International Undergraduate Admissions

How to Apply for Admission as an International Student

Willamette University is a diverse intellectual community, and we welcome and encourage applicants from around the globe. To apply, you’ll complete your online application for admission through your chosen platform—either the Common App or Coalition on Scoir. If you have earned college credit after completing your secondary school education, you’ll need to apply using the Willamette Transfer Application and be sure to also reference our transfer information page.

Getting Your Application Ready

As you get ready to complete your online application, you’ll also want to gather or request other important materials outlined here:

Along with your application, you’ll submit an essay. Use this opportunity to tell us about you, your academic accomplishments, community involvement, career goals and how you see Willamette fitting into your plan.

Your recommenders can submit through the chosen application platform or via email as an attached document to bearcat@willamette.edu.

Official academic records must be sent directly from your school, government agency or test provider. All records should be in English.

Academic records could include:

Secondary school transcripts for the school years most similar to grades 9, 10, 11 and 12 in the United States.
Leaving exams used to signify the completion of secondary school.

After we review your records, if necessary, we will notify you if further evaluation is required by World Education Services, or WES.

First-year applicants are recommended to request a Document-by-Document evaluation. Transfer applicants are recommended to request a Course-by-Course evaluation. Evaluations will be considered official when received directly from WES.

If your primary language is not English, proficiency exam test scores are required; these must be sent directly from the testing agency to Willamette University.

This requirement can be waived at the discretion of the Office of Undergraduate Admission if the primary language of instruction of your secondary or post-secondary education has been English.

English proficiency exam scores will only be accepted for exams completed within the prior two years from one of these agencies:

Minimum Score Requirements

TOEFL
Paper-Based: 560
Computer-Based: 220
Internet-Based: 83
IELTS: 6.5
PTE: 60
Duolingo: 105

Willamette University also recognizes completion of Level 5 coursework from Pacific International Academy as proof of English language proficiency.

You must include a copy of the photo identification page of your passport as required by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.

As an international applicant, you must demonstrate that you and your family can cover the total cost of the first year of attendance after the maximum of $48,000 in scholarships has been awarded. This proof of financial support can be in the form of a certified bank letter or bank statement, and should be written in English and converted to USD. Once you submit an enrollment deposit, you will submit a Financial Guarantee Statement along with updated financial documentation prior to receiving your form I-20.

Tuition & Scholarships for International Students

Willamette automatically awards admitted international students a total financial aid package of $48,000, which includes a merit scholarship and International Student Grant. All expenses beyond $48,000, including tuition increases, will be the responsibility of the student and their family. This includes any remaining tuition, fees, food, lodging, health insurance, travel, and personal expenses. You may review the estimated direct and indirect costs of attendance for Willamette College linked below. The $48,000 award represents the maximum amount that Willamette can offer, and includes any potential need-based awards we would consider.

International students applying for fall 2026 entry must provide documentation (see above) demonstrating financial support of at least 36,000 USD prior to receiving an admissions decision. Admitted students will be asked to submit the Financial Guarantee Statement.

An I-20 will be issued once the Financial Guarantee Statement and financial documents demonstrate that the full cost of attendance, including direct costs (tuition, fees, housing, meal plan) and indirect costs (health insurance, book, transportation, personal expenses) are covered for one year of attendance. Students who fail to demonstrate coverage of the full cost of attendance after receiving the International Student Grant will not receive an I-20 and may not enroll at Willamette University.

Studying at Willamette as an International Student

Our main campus in Salem, Oregon, offers a warm, safe environment for living and learning. We’re about an hour from the vibrant, charming city of Portland—where you also will find our art school and several graduate programs. We’re also just a road trip or short flight away from other iconic West Coast cities including Seattle, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.

Student Life

Learning in the Pacific Northwest

A waving student bikes across Willamette's campus in the fall as other students walk in the opposite direction

Important Dates & Deadlines

November 1

Application and all required supporting materials due for spring semester start
November 14

Receive an admission decision for spring semester start
December 12

Enrollment Deposit & Financial Guarantee Statement due for spring semester start
March 1

Application and all required supporting materials due for fall semester start
April 1

Receive an admission decision for fall semester start
May 1

Enrollment Deposit & Financial Guarantee Statement due for fall semester start

Explore our campus, Salem, and the Pacific Northwest.

The Northwest United States is an amazing place to live, learn and discover. Take a virtual tour and view some snapshots of our beautiful residential campus, vibrant city life in Salem and Portland, and stunning scenery from the mountains to the coast.

Resources for International Students

Get additional information on how to apply to Willamette and Pacific Northwest College of Art (PNCA) graduate programs, plus learn how the Office of International Education supports our scholars from around the world.