International Students

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a visa?
A visa is a document produced by the embassy of the country in which you will be studying or working. It grants you permission to enter the country as a non-immigrant. U.S. visas are classified as: F-1: Full-time Student; J-1: Exchange Student; B-1: Tourist; and H-1: Work.

How do I apply for an F-1 student visa?
This is done at the U.S. Embassy in your country. The granting of a visa requires a form called an I-20 from the school you will be attending (obtaining an I-20 does not necessarily guarantee you a visa). 

How can I get the TOEFL requirement waived?
Students from English-speaking countries such as the U.K. are automatically exempt from the TOEFL requirement.

You may apply for an exemption by providing one or more of the following:

• A writing sample. An essay is encouraged (250-500 words) on one of the following topics: evaluate a significant experience or achievement, a risk you have taken, or an ethical dilemma you have faced, and discuss its impact on you.
• Recommendation letters from English instructors.
• A school profile if you attended an English-speaking high school.
• An SAT or ACT test score with high scores in English reading or writing sections. This is encouraged primarily because no Ottawa University scholarships are awarded without a score from one of these tests, so taking it serves two purposes.

How can I get my Secondary School Transcripts translated?
Check your local telephone directory for a reputable English translator, or contact your country's U.S. Embassy for a list of approved translators.

Which College Transcript Evaluation Agencies does Ottawa University accept?
If you have taken college-level courses outside the U.S. that you would like to transfer in, Ottawa University requests that you obtain and send, at your own expense, a course-by-course evaluation from one of the following agencies:

• World Education Services
• Educational Credential Evaluators
• Foreign Academic Credentials Service, Inc.
• Global Credential Evaluators, Inc.
• International Credential Evaluation (480-551-8005)

How can I send documents to Ottawa University?
While faxed documents and copies are acceptable for admissions purposes, you must mail the original documents to Ottawa University or bring them with you when you arrive.

        Ottawa University
        International Admissions 
        1001 South Cedar Street, # 17
        Ottawa, KS  66067
        USA

        Fax: 785-229-1008

Why is it taking so long?
Please be advised that international mail is extremely slow. It can take from two weeks to a month for a package to arrive from you, and another two weeks to a month for us to send information back to you. You can avoid this delay by faxing information, utilizing e-mail and making telephone calls as much as is feasible.

For international student admission requirements, click here.

If you are interested in getting started, click here.

For additional information, please contact the Office of Admissions at 785-242-5200, ext. 5421 or via e-mail at admiss@ottawa.edu.