Berea College Scholarships Admission for International Students. All nations of the world have always been welcomed at Berea College. Students are urged to study all of the information offered here before completing an application because admission to Berea College is competitive.
| Important Dates | Early Action I | Regular |
|---|---|---|
| Application Deadline | October 15 | January 15 |
| Decision Notification | mid-December | mid-March |
| Deposit Due | February 15 | May 1 |
The following items are required to complete an application for admission. All materials should be submitted via the online application portal.
1. Apply for Free Online
Complete the Berea College Application for Admission for International Students. There is no application fee.
2. Personal Essay
The essay should be 2-5 pages. As this essay may be used to assist in course placement, students should receive no assistance in writing or editing the essay.
The essay should address the following points: 1. An overview of your educational and life experiences; 2. What you plan to do after completing your education; 3. Why you wish to return (or not return) to your home country; 4. Description of ways you have positively impacted your community. Because the content of the essay is an important part of evaluating a student for admission, it is to your advantage to add detail.
The essay may be uploaded to your application portal once you have submitted the online application above.
3. Copy of official secondary school records
These documents may include leaving exam results, A-Level results, O-Level results, National Higher Diploma results, or West African Examination results. Please provide academic records that demonstrate you have completed all secondary school requirements for your home country. Academic records should be translated into English and the copies certified by school officials.
4. One Teacher Recommendation Form
Whenever possible, you should request that person writing a recommendation on your behalf submit the official form provided via the online application portal. You may also download the form here and upload the completed form to your online application portal. We will accept written recommendations, preferably typed, which are not completed using our official form. All recommendations should be written in English.
5. Financial Resource Recommendation Form
This form should be completed by a school administrator, employer, religious leader, or another individual who can make a statement about your personal and financial resources, as well as barriers, as they relate to your pursuit of higher education. This form may NOT be completed by a close relative. The Financial Resource Recommendation Form should be written in English.
6. Official Test Scores
All international applicants must submit a report from one of the following exams: IELTS, Duolingo, TOEFL, SAT or ACT. This requirement includes students from English-speaking countries. You must provide a copy of your test report as part of your online application, even if you have requested an official copy be sent to Berea from the testing center. International applicants may NOT apply test-optional.
Minimum Required Test Scores
ACT: 19 (Berea’s School Code 1492)
SAT: 980 (Berea’s School Code 1060)
TOEFL (Berea’s School Code 1060)
— iBT: 68
— PBT: 520
— ITB: Not Accepted
DUOLINGO: 95
IELTS: 6.0 (Must have a minimum of 5 in all subscores)
7. International Financial Questionaire
All applicants must submit the questionnaire via their online application portal. We will not accept the CSS Profile or ISFSAA in lieu of the Berea College form.
Additional Information
- Costs and Financial Aid
- Previous International Applicants: If you have previously applied to Berea and wish to apply again, a new online application must be submitted, including all supporting materials (test scores, transcripts, recommendations, etc.). Please be sure to tell us of any college or university coursework you are currently pursuing or have completed since your last application.
APPLY FOR ADMISSION AS AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT
Berea College Scholarships Admission for International Students Frequently Asked Questions
Once a complete application has been processed, a confirmation email will be sent to the applicant. All Early Action applicants will receive an update on their admission decision status in December. Regular admissions decisions will be released no later than March 31.
Accepted international students will be issued an I-20 after they have submitted the required $2,200 deposit and completed all required forms (e.g. passport bio page, medical history form).
All admitted international students receive financial aid and scholarships that cover 100% of tuition, room, board, and fees for the first year of enrollment. In subsequent years, international students are expected to save $1,000 (US) to contribute toward their expenses. The College does provide summer jobs to international students so that they may meet this obligation. Accepted international students are also expected to pay a $2,200 (US) deposit to confirm their enrollment. This deposit can be used by international students for certain expenses during their four years of enrollment. For students who are unable to pay all or a portion of the deposit, additional financial aid is available.
Students who have been offered admission to Berea will receive a letter from the Office of Admissions with specific details on the payment deadline and instructions for submitting payment. The College does have some sources of financial aid to help cover this amount, depending upon the student’s family financial circumstances. The I-20 is not issued until the required payment has been received.
Students who are unable to submit an online application may apply by completing all steps outlined in our international admission packet and mailing their completed application in one envelope to the Office of Admissions no later than their chosen deadline.
Applicants must meet university entrance requirements in their own country and present outstanding secondary or leaving exam results. Applicants must also present scores from one of the following approved standardized tests: TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, ACT or Duolingo. The minimum score required for each test is:
TOEFL: 520 (paper-based); 190 (computer-based); 68 (internet-based)
IELTS: 6 overall, 5 in each area
ACT: 19 Composite
SAT: 980 Combined Score
Duolingo: 95
All applicants must submit scores from either the TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, ACT, or Duolingo. There are no exceptions to this requirement.
Berea will almost never consider scores from a test taken more than two years ago.
Unfortunately, we are unable to admit students who have previously earned a Bachelor Degree and we do not offer any Masters programs.
No. New international students may enroll only in the Fall Term of each year.
Yes, and many do. While you may only submit one application for each academic year, many students choose to apply for the next academic year if they are not admitted. Sometimes, taking an English proficiency exam again and improving the score gives an applicant a better chance.
Each year, we admit about 35 new international students. In a typical school year, there are about 120 international students enrolled (nearly 10% of the student body) from over 70 different countries around the world.
Berea College is located in the small town of Berea (population 14,000) which is located in central Kentucky about 40 miles south of the moderately sized city of Lexington (population 300,000). The terrain is hilly. Temperatures range from 60-90 degrees Fahrenheit during spring and summer and from 20-40 degrees Fahrenheit during the fall and winter. However, it can and does get hotter and colder, but usually not for extended periods of time.
Yes, many families in the Berea area participate in this program, providing international students a “family away from home” and an opportunity to get to know the American lifestyle better. It is, however, not a home-stay program and not a source of financial aid. All international students are encouraged, but not required, to participate.
No, international students must have mastered the English language sufficiently to understand and participate in class lectures and discussions, read required texts and other materials, and complete written and other assignments.
However, all enrolled international students will take an exam when they arrive on campus to determine if the student needs to take one ESL course. Even the most fluent speakers of English sometimes have a little difficulty at first getting accustomed to American speech (and particularly American speech in the South).
Because the Berea College work program is considered part of our educational and financial aid programs, international students are able to participate even without work permits. Each student is required to work at least ten hours per week. Most international students work 15 – 20 hours per week and earn over $2,000 during the school year. Students may also remain in Berea during holiday periods and the summer months. During these times, students may work a full 40 hours per week.
No, Berea College is not prepared to provide accommodations or financial support for families. Students should also be advised that their earnings in the Berea College work program are not sufficient for them to provide for both their own expenses while enrolled and support for their family at home.
No, Berea College offers only undergraduate work leading to a Baccalaureate Degree. Students who have already earned a Baccalaureate Degree are not eligible for admission.
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