Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science is approved by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) of the Department of Homeland Security to admit students in F-1 classification who will be enrolled in full-time degree programs at Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science.

English language proficiency requirements

Proof of English proficiency is required for international applicants who are non-native English speakers. Applicants will upload unofficial copies of required documents in the supplemental items and documents section of the application portal for application review. If accepted to the program, official documents will be requested at that time.

International applicant – non-native English speaker

Applicants may select one of the four options below to satisfy the English language proficiency requirement. All required documents must be uploaded to the application portal by the application deadline of Dec. 4.

• Option 1: Submission of Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS Academic) scores. Scores must be dated within three years of the enrollment term to be considered valid.
  • A minimum of one of the following scores is required:
    • TOEFL iBT: overall band score of 90
    • IELTS: overall band score of 7
  • Applicants with lower scores may still apply. Competitive candidates will be notified if additional English language screening is required.
• Option 2: Attend and graduate from an accredited United States university, earning a bachelor’s degree or higher by the start of the enrollment year.
• Option 3: Attend and graduate from an accredited foreign university (not on the MCGSBS English Speaking Country and Territory List below) where the instruction takes place in English.
  • Must provide one of the following items for documentation within the application:
    • Letter from the institution on letterhead indicating the language of instruction
    • Transcript showing English is the language of instruction
    • Provide information on the institution's website to verify the language of instruction
      
• Option 4: Attend and graduate from an accredited foreign university from a country listed on the MCGSBS English Speaking Country and Territory List below.

International applicant - native English speaker

Applicants who are native English speakers from one of the qualifying countries or territories from the list below are NOT required to provide additional documentation within the application.

MCGSBS English-Speaking Country and Territory List:

• Anguilla, Antigua & Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica, Kenya, Micronesia, Montserrat, New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, Saint Kits & Nevis, Singapore, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Tanzania, The Gambia, Trinidad and Tobago, Turks & Caicos Islands, United Kingdom (England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales), and Zimbabwe

International transcript requirements

Transcripts from international institutions in a language other than English must be accompanied by an English translation prior to submission. Translations must be literal, complete versions of the originals and translations must be from:

• Issuing college or university or
• Member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services or American Translators Association

Please note that translation of transcript may take several weeks for request and processing, late submission of any required application document will not be accepted.

Transcripts should include applicant's name, degree information, and the date of the award. If the degree awarded is not on the transcripts, applicants must also include a separate degree certificate document in English.

Format of transcript must be submitted in application portal by Dec. 4 (late submissions not accepted).

After formal appointment to Ph.D. Program

A student requires F-1 status using Form I-20, issued by Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science Immigration Specialty Team (IST) will reach out to you by late April with the following forms (if applicable).

You will need to complete the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine I-20 information form. Mayo Clinic IST will send the form to you to request the information required to issue a Form I-20, allowing you to apply for an F-1 student visa at a United States Embassy or Consulate post.