top-level students are informed of opportunities to apply by the individual academic program after the student has been admitted.
  • Are there any other scholarships I can apply for?
  • What are the English Proficiency Requirements?

    • International undergraduates are required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score report with the application for admission. However, new undergraduates may be admitted with any level of English proficiency. TOEFL or IELTS scores will help you determine how much additional English as a Second Language instruction (ESL) you might need before full-time enrollment in university courses.  There are some exemptions to this requirement, which you can read on the English Proficiency Chart.

    • After arrival on campus and before enrollment in KU classes, all international students' English proficiency is evaluated by KU's Applied English Center (AEC). If you do not meet the KU English requirement for enrollment in university courses, you will be required to enroll in English classes at the Applied English Center for one or more semesters. If your test scores are sufficient, you will enroll in full-time academic courses.
    • Read the English proficiency policy online or Visit the AEC website
  • Can a student be exempt from taking the English Proficiency test?
    • If a student has recent TOEFL or IELTS scores (within the past two years) in the ranges below, they can apply to be waived from the English proficiency examination.
      • TOEFL (paper-based test): 57 or higher for each section score and 4.5 or higher on the Test of Written English (TWE)
      • IBT (internet-based test): 23 or higher for each section score.
      • International English Language Testing System (IELTS), academic format: 6.0 or higher for each part and total score of 6.5
    • Native speakers of English from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, an English-speaking province of Canada, or an English-speaking Caribbean country will not be required to take the AEC English Proficiency Test. Students must go to the AEC office before enrollment to request the waiver.
  • What is the KU institutional TOEFL code?
  • What is the AEC?
    • The AEC is the University of Kansas Applied English Center. Testing for English proficiency and training in English is provided by the AEC. The AEC welcomes students at all levels of English proficiency, preparing them for study in American universities and helping them to participate in American society.
    • Read more on the AEC website
  • How do I apply for admission?
    • To apply, submit the following:
      1. An International Undergraduate Application for Admission and the $75 application fee
      2. Official transcripts and proof of secondary school completion
      3. Official transcripts for all post secondary studies
      4. Official TOEFL or IELTS scores
      5. Financial documentation for one year of study (for F-1 and J-1 students)
      6. Some programs require SAT and ACT scores
    • Complete instructions on how to apply for online or PDF application forms can be found on the website: How to Apply
  • Will you please mail me an application form and informational packet?
    • To request an application packet please send an email with the following information to issapps@ku.edu.
      1. your full name
      2. your nationality
      3. major of interest
      4. complete mailing address
  • Where can I find more detailed information about applying?
    • Complete instructions on how to apply as well as online and PDF application forms can be found here: International Admissions
  • I am unable to take the SAT or ACT exams since they are not offered in my country. Can I still apply to KU?
    • Only the KU schools of Architecture, Design & Planning, Business, Engineering and Journalism & Mass Communications require ACT or SAT exam scores. The SAT KU institutional code is 6871 and the ACT KU institutional code is 1470.
    • If you cannot take the SAT or ACT, you can initially apply to the KU College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and take general education requirements and the SAT or ACT during your first semester at KU. You may then apply for a change of school in a later semester.
    • For the School of Engineering, you may be considered for admission after you have passed university-level calculus with a grade of "C" or above without having taken the ACT or SAT.
  • How can I check the status of my application?
    • If you applied online, follow the instructions in our e-mail to check on the status of your application. If you applied with a paper application, contact issapps@ku.edu. Include your complete legal name, date of birth, and the semester for which you applied.
  • I applied for one semester but now need to come later. How can I update my application to another semester?
    • To change or update information you have submitted, contact issapps@ku.edu. Include your complete legal name, date of birth, and the semester for which you applied. When updating or changing admission to another semester, financial documents must be less than 6 months old from the date of request. If you have completed additional coursework since your initial application, you will need to submit those academic records. If your original application is more than a year old, you will need to submit a new application form and application fee.
