Application & Admission

Education USA and Educational Advising Centers are two very useful resources for information on applying to a college in the United States.

Admission Criteria

The minimum requirements for admission are a secondary school diploma, and or TOEFL, IELTS, STEP, and/or telephone interview.

Application Materials

1. International student application for admission — Please visit our application page to download a copy of our international student application form. Be sure to include a passport-size photograph with your application. You are welcome to request a printed application if you have difficulty printing out the PDF version.
2. Application fee — A nonrefundable application fee of $50 U.S. (made payable to Northwest College) must be received with your application. Payments can also be made with a valid VISA or MASTERCARD or with a money order.
3. Financial Support Documentation — International applicants must demonstrate that they have access to sufficient funds to cover the cost of their academic and living expenses for at least one academic year.  A financial guarantee (in English) indicating sufficient funds must be submitted by every applicant who will need a visa. 
   • Download the Confidential Statement of Financial Support form (Adobe Reader required) to mail in with your application.  Evidence of support may include bank letters verifying personal and family assets, government or private scholarships, and/or sponsorship by a third party. The guarantee must be signed by an authorized bank official. All documents must be originals, be dated, and have appropriate seals or notarization. 
   • The official estimate of a year of tuition, fees, and living expenses in U.S. dollars can be found on the annual expense sheet. Add $5,000 for a spouse and $3,000 for each child. 
4. English Language Proficiency — Students from any country where English is not the native language must prove English ability in one of five ways:
   • Minimum TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 477 (paper based), 153 (computer based) and 53 (internet based).
     Ask TOEFL to send an official report directly to Northwest College, institutional code 4542.
   • Score of 109 on ELS Language Centers exam
   • Score of 6 on IELTS exam
   • STEP Pre-First Grade
   • Students with English language scores below the minimum may be considered for admission following a telephone interview with the International Student Advisor
5. Transcripts — Official transcripts (in original language and English translation) of your secondary school and/or university work should be sent directly to Northwest College.  Photocopies are not accepted.
6. Immunization Records – All students must provide proof of immunity to Measles/Mumps/ Rubella (MMR)  and provide a current Tuberculosis (TB) test in order to be admitted.
7. Letter of Reference — Ask a professional person who knows you (such as a teacher, school administrator, or employer) to write a letter about your character, personality, intellectual ability, emotional stability, and adaptability to new environments.
8. Letter of Intent - An essay in English describing your educational and career goals.  You may also include personal information that will help us evaluate your application.

Once the items listed above are received, your application is complete!

Please send your completed application to the address below. We will process your application as soon as it is received and inform you quickly, normally within two business days. You are welcome to inquire about the status of your application by e-mail, telephone, or postal mail. You can e-mail Mary Baumann or call her at 001.307.754.6138.

Mail to:

International Student Application
Northwest College
231 W 6th St
Powell WY 82435
USA