International Students

 

Why A Preapplication?

The University of New Hampshire requires a detailed application for admission which must be accompanied by records and documents that may be expensive or difficult for you to obtain or duplicate. To protect yourself from wasting time and money applying to a program at the University which cannot receive you--because we do not offer the course you desire, because the enrollment is already full, because deadline for applications has passed, or because your academic preparation, financial resources or other qualifications are not suitable for the program of study you have indicated--you should fill out our on-line preapplication form.

 

Preapplication Process

If you are an international applicant, who is currently living outside of the United States, you are required to complete a Graduate School Preapplication Form (for Canadian citizens the preapplication is optional). If you are an international applicant currently residing inside the United States (have a U.S. mailing address), or Canadian, then you do not have to use the preapplication form and can just submit a full application directly.

 

When you submit the online preapplication form it goes to your department for review and, once they reach a decision, you will be notifed by email.  This form will assist the department in making a preliminary review of your credentials. Please note that you must hold a 4-year baccalaureate degree or its equivalent as a precondition for applying to any of our graduate programs. In some cases, you will also need a master’s degree or its equivalent. Please be aware that most departments will only review your preapplication if you have provided the following test scores - TOEFL, GRE and/or GMAT. If your preapplication is approved you can then submit a full application online.

 

Please note that the latest deadline for internationals applying to our graduate programs is April 1 each year. Some programs require an earlier submission of applications (check the program for specific deadlines). This means that you will need to begin the application process well in advance of the April deadline to be sure that all of your material is submitted on time. No decision can be made about your application until it is complete and has been received by the Graduate School.  

 

Please Note: If your preapplication is approved it is NOT a guarantee of getting accepted into the program. Approval of a preapplication only indicates that you have a CHANCE of getting admitted and therefore it might be worth your time and money to apply as a full applicant.

 

 

Full Application Process

The full application process requires all applicants to submit OFFICIAL college transcripts, college degree/diploma certificates, letters of recommendation, test scores, personal statements, and other supporting documents. A $65.00 (USD) non-refundable application fee must also be paid when you submit your application (note we will not process any applications until we have recieved payment of the application fee).  You can pay this fee, by credit card only, at the same time you submit your full application.  If you were unable to pay, when you submit your applicaiton, you can also pay the fee using our fee payment form.  If you do not have access to a credit car you send us a check (USD) or money order (USD) made out to the "UNH Graduate School".

 

Please note that only University transcripts are required, secondary/high school transcripts are NOT required. Any test scores must be sent directly to the Graduate School by Educational Testing Service (ETS). Do NOT submit multiple applications for the same term and program.  If you need to make a change to your application please email our office. Do NOT send in another application. This greatly slows down the application process and may prevent your application from being reviewed.

 

Application Instructions

Please refer to the application instructions page for detailed information on submitting your application. Unless otherwise noted, all international applicants follow the same process for submitting a full application as US applicants. You can apply online using our online application form.

 

Admitted Applicants - Financial Declaration Form

Should you be admitted to UNH then you will be required to submit the International Applicant Financial Declaration form, which must be completed whether or not funds have been requested from the University. However, only submit this form if you have been admitted.

 

 

Arrival of New International Students (F-1 and J-1 visa holders):

• New international students are expected to arrive prior to the beginning of the fall or spring terms in time to participate in International Student Orientation.
• New international students on assistantships or fellowships are expected to arrive prior to the beginning of the fall or spring terms in time to participate in the mandatory orientation program for new assistants and fellows run by the Graduate School.
• New international students who are unable to arrive for either of these orientations due to issues with immigration, may with the prior approval of the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) and the Graduate School arrive late.
• Under no circumstances may a new student arrive later than the last day to register for that term, usually the third Friday of classes.

New international students should visit the website of the Office of International Students and Scholars so they can get information on new student orientations and other information important to new international students.

 

 

Registration Requirements for International Students (F-1 and J-1 visa holders)

International students on F-1 and J-1 visas are required to register full time each semester of the academic year until the completion of their programs. There are no registration requirements during the summer.

 

Graduate students registered for nine or more credits, Master’s Continuing Research (GRAD 900), or Doctoral Research (999) are classified as full-time students. Students holding an assistantship appointment must register for a minimum of six course/thesis credits, Master’s Continuing Research (GRAD 900), or Doctoral Research (999).

