Admissions Documents
Vermont State University welcomes international students on to our five main campuses. Before we can process an application for admission, we must have assurance that international students meet academic and financial requirements. An international application is considered complete when the following have been submitted:
- Application for Admissions
- Admission test scores such as TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo, and/or SAT/ACT
- Personal statement
- Recommendation letter(s)
- Official transcripts
- Financial statement demonstrating the ability to finance the total cost of attendance
- Copy of passport ID page
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Application fee
International applicants may direct any questions about the application process for Vermont State University to admissions@vermontstate.edu
Scholarships
Incoming international students may be eligible for merit scholarships. Applicants will be considered and awarded during the admissions process. Information regarding scholarships can be found here: Please reach out to admissions@vermontstate.edu for more information.
Orientation
International Student Services sponsors a new student orientation program for all new international students. International orientations will be hosted on each main campus. This orientation is specific to international students and precedes Vermont State University “kick off” orientation and events for all new students. Information regarding orientation dates and schedules will be available by July 1.
Accepted Student Next Steps - Vermont State University
International Student Services
The Office of International Student Support Services collaborates with the institution’s many offices, departments, and individuals to ensure our international students have access to all the benefits and services available to our diverse community. International students are required to follow immigration rules and regulations and the Office of International Student Support Services is available to help you successfully comply with those rules. Some of the many services, information, and supports we provide include:
- F-1 Student Regulations
- Maintaining Lawful Status
- Changing Your Major
- Maintaining Full-time Enrollment and Exceptions
- Working on Campus
- Working Off Campus through Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
- Applying for Post Completion Optional Practical Training (OPT)
- Applying for a Social Security Number
- Applying for a Driver’s License
- U.S. Tax Information
- Travel Signatures for your I-20
- Requesting an Enrollment Verification Letter
- Extending your I-20
Beyond F-1 international student compliance, the Office of International Student Services provides international students with information about:
- Enrollment in a one credit I-seminar course to support on-going orientation during the first semester
- Vacation Housing
- Access to meals that are culturally and religiously appropriate
- Joining clubs, sharing your culture, and engaging in your community
- Referrals to student support services for multilingual and multicultural services
The Office of International Student Services is also available to provide workshops for all members of our Vermont State community to help increase our multi-cultural awareness, knowledge, and empathy.
Questions or requests can be directed to the Office of International Student Services at international@vermontstate.edu
Multilingual Student Services
Vermont State University welcomes multilingual students, including students whose first language is not English. Multilingual students from international and U.S. backgrounds enrich our academic community.
Vermont State offers multilingual students the resources to be successful while navigating an additional language and culture. Academic support resources include help with academic English reading, writing, listening, speaking, pronunciation, and cultural literacy. Services are available both in-person and remotely. Students can receive individual tutoring support or take courses designed specifically for multilingual students.
Our Assistant Director of Multilingual Student Services can also help students connect with faculty about their academic needs. Students are not granted official academic accommodations like extra time on the basis of being multilingual, but faculty may offer at their discretion unofficial accommodations such as extra time, opportunities for revision, or the opportunity to use additional languages in an assignment depending on the goals and objectives of the course.
For more information about Multilingual Student Services or the Pathway Program, contact Mary Dinh, Assistant Director of Multilingual Student Services, at 802.468.1371 or Mary.Dinh@VermontState.edu. Or get access to VTSU | Multilingual Services.
English Proficiency Admissions Requirements
To ensure that students are prepared for their coursework and student life at Vermont State University and connected with services that will support them, we require that applicants demonstrate a minimum level of proficiency in English.
Undergraduate applicants whose primary language is not English and who did not attend a high school where English was the primary language of instruction must demonstrate academic English proficiency in one of the following ways for admission to Vermont State University:
| |
Admission to Pathway Program for English Language Learners |
Regular Admission |
| TOEFL iBT |
55 |
71 |
| TOEFL Essentials |
6 |
8 |
| IELTS |
5 |
6 |
| Duolingo |
85 |
105 |
| SAT |
Below 500 in Reading/Writing |
Above 500 per sections (1050 and above) |
| ACT |
Writing portion below 8 |
21 |
| Other standardized English tests |
Subject to review by Multilingual Student Services |
Subject to review by Multilingual Student Services |
We may be able to waive English language test requirement if one of the following applies:
- English is the applicant’s first or primary language;
- SAT Verbal score is 500 or higher;
- ACT English score is 21 or higher;
- High school transcript clearly states that English is the language of instruction of all subjects;
- Student has been studying in the U.S. or Canada for 2 or more years and not in ESL track;
- Student has successfully passed an English Composition course at a U.S. higher education institution with a grade of C or higher.
