Undergraduate Admission Requirements

Steps on how to apply to Eastern Michigan University.

Select the correct tab to see step-by-step instructions on how to apply to EMU as an international applicant. Below the instructions we have also listed our Frequently Asked Questions. 

Please note: It is important that each of the items are completed in the order that they are listed. You will not be reviewed for admissions without your completed application, transcripts, and English proficiency. Likewise, for Fall 2025 applicants, your financial documentation and I-20 cannot be considered without your enrollment deposit. 

APPLY NOW

Step 1: Submit your application

Step 2: Submit official documents

  1. Official Transcripts: Have your official high school/secondary school transcripts or marksheets sent to [email protected]. We will only accpet official documents that come directly from the school. Documents that do not come from the school will not be added to your application or be considered for review. West African Examinations Council (WAEC) Results must be released officially through the WAEC portal.
      • We require at least three years worth of secondary school transcripts/marksheets in order to make a decision on your application.
      • All transcripts must be in English. You are required to have your transcripts translated by an official translator if your school does not provide English transcripts.
  2. English Proficiency: Submit your English proficiency test results through the testing agency to Eastern Michigan University. If you have taken the IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE you can email a copy of your official test results sheet to [email protected] and we add the test score to your application after verification. All other tests must be sent directly through the testing agency.
      • Please note: If you are admitted to EMU for enrollment in Fall 2024 or earlier with a Duolingo score of 95 or higher, you will not be subject to an English proficiency exam upon arrival to campus.
      • Accepted tests and minimum scores required:
        • SAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing Subscore (EBRW): 480*
        • ACT English Subscore: 19*
        • TOEFL: 61 iBT (TOEFL Home Edition also accepted)
        • IELTS: 6.0 (IELTS Indicator also accepted)
        • Michigan English Test (MET): 48
        • Pearson English Language Test (PTE): 44
        • Duolingo: 95
        • *If you decide to use your SAT/ACT scores in place of an English test please email our office after you have submitted your scores so that we can update your application.
      • Test scores are only valid for 2 years from the date of the application.
      • Some students may be eligible for an English testing waiver depending on where your education was completed, please review the ESL Testing Waiver [PDF] for eligibility. Waiver decisions will be made at the time of review. 

Step 3: Pay Enrollment Deposit (Fall 2025 applicants only)

For Fall 2025 applicants, pay the $55 Enrollment Deposit to reserve your spot by logging in to your admitted student portal.

Step 4: Begin I-20 Process

If you meet EMU's academic and English requirements for international students, you would be eligible to receive an I-20 from Eastern Michigan University. The Form I-20 is required to apply for an F-1 visa to study in the United States.

    • In order to process the I-20, you will be required to fill out the Financial Statement of Responsibility and Affidavit of Support Form [PDF] along with acceptable financial documents and a copy of your passport to [email protected]. Eastern Michigan University will only accept bank statements with liquid funds, acceptable bank statements must include the following information to be accepted:
        • Statement Date (No more than a year old from the time of program start date)
        • Name of the bank on letterhead or bank seal with signatures
        • Account Holder
        • Account Type (Checking, Savings, Current, Private, etc.)
        • Type of Currency
        • For Fixed/Term Deposits, statement must list maturity date (must be BEFORE the intended program start date) or that the funds are able to be withdrawn without penalty
        • All statements must be in English
    • Types of financial statements that will not be accepted:
        • Screenshots of account details will not be accepted
        • Any type of investment or investment account
        • Mutual Funds
        • Student Loans
        • Real Estate Holdings
        • Fixed/Term Deposits that mature AFTER the intended program start date
        • Company account or any similar account deemed to not be personal account
        • Any other type of account that is determined to not be liquid
    • EMU reserves the right to deny financial documents for any reason.
    • Applicants who are currently in the U.S. on an eligible visa that allows study (H-1B, H-4, L-1, L-2, etc.) will not need to apply for an I-20 unless you plan to change to an F-1 visa. Students who plan to study in another visa category will need to submit a copy of their visa along with their application materials before a decision can be made. 

