First Connections

First Connections is the primary means of communication between the Office of Admissions and the applicant. Please check your account for your application status and other useful information. You may contact Karen at bingerkn@appstate.edu if you forget your password or have questions.

When to Apply

*Please note that we are no longer taking applications for 2011.

• Deadline to apply for Spring 2012 – completed applications must be received between September 1st and October 28th, 2011. Admissions decisions will be sent in writing by November 2011.
• Deadline to apply for Fall 2012 – completed applications must be received between September 1st, 2011 and March 31st, 2012. Admission decisions will be sent in writing between January and April 2012.

The Application

A completed international application consists of a submitted online application, a $55 application fee in US Dollars, all official secondary and post-secondary transcripts, TOEFL or IELTS scores, visa and/or financial documentation, a timeline, and optional materials.  Please submit all hardcopy materials together in one package to the Office of Admissions, ASU Box 32004, Boone, North Carolina 28608-2004  USA.

1. Apply Online - It's easy (the online form has detailed instructions) and it's safe through data-encryption.
2. Application Fee - There is a non-refundable of $55.00 USD which you can pay online with a credit card, or send a check or money order in US Dollars.
3. Transcripts - We need all official high school/ secondary school transcripts and academic records verifying successful completion of secondary education. If you have not yet graduated at the time of application, please send your most current official transcripts.  If you attend(ed) a US high school, the Minimum Course Requirments and other academic requirements of high school students apply. If you attend(ed) a high school outside of the US, we will evaluate your transcripts based on your academic competitiveness within your own educational system.
   
   All international applicants must submit final official high school transcripts. Students with a high school degree but no university credit will be considered as a freshman and students with some university coursework will be considered transfer students. You must also submit official transcripts from all colleges or universities (post-secondary institutions) that you attend(ed). If you are interested in transferring previous course credit from a foreign university to Appalachian, we will need a World Education Services (www.wes.org) evaluation and course descriptions or syllabi (in English) in order to evaluate your credit.
   
   All international documents must be accompanied by official English translations if the originals are in another language (exception – high school transcripts in Spanish are acceptable), and all documents must be original in order to be considered official. Faxes or photocopies are not acceptable unless certified by a Ministry of Education, school, or US embassy official and will be evaluated on a case by case basis. We also accept evaluations by World Education Services (www.wes.org). Students with a high school degree but no university credit will be considered freshman and students with some university coursework will be considered transfer students.
4. TOEFL or IELTS Scores - All international applicants whose native language is not English must submit official TOEFL or IELTS scores and must obtain a minimum score of at least 75 on the IBT (internet-based TOEFL), with at least 16 on each individual section; or 525 on the PBT (paper-based TOEFL); or 5.5 on the IELTS in order to be eligible for admission.  International applicants who speak English natively must submit either SAT or ACT scores (exceptions – native speakers of English who are at least 24 years old, or native speakers of English who have completed at least one full year of university coursework do not need to submit test scores).  Please find more information about the TOEFL at www.ets.org/toefl and about the IELTS at www.ielts.org. 
5. VISA or Financial Statements -
   • Non-resident aliens who hold a current and valid visa which allows them to study at the post-secondary level in the United States must send a copy of their visa and a copy of their passport with their application materials. They do not need to send a financial statement unless they hold an F-1. 
   • Non-resident aliens who hold a current F-1 visa must send a copy of their visa, a copy of their passport, and a financial statement in addition to this form: www.international.appstate.edu/sites/default/files/Transfer%20to%20AppState%20form.pdf 
   • Permanent residents of the US who have lived in North Carolina for at least one year must submit a copy of their Green Card in order to be eligible for in-state tuition.  Please contact our residency officer at resofficer@appstate.edu with questions regarding residency.
   • Non-resident aliens who need an I-20 form in order to obtain an F‑1 visa to enter and study in the United States must send a copy of their passport and a financial statement with their application materials.  The financial statement must include the following:
     • a) a balance in US Dollars of at least $24,800, which is the total cost of attending Appalachian for one year;
     • b) the applicant's name and his or her parents' or sponsors' names (whoever is providing the funding);
     • c) an original signature of a bank official (the statement may not be a printout of an online statement);
     • d) it must be on bank letterhead and include the official stamp or seal of the bank; and
     • e) it must be an original document - not a photocopy or fax.
     • f) it must be in the student's name or accompanied by an affidavit of support
6. Optional - You may submit additional documents, such as a personal statement, a resume, or recommendations.  You can mail these with your other application materials or email to bingerkn@appstate.edu.
   • A. Personal statement answering the following questions:  How did you hear about Appalachian and why are interested in attending?  What are your educational and/or career goals?  If your native language is not English, how and when did you learn?  Lastly, is there anything else you feel we should know about you?  Tell us about yourself! 
   • B. Letters of recommendation from teachers, employers, etc.
   • C. Resume (Curriculum Vitae) listing extracurriular activities, jobs, volunteer activities, awards, etc