Admissions
International Students
We welcome international student applicants for all programs. We strongly advise applicants to complete the application 4 months prior to the start date of the academic program. After meeting our Admission Requirements and your application has been approved, time must be considered for obtaining a student visa and making travel arrangements. Please apply using our online application.
Top 8 questions for international students
- What academic records are required by the University?
An official copy of all records of any previous schooling (mark sheets, transcripts, diplomas, certificates, etc.) must be submitted as official certified documents directly from each institution. Any photocopies must have the signature of a school official and the school seal. These records must show courses taken and grades earned and must be translated into English if the original records are in another language. When a translation is supplied, the original record must also be included. Translations must be officially certified by a translator or interpreter. All records should be mailed to:
Admissions Office
Maharishi University of Management
1000 North Fourth St.
Fairfield, Iowa, 52557, USA
- What are the visa procedures?
Once the application for admission is approved, a University acceptance letter and a U.S. Immigration Service SEVIS I-20 form will be mailed to the applicant. A prospective international student should not make plans to enter the United States before receiving both a letter of acceptance and a SEVIS I-20 form. It will be necessary to present these documents at the U.S. Embassy/Consulate when applying for an F-1 student visa, and again upon arrival into the United States, and finally, during registration at the University. If further documentation is needed in obtaining a student visa, please contact the Office of International Admissions.
- Is financial aid available?
Financial assistance is often available to applicants with financial need who are academically well-qualified and who have a commitment to develop their full potential. Learn more about financial aid for international students.
- What kind of financial verification is required?
International students must provide evidence of financial ability to pursue a course of study at the University before the letter of acceptance and the SEVIS I-20 form can be generated and mailed. Applicants must provide a letter from their bank to the Office of International Admissions verifying the availability of funds to meet their educational expenses for at least one academic year. Using this verification, the University can then issue a SEVIS I-20 form, which is needed to obtain a student visa.
- Can I come on a Visitor visa and change status later?
The U.S. Immigration Service strongly discourages and usually disallows international students from entering the U.S. on a Visitor visa and then attempting to change status after arrival. The only exception to this rule would be to make clear at the Port of Entry that one is coming as a “Prospective Student” and ask that this particular designation be made on the I-94 card. Otherwise, an application for Change of Status from Visitor to Student will probably be denied. Furthermore, a Prospective Student is not allowed to register and enroll unless and until any Change of Status application is approved (a process that can take several months). Because of these strictures, the University has a policy of only registering students who have obtained the proper student visa.
- Do I need health insurance?
Due to the high cost of medical care in the USA, all international students must purchase health insurance through the University at the time of registration. Students are exempt from this requirement if they can show at registration that they have adequate coverage under their own insurance.
This health insurance requirement is based on our concern that our international students are (1) adequately covered in the event of accident or illness, (2) able to receive the most complete and up-to-date medical care available, and (3) not incurring large financial losses as a result of a medical emergency while in the USA.
- What are the requirements for English proficiency?
All applicants who are not native speakers of English must submit official test scores (either TOEFL or IELTS) from the previous two years. The TOEFL institution code for Maharishi University of Management is 4497.
Find out more about the TOEFL
- Does MUM offer English language courses for international students?
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