The Medical University of South Carolina welcomes international applicants for admission. However, most programs have very limited seats available. As a result, international applicants will find admission to be extremely competitive. In addition, the application process is more complex for international applicants than it is for US citizens. International applicants must adhere to the admissions requirements of the program and the application requirements below.
Online Programs MUSC is unable to issue I-20 forms to allow students in online programs to obtain F-1 student visas. Only U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and those holding other valid U.S. visas will be accepted to online programs of study.
Submitting an Application MUSC does not mail paper versions of applications. International applicants are expected to apply online. The processing fee must be paid by credit card or electronic check at the end of the application. Applicants can easily make corrections while completing the application, save and return to work, and print-out a copy of the application. To submit an application, please go to http://www.musc.edu/em/admissions/apply.htm .
Academic Records Official original records of academic achievement (transcript, diploma, degree, certificate, and/or official statements showing the class or quality of marks compared with those possible to achieve) are required from EACH and EVERY college or university attended. MUSC accepts transcripts directly from the university electronically (some universities in the United States have this capability), by fax at (843) 792-6615, and by mail. Alternatively, the applicant may deliver or mail the official transcripts to MUSC if the transcript remains in an envelope sealed or stamped by the Registrar's office at the institution. See our required transcript policy for details.
Foreign Institutions Academic records from foreign institutions must be provided in English and must be certified or validated as true by a university or government official. Most programs at MUSC require that transcripts be evaluated by professional agencies and submitted to MUSC in unopened envelopes showing the equivalency of work completed outside the United States. Applicants should contact the admissions specialists for their program of interest to see if the program requires professional transcript evaluations.
The following websites provide more information about professional transcript evaluation agencies:
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) The score report of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for all applicants whose native language is not English. Sometimes exceptions are made if a student has attended a United States institution for an extended period of time. Testing information is available from www.toefl.org. Scores must be sent directly from the Education Testing Service (ETS) to the university. The institutional code for MUSC is #5407. The minimum TOEFL score for applicants to Nursing programs is 550 (paper) or 213 (computer) or 80 (internet-based).
Copy of current visa or permanent resident alien cards Non US Citizens currently living in the United States must submit a front and back copy of their current visa or permanent resident alien cards with their application materials. If a new student becomes a permanent resident of the United States, he or she must provide MUSC with a copy of the immigration forms.
Program-Specific Requirements International applicants must also complete all admissions requirements and submit application materials required by the specific program of interest. Applicants can access admission information for all programs through the web at the Admissions home page. Applicants can also contact the admissions specialists for their programs for more information about program requirements.
AFTER ACCEPTANCE (OBTAINING A VISA) After an international applicant is offered a position in the university, has accepted the offer, paid the required matriculation fee, and has submitted all financial documents and the I-20 Request Form to MUSC, then the University will issue an I-20 Form to the student. The student must then present the I-20 Form to a US embassy or consulate to apply for a visa. The student must obtain the visa from the government and present it to MUSC prior to registration for classes. Because it usually takes more than 6 weeks for the visa to be processed and issued by the United States Federal Government, applicants must be accepted by the university at least two months before the day of registration or enrollment is likely to be compromised. Deadlines for acceptance are:
end of June for fall entrance
end of October for spring entrance
end of April for summer entrance
What is a Form I-20? The Form I-20 is a U.S. government form required by the United States Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS) for all newly accepted international students. The Form I-20 is issued by specially appointed school officials to the government by the university and states that the student whose name is on the form has applied and been accepted for a full-course of study to school and submitted all required documentation. It also states that the school has seen documents proving that the student has enough money to live and study in the U.S. without working during at least the first year of study. Without an I-20, it is not possible to obtain a student visa or to keep lawful F-1 status when transferring from one school to another in the U.S.
How do I get a Form I-20? New international students accepted into MUSC must complete an I-20 Request Form and a Certificate of Finances with a copy of a bank statement, money market accounts, or federal income tax return showing funds available (in US dollars). Documents submitted must prove that the student has sufficient financial funding through person, family, or sponsor funds to cover all expenses that would be incurred while in the United States for the first twelve months of study (applicants who are granted assistantships through MUSC must still prove that they will arrive in the United States with at least $2,000 to cover start-up living expenses). Students who are not providing all of their own funds must have the same financial information and a statement of support from anyone committing to be responsible for his or her finances while in the United States.
All documents must be originals or certified copies and dated within the current year. All funds must be shown in US dollars. Applicable expenses include tuition and fees, living expenses, expenses for dependents (spouse or children), miscellaneous expenses (books, supplies, insurance, transportation, personal expenses), and round-trip fare to/from the United States. For projected tuition, academic fee, and off-campus housing expenses, go to http://www.musc.edu/em/financialmanagement/budgets.html
Please Remember All non-immigrant students must maintain a "full course of study" for the program entered. All non-immigrant students must keep a current permanent foreign address on file with the International Studies Program for reporting to the United States government. All international students are expected to keep the Office of International Studies updated on any changes to the information provided on official forms. All submitted documents become the property of the Medical University of South Carolina. Please Mail All Documents To:
Office of Enrollment Management International Admissions Medical University of South Carolina 45 Courtenay Drive MSC 203 Charleston, SC 29425-2030
For More Information Prospective international students may contact the Office of Enrollment Management at oesadmis@musc.edu or (843) 792-5396 for information about any admissions forms or materials. The Office of Enrollment Management is open 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. EST, Monday through Friday.
International students may also contact Denise R. Fowler-Smith, International Student Advisor, at (843) 792-7083 or fowled@musc.edu for more information about obtaining a visa and International Programs at MUSC.
Future Applicants
