International students interested in pursuing an education at Seattle Pacific University should follow the procedures listed below.
First-year Students
Please submit the following:
- SPU Application Form: complete and submit SPU's Application or the Common Application if you are applying to multiple schools that accept it.
- High School (Secondary) Academic Transcripts: Submit a transcript or grade sheet from your school along with any required national exam results.
- An application fee waiver is available to international applicants. Learn more.
- Proof of English proficiency: Submit results from a test of English Proficiency. Remember to check if you might be eligible for a waiver of this requirement. Read more about the requirement for English proficiency here.
- Letters of Recommendation (optional)
- SAT or ACT Scores (optional)
Transfer* and Post-baccalaureate Students
Please submit the following:
- SPU Application Form: complete and submit SPU's Application or the Common Application if you are applying to multiple schools that accept it.
- College Transcripts: Submit a complete transcript from each college you have attended (either in the USA or in another country) after graduating high school.
- Proof of English proficiency: Submit results from a test of English Proficiency. Remember to check if you might be eligible for a waiver of this requirement. Read more about the requirement for English proficiency here.
- Letters of Recommendation (optional)
*includes students in High School Completion programs at Washington community colleges
SAT and ACT tests
Seattle Pacific University does not require the SAT or ACT for international student applicants.
However, if you are a first-year applicant and have taken either exam, you are encouraged to submit your scores as additional evidence of your academic ability. Sufficiently high reading and writing scores may exempt you from the English proficiency test requirement. (Please refer to our English proficiency waiver policies on our English proficiency information page).
If you are a first-year applicant and a native speaker of English, you are strongly encouraged to submit SAT or ACT scores. SAT/ACT scores can have a positive impact on the review of your application.
Remember: To be considered official, your scores must be sent by the testing agency, or be included on an official high school transcript.
- When taking the SAT, you can identify your request to have your scores sent to SPU by including SPU’s test code 4694.
- When taking the ACT, the code for SPU is 4476.
Official Academic Records
All academic records must have the official stamp or seal from the issuing institution and must be sent directly from the school or another authorized institution to SPU in a sealed envelope.
We recognize that every country has its own unique educational system. Please consult with the SPU international admissions counselor for country-specific requirements.
- Documents must be issued in English.*
- We cannot accept copies of records that were issued to the applicant.
- We cannot accept unofficial photocopies, faxes, or scanned/emailed documents.
*If your records have already been translated by the issuing school, or translated and notarized by a translation service, that translation is acceptable. If not, contact our international admissions counselor for assistance locating professional translating services. We cannot accept translations that have been done by you; the translator must be a trained and certified professional.
If you are a first-year applicant, please arrange to have your official transcripts sent to SPU from each high school or secondary school attended for grades 9, 10, 11, and 12 (if available), or the equivalent years in your country.
Include grade 9, even if it was part of middle school/junior high school in your country.
If you have completed secondary school exams (A levels, HKCEE, WAEC, SMA, etc.), please submit an official copy of your final exam certificate or diploma that shows all coursework completed and grades received.
If you are a transfer applicant, please arrange to have official transcripts sent to SPU from each college or university attended, both in the U.S. and outside the U.S. If you have completed 45 college-level/transferable quarter credits (30 semester credits) or more, you are not required to submit high school transcripts.
Transferring Credits from a Non-US Institution
If you are applying as a transfer or a post-baccalaureate student and you have already earned credits toward an undergraduate degree in a country other than the United States, you will be required to submit a complete transcript from each institution you attended with your application.
If you are offered admission to SPU, you will be asked to submit an official course-by-course credential evaluation of your transcripts in order to transfer your credits to SPU. Official credential evaluations must be submitted from a credential service that is recognized by AICE or NACES. Acceptable credential services include, but are not limited to, World Education Services (WES) and Foundation for International Services (FIS). You will only be required to submit this evaluation if you are admitted to SPU; the evaluation is not required for the initial application for admission.
In addition to the evaluation report, we also require all official transcripts and diplomas to be submitted in English.
Want More Information?
