International Students

Admission to Baldwin Wallace is selective, and determined by a thorough review of all items submitted. Completed applications are reviewed on a daily basis with decisions determined within 2-4 weeks.

Required items are submitted through the applicant portal and include:

• Application
• Secondary School Transcripts
• Secondary School Report Form
• Teacher Recommendation
• International Student Certification of Financial Support Form
  • Prospective F-1 students must have the financial resources to live and study in the United States. This includes being able to cover the cost of tuition, books, living expenses and travel while enrolled. BW must collect evidence of the student's financial ability to attend BW for at least one year (or the program length, whichever is shorter) before issuing a Form I-20. Please review the Instructions for Completing the International Student Certification of Financial Support Form for additional information.
• Financial Sponsor Letter
  • A financial sponsor letter is required documentation if a sponsor is helping the student financially.
    • Sample financial sponsor letter
• One of the following exams*:
  • TOEFL (recommended scores of IBT 79, CBT 213, PBT 550)
  • IELTS (recommended composite of 6.5)
  • Duolingo (recommended score of 105)
  • SAT (recommended evidence-based reading/writing score of 520)
  • ACT (recommended English score of 21)

As noted, the score levels above are recommended but not required. As noted, the score levels above are recommended but not required. Students whose English language skills need development are encouraged to complete an ESL program through the LADO International Institute.

* Students who have taken an English language curriculum are highly encouraged to take the SAT or ACT exam. If these exams are not available, students should submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores.

Every admission file is reviewed by admission counselors, who holistically review every facet of the student's file, including the application, transcripts, recommendation letters, and student report form. While reviewing all of the documents, admission counselors look for consistency with personal identifiable information such as name, address, date of birth, transcript dates, etc. If inconsistencies are identified, authorized university personnel may request additional information as needed to confirm the validity of a student's credentials.

Students interested in pursuing a music major must submit the documents required for first-year undergraduate admission or transfer admission. Additional items required for Conservatory of Performing Arts applicants are as follows:

• Audition
• Music Teacher Evaluation

Students transferring to BW with college-level courses taken at another accredited college or university will need to submit the following items through the applicant portal:

• Application
• Official college or university transcripts
  • Students transferring with credits from outside of the United States must provide English translated documents as well as an evaluation of courses from World Educational Services (WES).
• Secondary school transcripts
  • Required for students who graduated secondary school less than five years from application or have less than 25 transferable credits.
• Letter of recommendation
• International Student Certification of Financial Support Form
  
  • Prospective F-1 students must have the financial resources to live and study in the United States. This includes being able to cover the cost of tuition, books, living expenses and travel while enrolled. BW must collect evidence of the student's financial ability to attend BW for at least one year (or the program length, whichever is shorter) before issuing a Form I-20. Please review the Instructions for Completing the International Student Certification of Financial Support Form for additional information.
• Financial Sponsor Letter
  • A financial sponsor letter is required documentation if a sponsor is helping the student financially.
    • Sample financial sponsor letter
• Current F-1 students transferring from another U.S. college or university must submit the transfer application and the F-1 Transfer Undergraduate Student Verification Form.
  
• One of the following exams are required if college-level English composition is not complete:

As noted, the score levels above are recommended but not required. As noted, the score levels above are recommended but not required. Students whose English language skills need development are encouraged to complete an ESL program through the LADO International Institute.

* Students who have taken an English language curriculum are highly encouraged to take the SAT or ACT exam. If these exams are not available, students should submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores.

Every admission file is reviewed by admission counselors, who holistically review every facet of the student's file, including the application, transcripts, recommendation letters, and student report form. While reviewing all of the documents, admission counselors look for consistency with personal identifiable information such as name, address, date of birth, transcript dates, etc. If inconsistencies are identified, authorized university personnel may request additional information as needed to confirm the validity of a student's credentials.

