International Students
Are you an international student interested in attending Rosemont College's School of Graduate and Professional Studies? Start here. If you have any questions or concerns, do not hesitate to reach out to the Office of International Student Services at 610-527-0200 ext. 4111.
International Graduate Students
Graduate students are required to take a minimum of 18 credits per academic year: nine credits in each of the fall and spring semesters. Students are not required to register for classes during summer sessions.
Part of what makes Rosemont attractive is our cultural, socioeconomic, religious, and ethnic diversity, all of which are tied to our mission. We enjoy having students from all over the globe in our classrooms who contribute to our community's understanding of the world in exciting ways. All benefits available to traditional students are also available to international students.
How to Apply as an International Student
For the Rosemont College admissions process, international students are defined as those who are not US citizens, US nationals, DACA recipients, or green card holders.
Admissions requirements for international students are the same as those for domestic students, with the addition of two requirements:
- A transcript evaluation completed by one of the following providers:
- Globe Language Services (GLS)
- World Education Services (WES)
- American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO)
- Academic Credentials Evaluation Institute, Inc. (ACEI)
- Education Credential Evaluators (ECE)
- Educational Perspectives (EP)
- International Academic Credential Evaluators, Inc. (IACE)
- These evaluations will also determine if you have transferrable credits.
- A language examination score (see exceptions in the following paragraph). Students may choose between TOEFL, IELTS, PTE Academic, or the DET. Recommended scores are as follows*:
-
- Minimum Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) score: 80 internet-based, 200 computer-based or 550 paper-based
- Minimum International English Language Testing System(IELTS) score: 7.0
- Minimum Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) score: 60
- Minimum Duolingo English Test (DET) score: 110
*If you do not meet the recommended language score, we still encourage you to apply. We look at applicants holistically, and will not disqualify someone for admission purely due to their test scores.
Exceptions to the language examination requirements are as follows:
- Completion of 15 credits (100 level or higher) from a regionally accredited 2 or 4 year institution in the United States where the primary language of instruction was English, with an average grade of "C" or better.
- Those who have received (or will receive) a degree from the following countries: Australia, The Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Brunei, Canada, Eswatini, Ghana, Ireland, Jamaica, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malta, Mauritius, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Africa, Tanzania, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, The United Kingdom and all British Overseas Territories, The United States and all Territories, and Zimbabwe
Obtaining Your Visa
No matter where you are in the application process, we encourage you to contact James Yarrish. His email is james.yarrish@rosemont.edu, and his extension is x4111.
Once you are accepted and have paid your tuition deposit, you will need to arrange for your entry into the United States by obtaining the appropriate visa from a U.S. embassy or consulate near you. We will send the student visa application (Form I-20) to you with instructions on obtaining your F-1 student visa after we have received official certification of finances.
When you receive your Form I-20, present this form, your passport, and original documentation of your financial resources to a U.S. consular officer to obtain your visa for entry to the United States. F-1 student status will allow you to remain in the U.S. as long as you are a properly registered full-time student.
To maintain full-time status you must take a minimum of 12 credit hours per semester. We recommend 16 credits per semester. F-1 status will allow you to work part-time in on-campus jobs at Rosemont College and work in an optional practical training job directly related to your field of study for 12 months during or after your studies.
Entry into the United States
When you arrive at a port of entry into the United States, you will be required to present your visa and Form I-20 along with your passport and financial documents to the immigration officer. The immigration officer will stamp the I-20 and return it to you. He or she will issue a completed I-94 Arrival-Departure Record.
The I-94, which is an extremely important document, indicates the date when your permission to remain in the U.S. expires and must be kept in your passport. The I-20 is the permanent record of your permission to enter and remain in the U.S. and must be kept in your possession as long as you are a student.
Rosemont College Support Services
The International Student Services Office will advise you on: immigration issues, financial matters, campus services for academic and personal counseling, medical care, and host families. A division of the Student Affairs Department, the Office plans an international student orientation at the beginning of the fall semester that will help you meet other international students and make a smooth transition to the Rosemont community.
Basic health services are available to Rosemont students for normal care at no extra charge, though international students are required to purchase health insurance through Rosemont College. Information on the student health insurance plan is available through the Office of Student Life. Also, all new students are required to show evidence of having been immunized against certain infectious diseases, including tetanus, diphtheria, measles, mumps, rubella, tuberculosis, and Hepatitis B.
Personal counseling is also provided by a licensed psychologist with other professionally trained counselors to provide the opportunity for support, crisis management, limited therapy, and consultation.
Campus Setting
With direct access to both an internationally renowned city and a cozy campus community, students at Rosemont College truly enjoy the best of both worlds.
Lined with trees and historic buildings, the area surrounding Rosemont College is both scenic and safe. This tranquil setting fosters the close community on campus, offering all students a home away from home. On campus, Rosemont students have access to a community center, fitness center, sports fields, and more. With all campus buildings in one central location, meeting faculty or friends could not be any easier. Rosemont College’s campus is designed to be a physical representation of The POWER of Small.
Yet, just thirty minutes by car or train will bring you to Philadelphia, one of the largest cities in the USA, and home to national museums, ample nightlife, an international airport, and more. Rosemont College students are able to take advantage of professional opportunities in the city, while simultaneously benefiting from Rosemont College’s small size.
Things to Do
There is a reason why Philadelphia is one of only three destinations in the USA to make the Condé Nest Traveler editors’ 2021 ‘Best Destinations in the World, and the only American city to make National Geographic’s 2020 Top 25 Destinations in the World. A city of almost two million people, the ‘City of Brotherly Love’ has something for everyone, without suffering from the intense crowds of larger cities.
