Drew University is home to a welcoming and diverse community of students from dozens of countries around the world. We welcome the opportunity to assist you in joining our graduate community. We have a long history of educating international students and we continue to welcome them today.
Uniquely located in Madison, New Jersey, just 47 minutes from New York City, we are in a booming area for business, technology, science and research. While studying here, you will learn from our experienced faculty, have the opportunity to network with industry professionals, and have access to job opportunities including internships in New York.
AM I INTERNATIONAL?
Drew considers any applicant who does not hold United States citizenship or permanent residency to be an international applicant, regardless of where they live or attend school.
If you are not a United States national, and you will be entering, or have already entered the United States with an F-1 or J-1 student visa, you should apply as an international applicant. Prospective students who already reside in the United States and hold other non-immigrant visas (E2, H2, or L2, for example) are also considered international applicants.
Permanent residents of the United States, naturalized U.S. citizens, and U.S. citizens residing abroad and attending school outside the United States are considered domestic applicants.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS FOR GRADUATE ADMISSION TO DREW UNIVERSITY
Applicants for admission to a graduate degree program must have completed an undergraduate degree at an accredited institution of higher learning in the United States or abroad. Foreign applicants must hold a degree considered equivalent to a U.S. bachelor’s degree.
International Application Checklist
All applicants for graduate study at Drew University are required to submit their applications online. Please be sure to check the deadlines for application and financial aid for your program.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
The following materials are required with your online application:
- Electronic Application
- Statement of Purpose
- Recommendation letters are required by most programs to help determine a student’s qualifications. Check with your specific program for their letter of recommendation requirements
- One transcript from each institution you have attended, including the one you currently attend. Unofficial transcripts uploaded by you are sufficient for the review process. Official transcripts are only required if you are admitted. Please have official transcripts sent directly from your institution(s) to [email protected]
- Test scores for English proficiency for applicants whose native language is not English.
The following materials may also be required. Please check the requirements for the program to see if this is applicable to your application:
- Resume
- Test Scores (e.g., GMAT, GRE….)
- Writing Sample
- Policy Regarding Support Materials: Please note that all materials received in support of an application, except international documents considered irreplaceable, become the property of Drew University and cannot be returned, copied, or transferred.
- Certification of Finances
ENGLISH LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY - TOEFL AND IELTS
Drew University’s Caspersen School of Graduate Studies has approved the use of Duolingo’s online English test in the place of the in-person TOEFL, and IELTS English proficiency exams. Applicants will need to receive a Duolingo score of 105 or higher to satisfy our English proficiency requirement.
PLEASE NOTE THAT THE THEOLOGICAL SCHOOL DOES NOT ACCEPT DUOLINGO SCORES. Applicants to the Theological School must submit either TOEFL or IELTS scores to be considered for admission.
Applicants whose native language is not English are required to submit proof of English proficiency. Applicants must submit official scores of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements of the English proficiency will not be eligible for direct entry admission.
Please check our English Requirement list to verify your need to submit an English proficiency test.
Individual programs may require higher scores and all tests must be dated within 2 years of the enrollment term to be considered valid. Drew University institution code for sending official electronic score reports from ETS is 2193.
Acceptable English Proficiency credentials:
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) |
IBT 80 |
International English Language Testing System (IELTS) |
6.5 (6.0 minimum sub scores) |
Exemptions:
Those exempt from submitting English proficiency scores are:
- Applicants from countries where English is the official language.
- Applicants who have completed a bachelors or graduate degree at a regionally accredited institution in the United States, or an approved institution in an official English speaking country.
- Applicants who have not yet completed a degree, but have two years of full-time academic study at a regionally accredited institution in the United States, or an approved institution in an official English speaking country. Units must not be older than two years from the term of enrollment.
For applicants who have been affected by the novel coronavirus outbreak
Given the closure of standardized testing centers in China for the month of February, Drew University has approved the use of Duolingo’s online English test in the place of the in-person TOEFL, IELTS and PTE English proficiency exams. Applicants will need to receive a Duolingo score of 100 or higher to satisfy our English proficiency requirement.
DUOLINGO’S ONLINE ENGLISH TEST
Conditional Admission
Graduate programs may recommend a student for Conditional Admission if the prospective student meets all program requirements except the minimum English proficiency requirement.
