International Applicants

If you require an F-1 visa to study in the US, you are considered an international student. You will follow the process outlined below to apply to UNLV.

Apply to UNLV

Admission Requirements

Freshman

3.0 cumulative GPA OR 1120* SAT (evidenced-based reading & writing and math) OR 22 ACT (composite score). *1040 for exams taken prior to March 2016.

Transfer

2.5 GPA in 24 or more transferable college-level credits. Transfer students with fewer than 24 transferable college-level credits must meet the freshman admission requirements.

Admission Deadlines

What When
Fall freshman application June 1
Fall transfer application July 1
Spring application Dec. 1
I-20 processing
(for initial F-1 visa applicants only)		 6 weeks prior to start of the semester

Application Fees

You will be required to pay the application fee by credit or debit card. Application fees are nonrefundable.

Who Cost
International students $95

After You've Applied

Step 1: Required Documents for Admission

Transcripts

  • High School Transcript – Submit your official high school transcript (includes coursework and grades) from the school in which you will be receiving or have received the equivalent of a US high school diploma from.

  • College/University Transcript(s) – Submit your official transcripts from all previous colleges or universities attended in which you earned college-level credits from (either while in high school or after having earned your high school diploma).

NACES Evaluation and Translation

If you have completed coursework at a non-US high school or college, you must also submit a certified evaluation (course-by-course with GPA calculation) by a NACES member organization. This evaluation and translation converts your non-US coursework to the US equivalency so that UNLV can evaluate your documents for admission.

Submit Proof of English Proficiency

For general admission to UNLV, international students must provide proof of English proficiency through one of the following ways. Please note that test scores must be less than two years old at the time of application.

English Proficiency Proof

English Proficiency Test

UNLV (All colleges except for Hospitality & Nursing)

College of Hospitality

School of Nursing

TOEFL Paper-Based Test

13 Reading, 12 Listening, and 21 Writing.

19 Reading, 20 Listening, and 24 Writing.

  

TOEFL IBT Test

Overall score of 61.

Overall score of 80. Minimum score of 20 on writing.

Overall score of 100.

MTELP Computer-Based Test

Level 3.

Overall score of 100.

Level 3.

Overall score of 120.

  

MTELP Paper-Based Test

Overall score of 76.

Overall score of 81. Minimum score of 40 on writing.

  

IELTS Academic

Overall band of 6.0.
No band below 5.5.

Overall band of 6.5.
Minimum band of 6.0 on writing.
No band below 5.5.

  

PTE Academic Overall

Overall score of 44.

Overall score of 53.
Minimum score of 53 on writing.

Overall score of 68.

SAT

Minimum of 480 on reading/writing.

*Minimum of 500 on critical reading for exam taken prior to March 2016.

Minimum of 490 on reading/writing.
*Minimum of 510 on critical reading for exam taken prior to March 2016.

  

ACT

Minimum of 18 on English.

Minimum of 21 on English.

  

Duolingo (temporarliy accepted for fall 2020, spring 2021, and fall 2021 semesters)

 Minimum score of 90

 

 Minimum score of 120

The proof of English proficiency requirement can also be satisfied through completion of ENG 113 (Composition I for International Students) at UNLV, which is strongly recommended, or any course articulated as equivalent to ENG 101 (Composition I) with a grade of C or better, taken at any accredited institution. Please note, the William F. Harrah College of Hospitality does not accept this form of English proficiency.

Applicants who are from the following nations are exempt from the proof of English proficiency requirement:

Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Dominica, Fiji, Irish Republic, Jamaica, New Zealand, St. Kitt & Nevis, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Singapore, Trinidad & Tobago, United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, North Ireland), U.S. Virgin Islands.

ESL Bridge Program

If you do not meet the above-outlined English proficiency requirements, UNLV has a program to help you meet these criteria in a timely fashion! Our ESL Bridge Program is designed specifically to immerse you in English language study so that you are prepared for your chosen UNLV major as soon as possible (generally within 2-3 semesters) – at significant savings, and without having to re-submit passing English proficiency test scores.  However,  you may choose to re-test and submit new test scores at any time in lieu of completing the program -the choice is yours. 

In order to enroll in this program, you must first apply for general UNLV Admission and meet university GPA criteria. Be sure to submit an official transcript as well as a certified evaluation, as indicated above.

For more information, please visit the ESL Bridge Program page.

Step 2: Supplemental Documents after Application Submission

ACT/SAT Test Scores

ACT/SAT test scores are not required for international students. However, if you are applying as a freshman student and have taken either test, it is recommended that you submit your official test scores.

Note: Submit either ACT or SAT scores if you would like to receive consideration of merit-based scholarships.

Confidential Financial Certification (CFC) and Bank Letter

All international students are required to submit the following documentation: the 2020-2021 CFC form, a bank letter, and a copy of their valid passport. Please fill out ALL required sections on the CFC form.

2020-2021 CFC Form Undergraduate Program/ESL Bridge Program

The bank letter must show the required amount listed on the 2020-2021 CFC form. The bank letter should not be older than 6 months from the program start date, and must include: bank logo, date issued, account holder name(s), type of account, and must be stamped by a certified bank official.

Bank Letter Example

In addition, if you are currently attending a U.S. high school/college, UNLV will need to receive your SEVIS record, in order to complete the transfer-in process to UNLV, please have the current DSO at your institution completely fill out the Transfer-In form.

Transfer-In Form

Please submit ALL required documentation to internationaladmissions@unlv.edu. Failure to submit required documentation will result in delays issuing the I-20.

Step 3: Apply for Financial Aid

Complete this form by Dec. 1, 2019, in order to be considered for need-based aid as a non-FAFSA eligible student.

Alternate Need Form

Step 4: Check your Application Status in MyUNLV

After submitting your application, you will receive two emails, one with your user ID and another with your temporary password. Check your account regularly.

After You're Admitted

  1. Accept your admission in MyUNLV and complete any checklist items on your to-do list.
  2. Begin the process of securing your visa interview at your nearest embassy (if currently outside of the US) OR begin the process of transferring your SEVIS record from your current institution to UNLV (if already studying on an F-1 in the US).
  3. Activate your student email account, Rebelmail.
  4. Check out our admitted student webpage.
  5. Register and attend New Student Orientation. Registration details will be emailed to your Rebelmail account in March.
  6. Learn about on-campus housing opportunities.

Materials Submission

Hard copies of official transcripts and test scores must be in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution or testing agency and may be mailed to the following address:

UNLV Office of Admissions
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy.
Box 451021
Las Vegas, NV 89154-1021

Institutions sending transcripts through a secure email method may use the following address:

ugdocuments@unlv.edu

ACT and SAT test scores may be sent electronically from the testing agency using the following codes:

  • ACT: 2496
  • SAT: 4861