Applications from International Students

The geography program encourages applications from international students. Departmental funding is highly competitive. International students should take particular note that University regulations require that Teaching Assistants whose first language is not English take a test in spoken English prior to teaching. This test can only be taken once a student arrives at West Virginia University, and is in addition to the TOEFL exam required for admission. Research Assistantships are offered on a competitive basis by individual faculty members who have current funded research projects. Research assistantships do not require the additional spoken English test for graduate students who are non-native English speakers. Some first year graduate students attend the program without departmental funds, but instead are supported by their own personal resources or funds from their home governments. With three exceptions, international students must follow the same application procedures as US applicants:

• Instead of the standard application form, the International Student Admission Application must be completed.
• All international students from countries where the native language is not English are required by West Virginia University regulations to achieve a minimum 550 score on the TOEFL paper exam, or 213 on the computer exam. Results of this test must be sent directly to Admissions and Records at WVU. Information on the TOEFL exam can be obtained from the nearest US Information Service Office, or you can write directly to:

• International Graduate applications require an additional period of three months for processing by WVU Admissions and Records. This is a university requirement, not a departmental requirement. Therefore, applications submitted by October 1 for consideration for a teaching assistantship and admission in the fall of the following year will be given priority.

Note that WVU's policy is that all applicants with undergraduate degrees from outside the US are regarded as international applicants. For general online information on international admissions to WVU go to http://www.arc.wvu.edu/admissions/internat_main.html.