International Students

International students who have graduated from high school must submit the following items: 

1. Submit a completed online application
2. Letter of recommendation: Recommenders should be a recent or current instructor and may be indicated on the application
3. Secondary school report: College/guidance counselor may be indicated on the application
4. Official high school transcripts
   • Early Action Applicants: Transcripts should reflect coursework through junior year
   • Regular Decision Applicants: Transcripts should reflect coursework through the Fall semester of senior year
5. Official TOEFL, IELTS, iTEP, PTE, or DuoLingo exam results.
   • TOEFL minimum: 80
   • IELTS minimum: 6.5
   • iTEP minimum: 3.9
   • PTE minimum: 53
   • DuoLingo minimum: Proficient
     • Exemptions available for the following:
       • A score of 550 or higher on the verbal section of the SAT
       • A subscore of 24 or higher on the Reading and/or English sections of the ACT
       • If the applicant’s first language is English.
       • If the applicant has attended a high school where the primary language of instruction is English for at least three years.
         • If this applies to you, please submit a TOEFL/IELTS/iTEP waiver form.
6. International Financial Certification form: U.S. dollar amounts must be listed in the columns for Assured (first year) & Projected Support. Bank statements and third-party signatures will also be needed for the visa process if admitted.

Please submit any supporting documentation as well as questions you may have to [email protected].

International students who have graduated from high school and attended an institution of  higher education must submit the following items: 

1. Submit a completed online application
2. Letter of recommendation: recommenders should be a recent or current instructor and may be indicated on the application
3. Official high school transcripts: transcripts must include printed graduation date
4. Official college transcripts: include all official college transcripts
5. Official TOEFL, IELTS, iTEP, PTE, or DuoLingo exam results.
   • TOEFL minimum: 80
   • IELTS minimum: 6.5
   • iTEP minimum: 3.9
   • PTE minimum: 53
   • DuoLingo minimum: Proficient
     • Exemptions available for the following:
       • A score of 550 or higher on the verbal section of the SAT
       • A subscore of 24 or higher on the Reading and/or English sections of the ACT
       • If the applicant’s first language is English.
       • If the applicant has attended a high school where the primary language of instruction is English for at least three years.
         • If this applies to you, please submit a TOEFL/IELTS/iTEP waiver form.
6. International Financial Certification form: U.S. dollar amounts must be listed in the columns for Assured (first year) & Projected Support. Bank statements and third-party signatures will also be needed for the visa process if admitted.

Please submit any supporting documentation as well as questions you may have to [email protected].

Spring Semester

• Application deadline: October 15
• Decisions sent: Rolling
• Enrollment deposit deadline: November 15

Fall Semester

• Application deadline: Rolling
• Decisions sent: Rolling
• Enrollment deadline: June 1

• Fully complete your application and leave no questions unanswered. If you are having trouble please contact us at [email protected].
• Use the same name on all documents you submit. Specifically, the name as it exactly appears on your passport will help our office in future immigration matters.
• Save time by emailing your documents to [email protected] or faxing them to the Office of Admission at 562.907.4870.
• Be mindful of deadlines by preparing in advance. It takes approximately 2-3 weeks to process documents submitted online so we ask that you please be patient.

Application Process

The undergraduate application to Whittier College no longer requires applicants to disclose their criminal history. The admission committee will make all decisions on candidates for admission without knowledge of criminal history.

Enrollment Process

With submission of an enrollment deposit, students will be required to answer the following questions:

• Have you ever been adjudicated guilty or convicted of a misdemeanor, felony, or other crime?
• Do you have criminal charges pending against you or are you currently under investigation or indictment?

Depositing students who check “Yes” to either question will be sent a request to provide context and background information regarding their history. This information is not an automatic disqualification of enrollment and will be reviewed by a special committee within two weeks of receiving the information. 

Committee Review Process

The review committee, consisting of Whittier College admissions officers and staff, will review the student’s response, conduct an individualized assessment, and determine whether the criminal background information justifies a revocation of the university’s offer of admission. This committee will make the final decision about enrollment and will notify the candidate.

Questions?

For questions about this process, please contact Director of Admission, Anna-Marie Fahmy at 562.907.4229 or [email protected].