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Step 1: Required Documents for Admission

Transcripts - Applicants with international academic work can use  to estimate their U.S. GPA calculation. While Scholaro can provide an approximate representation of your converted U.S. GPA, it does not replace the comprehensive evaluation of academic coursework conducted by the 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Office of Admissions. Our GPA calculation and credential equivalency review are still essential in the admission process. 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ's evaluation may differ from the results generated by this tool.

Please see the Materials Submission section at the bottom of the page for acceptable methods of sending transcripts and other application-related documents.

• High School Transcript –

  • Submit your high school transcript (includes all high school coursework and grades).

  • A certified translation is required for any transcript not written in English.

• College/University Transcript(s)-
  • Submit your official transcripts from all previously attended colleges or universities where college-level credits were earned (either while in high school or after graduating high school).
  • 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ provides in-house credential evaluations of academic coursework. However, 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ will accept a course-by-course evaluation from any member agency in replacement of or in lieu of our in-house evaluation.
  • Transcripts must be provided in a PDF format and must include the institutional/grading key page.
  • Credentials not in English must be accompanied by a word-for-word English translation certified as true by a university official, an official representative of a United States embassy or consulate, the United States Information Service, the United States Education Foundation, or an approved professional translating service. Translations must bear the signature of the translator and be accompanied by original language documents.
  • The applicant will also be required to provide the grading scale of the foreign institution they attended.

Submit Proof of English Proficiency

For general admission to 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, international students must provide proof of English proficiency through one of the following ways. Please note that test scores must be less than two years old at the time of application.

The Department of Communication Studies accepts the following minimum scores for as proof of English proficiency: TOEFL IBT 31; IELTS 4.0 with no band below 4.0; PTE Academic 22, DET 55; ELS 104.

The proof of English proficiency requirement can also be satisfied through completion of ENG 113 (Composition I for International Students) at 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, which is strongly recommended, or any course articulated as equivalent to ENG 101 (Composition I) with a grade of C or better, taken at any regionally accredited institution.

English Proficiency Exemptions: 

• Applicants who have earned/will earn a degree, high school or otherwise, from a US institution.

• Applicants who are from one of the following nations or who have earned/will earn a degree, high school or otherwise, from an institution in one of the following nations:

  • Antigua, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Barbuda, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Dominica, Fiji, Irish Republic of Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, St. Kitt & Nevis, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Singapore, Trinidad & Tobago, United Kingdom (England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland), U.S. Virgin Islands.

• Applicants who will earn/have earned a degree, high school or otherwise, outside of the US where English was the primary language of instruction.

51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Intensive English Program

English Language Study for All

The 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Intensive English Program offers non-credit-bearing English content to international and domestic students interested in learning English or improving their written or spoken English language skills.

This 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Intensive English Program provides customizable, dynamic, student-centered content for high school and university-level students. For example, overseas high schools looking to send a group of students to the U.S. for English language study, as well as university students requiring a semester of English language preparation, can be accommodated through this program.

Please reach out to internationaladmissions@unlv.edu or call 702-774-8658 if you would like to discuss admission options.

Step 2: Supplemental Documents after Application Submission

ACT/SAT Test Scores

ACT/SAT test scores are not required for international students. However, if you are applying as a first-year student and have taken either test, it is recommended that you submit your official test scores.

Step 3: Apply for Financial Aid

Non-FAFSA eligible students can complete the Alternate Need Form to apply for both institutional need-based grants and scholarships.

How to Apply

When to Apply

Full and equal consideration for financial aid and scholarships is based upon being admitted to 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ and completing the Alternate Need Form by the November 15 priority deadline. You can apply as early as October 1 for the following academic year.

Step 4: Check your Application Status in My51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ

After submitting your application, you will receive two emails, one with your user ID and another with your temporary password. Check your account regularly.

Step 5: Accept Admission

Accept your admission in  and complete any checklist items on your to-do list.

Step 6: Submit I-20 Documents

Once admitted, you will receive an invite from International Admissions to log into the International Student and Scholar Services Portal where you can upload to the required I-20 documents. Please note that failure to submit required documents will result in delays issuing your I-20.

All admitted international students are required to upload the following documents:

• Confidential Financial Certification (CFC) form
  • Please be sure to fill out all required sections on the CFC form.
• Bank Letter
  • Bank Letter should not be older than one year from the program start date, and must include: bank logo, date issued, account holder name(s), type of account, and must be stamped by a certified bank official. The bank letter must show the required amount listed on the 2023-2024 CFC form.

If you are currently attending a U.S. high school/college, 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ will need to receive your SEVIS record. In order to complete the transfer-in process to 51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ, please have the DSO at your current institution fill out the Transfer-In form.

Hard copies of official transcripts and test scores must be in a sealed envelope from the issuing institution or testing agency and may be mailed to the following address:

51³Ô¹ÏºÚÁÏ Office of Admissions
4505 S. Maryland Pkwy.
Box 451021
Las Vegas, NV 89154-1021

Institutions sending transcripts through a secure email method may use the following address:

ACT and SAT test scores may be sent electronically from the testing agency using the following codes:

• ACT: 2496
• SAT: 4861