  • What are the application deadlines?
    • General deadlines for CLAS admission
      • Fall Semester (begins in August) - April 1st
      • Spring Semester (begins in January) - October 1st
      • Summer Semester (begins in June) - March 15th
    • Some programs have earlier deadlines and only take applications for one semester per year. For transfer students who are already in the USA, later deadlines may apply. Please view our comprehensive list here.
  • What are the scholarship deadlines?
    • January 15 for the Fall semester
    • A comprehensive list of deadlines can be found here.
  • What are some important dates after admission?
    • Once you've been admitted, please check ISSS pre-arrival procedures There you will find a list of things that must be completed before you can enroll at the University.
  • When will I get my I-20?
    • Your I-20 will be mailed by US airmail 3 to 4 weeks after you have been admitted. Delivery time varies depending upon where you live. If you wish to have your documents express mailed, please email the documents specialist for instructions issdocs@ku.edu.
  • My name is wrong on my I-20. How can I change it?
    • Please send us an email requesting any necessary changes on your I-20: issapps@ku.edu - Include your KUID number, your name exactly as it appears in your passport, and the semester you wish to begin your studies. Include a copy of the biographical page of your passport.
  • Do I need to pay the enrollment deposit?
    • International freshman and transfer students are required to pay the $350 New Student Fee.
  • How do I get my visa?
    • After you have been admitted, instructions on applying for a student visa will be included in the packet of materials mailed with your I-20 or DS-2019 form. Review information about applying for a student visa online at Student Visa Information
  • What else do I need to do to prepare for arrival?
  • Now that I've been admitted, do I need to make a seperate application for housing?
  • What can I study at KU?
    • KU offers more than 190 academic majors. A list of undergraduate majors and co-majors can be found on pages 3 through 4 of the Undergraduate Catalog.
    • View the Undergraduate Catalog
  • What are the most popular majors for undergraduates?
    • The most popular undergraduate programs include Biological Sciences, Business, Economics, Mathematics, Engineering and Psychology.
  • How many students are there in the average class?
    • The average class size is about 22 students.
    • 89% of classes have fewer than 50 students.
    • 71% of classes have fewer than 30 students.
    • Large introductory lecture courses have laboratory or discussion sections tied to the course with enrollment limits of 15 to 30. Courses in Math, English, and Foreign Languages are capped at 25 students.
    • Faculty teach 96% of classes.
    • Graduate Teaching Assistants teach 18% of classes.
    • The student to faculty ratio is 19 to 1.
    • Teaching assistants work primarily in classes that are capped in size (their classes are not allowed to exceed 25-30). The academic areas which have teaching assistants are primarily entry level Math, English, and Foreign Language.
  • I have already attended a college or university. Can I transfer the courses to KU?
    • You must send your official academic records as a part of your application. We may also require copies of your course syllabus for evaluation. We evaluate transcripts for credit after applicants are admitted.
  • Will all of my courses transfer?
    • We will evaluate transcripts for transfer credit after you are admitted. You will be notified by mail which courses transferred. We require course syllabus or course descriptions for evaluation. Read more about transfer credit
    • The Cred Tran database lists only courses previously evaluated and transferred to KU from other institutions. New information is continuously added as new universities and courses are being evaluated for transfer credit. You may view the database here:
    • Cred Tran Database
  • What classes will I take?
    • An academic advisor will help you to select your classes. Most majors have a curriculum, with a set of required courses to be completed to graduate. All programs offer a certain number of electives which allow students some flexibility in their schedule. Help is available at the University Advising Center. www.advising.ku.edu
  • When can I enroll? How do I enroll?
    • You can enroll after you have been admitted, arrived on campus and checked in with the proper offices. You will meet with an academic advisor after checking in to select classes and enroll. There are no opportunities for early enrollment for incoming international students.
    • All new international students must complete three required check-in processes before they may enroll. No new student may enroll until these steps have been completed. Dates and times for check-in are listed on the Coming to KU page
Please send your questions in an e-mail to issapps@ku.edu .
  • Your Email:
    Your Question:

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