Please reach out the international team at international@spu.edu or during business hours by phone at +1 206-281-2823.
You can also schedule a one-on-one appointment with SPU's international admissions counselor through our visit webpage (in-person and virtual appointment options are available!)
You may also be interested in registering for an in-depth, live webinar on Zoom hosted regularly by SPU's International Admissions Team. You can review the current webinar schedule and register your attendance here.
Conditional Admission for English Proficiency
For international students who apply to SPU without completing the requirement for English proficiency, SPU offers the option of application review for conditional admission. A letter of conditional admission is offered to students who otherwise appear to meet our minimum academic requirements for admission in all areas except for English proficiency.
If you receive an offer of conditional admission from SPU, you can convert your conditional offer into a full admission offer by either submitting an approved test of English proficiency that meets our minimum required score or by completing English language classes at an approved English language institute.
After you satisfy the requirement to convert your offer of conditional admission into an offer of full admission, you can enroll at SPU in the next available academic quarter. The scholarships that you are eligible for will be based on the scholarship guidelines of your future quarter of entry once you are approved for full admission.
To request a review of your application for conditional admission, please send an email to international@spu.edu and request screening for conditional admission.
Satisfying English Proficiency through English Language Classes
While SPU does not offer English as a Second Language (ESL) classes on campus, as an alternative to English proficiency testing, SPU accepts completion of ESL courses at Interlink International Institute as a method of satisfying the requirement for English proficiency. Applicants who have completed Level 6 of Interlink's ESL program are eligible to have their requirement for English proficiency waived. For more information, please contact international@spu.edu.
Conditional Transfer Admission for Community College Partners
SPU offers a letter of conditional transfer admission to international students who enroll at one of our local community college partners ― Cascadia Community College, Edmonds Community College, Green River Community College, North Seattle College, Seattle Central College, Shoreline Community College, South Seattle College, and Tacoma Community College.
- If you attend one of these community colleges and are interested in conditional transfer admission to SPU, contact your community college’s international admissions office.
- Our letter of conditional transfer admission is usually issued at the time you are admitted to the community college, and outlines the specific conditions that you need to meet for admission to SPU once you are ready to apply.
Your potential for academic success at SPU is one of our highest considerations, and therefore international students are required to demonstrate English proficiency.
You can establish your English proficiency by submitting the official results from one of the following tests that meets the required minimum score:
|
English Proficiency Test
|
Minimum Score For Admission
|
|
TOEFL(Test of English as a Foreign Language)
|
79 |
|
IELTS(International English Language Testing System)
|
6.5 |
|
PTE Academic(Pearson Test of English)
|
56 |
|
Duolingo English Test
|
105 |
|
EIKEN(for native Japanese speakers)
|
Pre-Level 1 |
If your score does not meet SPU's minimum requirement, or if you have not taken a test of English Proficiency, you may be eligible for conditional admission. Read more about conditional admission here.
SPU does not offer ESL (English as a Second Language) classes on campus.
English Proficiency Waiver Policies
Depending on your country of citizenship or standardized coursework you have completed (such as IB or I/GCSE), you may be eligible to have your requirement for English proficiency waived. If you believe you may be eligible for a waiver of the English proficiency requirement or would like more information, please reach out to us at international@spu.edu.
SAT and ACT: Seattle Pacific University does not require the SAT or ACT for international student applicants. However, if you are a first-year applicant and have taken either exam, sufficiently high reading and writing scores may exempt you from the English proficiency test requirement. To be considered official, your scores must be sent by the testing agency, or be included on an official high school transcript.
- SAT: SPU will consider the English proficiency requirement met for students who have earned a score of 550 or higher on the evidence-based Reading and Writing (EBRW) section. You can identify your request to have your score sent to SPU by including SPU's test code: 4694.
- ACT: SPU will consider the English proficiency requirement met for students who have earned a score of 20 or higher on the Reading and English section. The code for SPU is 4476.
Transfer Applicants: SPU will waive the English proficiency test score requirement for students at a U.S. College or university who meet the following requirements:
- Completion of 45+ quarter credits (30+ semester credits) with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or better, AND:
- Grades of a "B" (3.0 GPA) or higher in both English Composition I and II.
