How to Apply - International Students

International Student Admission

International students are part of the Converse community. We welcome people from all over the world. Converse currently has international students from Ethiopia, Russia, Canada, and many more countries.

To apply for admission to Converse College as an international student, applicants should:

1. Meet deadlines.
We want you to be prepared to attend Converse, so getting your application and deposit in on time are very important in becoming a part of our community. The application deadline is June 1. The deposit deadline is July 15.
 
2. Complete and submit an application and list of activities.
You can complete the Common Application, apply online, or print it out (PDF) and send it in. Please complete the list of activities, leadership positions held and how long you were involved in each organization. You can include a separate list of activities or submit a resume along with your application.

3. Submit the Declaration of Certification of Finances Form.
Admission of international students is based on academic credentials and English proficiency of the candidate. Students must also submit proof of financial means to study in the United States by completing the Declaration of Certification of Finances Form (PDF). Financial verification for international students is required to issue the immigration document (I-20). The I-20 is an immigration document used for the purpose of visa issuance outside the United States or for the immigration process “notification transfer” for students already in the United States.

International students on non-immigrant visas are not eligible for state or federally-funded loans or scholarships in the United States. Limited scholarships may be available from the college based on athletic ability, talent, and academic qualifications.

Health and accident insurance is mandatory for all international students on non-immigrant visas enrolled at Converse College. Proof of insurance is required before the student can be admitted. Also, it is required that all students sign an insurance waiver form. If you do not have family coverage, you will be required to purchase the college student health insurance.


4. Submit the appropriate recommendation form.
You should submit the Guidance Counselor/Teacher Recommendation Form (PDF). If you do not have this form, you may submit a letter of recommendation from a teacher in place of a Counselor Recommendation.

5. Submit an official transcript.
Please send your transcript directly to the Admission Office at the following address:

Converse College
Office of Admission
580 East Main Street
Spartanburg, SC 29302

6. Submit your test scores.
You must send your SAT or ACT scores directly to Converse. The SAT school code is 5121, and the ACT school code is 3852. You can have scores sent from the ACT and SAT websites. 

Don’t forget about your TOEFL Scores, too. These are very important. If your native language is not English, you must submit an official TOEFL score for admission consideration. Australian, British and Canadian students do not need to submit the TOEFL. International applicants who score a 500 or higher on the Critical Reading portion of the SAT or a comparable score on the ACT may have their TOEFL requirement waived. To be considered for a scholarship, you must submit SAT or ACT test scores as well as a TOEFL score.

7. Transcript Evaluation
Converse College requires that you have your international educational credentials evaluated by one of several agencies. Students may choose from these organizations:

• World Education Services (WES)
High school students: Submit a Document-by-Document report.
Transfer students: Submit a Course-by-Course report.

• Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE)
High school students: Submit a General evaluation.
Transfer students: Submit a Course-by-Course evaluation.

Students are required to pay a fee to either WES or ECE for such services. Please contact the Office of Admission for additional information.

8. If you’re a music student, you need to audition for the Petrie School of Music in addition to completing an Undergraduate Music Audition Application online or you can print it (PDF) and mail it in. Learn more about the audition requirements. 

9. Contact us.

Converse College
Office of Admission
580 East Main Street
Spartanburg, South Carolina 29302
1.800.766.1125 or 1.864.596.9040
admissions@converse.edu