IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR EXCHANGE STUDENTS IN NON…

               IMPORTANT INFORMATION FOR EXCHANGE STUDENTS IN NON-DEGREE STATUS
                      WHO WANT TO CHANGE TO BE A DEGREE-SEEKING STUDENT

The University of Idaho has international students here in two different categories: 1) those who applied and were
accepted to come here to get either a graduate or undergraduate degree; and 2) those (like you) who are here in non-
degree status (this status may also be referred to as non-matriculated status). There are major differences in these two
categories of student status.
Non-degree students complete a very simple application and do not have to show the same kind or as much
documentation to enter as do degree-seeking students. You do not pay an application fee. However, you do document
your English language abilities, but you are not required to show a certain grade point average (GPA); and you simply
vouch for your previous educational background. In a sense, you are here as a "guest student."
ACADEMIC EXPECTATIONS:
Students in non-degree status should realize that their academic performance still carries great importance and can affect
his/her future academic expectations should they wish to continue their education at UI or another U.S. institution.
Grades will still be taken into account on future applications, and the student's GPA from his/her non-degree courses will
be added to his/her GPA from any previous academic work (here or abroad) and averaged.
IF YOU DECIDE TO STAY AT UI AND GET AN UNDERGRADUATE DEGREE:
1. You must apply and document all of the same information required for any other international, degree-seeking
   international student to be admitted. PLEASE NOTE: Being an exchange student at UI does not automatically
   qualify you for degree status!
   A. When? If you decide to change to a degree program, you must apply by the deadline of the particular department
        in which you plan to study (the earlier, the better). Typically this deadline is several months in advance of the
        semester in question. No applications will be accepted for degree status after the semester has begun.
   B. How? You must work with the Undergraduate Admissions office and complete an application for admission and
        pay the application fee of $60, provide transcripts from your home country institution(s), document English
        language proficiency (see No. 2 below), and provide required financial documentation.
2. ENGLISH PROFICIENCY: If you are not from an English-speaking country or your previous academic work has been
   in a language other than English, you may be required to provide documentation of your English proficiency. This can
   be done in one of several ways:
   A. If you have a TOEFL score not more than two years old, you can provide documentation through the Educational
        Testing Service (ETS). Score must be more than 525 (paper) or 193 (computer). Some departments may have
        higher TOEFL requirements.
   B. If you have been at UI one semester or more and have taken English courses (particularly English 102) and
        received a grade of C or higher, you do not need additional test scores.
   C. If you have performed well academically at UI, but have no official means of demonstrating your English
        proficiency, or if your proficiency test scores fall below our required minimum, you will need to petition the
        Admissions Committee to waive this requirement.
   D. You can take the Michigan Test or Institutional TOEFL test through the UI Counseling and Testing Center.
   E. A list of other tests that may be accepted in lieu of a TOEFL test is in the UI international student application.
   F. If you change majors, please be aware that you may need a higher TOEFL score.
3. GRADE POINT AVERAGE (GPA): International students must have a GPA of 2.00 on a 4.00 scale (freshman must
   have a 2.50) in order to be admitted as an undergraduate student. Your GPA in courses taken as a non-degree
   student at UI will be averaged with your GPA from your home institution in order to determine if you meet the required
   2.00 GPA! Note: all engineering disciplines require a 2.80 GPA. Other departments may have additional
   requirements.
4. FINANCIAL DOCUMENTATION: All degree-seeking international students must demonstrate that they have enough
   funding to support their studies and living expenses at UI for one full academic year (2 semesters). A new I-20 or DS
   2019 will not be issued until this documentation is provided. If UI's Study Abroad Program is supporting your studies
   for any or all of this period, a letter from the Coordinator, Bob Neuenschwander, can be sent to Admissions for that
   purpose. You may combine funding from your family, your home institutions, scholarships, etc. to reach the required
   amount shown on the Certificate of Financial Responsibility.
5. GRADUATE ADMISSION: Most of the criteria above also apply to changing to degree-seeking graduate status.
   Please talk with Bob Neuenschwander before attempting to change from non-degree to graduate status.

             We welcome your application to stay at UI for a degree. We hope this information helps.