Kalizya Nseluka (M.A. ’20)As an international student, I have come to learn from my cohorts’ input about how appreciative they are for the different perspectives I bring to classroom discussions and presentations. There is so much to learn from exposing yourself to issues outside of America.
Undergraduate Accelerated and Graduate International Students
At Cornerstone University, our dedicated admissions team walks with you in each step of the process to help you start your journey with confidence.
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01
Apply Online | Deadline: Varies
Complete your application for admission for the degree program of your choice. You’ll create a secure account and move through responding to questions regarding your educational goals and contact information.
Fully online programs taken from your home country start approximately every seven weeks. We recommend that you are enrolled four weeks prior to the first day of class.
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is the only degree program offered to students interested in taking classes on-ground on an F-1 visa. New students must enroll in the fall semester, which begins in August. Applications for the MBA program are due on June 1.
We are not currently accepting international applications for the Spring 2023 semester.
02
Submit Your Transcript(s) for Evaluation
After your application is submitted, begin working on submitting your university record(s) immediately if you would like previous credits taken outside of the United States to be evaluated as U.S. equivalencies. Please plan accordingly, as some evaluators take several weeks to process your records.
Outside of the U.S.
If you are attending or have attended a high school and/or university outside of the U.S., your transcript(s) must be officially evaluated by one of Cornerstone’s approved evaluators:
Be sure to request a course-by-course evaluation.
These evaluators will then calculate a U.S. based GPA to be used for your admissions review. Organizations should send your evaluation directly to Cornerstone University one of two ways:
- Email: immigration@cornerstone.edu
- Sealed envelope by mail: Cornerstone University, Attn: Admissions Office, 1001 East Beltline Ave. NE, Grand Rapids, MI 49525
Evaluations will only be accepted if received directly from one of the approved evaluators.
Examples:
- Undergraduate Accelerated Degrees: If you are applying for an undergraduate degree (to complete in your home country), your high school transcript must be evaluated through one of the three approved evaluators. If you have any university-level coursework completed from a university outside of the U.S. then that transcript would also need to be officially evaluated by one of the approved evaluators.
- Graduate: If you’re applying for a graduate program, including the M.B.A, your undergraduate bachelor’s degree transcript must be evaluated by one of our approved evaluators if the degree was obtained outside the U.S.
You are responsible for any costs and fees associated with transcript evaluations and submissions.
Within the U.S.
Official university transcripts from a U.S. based college/university must be sent to Cornerstone University by the institution you attended. These transcripts do not need to be evaluated by one of our approved evaluators.
You are responsible for any costs and fees associated with transcript evaluations and submissions.
03
Provide English Proficiency Test Scores
TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo scores must be submitted to demonstrate your proficiency in the English language if you are from a country where English is not listed as an official language.
Results from the approved testing organizations are valid for two years. If your test results are older than two years, you must take the test again.
Undergraduate Accelerated Programs
- TOEFL Paper-Based Test Score Requirement: 550
- TOEFL Computer-Based Test Score Requirement: 213
- TOEFL Internet-Based Test Score Requirement: 79-80
- IELTS Score Requirement: 6.5
Gradaute Programs
- TOEFL Paper-Based Test Score Requirement: 577
- TOEFL Computer-Based Test Score Requirement: 233
- TOEFL Internet-Based Test Score Requirement: 90-91
- IELTS Score Requirement: 7.0
You are responsible for any costs and fees associated with test score submissions.
04
Complete the Declaration of Finance Form
Once steps 1-3 have been completed, please fill out the Declaration of Finance form. The International Student Declaration of Finance form is evidence of your financial support through the date you expect to complete your degree program.
We strongly encourage submitting this form as quickly as possible after steps 1-3 have been completed.
05
Application Review
Following the submission of your application and all supporting documents in steps 1-4, your information will be reviewed.
Admissions decisions will be communicated via email, so be sure we have your most up-to-date contact information.
Please note that you need a valid passport to study in the U.S. We encourage you to contact immigration@cornerstone.edu to discuss the best way to send Cornerstone University a copy of the ID page of your passport or to begin the necessary paperwork to obtain or renew your passport.
06
Submit Tuition Deposit
If you are admitted to Cornerstone University, a $50 enrollment deposit is required to secure your spot in classes.
MBA Only: This enrollment deposit must be paid before Cornerstone will begin the 1-20 immigration paperwork for students enrolling in the MBA program, which requires students to have an F-1 visa.
07
Immigration Paperwork
Students in the MBA program will meet with a Designated School Official (DSO) to discuss immigration paperwork.
More questions related to immigration should be directed to immigration@cornerstone.edu.