International First-Year Applicants
Students should apply as an international first-year applicant if they:
- are a non-U.S. citizen or non-Permanent Resident and;
- have completed secondary school (equivalent to U.S. grades 9-12)
Students who have previously enrolled at another college or university and have earned 12 or more transferable credits should apply as an international transfer student.
Admission Requirements
A strong academic foundation is the key to a successful admission application. International first-year applicants must complete secondary school (equivalent to U.S. grades 9-12) and be eligible to enter a university in their own country prior to the expected entry date to the University of Connecticut.
International applicants should have college preparatory coursework in the core subjects of English (if offered), mathematics, physical science, and social science reflected throughout their high school academic careers. Students applying to the School of Engineering must have taken secondary school level physics and chemistry.
International students who have completed all four years of secondary school in the U.S. are required to meet the domestic first-year admission requirements.
Dates and Deadlines
Fall Semester
| November 1 | Early Decision Application Deadline | Early Decision notifications of admission begin mid-December |
| November 15 | Application Deadline for Special Programs in Medicine, Dental Medicine, & Law | |
| December 1 | Priority First-Year Application Deadline for Honors Consideration | Admissions decision notification begins March 1 |
| January 15 | Storrs Campus Application Deadline | Admissions decision notification begins March 1 |
| May 1 | Regional Campus First-Year Application Deadline | Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis |
Spring Semester
| October 1 | First-Year Application Deadline for all UConn Campuses | Admission decisions are made on a rolling basis |
Please allow several business days for document processing. All documents must be received by the application deadline to be considered on time. Late applications and applications not completed by the deadline will be reviewed on a space-available basis. Admitted students have until May 1 to secure their place at UConn by paying their enrollment deposit. Admission decisions made after May 1 have an enrollment deposit deadline of two weeks from the date of the decision notification.
Application Instructions
A completed international first-year application includes:
International first-year applicants must complete either the Common Application or Apply Coalition with Scoir. There is no preference in application choice and only one application is required.
Submission of the $80 application fee (non-refundable) is available through the chosen application. Check or money order is also an acceptable form of payment and should be sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions directly with the applicant’s name (as seen on the application) and date of birth.
The personal essay is required and provides the applicant an opportunity to add a unique voice to the application as well as demonstrate writing ability. The personal essay is a component on the Common Application or the Coalition Application and should range between 250 – 650 words.
Two letters of recommendation are optional but can distinguish an applicant’s character and are preferred. Recommendation letters can be sent electronically, by fax, or by postal mail.
Your submitted high school transcript(s) should include your senior classes, class rank (if applicable), and latest grades earned. Postsecondary official transcript(s) from each institution attended are also required whether or not credit is desired or expected. Transcripts must be submitted to UConn directly from the secondary institution, either electronically or by mail in a sealed envelope.
All academic credentials not written in English must be accompanied by an official, certified English translation.
At UConn, we understand that one test may not accurately define a student’s academic progress and potential, which is why we are allowing first-year applicants the choice to submit standardized test results through the fall 2026 admission cycle. No admission decision shall be impacted, and no student disadvantaged, if a standardized test score is not provided.
If an applicant decides that their standardized test score is an accurate reflection of academic ability, and would like to have it considered as part of the application review, UConn requires official SAT or ACT scores to be sent directly from the appropriate test provider. The writing section of the SAT or ACT is not required or used in the application process. We will combine the highest scores from each subsection of an exam to create the best overall score (superscore) for exams taken more than once. Fall applicants are strongly encouraged to take the exam prior to December to assure scores are received by the application deadline of January 15. SAT or ACT scores are not required for students 25 years or older at the time of application.
Institutional Codes:
- SAT – 3915
- ACT – 0604
Test Optional FAQs
Why is UConn making submitting standardized testing scores optional?
While COVID-19 has impacted the ability to access standardized tests for many students, UConn was considering the move to test optional prior to this crisis. A holistic approach has always been at the crux of our application review, which allows for full evaluation of a student’s academic ability and potential. By allowing students to choose whether or not they feel a standardized test is an accurate reflection of their progress and potential, we believe this will provide applicants with the ability to showcase their overall achievement, diverse experiences in the context of their environment, and produce a well-rounded pool of candidates. A three-year pilot allows the opportunity for self-study of our applicant pool, and evaluation of the effective use of test scores in our overall holistic review process.
How do I know if I should submit standardized test scores or not?
