Skip to main content
International Student and Scholar Services

Application Process

Start Your Application

How to Apply to the University

Incoming international exchange students must officially apply to Illinois State University for admission through one of our exchange partners.

Submit Your Application

You must submit an Application for Admission to apply to the University.

Click on "Create an account" to create your account. Once you create an account, you should:

Non Degree-Seeking Students

  • Apply as a "Non-Degree (Visiting)" applicant on the online form.
  • The online application will ask you to select your student type. Select either: "International Exchange – Graduate" if you are currently working on a master's degree or "International Exchange – Undergraduate" if you are currently working on a bachelor's degree.
  • The online application will ask you: "What VISA/Permit status would you like to obtain for your studies at Illinois State University?" Select "J-1 (Exchange Visitor)".
    • Dual U.S. citizens should select "Dual Citizenship" instead of "J-1 (Exchange Visitor).
  • The online application will ask you to: "List all college-level courses that you are currently taking, or plan on taking, before you attend Illinois State University." When listing all of your current classes, you will be asked to list the number of credit hours. The number of credits can align with the credit system at your home university. If your home university does not have a credit system, enter "1" for each class listed.

Degree-Seeking Students

  • Apply as a "Graduate" applicant on the online form.
  • The online application will ask for you to select your program. If you are a Paderborn Transfer Degree-Seeking student, you should select "Master of Business Administration - Traditional".
  • The online application will ask you: "What VISA/Permit status would you like to obtain for your studies at Illinois State University?" Select "J-1 (Exchange Visitor)".
  • When prompted, choose "Pay with check or money order later." Upon confirmation that you are an exchange student, the Office of Admissions will remove your application fee.
  • Final decisions of your admission are made by your major department, International Admissions, and the Graduate School.

Back to top

Finalize Your Application

  • On the Review Application Submission page, you will need to click on "Finalize Application and Pay", but please note that you will not be asked to pay the application fee.
  • It is important to save your application often and to keep your password .

Complete Your Checklist

Exchange students applying to Illinois State University will need to upload the following items as part of their application checklist. Once your document has been reviewed and accepted by an International Admissions representative, you will see a checkmark appear next to it.

  • Proof of English Proficiency for non-native English speakers. We do not accept letters to prove English ability.
    • TOEFL score (minimum: 81 iBT) or
    • TOEFL Essentials score (minimum: 8.5) or
    • New TOEFL score (minimum: 4.5) or
    • IELTS score (minimum: 6.5 overall band) or
    • Duolingo score (minimum 110) or
    • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTEA) score (minimum: 55) or
    • Michigan English Test (MET) score (minimum: 58)
    • Dual U.S. citizens do not need to show proof of English proficiency.
  • Unofficial transcripts in English from your home University.
  • J-1 Proof of Finances Form. Your application checklist will contain the F-1 Proof of Finances; please do not use this form as it does not contain accurate financial information. Please refer to the links below for estimates. Your funding sources must represent actual money that you will have access to during your studies.
  • Passport photo ID page copy.

Back to top

After You're Admitted

  • Complete the After You’re Admitted steps on the International Admissions site to ensure you are prepared for your arrival to campus.

  • Apply for your J-1 visa.

    • You will be issued a DS-2019 document, which is needed to apply for your J-1 visa. You will be notified via email when your new DS-2019 is ready.

    • The type of visa that you will apply for is called the “J-1 Exchange Visitor Visa”. You will apply at your nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

    • Within the J-1 Visa, there are many categories that indicate a person’s objective of being in the U.S.

      • Most exchange students will be categorized as a “Student Non-Degree”. This means that you will be enrolled full time in classes and earning credits, but you will not be seeking a degree here.

      • Students who are applying to the dual-degree MBA program or who are seeking a degree at ISU will be categorized as a “Student Masters” or “Student Doctorate” depending on the degree level.

    • Dual U.S. citizens will not need a DS-2019 nor a J-1 visa to enter the U.S.

  • Read through the Exchange Student Pre-Arrival Guide that contains all kinds of information about when to arrive, how to apply for your visa, course registration, and more.
  • Submit a Course Request Form .
    • You will complete this form by listing all the possible courses you would like to take while at Illinois State University. Illinois State's Course Finder and complete course catalog are available online.
    • Soon after you are admitted, you will be emailed about more details about how to how submit this form. 

Back to top