International Students

Overview

Criteria

International applicants must meet the same academic standards required of freshmen and must demonstrate proficiency in the English language.  

How to Apply

For the application to be processed, international applicants are required to submit the following items:

1. Completed Application
   Applicants can begin by creating an online application account. This will give them access to their personal application portal where they will be able to submit their admissions application. Once the application has been submitted, the supplemental application requirements will populate based on the applicant’s admission type. The applicant will be prompted to upload their essay and a list of their extracurricular activities or resume. The applicant will also be able to provide the names and contact information of recommenders, who will receive a link to their e-mail to upload their letters of recommendation directly into the application system. The applicant’s high school transcripts must be sent directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by their high school administration.  Transfer applicants must have their official transcripts sent directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by the granting institution. The ACT/SAT is not required for general admission but is required for honors applicants.  If required, any qualifying English assessment results must be sent directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by the testing service. Finally, every applicant requires an interview.  Please contact yuadmit@yu.edu to schedule an interview. Applicants can always check their application status by logging into the application portal.
2. $65 Nonrefundable Application Fee
   Payment can be processed in the personal application portal.
3. Essay
   Please respond to one of the following prompts in 500-750 words:  Essay should be uploaded to the applicant’s application portal in either PDF or Word format.
   Essays Topics
   Essay Option 1: Hakarat hatov: Write a thank you letter to someone in your life.  Express your gratitude and detail what you appreciate and why it is important to you.
   Essay Option 2: Here's how I intend to change the world...
4. Short Answer Questions (25 words or less). 
   Pick 3. Try to be as specific, creative, personal and original as possible.  Responses should be uploaded to the applicant’s application portal in either PDF or Word format.
   1. My approach to managing rejection is...
   2. I feel most responsible when...
   3. I discovered my own resilience when...
   4. The greatest chessed I ever did was...
   5. People say I am honest because...
   6. ___________ brings me joy.
5. Resume/Extracurricular Activity List 
   Please upload a resume or extracurricular activity list that details your extracurricular involvement, internships and work experience at school and in your community.  
6. Standardized Exams
   SAT/ACT:  The SAT I or ACT is only required for international students applying to the Honors Programs. Standardized test scores are not required for Regular admission. 
   Official scores must be sent directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by the testing service (i.e., College Board, ACT).
   • Yeshiva University's SAT school code is 2990
   • Yeshiva University's ACT school code is 2992
7. English Proficiency Exams
   International students must take either the IELTS, TOEFL (IBT) or the Duolingo English Test (DET) if either of the following criteria apply:
   1. The student is a resident of a non-English-speaking country, or the student’s first and/or primary language is not English.
   2. The student has resided in the United States for less than three years
   • TOEFL http://www.toefl.org
     Yeshiva University requires a minimum score of 82 on the Internet-based test, to include a minimum score of 21 in both reading and writing. Scores must be submitted directly by the testing service (YU school code 2990).
   • Duolingo English Test - https://englishtest.duolingo.com
     The Duolingo English Test combines an English proficiency test with a brief video interview. Duolingo’s technology and format allows applicants to complete the test at any time or place with internet access. Yeshiva University requires a minimum overall score of 115, with equivalent minimum subscores in each category (literacy, comprehension, conversation, production) for admissions consideration. Duolingo testing protocol and security are very strict so be sure to follow their instructions very carefully.  Official scores must be reported directly to Yeshiva Undergraduate Admissions by the testing service.
   • IELTS - https://www.ielts.org/ Applicants who present the IELTS must present an overall score of 7.

Please note that general admissions applicants, graduating from high schools outside of the United States, do not require the SAT/ACT. However, a qualifying score on the SAT/ACT combined with a strong academic record can exempt an applicant from the English proficiency exams and increases eligibility for merit based scholarships.

1. Official High School Transcript
   High school transcripts must be sent directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions by the high school administration (e.g., college guidance counselor, principal).
   
   Any transcripts and copies of certificates qualifying the applicant for admission to university study that are not in English or Hebrew must be officially translated into English and evaluated by a NACES approved agency, and sent directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
2. Two Letters of Recommendation 
   Please identify two people (preferably one from a clergyman) who can help the Admissions Committee better understand why you would make a great fit for Yeshiva University.
   
   Requests for Letters of Recommendation can be done through the application portal.
3. Interview with a YU Admissions Office
   To schedule an interview, please email Rabbi Ari Solomont, solomont@yu.edu.
   Yeshiva University takes a holistic approach in reviewing an applicant’s candidacy.  The interview allows the Admissions officer to meet all applicants and get to know them outside of their application.

Applying to the Honors Programs

International applicants interested in applying to one of Yeshiva University's Honors Programs should review the additional supplemental items required.  Please note that the essay prompts for the Honors Programs are different and Honors applicants do not need to respond to the prompts above. Additionally, all Honors applicants are required to take the SAT I or ACT exam.

Transferring From Another University

Official college transcripts must be sent directly from the granting institutions to the Yeshiva University Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Any transcripts and/or certificates issued by foreign colleges (with the exception of Israeli colleges and universities) must be submitted to a NACES approved agency for evaluation. That evaluation must be sent directly to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. This applies both to institutions whose instruction is in English as well as those whose instruction is in another language. The documents can be translated by the original institution, a certified translation agency such as University Language Services, or any other professional translation service.

Applicants who want courses previously taken at an international or U.S. school to be evaluated for possible transfer, or want pre-approval for courses they plan to take, must submit the following documents. (Yeshiva University will only evaluate transcripts and syllabi for credit after applicants have been accepted).

1. Official college transcript with course numbers and final grades for courses already completed at another institution. (If the document is in another language, the student must have it translated into English as stated in the NACES statement above)
2. Full syllabus in PDF format for each outside college course to be evaluated (translated into English if needed)

Important note: Students admitted on or after Fall 2024 will not be awarded transfer credit for experiential learning, including military service.

Student Visas

Accepted international students should not arrive in the U.S. until after they have received their I-20 certificate of eligibility from the International Student Advisor.  To learn more about the Visa process for accepted students, including contact information of Yeshiva University's advisors, please refer to the International Student Page.

Financial Aid

Yeshiva University is committed to creating a financial aid package that will make this extraordinary education a reality.  International students who are not U.S. Citizens or Permanent Residents can submit YU's International Student Financial Aid Application via their portal at apply.yu.edu in supplemental items. 

To learn more about financing your education or the financial aid application process, please visit www.yu.edu/osf or contact the Office of Student Finance directly at 646.592.6250 or studentaid@yu.edu.