Role of International Education Services (IES)

The Office of International Education Services assists the University in evaluating international applicants for admission by reviewing their international academic credentials, English language certification, financial certification and by processing visa documentation. International applicants cannot be admitted without the review of this documentation and approval of IES. Once reviewed, IES notifies The Graduate School of their evaluation of the application for admission.

The following materials should be sent to:

University of Maryland College Park
Enrollment Service Operations
Application for Graduate Admission
Rm 0130 Mitchell Building
College Park, MD 20742

International Academic Credential review

The Graduate Admissions Office and the Academic Department must receive the complete application and official records/mark sheets in the original language with literal English translations by the appropriate international deadline date. Translations should not be interpretive and actual names of all degrees, diplomas, and certificates must appear in the translation. Official copies must be submitted for review with your application. Send one complete set of transcripts reflecting all undergraduate and graduate work completed or in progress. Only applicants who have completed the full sequence of preparatory studies and examinations equivalent to a U.S. bachelor's degree from an approved institution, and who have met the University of Maryland College Park admissions criteria, will be considered.

Financial Certification

International applicants applying for admission to the Graduate School at the University of Maryland College Park must certify sufficient funds (exclusive of travel funds) to cover university fees, books, supplies, tuition and living expenses for themselves and for their dependents (if applicable). Funds can be demonstrated in the form of personal funds, parental or sponsor funds, government support, an assistantship at UMD or any other official sources of income. Please follow the guidelines and complete the Certification of Finances form.

If your spouse and/or children intend to accompany you during your studies, you must notify us at the time of applying and supply evidence of adequate funding before we can issue your immigration document or include your family on your immigration document. Assistantships do not cover expenses for dependents. For each dependent please submit Last name (family name), First name (given name), middle name, date of birth (month, day, year), gender, relationship, city of birth, country of birth, country of citizenship and country of permanent residency.

English Proficiency

All students at the University of Maryland are expected to read, write and speak English fluently. International students must demonstrate a proficiency in the English language by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). The TOEFL is administered by the Educational Testing Service (ETS) at numerous locations throughout the world. More on English Language Proficiency.

Visa Verification

On the Graduate School application, prospective students are requested to note the type of visa they currently hold or will need to study at the University. In addition, if you are a current holder of a visa or Permanent Resident card, you must submit copies of that visa or Permanent Resident Card. Students who require an F or J visa to study at the University of Maryland College Park will receive the I-20 or DS2019, respectively, with their acceptance packages.

Pre-Arrival Information

Once a student has been accepted to the University of Maryland College Park, he or she may begin to prepare for their arrival to the university by going to the Resource Guide.