How to Apply as an International Freshman

After submitting an International Undergraduate Freshman Application through Apply Texas and the $75 application fee, applicants who have attended an institution located outside the United States must:

• Possess the equivalent of a U.S. high school/secondary diploma.
• Submit official SAT/ACT scores.
• Meet the English Proficiency requirement.

The Office of International Admissions and Student Services will complete a holistic review of each applicant. 

After submitting an International Undergraduate Freshman Application and the $75 application fee, applicants who earn their high school diploma in the United States must meet the university’s general freshman admission standards as explained below:

First-time college students applying to attend UHCL must have attended a recognized public or private high school, meet the Texas Uniform Admission Policy and fulfill the standardized test requirements below:

If you take the SAT or ACT multiple times, the best score from a single testing date will be used to process your file.

If you attended a school outside of Texas, ranked in the 3rd or 4th quartile of your high school class, received a GED, were home-schooled, attended a non-accredited high school or do not meet UHCL’s automatic or assured admissions criteria, you will be considered for admission through our Individual Review Process. You may also be required to submit the following information in addition to your application and SAT or ACT scores:

1. Essay or Personal Statement regarding your education and career goals;
2. Two letters of recommendation which address your academic ability and readiness for college level work; and,
3. College course work already completed at an accredited institution of higher education.

Applicants, who do not meet university admission standards or who are denied through Individual Review, may request an appeal of their admission decision. The appeals review is handled by a faculty committee.  International applicants interested in appealing their admission decision should make an appeal early so that if the decision is overturned there will be enough time to obtain a visa (if needed).

Submit your application at Apply Texas - Applicant Home Page by the application deadline.

We require each applicant to pay a nonrefundable admissions application fee of $75. This fee is payable three days after submitting your application. 
 
After submitting your application, you will gain access to E-Services, UHCL's online student portal. Log in to your E-Services account to pay the application fee. For instructions on how to make this payment, see our Student How-to Guide for paying application fees (PDF). 

As a freshman applicant, you must provide the Office of International Admissions and Student Services (OIAS) with the equivalent of transcripts and secondary diploma from your home country.

• If you are entering UHCL with prior university credit, you must also provide OIAS with official transcripts, individual mark/grade sheets (showing all passes and fails) and confirmation of degrees or diplomas for all academic studies attempted and completed at other college/universities.
• The type of documents required will vary based on educational system.
• You can contact us at oias@uhcl.edu for additional information regarding what documents you are required to submit.

You must submit these documents in the original language and English translations (if applicable).

• Translations (word for word) will only be accepted from the college/university, consulate/embassy approved translators, translations conducted by an approved Evaluation Provider or American Translator Association.
• This information must be received before the final evaluation can proceed.
• Transcripts (mark/sheets) must clearly indicate dates of attendance, subjects taken and marks/grades earned (all attempts).
• All marks/grades should be submitted (even failed attempts).
• Consolidated mark sheets will not be used and considered as official transcripts.
• Official transcripts (grade/mark sheets) must be sent directly to the Office of OIAS by the registrar, principal, controller of examinations or responsible head of the office where records (such as degrees/diplomas and grades) are kept.

When this is not possible, documents certified by one of the following will be accepted as "true" or official copies:

• Ministry of Education;
• University authority such as Registrar, Principal, Controller of Examination, Vice Rector or Rector;
• Education USA Official; or
• Diplomatic Mission Representation in the U.S. such as Consulate, Chancellery, High Commission or Embassy.

NOTE: Copies of transcripts, degrees, or diplomas attested by Heads of Departments, Professors, or Notaries will not be accepted.

If you have taken courses at the university level outside of the U.S., you will also be required to submit one of the following:

Course-by-course Evaluation from a NACES accredited member.
Every course syllabi (in English) reflected on your transcripts.

You must post these documents to:
Office of International Admissions and Student Services
2700 Bay Area Blvd, MC 225
Houston, TX 77058
USA

Before submitting any test score, applicants should make sure that the names on their test report(s) match with the name on the student’s passport.  Please contact the Office of International Admission & Programs for guidance if there is any variation of name (including order).

Proof of English Language Proficiency

If you were born or educated in a country where English is not the native language, you must demonstrate English proficiency prior to admission. You can meet this requirement by taking the paper or internet TOEFL exam, Intensive English Language Test (IELTS) exam, Pearson Test of English (PTE) or by successfully completing the ELS Intensive English Language program.