Baldwin Wallace University offers a variety of master's degrees and post-bachelor's degree programs, but not all of the programs are able to accept non-US citizens. The links below will provide additional information on the programs able to accept non-US citizens:

• Master of Business Administration (MBA)
• Master of Arts in Education (MAEd)
• Physician Assistant (MMS)
• Speech-Language Pathology (MS)
• Accelerated Bachelor of Science in Nursing (ABSN)

A WELCOMING, SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY ... IT'S IN BW'S DNA

In 1845, Baldwin Wallace was founded as one of the first colleges in the nation to admit students without regard to race or gender. Today, you'll find that spirit of inclusiveness has flourished and evolved into a personalized approach to education: one that fosters your individual growth as you learn to learn, experience new ideas and prepare for the certainty of change. Consistent with BW's commitment to inclusivity, undocumented and DACA students are valuable members of the BW community.

Undocumented/DACA candidates who wish to apply to Baldwin Wallace University should be familiar with U.S. government laws and changes regarding DACA.

At BW, undocumented/DACA students are classified as international student applicants, though they are NOT required to submit an International Student Certification of Financial Support Form, with an admission made independent of their financial situation. Although they are not eligible for federal funding, undocumented and DACA students are eligible for any scholarships open to international students.

Additional Funding Resources

• Scholarships that do not request immigration status: Mexican American Legal Defense and Education Fund
• Scholarships for undocumented students

Frequently Asked Questions

• U.S. Department of Homeland Security
• U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services

Questions?

• For additional questions, please contact the BW Admission Office at intladms@bw.edu or (440) 826-2222.

LADO International Institute provides ESL programs for international students who need to meet the English language proficiency requirements required for admission to BW. LADO's programs are available online and at its Arlington, Virginia, campus.

LADO students will:

• Improve English skills quickly
• Transition seamlessly from LADO to BW
• Receive a renewable $2,000 LADO Scholarship if they enroll in an undergraduate program at BW immediately after completing the LADO program.

For more information about LADO, please contact the BW admission office at (440) 826-2222 or intladms@bw.edu.

Karen Barahona (Honduras)
Foreign Languages and Literature

Xudong Chen (China)
Economics

Navneet Grant (India)
Computer Science

Chungsim Han (South Korea)
Mathematics and Computer Science

Sungjin Im (South Korea)
Religion

X. Gloria Liu (China)
Business

Sungeun Kim (South Korea)
Conservatory of Performing Arts

Helen Muga (Papua New Guinea)
Engineering

Christian Nsiah (Ghana)
Business

Ven Ochaya (Uganda)
Business

Herman Sahni (India)
Economics

Chisomo Selemani (Zambia)
Communication Sciences & Disorders

Param Srikantia (India)
Business

The scholarships and special awards outlined below are for foreign nationals and DACA students.

Students will be notified of scholarships for which they are eligible at the time of admission to the University.

U.S. citizens, dual U.S. citizens, green card holders, eligible non-citizens who qualify to file a FAFSA, and residents of most U.S. territories should review the financial aid information for first-year students and transfer students.

The International Student Resource Center
International Education Finance Corporation
EduPASS - Smart Student Guide to Studying in the USA
Education USA

2024-25 Academic Year

Students are considered full-time at BW when they take 12-18 credit hours per semester.

Explanation of Fees

¹ Listed cost is the combined total for a standard double room and the prime meal plan.

² An annual $1,000 Student Activity Fee ($500 per semester) is applied to all full-time student accounts who first enroll at BW in fall 2024. This fee is applied to the student balance, $500 each semester, and is eligible for financial aid support. This fee is not refundable. The fee is used to enhance the quality of activities that directly benefit students, including programs, services, student facility improvements, and events. These activities enrich the student experience, build community, and help students stay on track toward graduation.

• Variations on Student Activity Fee amount for other full-time students:
  • Full-time students who originally enrolled as first-year students at BW prior to fall 2024: $700 ($350 per semester)
  • Full-time students who originally enrolled as transfer students at BW prior to fall 2024: $350 ($175 per semester)
• Note: Students are charged the full cost of the Student Activity Fee, but they receive a credit that leads to the net cost of the fee as outlined.