Post-Baccalaureate Applicants: SPU will waive the English proficiency test requirement for applicants who have earned a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally-accredited college or university in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or Ireland.
SPU does not waive the requirement for English proficiency for applicants with a letter attesting to English language instruction or ability from their secondary school or college.
About SPU
What are SPU’s most popular majors?
Find SPU’s 10 most popular majors listed on the SPU Facts page. On that page you’ll also find information about average class size, number of academic programs, ethnic diversity, and more.
How many international students attend SPU?
SPU has a small but active international population — currently approximately about 180 undergraduate students and 60 graduate students. Our international students represent about 45 different countries.
I’m not Christian. Would SPU still be a good choice for me?
SPU does not require that students be Christian. Students of all faith backgrounds (and no faith background) are welcome here! However, we want to be sure that you are aware that this is a Christian university, and that is a central part of who we are as a community.
Your teachers are likely to approach their disciplines within a Christian framework and from a Christian perspective, and it is important that you are comfortable with that and with living within a Christian environment.
There is certainly not any expectation that you become Christian yourself — you are absolutely welcome here as a person of another faith, or of no particular faith.
But we will ask you to take up to three Foundations classes in Christianity during your time at SPU and to be prepared to have open discussions about questions and issues of faith, both in and outside the classroom.
Applying for Admission as an International Student
Can I begin at Seattle Pacific during any academic quarter?
International students are welcome to apply for admission to being at SPU in Autumn, Winter, or Spring quarters. We do not admit new international student in the summer.
What makes a good essay?
Your essay will help the Admissions Committee better understand you. Your essay should be well-written, 300 words or more, and will inform the committee of the experiences you have had and what you hope to accomplish at Seattle Pacific University and beyond.
It is important that the essays be written by you, without editing assistance from others. We do not expect non-native speakers' writing to be "perfect" and free of grammatical errors. But we do encourage you to proofread your essay and submit the best example of your writing.
What do you consider when you read my application for admission?
- We look at your GPA and test scores, then we consider the classes you took and if your grades are improving, declining, or are consistent.
- We read letters of recommendation (not required) that you have chosen to submit.
- We look at your activities to see what you are involved in and doing with your time.
- We consider how you will "fit" at SPU (i.e., why you are interest in joining this community and what unique gifts you will bring).
All this information gives us a picture of who you are as a unique individual, and whether you are prepared for Seattle Pacific University. Be sure to fill out the application completely. Answer every question and give us as much information as possible about yourself. This is not the time to be shy. It is OK -- in fact, it is good -- to brag about yourself and your accomplishments!
When will I receive an admissions decision?
- If you are a first year applicant and complete your file by the Early Action deadline (November 1), you should hear back in January.
- If you apply for our Regular Deadline (January 15), you will likely hear back in March or April.
- If you are a transfer applicant, you can expect to hear from us within four weeks of completing your application.
Should I have an interview?
If there are unique circumstances in your background that are not evident in your application, an interview can be a good way to bring them to our attention. If you live far away and cannot visit campus, you can schedule an interview over Zoom with your admissions counselor.
What if I am denied admission to SPU?
Denying students is difficult, but we want the best for every student and that sometimes mean denying admission. Some students who have been denied admission still want to be at SPU and we recommend that they complete a minimum of 30 transferable college-level quarter credits at another school and then contact us to re-evaluate their application.
Should I take the SAT or the ACT?
International students are not required to submit scores from the SAT or ACT. However, first year applicants, particularly native English speakers, are encouraged to submit SAT/ACT scores, as they can enhance their application. If you choose to take one of these tests, we recommend that you sit for the test at least two times (two SATs, two ACTs, or one of each). We will consider only your top score.
I am a native speaker of English. Do I still need to send an English proficiency test score?
English proficiency scores are not required if your primary and secondary education took place in Australia, Canada (other than Quebec), the United Kingdom, Ireland, New Zealand, any English-speaking Caribbean country, or the U.S. (other than Puerto Rico).
