International Applicant Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

An English proficiency exam is required for all international applicants whose native language is not English. The Warner School accepts the TOEFL or IELTS scores. This requirement is waived for applicants who graduated from a college or university where English was the language of instruction.

TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for international applicants who are non-native English speakers. The TOEFL code for the Warner School is 7614.

Note: GRE scores are not required. However, the Admissions Committee will consider scores if you elect to submit them. Applicants interested in applying for certain University-wide scholarships at the doctoral level are encouraged to submit GRE scores. The GRE code for the University of Rochester is 2928.

No, although we interview many students who seek admission. Interviews are by invitation only and will be arranged by the Admissions Office. Students invited to interview can be interviewed by Zoom.

If English is not your first language, you will be asked to write a one-page English essay demonstrating your ability to write in English. It can be an essay on any topic you choose or a personal statement.

No, the admissions inquiry form is optional. If you complete the online form, you’ll receive useful information about the Warner School and your program of interest. The materials will give you a better understanding of our graduate degree programs and life as a Warner School student. You can then review the information at your convenience and get back to a member of our Admissions team if you have any questions.

We can help you through an online process. You begin with our International Student Advisor (Jasmine Mitchell, jmitchell@warner.rochester.edu), who provides you with the necessary information to get started. The processing time usually takes two to four weeks. However, students cannot begin until they have been accepted into a Warner School program because a student ID is needed to obtain a visa. Additional information about visas can be found on the International Services Office website.

The University has housing options available on campus for graduate students. Interested students are encouraged to enter the housing lottery before the early May deadline. Please consult the Graduate Housing website for details.

The University’s Office for Off-Campus Housing maintains a database of off-campus housing options. It offers off-campus housing advising, rental application and lease reviewing services, and occasional tours of Rochester neighborhoods. Contact the coordinator for off-campus living at (585) 275-3166 or offcampus@reslife.rochester.edu for assistance.

The University of Rochester is one of the nation’s 60 leading research institutions and one of the top universities in the world for entrepreneurs. Rochester was ranked 47th in 2023-2024 academic year by U.S. New & World Report's national college rankings and 199th in world university rankings. Find out more about global and U.S. rankings.

During the 2020-21 academic year, 22 percent of Warner School graduate students were international, representing 24 countries globally.

Yes, our International Student Advisor (Jasmine Mitchell, jmitchell@warner.rochester.edu) will help connect you with an enrolled Warner School student if we have someone from your country.

We know funding your graduate study is an important consideration, and we are pleased to make it a little easier for qualified applicants by offering merit-based scholarships. Financial aid is generally provided through scholarships for master’s students and a combination of assistantships and tuition scholarships for doctoral students. In addition, we encourage you to explore loans and other resources—explained below—to help finance your graduate education.

The Warner School offers assistantships to full-time doctoral students only. Our doctoral assistantships are merit-based, not need-based. That is, an applicant’s financial situation is not considered. There is no application process for assistantships— they are awarded automatically at the time of admission and will be included in the offer letter. Doctoral assistantships are a combination of tuition remission and a stipend in exchange for service hours, such as supervised teaching and research assisting, that support the mission of the school. All PhD students are considered for assistantships.

Financial aid awards are set at the time of admittance. There are limited financial aid funds, and those open to international students are very competitive. Visit the University of Rochester’s financial aid website or contact the Financial Aid Office at (585) 275-3226 or finaid@rochester.edu.

The Warner School provides a balance of theory and opportunities to put these theories into practice. While some master’s programs have required and recommended internships and field experiences, volunteering and interning are encouraged to gain valuable professional and personal experiences.
 
We also offer students the opportunity to apply the knowledge and theories gained through their academic experiences in unique learning programs and academic partnerships supporting the Rochester region. Examples of the community outreach programs that our international students have participated in include:

• Languaging for Health and Employment Equity, a highly flexible English program for immigrants and refugees and a space for language teachers to become student and family advocates.
• East High School Partnership, a university-school partnership that has been involved in all aspects of a transformative collaboration designed to improve the school and student achievement.
• Project READ, a comprehensive literacy program for at-risk students.
• Get Real! Science, a teacher-preparation program that engages students in real science through an inquiry-based approach that is part of a summer camp and afterschool program.

View all research programs

We recognize that the transition to studying in the United States presents unique opportunities and challenges for international students. During the late summer, all incoming international students are required to participate in the Warner School international orientation. This program aims to help students become familiar with the school, university and Rochester community. In addition, the University of Rochester’s International Services Office provides support and information for students on visas and other important services for international students.

At the Warner School, there are a variety resources and support are available, including an international student affinity group and other student organizations to help you adjust to a new culture. The international orientation program also allows you to meet and connect with fellow graduate students studying abroad.

Across the University of Rochester, campus resources that may be particularly helpful to international students adjusting to a new culture are:

• The International Services Office provides services to and assists international students with adjusting to living in America
• The Graduate Student Office offers academic, social and cultural resources and support to all graduate students

The University Counseling Center provides a broad range of services to students. The confidential services include time-limited individual and couples therapy, group therapy, medication management, 24-hour crisis services and consultation. Therapy is available for a variety of problems that can include anxiety, depression, relationship difficulties, school-related problems, family problems, grief and general discomfort about what's happening in a person's life, among other sorts of difficulties. For information, contact (585) 275-3113.

As part of the orientation program, international students participate in time-management activities to help them succeed in their graduate studies and maintain a healthy work-life balance in Rochester.

Additionally, the Learning Center offers time management and other important academic support workshops, consulting and classes. 

Writing Support Services offers consulting meetings and workshops to students through a supportive atmosphere for dialog about the writing process. Our consultants are readers engaged in student writing and provide a non-directive, responsive approach to providing students with the strategies needed to learn productive habits in all stages of writing.

Your career success is important to us. The Career Services Office is a valuable resource for students who are just embarking on their academic program or are actively looking for employment. Our Career Services Office offers a full range of services, from resume, CV and cover letter development to networking, interviewing and coaching for success. Our dedicated career services professional, Harriette Royer, maintains a schedule for 1:1 meetings with students.