³ A one-time $200 Onboarding Fee for first-year and transfer students provides access to online, virtual and in-person orientation and onboarding programs that ensure a successful start at BW. This fee is applied to the student balance and is not eligible for financial aid support. This fee is not refundable.

Program Fees

The following fees are not listed above and apply to full-time students described below:

• Conservatory (Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Music Education) full-time program fee: Beginning with the 2024-25 academic year, Conservatory of Performing Arts students in either a Bachelor of Music program or Bachelor of Music Education program will be charged a $1,600 per-semester program fee to cover the cost of private lessons.
• Elective Private Lesson fee: Beginning with the 2024-25 academic year, students who are not enrolled in either a Bachelor of Music program or Bachelor of Music Education program and elect to take a private lesson will be charged an $800 private lesson fee per semester.
• Bachelor of Science in Engineering program fee: Beginning with the 2024-25 academic year, first-year and transfer students who enter the engineering program will be charged an annual program fee to cover the cost of student materials and supplies. Engineering students will also be charged a one-time toolkit fee. During the 2024-25 academic year, the annual engineering program fee is $250 and the one-time toolkit fee is $150.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program fee: An additional fee is administered for each of the student's final five semesters in the BSN program. Items covered by the fee include: books (in the final five semesters), stethoscope, lab supplies, lab coat, uniforms, graduation items, and exit exams. Students who originally enroll at BW in fall 2024 will be charged $880 per semester. Students who originally enrolled at BW prior to fall 2024 will be charged $700 per semester.

Cost of Attendance

View cost of attendance details for the 2024-25 academic year.

2024-25 Academic Year

Students are considered part-time at BW when they take 1-11 credit hours per semester.

Explanation of Fees

¹ A $500 Student Activity Fee ($250 per semester) is applied to all part-time student accounts who first enroll at BW in fall 2024. This fee is applied to the student balance, $250 each semester, and is eligible for financial aid support. This fee is not refundable. The fee is used to enhance the quality of activities that directly benefit students, including programs, services, student facility improvements, and events. These activities enrich the student experience, build community, and help students stay on track toward graduation.

• Variations on Student Activity Fee amount for other part-time students:
  • Part-time students who originally enrolled as first-year students at BW prior to fall 2024: $350 ($175 per semester)
  • Part-time students who originally enrolled as transfer students at BW prior to fall 2024: $175 ($87.50 per semester)
• Note: Students are charged the full cost of the Student Activity Fee, but they receive a credit that leads to the net cost of the fee as outlined.

² A one-time $200 Onboarding Fee for first-year and transfer students provides access to online, virtual and in-person orientation and onboarding programs that ensure a successful start at BW. This fee is applied to the student balance and is not eligible for financial aid support. This fee is not refundable.

Program Fees

The following fees are not listed above and apply to part-time students described below:

• Conservatory (Bachelor of Music/Bachelor of Music Education) full-time program fee: Beginning with the 2024-25 academic year, Conservatory of Performing Arts students in either a Bachelor of Music program or Bachelor of Music Education program will be charged an $800 per-semester program fee to cover the cost of private lessons.
• Elective Private Lesson fee: Beginning with the 2024-25 academic year, students who are not enrolled in either a Bachelor of Music program or Bachelor of Music Education program and elect to take a private lesson will be charged an $800 private lesson fee per semester.
• Bachelor of Science in Engineering program fee: Beginning with the 2024-25 academic year, first-year and transfer students who enter the engineering program will be charged an annual program fee to cover the cost of student materials and supplies. Engineering students will also be charged a one-time toolkit fee. During the 2024-25 academic year, the annual engineering program fee is $250 and the one-time toolkit fee is $150.
• Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program fee: An additional fee is administered for each of the student's final five semesters in the BSN program. Items covered by the fee include: books (in the final five semesters), stethoscope, lab supplies, lab coat, uniforms, graduation items, and exit exams. Students who originally enroll at BW in fall 2024 will be charged $880 per semester. Students who originally enrolled at BW prior to fall 2024 will be charged $700 per semester.