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Alternative English Evaluation
Under special circumstances, applicants who are unable to obtain a standardized English test score may be offered the opportunity to demonstrate their English proficiency via an individually administered VTSU alternative English evaluation. This evaluation is based on the exit exam for Vermont State University’s Pathway Program for English Language Learners.
| |
Admission to Pathway Program for English Language Learners |
Regular Admission |
| Reading |
60% or better |
80% or better |
| Listening |
60% or better |
80% or better |
| Speaking |
Almost meets expectations |
Meets expectations |
| Writing |
Almost meets expectations |
Meets expectations |
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English Language Support
All multilingual students who are offered regular admission are encouraged to keep in touch with Multilingual Student Services for any English language support they may need. All multilingual students, even those not in the Pathway Program, are welcome to enroll in Pathway ESL courses if helpful for their English development and are encouraged to take advantage of English language tutoring services as needed.
Pathway Program for English Language Learners
For students who do not meet Vermont State University’s English language requirements for regular admission but who are otherwise academically qualified, a Pathway Program for English Language Learners is offered in-person only on the Vermont State University -Castleton campus. Satisfactory completion of the Pathway Program allows a student to matriculate as a full-time degree seeking student any Vermont State University campus.
This program combines university coursework with intensive English instruction. Students in the Pathway Program take a combination of academic courses that count towards their major degree requirements alongside developmental English courses. Pathway Program students enroll in at least 12 credits and are considered to have full-time student status.
The Pathway Program follows the semester schedule. Students continue in the Pathway Program for 1-2 semesters. Students exit the program once they have met the university’s English proficiency requirements through an end-of-semester assessment. Students may then enter full-time into a degree program on any Vermont State University campus. At the end of the second semester, students who have not met the university’s English language requirements may be subject to dismissal from the University.
Participation in the Pathway Program carries the same tuition and room and board cost as other undergraduate programs. Students enrolled in the Pathway Program receive all the benefits of any Vermont State University student, including participation in extracurricular activities and athletics, on-campus housing, and participation in the new student and international orientation programs. Most Pathway Program students begin in the fall semester, which starts in August. January admits are considered on a case-by-case basis.
Pathway Program Completion
To complete the Pathway Program, students must achieve 3 of the following 4 requirements by the end of the semester. Failure to pass all four sections of the Pathway exit assessment can be made up for with a standardized English test score (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo) that meets Vermont State requirements for regular admission.
- Pass all 4 sections (reading, listening, speaking, writing) of the final exam assessment with the following scores:
- Reading: 80% or better
- Listening: 80% or better
- Speaking: Earn “Meets Expectations” from faculty evaluator
- Writing: Earn “Meets Expectations” from faculty evaluator
- Standardized English test score (TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo) that meets Vermont State requirements for regular admission.
- Strong grades in all classes: semester GPA of 2.5 or better; no grade lower than C- in any class.
- Recommendation of Pathway Program coordinator and faculty teaching other classes.
Pathway Program courses
Fall semester offerings:
- ESL 1020 English Skill Development, 3 credits, in person: This course, open to English language learners at the intermediate and high intermediate level, focuses on developing students’ speaking, listening, reading, writing, and pronunciation skill through skill-building exercises. Emphasis will be on conversational English, presentation skills, email and essay composition, avoiding plagiarism, grammatical accuracy, giving and receiving feedback, and revision.
- ESL 1030 English for Academic Success, 3 credits, in person: In this course, English language learners at the intermediate and high intermediate level will develop the English skills needed to succeed in their academic coursework. Academic reading strategies, lecture comprehension and notetaking, vocabulary development, academic writing, and classroom discussion skills are practiced using content from an introductory academic course.
Spring semester offerings:
- ESL 2010 Advanced Academic English, 3 credits, in person: This course, open to English language learners at the advanced level, focuses on honing students’ reading, writing, discussion, and presentation skills through in-depth study of fiction and non-fiction texts.
- ESL 1020 , ESL 1030 or ENG 1055 (Language and Power) offered on an as-needed basis for January arrivals.
Any multilingual student (including U.S. residents and international students who are not Pathway students) is welcome to enroll in these courses with instructor permission if helpful for their English development. All students earn 3 elective credits for these courses.
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