Are applications from non-United States citizens treated differently in the admissions process?

International students must submit a TOEFL score and financial documents. Apart from these items, international applications are evaluated in the same manner as US applicants; however, application processing may take longer due to the review of foreign transcripts and financial documents.

Who is required to take the TOEFL?

Students whose native language is not English and who have not successfully completed one year of study at a US college or university must submit a valid TOEFL score.

What is the minimum TOEFL score needed to be admitted?

The minimum TOEFL score is 100 on the computer adaptive test or 600 on the paper and pencil exam.

What are the educational requirements for admission for students educated outside the United States? Am I eligible to apply for admission with a three year baccalaureate degree?

All applicants to the PhD Program must hold the equivalent of a US bachelor’s degree to be considered for admission. A three-year degree is not equivalent to the US bachelor’s degree. Neither professional designations nor work experience will count toward the fourth year of study. No exceptions will be made to this policy.

Is there financial aid available for non-United States citizens?

Most PhD students receive a Graduate Assistantship from the College of Management.

How do I receive a visa?

All non-US citizens must provide a certified financial statement outlining the financial resources available to them for their studies in the United States when they are accepted into the program. No visa documents will be issued until the Graduate Office receives documentation that the applicant has sufficient resources to meet the expenses for at least the first year of graduate study at Georgia Tech.

If some person or organization other than the student will be providing the funds on the student’s behalf, an official letter of support from the sponsor must also be included. The letter should include the full name of the sponsor, his/her relationship to the applicant, as well as the amount and length of the support.

Georgia Tech does not begin processing I-20s for the fall semester until May before the beginning of the fall term; this procedure results from the fact that the Georgia State Legislature does not approve the budget (tuition) until April. The I-20 will be delivered to the student via express mail.

A certified financial statement must:

• Provide certified documentation indicating you have funding sufficient to cover your first year of study including living expenses for yourself and any dependents.

• Be dated within six months of our receipt of your application

• Be legible in English

• Show the equivalent of a US dollar figure for the date of the statement if the funds are held in another currency

For more information on estimated cost of attendance, please view the Graduate Admissions website

What if I am a permanent resident?

If you are a permanent resident of the United States you must include a copy of your permanent resident card, both front and back, with your application. Permanent residents are exempt from the TOEFL and are not required to submit financial documents.