 

Masters’ students in their final term who are not on assistantships, may register for less than 9 credits, but no less than 5 credits with approval of the Office of International Students and Scholars, prior to the first day of classes of the final term. Students must file an Intent-to-Graduate card with the Graduate School prior to or concurrent with their request to register for a reduced load.

 

Doctoral candidates must register for Doctoral Research (999) each semester after candidacy until their degree is conferred. Students who fulfill all requirements for their degree program (including submission of their thesis or dissertation) after the Graduate School deadline for completion but prior to the end of registration for the next term (last day to register without having degree status discontinued), may enroll for GRAD 800 only if they do not have to maintain full time status under immigration regulations.

 

Visit our online catalog for current policies on registration.

 

Students in Optional Practical Training

• GRAD 800: permissible only for Master’s students who have completed all requirements for the degree and will be engaged in full-time OPT (immigration regulations do not require enrollment in a full course of study in this case) and both employment and residence will be off-campus.
• GRAD 900: appropriate for Master’s level students who have completed coursework and will be engaged in full-time OPT, and will be employed on campus or living in UNH residential facilities.
• Doctoral Research (999): Required of all doctoral students at candidacy.
• Fee waivers: Students enrolled in doctoral research (999), who have left the immediate geographic area while completing their doctoral research may petition for a waiver of the mandatory fees.

 

Students who have been offered an assistantship but do not have an eligible visa status to allow them to begin their assistantship duties at the beginning of the semester have until the last day to register without having their degree status discontinued (usually the end of the third week of classes) to have their visa status resolved in order to hold an assistantship for that semester. The start date for the assistantship would be the date allowed by the visa status and the stipend would be pro-rated.  The appropriate tuition waiver associated with the assistantship would be valid and not prorated.

 

Students who have not resolved their visa status by the last day to register without having their degree status discontinued would NOT be eligible to hold an assistantship. Such students may be eligible to hold a non-status appointment during the semester in question once their visa status is resolved. In such cases, the stipend would be prorated. Programs could award scholarships to cover the tuition cost to such students.

 

Under NO circumstance should students who do not have a visa that make them eligible to work begin any assistantship related duties.

 

 

Diversity Support Coalition (DSC)

The Diversity Support Coalition (DSC) is a student organization at the University of New Hampshire. The DSC seeks to promote, educate and support multiculturalism and diversity issues at UNH through the programming and support of the DSC and its current member groups (Alliance, Black Student Union (BSU), Hillel, Mosaico and the United Asian Coalition (UAC)). 

 

Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS)

The OISS promotes international education at the University by facilitating the enrollment and employment of foreign nationals and by providing them with essential support services.

 

Office of Multicultural Student Affairs

OMSA creates opportunities for people to participate in an inclusive community and to explore and understand diversity, injustice and equity. Our work is grounded in understanding diversity that includes people of all abilities, ages and ethnicities, genders, nationalities, races, religions/spiritual traditions, socio-economic classes and sexual orientations. Providing support and development for African American/Black, Latina/o, Native American and Asian/Pacific Islanders, as well as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning students is at the heart of our work. 

 

President’s Commission on the Status of People of Color

The UNH President's Commission on the Status of People of Color proposes, recommends, and evaluates programs, policies, and services aimed at enhancing diversity and supporting people of color within the UNH community. The commission acts to ensure implementation of goals to increase campus diversity through minority student, faculty, and staff recruitment and retention, and through curriculum development.

 

President’s Commission on the Status of Women

Consistent efforts to achieve equality remains absolutely crucial if men and women on campus, studying or working side by side, are to achieve similar educational and employment experiences.

 

Black Student Union

The Black Student Union is a community that is based on campus as a access for students who want to be educated about diversity and participate in political issues that occur at the University. This organization is formed with a strong group of students who are motivated to get their voices heard to reach out to the community of New Hampshire.

 

Hillel

Hillel provides the UNH community with a full array of Jewish services ranging from educational and social programs to religious observances. Hillel strives to offer programs for all Jewish students of all denominations.

 

Mosaico

Mosaico is a group for anyone who appreciates, admires, or wants to learn more about Latin American culture. Our goal is to educate students through exciting events that bring diverse cultures and people together. Some of Mosaico's annual events include Salsa Night and Brazillian Carnival. 

 

United Asian Coalition (UAC)

The United Asian Coalition (UAC) seeks to provide a place within the university to explore and celebrate the social & cultural heritages and traditions that make up the Asian diaspora in the local community by learning about the respective cultures that are represented in the UAC and at UNH as well as those not currently represented, and how those various Asian identities fit in the context of the UNH community and beyond.