Frequently Asked Questions

Is there a separate application for International Applicants?

No, there is not a separate application for international applicants. All First-Year applicants are required to apply online using our institutional application or the Common App. Once you submit your application, you will need to login to your FSU Admissions portal, the Application Status Check to complete your application.

What is the International School Form?

If you attended a school outside the United States, the International School Form will be added to your Application Status Check to clarify your educational background and determine what items we will need to review your application. This form must be completed before we can review your application.

Why do I have an International School Form if I live in the United States and am graduating from a United States High School?

Your initial application indicated that you have taken at least some coursework at a school outside of the United States. Please complete the International School Form on your Application Status Check so that we can determine what documents we will need to review your application.

What is a Secondary School Evaluation? (First-Year Applicants)

The Secondary School Evaluation refers to an evaluation of non-U.S. records completed by an independent foreign credential evaluation agency. The evaluation must include:

  • Degree equivalency
  • U.S. equivalent grade point average.

We recommend the evaluation be done by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). All academic records must be issued in the native language and be accompanied by a certified English translation. The Secondary School Evaluation must be sent directly from the agency to Florida State University.

Why do I need to complete a Secondary School Evaluation?

A Secondary School Evaluation provides additional context about your academic performance.

What is a Course-by Course Evaluation (Transfer Applicants)?

All credentials from non-U.S. institutions must be evaluated by a foreign-credential-evaluation agency, preferably a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. All academic records must be issued in the native language and be accompanied by a certified English translation. High school documents need to include a U.S. equivalent grade point average. University documents need to include a course-by-course evaluation with course credit recommendations and a university GPA. To be considered official, your evaluation must be sent directly to our office by the evaluation agency.

How do I submit Official Academic Records/International Exam Results?

All International First-Year applicants must submit official or certified copies of their academic records and/or International Examination Results. Records cannot be sent to us by the student. For academic records to be considered official, they must be sent directly by the school, exam board, or a school official to Florida State University. A school official can email your academic records to admissions@fsu.edu.

Do I need to prove English Language Proficiency?

Applicants whose native language is not English are required to demonstrate spoken and written proficiency by providing examination results.

For more information regarding our English Proficiency requirements, please reference our English Proficiency page.

How do I show English Proficiency once I apply?

During the application process, applicants can self-report their English Language Proficiency results by completing the form on their Application Status Check. Admitted students are required to submit the official test score(s) which should be sent directly from the testing agency to the university.

How are International Students Evaluated?

Applicants with an international education background are reviewed using the same holistic process as those who have attended high school in the United States.

I am an International Applicant. Do I need to self-report my grades through the SSAR?

If the school you attended outside of the United States was a Department of Defense school or if your only international coursework is through a summer abroad program with no academic credit, you will complete the SSAR. All other applicants will submit official academic records and a Secondary School Evaluation.

If I attended an International School but I am graduating from a US school, should I complete the SSAR?

Students who have transferred from an international school and will graduate from a US high school, should send us all their official academic records and a Secondary School Evaluation of their international records. We want to make sure that your coursework is evaluated in the right context, and this is the best way to highlight your change in curriculum.

Complete your International School Form on the Application Status Check to indicate that you transferred to a US high school. Your US school may send your previous international academic records to our office, and we will be able to consider those official records.

How do I get my evaluation waived if I meet one of the criteria?

To meet the criteria for a waiver of the Secondary School Evaluation, you must first complete the International School Form on your Application Status Check. Once we receive the form, we will review the information and update your checklist on the Application Status Check with required documents that you will need to submit.

Where should I send my official transcripts and examination results?

For academic records and/or examination results to be considered official, they must be sent directly by the school, exam board, or a school official to Florida State University. A school official can email your academic records to admissions@fsu.edu.

When is the deadline to send my application materials?

Florida State University has three different application plans each with a separate deadline: Early Action, Regular Decision, and Rolling Decision. For this year's application plan deadlines, please reference our deadline information.

Can I turn in the required international documents after the deadline?

All required documents must be turned in by the materials deadline for your preferred application plan. The Rolling Decision materials deadline is the last possible date for our office to receive documents and be able to issue an admissions decision for your application. For this year's application plan deadlines, please reference our deadline information.

When will I receive my application decision?

Once all application requirements have been met and received by our office, you will be added to an application plan which determines when your admissions decision will be released. For this year's dates, please reference our decision release dates.

Are international first-year applicants required to take the ACT, CLT, and/or SAT?

As required by the Florida Board of Governors, all first-year applicants must submit at least one set of ACT, CLT, and/or SAT scores to be considered for admission to Florida State University.

Am I considered for any scholarships?

All admitted First-Year applicants are automatically considered for merit-based academic scholarships; a separate application is not required. Scholarships are competitive and awarded based on academic performance and test scores. For more information, please reference our First-Year Scholarships.