If you feel that your standardized test score reflects positively, or compliments your academic achievement, we welcome the opportunity to review it as a component of your application for admission. If you feel that your academic course work might be a better indicator of your ability to succeed at the university level without taking a standardized score into consideration, that is also perfectly acceptable.
If I do not submit my official scores through the testing agency, but they are shown on my high school transcript, will they be taken into consideration when reviewing my application?
No. Applicants who are interested in having standardized test scores considered as part of the application review process should continue to submit official scores through the testing agency. If official test scores have not been received by UConn, they will not be considered part of the application review.
Will test scores be required if I am interested in merit scholarship or Honors Program consideration?
No. All applicants will continue to be automatically considered for merit scholarship and Honors Program eligibility during the application review process regardless of whether standardized test scores have been submitted.
How will my application for admission be evaluated if test scores are not submitted?
Applications are evaluated holistically with specific attention paid to academic performance, strength of coursework, involvement, and leadership qualities. Learn more about our review process and the areas we consider at Apply to UConn.
I am a recruited student-athlete. Do I need to submit a test score?
As a recruited student-athlete, submitting a test score as part of your application for admission consideration is optional. However, you are still required to follow all initial eligibility requirements set forth by the NCAA Eligibility Center. If you have questions, please contact UConn’s Athletics’ Compliance Office.
Results of standardized English language proficiency tests are required for international applicants whose native language is not English. Native language is defined as the primary language used to communicate since childhood. Regardless of visa status, students whose native language is not English must show evidence by satisfying UConn’s English Proficiency Policy.
Test scores must be sent directly to the University of Connecticut from the respective test provider. Meeting the minimum score requirements does not guarantee admission into the University.
| Accepted English Language Proficiency Examinations | Minimum Score Requirement |
|---|---|
| Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) | 79 |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) | 6.5 |
| Duolingo | 110 |
| LanguageCert Academic (LCA) | 70 |
| Pearson PTE Academic | 60 |
Successful completion of UConn’s American English Language Institute (UCAELI) may also be used to satisfy the English proficiency admission requirement.
Applicants unable to meet the demonstrated English proficiency requirement but otherwise are admissible may be offered conditional admission with an invitation to complete UCAELI. Students will transition to their undergraduate careers upon earning a UCAELI Proficiency Certificate. Once an applicant has accepted an offer of conditional admission, a Proficiency Assessment for Admission through UCAELI may be requested. An acceptable score will satisfy the UCAELI requirement and allow a student to immediately move to undergraduate course work.
Policy on Waiver of Language Proficiency Examinations for Undergraduate Admissions
U.S. citizens and applicants with permanent resident status are not required to provide a English language proficiency examination. In addition, the following categories of applicants can receive a waiver for submitting a English language proficiency exam:
- International applicants whose native language is English.
- International applicants who have completed at least 2 years at a secondary school in the United States, excluding ESL curriculum.
- International applicants who have completed one year or more of full-time coursework at a post-secondary institution in the United States. The total amount of academic work completed must be officially graded by the registrar of that institution and have a cumulative GPA value of 3.0 or higher, excluding ESL curriculum.
- International applicants who have received a degree from an international post-secondary institution whose language of instruction is English. Official documentation will be required from the institution’s Registrar’s office stating that the medium of instruction for the degree received was English.
- International applicants who have achieved 510 or higher on the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section of the SAT; 24 or higher on the English, Reading, and Composite on the ACT; or 5 on the IB Higher Level exam.
All other applicants are required to provide evidence of English-language proficiency.
Effective date: July 2025
Programs in the School of Fine Arts require additional components paired with the undergraduate application for admission consideration. Admission decisions to the School of Fine Arts will not be made until the Office of Undergraduate Admissions receives the results of your additional requirement. Electronic submission through SlideRoom is available for all Fine Arts majors. For more information, including program-specific details, visit the School of Fine Arts admissions page.
| Program | Additional Requirement |
|---|---|
| Acting | Schedule your audition |
| Art | Submit your portfolio via SlideRoom |
| Art History | Submit your essay via SlideRoom |
| Design/Technical Theatre | Submit your portfolio via SlideRoom and call (860) 486-2281 to schedule an interview and portfolio review |
| Digital Media & Design | Submit your portfolio via SlideRoom |
| Music | Schedule your audition |
| Puppetry | Schedule your audition |
| Theatre Studies | Submit a Theatre Studies Application via SlideRoom and call (860) 486-2281 to schedule an interview |
International applicants interested in applying to one of UConn’s Special Programs in Law, Medicine, or Dental Medicine should review additional application procedures and deadlines.