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International Freshmen Applicants 

STEP 1: Complete a Kean University Online Application.

Kean University is also a member institution of The Common Application.

STEP 2: Submit Payment

You will have an opportunity to pay the application fee of $75.00 directly through the online application. Once you've completed the application, submit both the application and the application fee.

STEP 3: Send Supporting Documentation.

  • An official high school transcript evaluation. Applicants must submit a course-by-course evaluation (with GPA) of their official high school (Secondary School) transcript or mark sheet. The evaluation report must come from an organization affiliated with the National Association of Credit Evaluation Services (NACES). Please visit http://www.naces.org for a list of agencies. Some of the most popular NACES members used by Kean University applicants are:

Preferred Vendors

The following vendors are preferred vendors in which they guarantee 5 day evaluations (upon receipt of your documentation) at a discounted rate. 

Additional Approved Vendors

  • World Education Services, Inc. (WES)
  • Global Credential Evaluators
  • Educational Credentials Evaluators, Inc. (ECE)
  • Josef Silny & Associates, Inc. International Education Consultants
  • Regardless of U.S. residency status, an English proficiency examination is required of all students whose secondary schooling has been outside the U.S. in a country where English is not the principal language. Kean University references the CIA's World Fact Book as the authority on a country’s principal language.
  • Standardized Testing Scores from SAT or ACT (optional)– please include Kean's College Entrance Examination Board (CEEB) number 2517. Kean will accept the ACT as well as the SAT scores for the purpose of admission, scholarship, placement test exemption and/or program qualification consideration. Applicants may submit scores from both of these two standardized tests. Kean will super score, taking the highest level score of the Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (ERW) and Math (M) sections from the SAT, and the highest composite score of the ACT. 
  • Score reports must be from tests taken within the past two years and submitted directly to us from the testing service.

Kean University accepts the following standardized tests to determine the English proficiency of its international applicants:

  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
    • Minimum Score: Internet-based: 79; Paper-based: 550
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
    • Minimum Score: 6.0
  • Duolingo English Test
    • Minimum Score: 105

Please note that English proficiency test scores are only valid for two years from the date of the test.

TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo Waiver Policy: In order to waive the TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo English Test requirement, applicants may submit the following:

  • Official documentation stating that they have completed secondary schooling from an institution where English is the language of instruction

*Please note that applicants to fully-online programs are NOT eligible for English-language standardized test waivers.

*If you are an international student admitted into the Spanish Speaking Program, please reach out to the admissions office for unique requirements for this program .

The three items listed below are recommended, not required:

  • Two (2) letters of recommendation, in English. Letters may be from teachers, counselors, employers, coaches, etc.
  • Personal essay (1-2 pages), in English, expressing your educational and professional career goals.

The supporting documents listed above should be sent to the following address:

Kean University
Office of Admissions, Kean Hall
1000 Morris Ave
Union, NJ 07083

For additional information about the above items, please read How to Submit Application Items.

Post-acceptance

As an admitted international student, you will be required to hold a student visa to study in the U.S. Upon acceptance to Kean, you must provide all immigration documents, along with your tuition deposit, before Kean University can issue your I-20 document which can be used to obtain your F-1 visa.

You will need to complete the International Student I-20 Application. You will receive more information from the Center for International Studies.

  1. Sponsor's bank statements translated into U.S. dollars ($)
  2. Photocopy of passport (photo and biographical information)
  3. Transfer students: If you are transferring from another U.S. Institution, you will also need to complete an I-20 Release Form

The following documents must also be submitted if you currently, or have previously, held an F-1 visa:

  • Photocopy of most recent U.S. visa
  • Photocopy of I-94 (front & back)
  • Request for F-1 Status Transfer Information (if transferring from another U.S. school)
  • Photocopy of all previous I-20 forms

For additional information and forms relating to requirements needed to obtain an F-1 student visa, click here. For additional information regarding International Student Orientation and your Immigration Documents, email cis@kean.edu or call the Center for International Studies at (908) 737-0350.

Immigration documents should be sent to: 

Kean University
Center for International Studies
C.I.S. - CAS 201
1000 Morris Avenue
Union, New Jersey 07083