Apply as an International Freshman

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The future looks different for every student. Some are preparing for careers in engineering, business, education, technology, healthcare, or the arts. Others are still discovering where their interests will take them. Wherever students begin, YSU provides programs designed to connect learning with real-world experience and long-term opportunity.

This is education built to move forward.

Applying to YSU is designed to feel straightforward and accessible. Below, please find step-by-step guidance for application requirements, necessary document submission, and more. Please contact our International Admissions team at intadm@ysu.edu if you have any questions or need additional assistance as you complete your application.

 

Minimum Requirements

  • A minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.00 (U.S. 4.00 scale) based on your high school grades.
    • If you have a GPA of 3.5 or higher, you are encouraged to apply to the Sokolov Honors College. You can find more information about YSU’s Sokolov Honors College, including eligibility requirements and the steps to apply, here: https://ysu.edu/academics/sokolov-honors-college
  • Photocopy of your valid passport page showing photo, name, and birth date.
  • Proof of English Language Proficiency. YSU accepts several official English proficiency test scores. Certain international applicants will be exempt from this requirement if they are from one of the YSU English language exempted countries. Please browse English Proficiency Requirements webpage for details.
  • High school diploma or certification of high school or secondary school completion and official transcripts. Please refer to the requirements listed below based on home country:
    • For applicants from Nepal, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Vietnam, Taiwan, and Thailand, please request a high school official (i.e. counselor, teacher, principal) to e-mail your documents directly to intadm@ysu.edu. Please note that the documents must be sent from an email address associated with the school (i.e. an official school email account).
      • For documents to be considered official, the following requirements must be met:
        1. Documents must show the school seal and original signature of a school official.
        2. Documents clearly show the name and address of the school.
        3. Show the date you began and completed your studies, and the date your high school or secondary school diploma or certificate was earned. 
        4. Transcripts are required to show all courses taken and grades received, including the scale and system of grading used.
    • For applicants from Ghana: after submitting your application, please expect an e-mail from intadm@ysu.edu for further instructions to submit your official credentials, including your WAEC certificate or equivalent.

    • Because our staff has established expertise in evaluating academic credentials from the countries listed above, applicants from all other countries are required to submit an official credential evaluation from a NACES-approved agency. 

      Please order your report at a reduced rate using one of our approved evaluation providers below:

      • IEE
      • TEC
      • Scholaro

Disclaimer: If we are unable to verify an applicant’s submitted credentials, the YSU International Admissions team reserves the right to request a third-party credential evaluation from one of the providers included above.

 

How to Apply

To apply as a freshman, please follow the step by step instructions below:

Step 1: Go to the application portal and create your account. Please use an email address you can access throughout the application process, as our International Admissions team will contact you at this address.

  • Need help? Please check Application Portal Help Page and check How to Create my Account PDF tutorial. Please complete your application on a computer, as it is not compatible with smartphones, tablets, or other personal electronic devices.

Step 2: Log in to your application portal and start your online application form.

Step 3: Your application form will only be considered complete once you have paid the $75 non-refundable application fee.

  • About the $75 non-refundable application fee payment: If you have any difficulty paying your application fee using your credit card, you may try to pay it through Flywire (a credit card is not required). If you successfully paid the application fee through Flywire, please make sure to send your Flywire payment receipt to intadm@ysu.edu. You will receive a code from International Admissions Office that you can type in to the “Promo Code” field to proceed with your application submission.

Note: Please verify that all information is accurate before submitting your application, as changes cannot be made after submission.

Step 4: Upload required supplemental items through your application portal. Supplemental items will appear a few minutes after you successfully submit your application. Upload required supplemental items marked with an asterisk (*).

  • Need help? Please check Application Portal Help Page and check How to View your Application Status and Upload Required Materials PDF Tutorial.

Note: You will receive email updates regarding any missing supplemental items. Your application is complete once all required items marked with an asterisk (*) are uploaded to the Application View page in your portal. Please allow a minimum of 10 business days after completion to receive an admission decision or a request for additional documents. Log in to your application portal periodically to check your application status.

 

Restricted Programs:

Some programs have restricted admission due to limited cohort capacity and a competitive selection process. Meeting the university’s minimum admission requirements does not guarantee acceptance into a restricted major, as applicants are evaluated through a selective review process.

Students in restricted and other designated majors are initially admitted to a pre-major program, where they complete prerequisite courses and other requirements before applying for admission to their intended primary major.

Please be aware that after receiving an initial admission decision, students may not change their major to a restricted program. 

Please see a full list of restricted programs below: 

  • Dental Hygiene (BDH)
  • Medical Laboratory Science (BS)
  • Medical Laboratory Technology (AAS)
  • Nursing (BSN)
  • Nursing ADN (AAS)
  • *Pre-Dental Hygiene (BDH)
  • *Pre-Nursing (BSN)
  • *Pre-Nursing ADN (AAS)
  • Pre-Radiologic Technology (AAS)
  • Pre-Respiratory Care (BRC)
  • Radiologic Technology (AAS)
  • Respiratory Care (BRC)

*For admission into Pre-Dental Hygiene, Pre-Nursing, and Pre-Nursing ADN, applicants must meet both of the following requirements:

  • High school chemistry: A minimum grade of C
  • Minimum writing subscore on one of the accepted English proficiency tests listed below:
    • Duolingo English Test: 105
    • IELTS: 6.0
    • TOEFL: 4.0

International Applicants Affected by US Travel Restrictions

Due to current travel restrictions, we are temporarily unable to process applications from affected students. This does not reflect your academic qualifications, and we welcome your consideration of Youngstown State University once these restrictions are lifted. For a full list of countries affected by U.S. travel and visa restrictions, please visit the U.S. Department of State website. Thank you for your understanding.

 

Steps to request Your I-20/DS 2019 Paperwork After You Are Admitted

After you are admitted, Please check Obtain Your I-20/DS 2019 Paperwork-After You Are Admitted webpage for next steps. 
 

International Undergraduate Deferral Instructions

To defer your application to a future term, please follow this link to submit the International Undergraduate Deferral Request Form. If you applied within the past year and have not previously deferred, you will not be required to repay the application fee.