Admissions

Application Information for International Students

St. John's seeks to enroll a diverse student body and welcomes applications from international students. Typically students from 10-15 foreign countries are enrolled at the college. International students find a welcoming atmosphere, an academic experience grounded in reading and discussion, an array of extracurricular activities, and an immersion in American social life.

In order to be considered for admission, international students must have followed a pre-university course of study and must submit the following documents:

  • A completed St. John's application form accompanied by the required essays.
  • Two letters of reference, at least one of which must be from a teacher of an academic subject.
  • An official record of secondary work, with all courses and grades, including the results of the appropriate examinations (e.g. “A” Levels, International Baccalaureate, and so on). This must be accompanied by an explanation of the grading system used and an English translation of records in other languages.
  • Test results from:
    a. The Student Assessment Test (SAT) or American College Test (ACT).
    b. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), if the applicant's first language is not English (the TOEFL/IELTS may be waived when the language of instruction for the student’s secondary education has been English).

These tests are offered at test centers throughout the world, and information about them can be obtained through American embassies, consulates, and educational resource centers. (St. John's College's test code numbers for the College Entrance Examination Board (SAT and TOEFL) are: Annapolis=5598; Santa Fe=4737.  The American College Test (ACT) numbers are: Annapolis=1732; Santa Fe=2649)

Application Deadlines
There are two Early Action deadlines: November 15 and January 15. After February 15 admissions decisions are given on a rolling basis. (See details on the Admissions Deadlines page.)  International students are urged to apply as early as possible.

How to Apply
You will be assigned an admissions counselor, who will work with you directly and answer all questions you have about the application process (and the college at large).  Please do not hesitate to contact your admissions counselor at any time when you have questions or encounter difficulties.

See the Applying for Admission page for an explanation of the application process and instructions on how to submit your application.  We recommend that international students use electronic transmission of documents (whether through The Common Application system or email/fax) as much as possible.

International Student Services

Both of St. John's campuses are cohesive and supportive communities and student services for international students are handled by the office of the Assistant Dean on each campus (Annapolis Office, Santa Fe Office). The staff handles all aspects of student life and provides counseling and guidance on an individual basis.  The college's Registrar (Annapolis Registrar, Santa Fe Registrar) acts as advisor to all international students with respect to visa requirements and related matters.  Informal clubs have been formed by international students together with other students, faculty, and staff for special social events. International students find themselves easily participating in the mainstream of campus academic and social life.

Admission and Visas
A student is admitted to St. John's only after he or she receives an official acceptance letter from the Director of Admissions. A student accepts an offer of admission (and an offer of financial aid if applicable) by submitting a $300 deposit to the Admissions Office.  When the deposit and signed award are received, the student is sent a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (also known as an I-20 form).  The student may then apply for a visa at a United States embassy or consulate.  It is the responsibility of each international student to become familiar with and observe all applicable United States immigration rules and regulations.

For more information, please visit the U.S. State Department's EducationUSA website at http://www.educationusa.state.gov/ for assistance with the application process and information on how to contact an advising center in your country.

Financial Aid for International Students
All aid is based on financial need. For non-US citizens the college offers one full-need scholarship annually on each campus, in addition to an unlimited number of institutional assistance awards covering up to 65% of current tuition, room, and board. 

In addition to need-based grants, foreign students are eligible for low interest loans from the college and jobs on campus.  Foreign students are also eligible to apply for summer employment at St. John’s.  Non-US citizens should file the College Scholarship Service’s PROFILE for international students with the St. John's Admissions Office as early as possible, preferably no later than February 15.

United States citizens living abroad are eligible for all federal financial aid programs and are thus incorporated in the college's regular pool of applicants for financial assistance.  They should file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), the College Scholarship Service's Financial Aid PROFILE, and the Certificate of Finances as early as possible, preferably no later than February 15. The forms for financial aid are available online or they should be available from the student's secondary school counseling office.   No requests for financial assistance will be considered and no offers of financial aid will be made until after a student has been admitted to the college.

Davis United World Scholars Program: St. John's is one of only 65 colleges and universities in the United States committed to enrolling graduates of the United World Colleges.  All graduates of the United World Colleges who have been accepted and demonstrate financial need are eligible for $10,000 scholarships for each year of enrollment at St. John's, awarded in combination with grant aid offered by the college.  For details contact the Office of Admissions on either campus.