Welcome International Students to HNU

Oakland, CA

HNYou Undergraduate Students

Important Information for International

Student Applicants:

Admission as an International Student
Holy Names University accepts international students on a regular basis. This is done to provide a genuine, cross-cultural educational experience for both international and domestic students. Holy Names University’s goal is to provide opportunities to intelligent and outgoing students who desire an educational experience in the United States. While deserving respect for their own cultural backgrounds, international students must also be willing to participate in national and local cultures of the United States. The international student will be treated as an equal to all other students with regard to academic and social policies. HNU is authorized by law to enroll non-immigrant students.

Application Procedures
International student applicants are considered for admission on the same basis as domestic freshman or transfer students respectively. All applicants must provide the following:

• Application
• Application fee
• Essay
• Letter of recommendation
• Transcripts showing completion of secondary school and (if applicable) transcripts from any college or university you have attended
• Transcript evaluation fee
• Proof of English Competency
• Proof of Financial Resources to cover tuition and living expenses for your first year of school

Application
An application can be completed online at www.hnu.edu/apply or can be downloaded as a PDF from here http://www.hnu.edu/admission/pdf/HNU_app.pdf and mailed in.

Application Fee
There is a $50.00 application fee that must be submitted with the application.

Essay
The essay should be written on the topic of how studying at Holy Names University will help you to reach your future goals.

Letter of Recommendation
Please have a teacher or school official write a letter recommending you to our institution.

Transcripts
Transcripts must be submitted in your native language as well as in English. You can do the translation yourself as long as it is in the same format as your official transcripts and you can guarantee it is valid. You could also use a translator’s service to obtain a translation.

Transcript Evaluation Fee
The Office of Admission will arrange for an educational evaluation according to the published guidelines and placement recommendations of Projects in International Education Research (PIER), the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers (AACRAO), and NAFSA Association of International Educators. The fee structure for this service is as follows: $85 if you only have completed secondary school (4-6 weeks) $135 if you have any university level classes (4-6 weeks) Additional rush service fees: $45 for 12 business day $75 for 5 business day

This fee can be paid by credit card over the phone or by check or money order by mail

English Proficiency
International applicants whose first language is English or whose secondary or collegiate instruction was in English must submit official SAT I or ACT scores for admission consideration. International applicants whose first language is not English must submit evidence of English proficiency in one of the following ways:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 163 (computer-based) or 490 (paper-based) or higher. TOEFL scores are valid for up to three years prior to the date of application to Holy Names University.
• Michigan Test with a score of 80 or higher.
• ELS Language Centers (ELS) Proficiency Report certifying completion of Level 107 or higher.
• Completion through advanced intermediate level at any other accredited language program, to be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
• One semester of freshman composition with grade B or higher at an accredited U.S. college or university.

Admitted students with the required English credentials will take an English as a Second Language examination prior to registering for classes. Additional work in Holy Names University ESL may be required before a full academic program may be attempted. These courses earn unit credit and count toward the Bachelor's degree.

Financial Certification for International Students
Before the I-20 is issued, all admitted international students are required to submit a current certified bank statement showing sufficient funds to cover estimated expenses for their program . If a bank statement is in the name of someone other than the applicant, a letter demonstrating support from the sponsor is also required. Students from countries with currency restrictions must also submit a letter from their Central Bank indicating that the cost of one year's expenses will be released.

Priority Deadlines
An international student will be considered for admission to the university when his/her file is complete with the above credentials by June 1 for the Fall semester or November 1 for the Spring semester.

Courses in English as a Second Language
Courses in English as a Second Language are designed for students whose native language is not English. Because the continuing study of English as a second language is considered on the same basis as the study of other foreign languages, all units earned in this area count towards the Bachelor’s degree at Holy Names University; in addition, certain courses help to fulfill the requirements in General Education. Because of this, students are able to begin their degree work immediately while simultaneously strengthening their English language skills.