Step 1: Fill out the application

Step 2: Submit Evaluated Transcripts

If you attended any post secondary institutions outside of the U.S. you will be required to have all of your transcripts evaluated by one of the following services for a course-by-course evaluation. Acceptable evaluations must also include a copy of the original transcripts. Make sure that all of the evaluations are sent directly from the evaluation agency to [email protected].

These evaluation services are accredited through NACES. EMU will not accept evaluations from any other agency. Multiple evaluations will not be accepted, and EMU will only use the first submitted evaluation to make an application decision.  

Step 3: Submit English Proficiency

Submit your English proficiency test results through the testing agency to Eastern Michigan University. If you have taken the IELTS, TOEFL, or PTE you can email a copy of your official test results sheet to [email protected] and we add the test score to your application after verification. All other tests must be sent directly through the testing agency. 

Accepted tests and minimum scores required:

  • SAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing Subscore (EBRW): 480*
  • ACT English Subscore: 19*
  • TOEFL: 61 iBT (TOEFL Home Edition also accepted)
  • IELTS: 6.0 (IELTS Indicator also accepted)
  • Michigan English Test (MET): 48
  • Pearson English Language Test (PTE): 44
  • Duolingo: 95 (For Summer and Fall 2024: Students admitted based on Duolingo English Test scores of 95 or higher will not be subject to an English proficiency exam upon arrival to campus).

*If you decide to use your SAT/ACT scores in place of an English test please email our office after you have submitted your scores so that we can update your application. 

Test scores are only valid for 2 years from the date of the application. 

Some students may be eligible for an English testing waiver depending on where your education was completed, please review the ESL Testing Waiver [PDF] for eligibility. Waiver decisions will be made at the time of review. 

If you are applying as a transfer and attended a U.S college you may be eligible for a waiver depending on the review of your U.S. college coursework. This decision will be made at the time of review.  

Step 4: Submit Financial Documentation for the I-20 Process

If you meet EMU's academic and English requirements for international students, you would be eligible to receive an I-20 from Eastern Michigan University. The Form I-20 is required to apply for an F-1 visa to study in the United States.

In order to process the I-20, you will be required to fill out the Financial Statement of Responsibility and Affidavit of Support Form [PDF] along with acceptable financial documents and a copy of your passport to [email protected].

Eastern Michigan University will only accept bank statements with liquid funds, acceptable bank statements must include the following information to be accepted:

  1. Statement Date (No more than a year old from the time of program start date)
  2. Name of the bank on letterhead or bank seal with signatures
  3. Account Holder
  4. Account Type (Checking, Savings, Current, Private, etc.)
  5. Type of Currency
  6. For Fixed/Term Deposits, statement must list maturity date (must be BEFORE the intended program start date) or that the funds are able to be withdrawn without penalty
  7. All statements must be in English

Types of financial statements that will not be accepted: 

  1. Screenshots of account details will not be accepted
  2. Any type of investment or investment account
  3. Mutual Funds
  4. Student Loans
  5. Real Estate Holdings
  6. Fixed/Term Deposits that mature AFTER the intended program start date
  7. Company account or any similar account deemed to not be personal account
  8. Any other type of account that is determined to not be liquid

EMU reserves the right to deny financial documents for any reason. 

Applicants who are currently in the U.S. on an eligible visa that allows study (H-1B, H-4, L-1, L-2, etc.) will not need to apply for an I-20 unless you plan to change to an F-1 visa. Students who plan to study in another visa category will need to submit a copy of their visa along with their application materials before a decision can be made. 

Guest students are not required to fill out a full admissions application. Instead, you will fill out the Undergraduate Guest Application. 

Step 1: Fill out the application

Step 2: Submit Evaluated Transcripts

Work with your home institution to have your official transcripts sent to Eastern Michigan University.

Step 3: Submit the Guest Student SEVIS Approval Form

In order to get approval as a guest student you will need to fill out this form, work with your current international advisor at your home institution to complete the form and send it to [email protected]

 

 

Frequently Asked Questions 

Skip Section Navigation