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].

• Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
• Educational Perspectives (EP)
• The Evaluation Company (TEC)
• World Education Service(WES)

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)
  • Effective Winter 2026: 71 (straight admission) or 61-70 (ESL Placement Test & potentially 300-level advanced speaking and writing courses)
• IELTS: 6.0 (IELTS Indicator also accepted)
• Michigan English Test (MET): 48
  • Effective Winter 2026: 53
• Pearson English Language Test (PTE): 44
  • Effective Winter 2026: 50 (straight admission) or 44-49 (ESL Placement Test & potentially 300-level advanced speaking and writing courses)
• Duolingo: 95
  • Effective Winter 2026: 105 (straight admission) or 95-100 (ESL Placement Test & potentially 300-level advanced speaking and writing courses)

*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].