Founded in 1682, Philadelphia is one of the oldest cities in the USA, and is therefore home to several museums. Some of the most popular museums include the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall, the Barnes Museum, the Museum of the American Revolution, the National Museum of American Jewish History, and the Philadelphia Museum of Art, which is one of the top five art museums in the USA. Information about the other museums in Philadelphia can be found here.
Despite being a large city, Philadelphia has countless options for those looking to jog, bike, or hike. Fairmount Park, located entirely within Philadelphia city limits, is the largest urban park in the USA, and Philadelphia’s Schuylkill River Trail is consistently rated as one of the best urban trails in the USA. In addition to natural parks, Philadelphia boasts several bustling city parks, including Rittenhouse Square and the iconic LOVE Park, each hosting concerts, weekly markets, Christmas and other public events.
Philadelphia’s cuisine allows you to travel without ever leaving the city. Be sure to check out the shops and restaurants in Chinatown, Little Saigon, and the Reading Terminal Market, which has a large selection of traditional Pennsylvania Dutch food. Due to Philadelphia’s historical ties to France, several French restaurants and boulangeries can be found throughout the city as well.
Looking to travel beyond the city? Philadelphia is just a short train ride away from other interesting cities like New York City, Boston, Baltimore, Atlantic City, and Washington, D.C. The sandy beaches of New Jersey can be reached in an hour by train or car, and the Appalachian Mountains are close by as well. Check out the popular Delaware Water Gap or Ricketts Glen State Park for beautiful mountains and waterfalls.
Transportation
The Rosemont station is a ten-minute walk (0.5 miles) from the Rosemont College campus, and connects the college to the city center via the Paoli/Thorndale train line. Several of our faculty and staff take this train daily, as it comes roughly every thirty minutes and is nearly always on time. Whether commuting to classes or enjoying all the exciting events that Philadelphia has to offer, the ease of taking mass transportation from Rosemont College will enhance your experience here.
Also accessible from Rosemont College by train is the Philadelphia International Airport, which offers direct flights to 146 domestic and international destinations.
Philadelphia and its surrounding suburbs are served by the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA). SEPTA is reliable and safe, offering one-way tickets and weekly and monthly passes. All information can be found on their website.
Thanks to the interconnected nature of the area known as the ‘Northeastern Corridor,’ it is easy to travel to destinations outside Philadelphia. Amtrak provides direct train service to Boston, New York City, Washington, D.C., and several other destinations. NJTransit offers bus and train lines throughout neighboring New Jersey, as well as direct train service to Atlantic City, a popular beach and tourist destination.
Climate
At Rosemont College, it is not obligatory to wear a uniform or formal attire, except for special occasions. On the average day, the average Rosemont student will wear a t-shirt and shorts in the summer, or a sweatshirt and jeans in the winter. Because buildings will vary in temperature from the outside (with heat in the winter and air conditioning in the summer) it is recommended to layer your clothing.
Like most of the northeastern USA, Philadelphia experiences all four seasons, with each averaging around three months. Expect a hot summer with temperatures ranging from 70°F-90°F (20°C-30°C) in July, and a cold winter with temperatures ranging from 30°F-40°F (-1°C-5°C) in January. You can look forward to seeing the leaves change colors in the fall, and the trees and flowers bloom in the spring.
Philadelphia receives an average of 47 inches of rain per year (with an average of 13 inches of snow per year), which is slightly higher than the US average of 38 inches. While Philadelphia is occasionally in the path of a tropical storm or hurricane, its inland location helps to weaken these storms before they arrive. Other natural disasters such as wildfires, tornadoes, floods, and earthquakes almost never occur in Philadelphia.
International Student FAQs
Below are some of the questions international students often have. If you have any further questions, send an email to admissions@rosemont.edu and we will be happy to answer them for you. For more information about student visas and work permits, please visit the Department of Homeland Security's website.
Q: What is the application deadline?
A: Rosemont College has rolling admissions, which means there is no fixed application deadline for most programs. However, please
note that the Office of Admissions strongly encourages you to apply as early as possible
so that you have adequate time to obtain a student visa.
Q: Is there an application fee for international students?
A: There is no application fee if you apply online.
Q: Does Rosemont College provide housing?
A: Rosemont College has on-campus housing available for students. If you would prefer to live off-campus and would like advice, please contact an admissions counselor.
Q: Can I receive credit for courses taken at a foreign institution?
A: After your transcript is evaluated by the ECE (Educational Transcript Evaluations) or WES (World Education Services), we will help you determine if you have transferrable college credits.
Q: Can I receive credit for the International Baccalaureate?
A: Rosemont will consider granting advanced credit on an individual basis for students who have scored successfully on the International Baccalaureate Examinations.
Q: What countries do Rosemont students come from?
A: Rosemont students have come from all over the world, including Zimbabwe, Nigeria,
Germany, Japan, Ireland, Barbados, Vietnam, Trinidad and Tobago, Panama, Russia, Kenya,
North Macedonia, Ivory Coast, Poland, the Former Yugoslavia, Switzerland, Brazil,
and more
Q: Is there a club for international students?
A: Yes. With one of the largest memberships, the International club welcomes students
who have a passion for international education. The International Student Club seeks
to increase cultural awareness amongst the Rosemont community by organizing speakers,
field trips, and hosting the annual Multicultural Festival every spring.
Q: Is there support for international students on campus?
A: Absolutely. The Office of Student Life will help you with all immigration and naturalization
issues. Once enrolled at Rosemont, you will find that skilled members from the Office
of Student Life will help familiarize you with campus and the surrounding area. The
Office of Student Life also coordinates communication among international students
at Rosemont and other nearby institutions, along with organizing receptions, festivals,
and field trips into Philadelphia.
Q: What is the institutional code for Rosemont College for the TOEFL?
A:The Rosemont school code is 2763.