Official electronic IELTS scores should be sent to the following address:
Account Name: Drew University
Address: 36 Madison Avenue
City: Madison NJ
State: NJ
Zip code: 07940
Please note that applicants must enter the address exactly as it appears when making their request to the testing center.
Applicants can also report their official scores by emailing their Test Report Form Number (TRFN) to the Graduate Admissions at [email protected]
For further information about the TOEFL or IELTS exams, please see the following websites:
TOEFL – https://www.ets.org/toefl
IELTS – https://www.ielts.org/
Next Steps After You’ve Been Admitted
SECURE YOUR I-20
To attend a university in the United States, you will need a visa that permits you to study. To obtain a student visa, you will need to be issued an I-20. A Form I-20 tells the U.S. government that you are eligible for F-1 student status. It certifies that you:
- Are or expect to be a student at a college or university.
- Meet our admissions requirements.
- Will pursue a full course of study.
- Have the financial support to study and live in the U.S.
- Complete the I-20 form.
INTERVIEW WITH A UNITED STATES EMBASSY
Once an I-20 has been issued by Drew University, students must schedule an interview with the United States Embassy in the country of their citizenship.
- Students should pay the interview fee before arriving at the US Embassy and take the I-20 issued by Drew University to the interview.
- In most cases, students will be issued an I-20 for an F-1 visa and F-2 visas for family members.
- Occasionally, students who have entered into contractual agreements with supporting organizations will be granted J visas.
- You will need to pay a US $200 SEVIS fee and get a receipt BEFORE you can go to an appointment at an embassy or consulate.
- You must have the receipt to give the Embassy/Consulate or you will not be allowed to go into the appointment. To pay the SEVIS fee, visit www.FMJfee.com at least three days prior to your interview.
ARRIVE IN THE UNITED STATES
WHEN TO ARRIVE
U.S. immigration regulations state that you may not enter the U.S. more than 30 days before the start date on your I-20.
WHAT TO BRING
You should have your financial papers and bank statements to show the Port of Entry officer when you enter the U.S.
PROBLEMS?
If you have problems entering the country and the officer wants to speak with a representative from Drew University, you can call during office hours (9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Eastern Standard time) at 973-408-3111.
GETTING TO DREW UNIVERSITY FROM AIRPORTS
For driving directions and additional information about public transportation, please see campus maps and directions.
From Newark Airport
Taking a taxi is the easiest way to get from the airport to Drew University. On the baggage claim level there is a station for taxis. Terry’s Taxi offers a taxi service to Drew University from Newark (about $45 plus $8.25 for tip and $1.00 for each piece of luggage). Please make prior arrangements (Toll-free number in the US is 1-973-334-5100).
If you can’t make prior arrangements there are usually plenty of other taxis at the airport, but the fare may be higher. Make sure you agree with the taxi driver on the fare, plus tolls, before you leave the airport. If you don’t have much baggage, you can also take the AirTrain Newark Train from the Newark Liberty Airport to Secaucus Station and then change trains to New Jersey Transit Dover line. The NJ Transit Dover line goes to a station in Madison, NJ, which is just a few minutes’ walk from campus.
From J.F.K. Airport
It is also possible to get to Drew from JFK airport by taxi. Airport Express Taxi offers services to Drew for $105 plus $15.75 tip and $1.00 per bag. Please make prior arrangements. (Toll-free number in the U.S. is 1-888-566-6665/outside the U.S. is 1-973-701-7884.)
There is also an area for taxis in case you could not make prior arrangements. These fares could be as high as $130.00 plus a 15% tip and tolls ($16). Make sure to arrange the price before you leave in the taxi. Most taxi drivers only take U.S. dollars, not credit cards or traveler checks. You can also get to Drew by public transit. Take the AirTrain to the Howard Beach/JFK Subway stop for the A Train. Take the A train ($2.75) to Penn Station.
From La Guardia Airport
Taking a taxi is the easiest way to get to Drew University. The taxis can be found on the baggage claim level. Airport Express Taxi offers a taxi service to Drew University from La Guardia for about $95 plus a $14.25 tip and about $16 in tolls. Please make prior arrangements with the company (Toll-free number in the U.S.is 1-888-566-6665/outside the U.S. is 1-973-701-7884). If you didn’t make arrangements beforehand you can usually still get a taxi, but the fare could be as high as $150.00 plus a 15% tip. Make sure to arrange the price before you get in the taxi.