Your minimum scores must be:

• 550 on the paper-based TOEFL exam;
• 79 on the TOEFL (iBT) exam;
• 6.0 on the IELTS exam, 53 on the PTE exam; or,
• You can successfully complete level 112 in the ELS Intensive English Language program.
• 115 Duolingo English Test

Duolingo English Test access information: Information on preparing for the exam | Take the exam or practice exam. A few days after completing the exam, a verification email will be sent to you which contains a link to send your score to UHCL. A minimum score of 115 is required, although some programs may require a higher score. 

Your scores cannot be more than two years old and only those received directly from the testing company will be accepted. You can also review the academic catalog to determine if you qualify for a waiver of this requirement.

English Proficiency Waiver Consideration for Approved SBEC List of Recognized English Speaking Countries: SBEC Approved List of Countries

SAT/ACT Scores

Your official SAT or ACT scores should be sent to the Office of International Admissions & Programs directly from the testing agency. UHCL’s SAT code is 6916. UHCL’s ACT code is 4171.

U.S. immigration law requires international students on F-1 and J-1 visas to document their ability to pay the cost of attending (tuition, fees, housing, books, supplies, etc.) equal to one year of study.

Official bank statements issued no older than (6) months

• Bank statements must have an original signature from the bank agent and or an official stamp/seal of the issuing bank.
• The amount should be at least equal to the academic year estimate.
• Multiple funding sources are acceptable as long as the sum of the funding available meets the academic year estimate.
• Multiple sponsors are acceptable. However, each sponsor must sign an Affidavit of Support. Students supporting themselves must also sign an Affidavit of Support.

Acceptable financial documents include:

Statement from the bank signed by agent or bank stamp/seal

Letter written from bank with the amount clearly indicated in U.S. dollars

• Checking, savings, or certificate of deposit statements
• Scholarship letters
• Letters showing government funding

Unacceptable financial documents include:

• Statements (including scholarship letters or government funding) older than 6 months
• Bank statements lacking required tuition amount
• Credit card statements
• Employment letters
• Tax statements
• Bank statements or bank letters written in language other than English
• Conditional loan statements

Affidavit of Support are required for international students who plan to apply for F-1 or J-1 visa status. Each sponsor must sign an Affidavit of Support. Students supporting themselves must also sign an Affidavit of Support.

If you meet the academic admission requirements, your admission will not be finalized (documents for your student visa will not be issued) until your original financial documents are reviewed and processed.

All applicants are required to submit a copy of their passport ID page(s). Also,

• F-1s in the U.S. are required to submit a copy of page 1 and 2 of the SEVIS I-20 and a copy of their I-94 record.
• J-1s in the U.S. are required to submit a copy of page 1 of the DS-2019 and a copy of their I-94 record.
• Other visa status holders will need to submit a copy of their I-94.

A Student Statement of Understanding form must be signed and submitted as proof that you have read and understand all UHCL admission requirements. This form also identifies your visa status as well as any dependents you may need to include on your I-20 or DS-2019.

Submit (by post) ALL of the following Original Documents in English and in the native language *

1. Your Official Transcripts or Consolidated Grade/Mark sheets.
2. If your institution issues grade/mark sheets, you are required to submit the individual Grade/Mark Sheets for each Semester including passing and failed mark sheets. Semesters need to be clearly marked such as Semester 1, 2, 3 etc. listing the Month/Year they were taken.
3. Official Proof of Diploma/Degrees or Provisional Certificates.

Explanation of Official Transcripts, Grade/Mark Sheets, Proof of Degrees:

1. Original Documents or
2. Documents - all pages - attested by one of the following:
   1. Registrar
   2. Principal
   3. Controller of Examinations
   4. Ministry of Education
   5. Ministry of Foreign Affairs or International Cooperation

Exception: All pages do not need to be attested if School Documents are mailed by the School in a sealed, stamped envelope signed by one of the following:

1. Registrar
2. Principal
3. Controller of Examination

Please Note: Attestations on school documents OR on envelops by Heads of Departments, Professors, or Notaries will not be accepted.

*Proof of Official School Documents in Native Language Requirements: Please contact the Office of International Admissions & Student Services to request if you need to provide documents not only in English but in native language as well. oias@uhcl.edu

Translation of School Documents Requirement:

University of Houston-Clear Lake requires applicants to submit a word for word translation of your Transcripts, Grade/Mark Sheets, and official proof of degrees.

Word-for-Word translation will be accepted by one of the following:

1. The College /University who issued your school documents in native language.
2. Consulate/Embassy approved English translators
3. Certified Translator - recognized by the American Translators Association.
4. NACES Member - Do not purchase an evaluation; we only need a word-for-word translation