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. 1.

• 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.
  • For the TOEFL or IELTS, competitive applicants tend to have a composite score of 100 (TOEFL iBT) or an overall band score of at least 7 (IELTS Academic). Applicants with lower scores may still apply.
• 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 must be in English or be accompanied by a certified English translation. All translations must be literal, complete versions of the originals and must be translated by one of the following:

• Issuing university or college
• Ministry of Education, consulate, or embassy
  • For Iran only: Ministry of Justice or Ministry of Foreign Affairs
• Official translation services by one of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) members or the American Translators Association

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

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.