SPU does not require international students to submit SAT or ACT scores. However, first-year applicants who are native English speakers are strongly encouraged to take the SAT or ACT and submit official scores. These scores can provide us with additional evidence of your academic ability and achievement.
Do I need to show English proficiency?
Yes, if English is not your first language or the majority spoken language in your country. For complete information about proficiency requirements, please review the international student application process.
I'm in a High School Completion Program at my community college in Washington state. Should I apply as a first-year student or as a transfer student?
If you will be earning both your high school diploma and your Associate's degree in the same quarter and are planning to transfer into the next available quarter at SPU, you will apply as a first-year student. Don't worry, you will still be eligible to transfer the credits you have earned toward your undergraduate degree.
If you already completed the requirements for your high school diploma in an earlier quarter and after that, have continued to take classes for your Associate's degree, then you should apply as a transfer student. The quarter in which you earned your high school diploma will be considered as your date of high school graduation.
I am considered an undocumented applicant, am I an international student?
No. SPU only considers a student to be an "international student" if they require a non-immigrant visa in order to enter and study in the United states. If you believe that your pending application has been incorrectly considered as an international student, please contact international@spu.edu. Click here to learn about more resources for undocumented students.
Finances
Are tuition costs higher for international students?
No. As a private comprehensive university, Seattle Pacific University offers the same tuition rates to in-state, out-of-state, and international students.
Does SPU offer a “full ride” scholarship?
No. SPU does not offer any financial support that will cover 100% of a student's educational costs. Our merit scholarships are generous and in some cases will cover a significant percentage of a student’s annual tuition. But we are not able to provide scholarships that will provide full financial support.
Do I need to send financial documents as part of my application?
No. We do not require financial documentation or bank statements as part of your application for admission. However, if you are offered admission to SPU, we will then ask for proof of financial resources.
The U.S. Department of State requires that international students show evidence of sufficient funds to cover the estimated total cost of their educational and living expenses for one year. We cannot issue an I-20 until we have received that financial documentation.
What scholarships are available for international students?
International students are eligible for most of the merit scholarships listed on our website.
There are no deadlines for the majority of these scholarships, as students do not need to submit a separate application for most of them (unless noted in the description of the scholarship). As long as you apply by the regular admission deadline, you will meet the deadline for scholarship consideration.
We consider all admitted students for these scholarships at the time they are admitted to the University and award them to any students who fit the qualifications.
A few special scholarships do require a separate application — the Fine Arts Scholarships, for example.
There are a few scholarships for which international students are not eligible, because those are scholarships funded by state or federal money. In the descriptions of those types of scholarships, it states that student recipients must be citizens or eligible permanent residents of the U.S. to be considered.
Please note that SPU does not offer need-based financial aid to international students. We also do not offer scholarships that will cover 100% of a student's tuition.
Transfer students
I have taken English 101 at my college. Do I still need to send an English proficiency test score?
We will waive the English proficiency test score requirement for transfer applicants who fulfill all of the following criteria:
- Have an overall transfer GPA of 3.0/”B” or higher;
- Have completed English composition I and II with grades of 3.0/”B” or higher in each class;
- Has earned a minimum of 45 quarter credits (30 semester credits) prior to transferring.
We will also waive the test requirement for post-bac applicants who have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited/recognized college or university in the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, or Ireland. Read more about SPU's English proficiency waiver policies here.
I attended college in a country outside the USA, how do I apply as a transfer student to SPU?
Please provide a complete transcript from the institution(s) you have attended both outside and within the U.S. with your application. If you are offered admission, you will then generally be requested to submit a third-party course-by-course transcript evaluation in order to transfer your credits to SPU.
I earned a technical or vocational degree at another institution. Can I apply as a transfer student?
Transferability of credits in vocational or technical degree programs may be considered on a case-by-case basis depending on the subject matter and awarding institution, but is not guaranteed to be transferable towards an undergraduate degree at SPU. Please read out to international@spu.edu if you are unsure of the transferability of your program towards an undergraduate degree a Seattle Pacific.
Read the frequently asked questions for transfer students.