International Application Process | John Carroll University

Students Applying from Secondary School

All non-US citizens currently attending secondary school outside of the United States interested in applying for first-year undergraduate admission must apply online using The Common Application and complete the full application with personal essay.

There is no application fee for John Carroll associated with The Common Application. The essay is part of The Common Application form and is not a separate requirement.

In addition, the following credentials are required:

Official high school/secondary school transcripts.
- Send your official high school transcript - a WES, ECE , or Global general transcript evaluation with grade point average (GPA) of all international transcripts (excluding Canada, unless otherwise specified) is required
  - The cost associated with the transcript evaluation(s) is at the expense of the student, not the college.
Common Application School Report and/or Common Application Counselor Recommendation including grading scale.
Official test results
International students are required to submit results of standardized tests from one or more of the following test(s):
TOEFL (preferred minimum scores: paper-based 550, Internet-based 79)
IELTS (preferred minimum score: 6.5)
SAT (middle 50% range of old SAT: critical reading 500-600, mathematics 510-610, writing 480-590)
ACT (middle 50% range: composite 22-27, average 25)
TOEFL, SAT – JCU testing code: 1342
ACT – JCU testing code: 3282
Scores must be submitted directly from the test center or from a certified school official. We are not able to accept scores that are sent by the student.
*Students not meeting our preferred minimum testing requirements may be asked to complete an additional in-person or Zoom interview for admission consideration.

Upon admission to the University and before enrolling, the following credentials must also be submitted:

Financial Guarantee Form for your appropriate incoming academic year
A copy of the photo page of your passport

Students Applying from Another University

If you have already taken courses at another community college, college, or university since graduating high school/secondary school, you’ll need to submit a transfer application.

Deadlines for Application:

Fall (August) Semester

Deadline for International Applicants: April 15

Spring (January) Semester

Deadline for International Applicants: September 15

Holistic Review

Admission to John Carroll University is competitive and based on many factors. In many U.S. admission programs (especially private universities), you will hear the phrase “holistic review” often. This simply means that admission to the university is based on a large number of factors and that all of the materials you submit (classroom performance and grades earned, the curriculum you have taken, testing results, your writing and speaking abilities, your activities and interests) impact our decision to offer admission. We try to find students that we know will succeed academically and socially at John Carroll. Our faculty teach courses that are very discussion-based and interactive, which requires you to form opinions and share experiences. We look for evidence of those abilities in each applicant.

Testing and grades clearly help us determine your success but many other factors are considered: the major/field of study you are considering or your outside interests and activities. We want to make sure you will add to the life of our campus, join organizations, and be a productive member of our community. This is typically called your “fit” to campus, like a hand in a glove, to make sure you will enjoy success in and out of the classroom.

GCE and IGCSE A-level Results – British and Cambridge Advanced Level examinations are well established and internationally recognized. At John Carroll University, credit is awarded for A-level examinations provided certain requirements are met. In order for students to be awarded credit, they must submit to John Carroll their official A-level score results accompanied by appropriate subject descriptions. Ideally a syllabus of the courses should also be provided. Credit is awarded on a selective basis.

For more information on how course credit is evaluated, including Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or college coursework completed, please visit our credit evaluation page.