International Student Admissions

The Medical University of South Carolina welcomes international applicants for admission. For purposes of admission an international student is defined as a student who is studying or wishes to study in the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa. This definition does not include permanent residents. Permanent residents follow the admission procedures for domestic students. 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
International applicants are expected to apply online and must complete all admissions requirements and submit application materials required by the specific program of interest.

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. Admission credit for international students is awarded by the Office of Enrollment Management. All documents submitted become the property of the Medical University of South Carolina.

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 a professional credentials evaluation service and submitted to MUSC in unopened envelopes showing the equivalency of work completed outside the United States.

English Language Requirements
Academic success at MUSC is strongly dependent upon ability to communicate in English. Listening, speaking, and reading and writing proficiency must be well developed in order to assimilate with full comprehension large amounts of difficult material under limited time conditions. Such proficiency is much greater than that required for ordinary everyday living. Therefore, every effort should be made to acquire English proficiency prior to entering the University. The score report of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required for all applicants whose native language is not English. Exceptions may be made if an international student holds a bachelor’s degree from a university located in the United States or in another country in which English is the primary language of instruction.

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.

Registration Requirements for International Students
International students on student visas must be registered as full-time students. Such students are not eligible to be considered students without formal registration and are in violation of immigration laws when not properly registered.

Official Document to Enter the U.S.
At the time admission is offered, MUSC will provide the applicant with appropriate instructions to request an I-20 form and to document evidence of financial support.  Upon receipt and processing of these forms and required documentation, MUSC will issue the student an I-20 eligibility certification to obtain a student visa. Any student entering the United States by means of these documents issued by MUSC must enroll in the semester to which he/she was admitted to MUSC. Failure to register may disqualify the student from reapplying and voids the I-20. Reacceptance is not guaranteed.

Arrival on Campus
Upon arrival on campus, international students are required to bring all immigration documents to the International Student Advisor’s office. Copies will be made of all documents and will be kept on file in that office. This office will furnish signatures or other documentation needed for the remainder of the student’s stay at the University.