How to Apply: International Students

As an international student at Mizzou, you will join a global community of international students and scholars from more than 100 countries.

International Application Steps

This information is for undergraduate applicants. For graduate programs, visit Mizzou’s Graduate School website.

If you are ready to apply to the University of Missouri, follow these steps.

There are no application deadlines, but we recommend you apply 6-12 months before the start of the semester you wish to begin taking classes at Mizzou. This allows enough time for you to prepare all your materials and make travel plans.

Before starting the application, we recommend that you:

Submit our online application and pay the $65 application fee. You will need to provide your credit card or United States back account information as part of the application.

Mizzou has a rolling admissions process, which means you can receive a decision as early as two weeks after you’ve submitted all your application materials.

Transcripts and other academic records may be sent as PDF attachments to inter@missouri.edu. If the transcript is sent directly to this email address by a school counselor or other school official, it would be considered an official document. If the transcript is sent by a student applicant, the document would be included in the application materials for review, but it would be considered an unofficial transcript.

Depending on the educational system, an admissions decision can often be made based on unofficial transcripts. An admissions evaluator will contact the applicant by email if additional information or materials are required.

An official final transcript is required after admission. The transcript may be submitted by a school official via email to inter@missouri.edu, electronic exchange, or postal mail. If sending by postal mail, the mailing address is below:

University of Missouri
Office of International Admissions
230 Jesse Hall
Columbia, MO USA 65211

Academic Transcripts

You must submit transcripts from every school or college you have attended, including:

  • transcripts from every high school attended (grades nine through 12, or equivalent)
  • transcripts from all colleges/universities attended

If your transcripts are in a language other than English, you must submit:

  • the original transcripts in native language
  • their English translation if curriculum was not taught in English

U.S. High School Students

If you attend a U.S. high school, you must submit every transcript from each high school you attended (grades nine through 12), including:

  • U.S. high school transcripts
  • transcripts from any high schools you attended in your home country
    • the original transcripts
    • their English translation

We do not accept grades from your home country that have been transferred to or adjusted by your U.S. high school. This is why you must include the transcripts from your home country.

English Proficiency Exam Scores

To establish your English proficiency, please submit qualifying scores from an approved English language exam. The English Language Requirements page lists the exams we accept, the minimum score requirements for each school/college at Mizzou, and the other ways to fulfill this condition.

Sending official test scores depends on the testing organization. If you have scores of TOEFL iBT or IELTS available, please email a PDF copy of your test score report to inter@missouri.edu. If you have taken the Duolingo English Test, your official DET scores need to be sent by Duolingo directly.

For additional details, see “How do I submit my English proficiency scores?” under the English Language Requirements section of the FAQ page. If you do not see your exam listed, please email us at inter@missouri.edu and we can provide guidance.

SAT/ACT Scores

Scores from SAT/ACT are not required for admission to Mizzou. However, SAT/ACT scores are preferred for international freshman scholarships.

We use holistic review for scholarship consideration. If you have taken the SAT or ACT exam and feel your scores would enhance your overall profile, submit your official scores to be included in your review.

If you plan to send your SAT or ACT scores, use our institution codes:

  • College Board (SAT) code: 006875
  • ACT code: 2382

After you submit your application and application fee, you will receive an email with information on how to submit the required documents to our office.

Have any questions? Contact the Office of International Admissions and we will help you with each step of the process.

Post-Admission Steps

After you have been admitted to Mizzou, you must provide us with the following immigration documentation:

As a student visa requirement, you must show proof of having financial resources to cover the estimated undergraduate expenses for a full year. This financial support can come from:

  • yourself
  • a family member or friend
  • a government sponsorship
  • scholarships

If you are sponsored by a family member or friend, you will need to complete and submit an Affidavit of Support.

You cannot get the necessary immigration documents without proving you can cover the estimated expenses.

Visit the International Center’s website for more information on the financial documentation required.

Once you’ve been admitted, you’ll receive instructions on how to submit a copy of your passport to our office.

If you are currently studying in the U.S. on an F-1 or J-1 and are looking to transfer your immigration record to Mizzou, you must submit a Transfer to MU form.

There are two sections of this form:

  • The first section must be completed by you.
  • The second section must be completed by your international advisor.

Your advisor must email the following documents to the International Center:

  • completed transfer to MU form
  • copy of your current I-20 or DS-2019

Visit the International Center’s website to learn more about the transfer process for F-1 and J-1 students.

Scholarships

Mizzou offers scholarships specifically to international students, which you will be automatically considered for when you apply. Visit the International Student Scholarships page to learn more.

If you plan to attend Mizzou on a government sponsorship or outside scholarship, you must provide an award letter issued by your sponsor. This letter should be sent to the MU Sponsored Student Program at musponsoredstudentprogram@missouri.edu.

Enhance Your Application

After you apply, you are welcome to enhance your application with:

  • New test scores. You may send new scores from approved English exams or SAT/ACT. We accept superscores directly from ACT and will calculate them for SAT takers. We do not superscore English exams. Higher test scores could increase your scholarship opportunities.
  • Updated transcripts
  • Additional materials. Letters of recommendation are not required, but we accept them as supplemental materials.

Related Links

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Learn more about our admission requirements, including high school coursework, grades and English proficiency.