International Applicants and International Coursework

English Language Requirements

The TOEFL is required of all international applicants whose native language is not English, except those who will have completed 16 semester credits (within the past 24 months) in residence as a full-time student at a recognized institution of higher learning in the United States before entering the University of Minnesota.

• For information about the TOEFL, refer to http://www.ets.org/toefl.
• An official report of the TOEFL score should be sent to PharmCAS.  The TOEFL institutional code for PharmCAS is 8246.
• TOEFL scores are valid within two years of the testing date.

Completing the PCAT outside the U.S. & Canada

All applicants, regardless of their location, must complete the PCAT exam. The PCAT requirement cannot be waived for any applicant.  Please refer to the PCAT Candidate Information Booklet for information about making arrangements for a special test location outside of the U.S.  The Candidate Booklet can be downloaded at the PCAT Home Page.

Foreign Transcript Evaluation

All foreign postsecondary coursework completed by applicants must be evaluated by a foreign credentials evaluation service.  The evaluation must be sent to PharmCAS to be included in the application.

PLEASE NOTE:  Completion of a BS/BA degree outside of the United States does NOT automatically fulfill the English composition prerequisite.  English composition coursework must reviewed by the admissions staff to verify completion.

In order to verify foreign coursework satisfies the University of Minnesota’s prerequisites, applicants can schedule an appointment with an admissions counselor.  The foreign coursework evaluation should be made available to the admissions counselor in advance of the meeting.  Please phone the Office of Student Services in Twin Cities (612-624-9490) or Duluth (218-726-6000) in order to schedule an appointment with an admissions counselor.

The following are two reputable foreign credential evaluation services. You may use another service provided it is accredited.

Educational Credential Evaluators, Inc.
P.O. Box 514070
Milwaukee, WI 53203-3470
414-289-3400
http://www.ece.org/

World Education Services, Inc.
P.O. Box 745
Old Chelsea Station
New York, NY 10113-0745
212-966-6311
http://www.wes.org/students/index.asp

Financial Certification

The University of Minnesota greatly values international students.  They provide a unique perspective in education and provide a broader context for fellow students to learn from.

Unfortunately, the University of Minnesota College of Pharmacy does not have financial assistance for international students (non-U.S. citizens or non-permanent residents).  International students are only eligible to abtain student loans in the United States with a U.S. citizen or U.S. resident co-signer.  All students, including international students, are eligible to apply for College of Pharmacy scholarships.  The average scholarship amount awarded to students is approximately $1600.

International students are encouraged to secure adequate funding for the cost of education and living expenses before completing an application to the College of Pharmacy.  Upon admission to the college, international students are asked to sign an International Student Disclosure Form indicating acceptace for financing out-of-state tuition, fees, and living expenses through the four-year, nine-semester Pharm.D. program.

Immigration Naturalization Services require international students (students residing in the U.S. with a temporary or student visa) to submit a Financial Certification Statement to show they are capable of paying tuition at the University for one academic year.  If admitted, this document must be submitted to the college along with the Declaration of Intent and $500 tuition deposit within two weeks of receiving the acceptance letter.

For more information, please contact our Office of Student Services at (612) 624-9490 or the International Student Scholar Services office at (612) 626-7100.