Cost of Attendance

View cost of attendance details for the 2024-25 academic year.

Students Entering Fall 2025

As soon as you have been admitted to BW, your BW username and email account are created. Your username grants you access to new and continuing updates regarding any financial information that is sent exclusively to your BW email.

Once you are ready to commit to BW, your username/password also allows you to submit your new student deposit (step #2). Retrieve your username at your earliest convenience and follow the instructions to set the password for your new BW email address. You will need the mobile phone associated with your BW application when activating your new BW email. Once set up, please begin monitoring your BW email for important information.

If you don't know your BW student ID or have questions, please contact the admission office at admission@bw.edu or (440) 826-2222.

Your BW username and email address will be displayed after completing this form.

Accessing BW Email Once You Have Retrieved Your BW Username

Access your BW email account.

Submit payment with your enrollment agreement card or pay online now.

To pay online, log into the BW Payment Portal using your BW username (the username that you created above in step #1). If you have questions, please contact the admission office at admission@bw.edu or (440) 826-2222.

In the BW Payment Portal, follow these steps to make your payment:

• Select DEPOSITS in the top menu
• Select your TERM
• From the SELECT A DEPOSIT dropdown, choose your DEPOSIT PAYMENT
• From the payment METHOD dropdown, select TransferMate.
  • With TransferMate, international students can pay tuition and fees in their home currency from nearly any country through the Payment Portal. Watch video for a short demo.
• Follow the prompts to complete your deposit payment.

Deposit Refunds

Please note that the new student deposit is refundable until May 1 for fall 2025 enrollment. To receive a refund, students must deposit and withdraw from BW prior to the above dates and request in writing for their deposit to be refunded prior to the start of the semester.

The International Student Services (ISS) Office will be sending your form I-20 Packet in the mail (sent via FedEx or DHL). Please make sure that ISS has your most current address and confirm with ISS that you have received your form I-20.

You will need to pay your SEVIS fee before a F visa will be issued. View information on how to pay your 1-901 SEVIS fee.

Students entering fall 2025: Onboarding forms are now available. Please log in to get started.

Log in using your application account information. You will use the same username and password that you set up when you applied or viewed your application status. It works best if you use a desktop computer for these tasks. You will be prompted to complete a few forms, including: 

Select class schedule preferences - Outline various details regarding your class schedule preferences and clarify whether you intend to submit ACT/SAT test scores (first-year students only) for course placement. This will allow BW to prepare a schedule for you.

Select campus housing/commuter form - Complete the housing application. For requests to live at home, file the residency exemption application within this form.

All forms are reviewed in the order of the date received. The sooner you complete your forms, the sooner you will receive a confirmation sent to your BW email. In addition, housing preferences are based on the date your housing application is completed.

Important Dates

• The housing application will open on February 24 in the Onboarding Forms tab above. Check back for room selection dates.
• View additional housing details in Jacket Connect.

Now, you need to purchase your airline ticket. After you have confirmed your flight to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport, please email explore@bw.edu with your flight information.

Airport pickup from Cleveland Hopkins International Airport may be available for first-year students. BW's International Student Services representative will assist students in checking in to the residence hall and provide an updated schedule for the international student orientation. Pack your luggage and get ready for a new and exciting experience!

Before you travel, be sure to review the U.S. Department of State international travel guidelines.

Virtual Visits

• Schedule a one-on-one virtual counselor appointment with an admission counselor.
• Take a virtual tour of BW.

Social media

Tell family and friends you're a Yellow Jacket for Life (YJ4L) and connect with other future and current Yellow Jackets.

@BWadmission @BWadmission

Virtual Visits

• Schedule a one-on-one virtual counselor appointment with an admission counselor.
• Take a virtual tour of BW.

International first-year and transfer students should contact:
Undergraduate Admission at (440) 826-2222 or intladms@bw.edu

International graduate and professional program students should contact:
Graduate Admission at (440) 826-8012 or graduate@bw.edu