How many international students are there at St. Lawrence?
During the 2008-2009 academic year, St. Lawrence is home to more than
132 international students from the following 49 countries (one student from each
country unless indicated otherwise in parenthesis): Afghanistan (2), Angola, Argentina,
Bangladesh, Belarus, Bolivia, Bosnia & Herzegovina (4), Botswana (2), Brazil, Bulgaria
(6), Canada (54), China (2), Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Democratic Republic of
Congo, Ethiopia, France, Ghana, India, Israel, Kazakhstan, Kenya (7), Kosovo, Latvia,
Lebanon, Macedonia, Malawi, Maldives, Nepal (4), Nigeria, Pakistan, Palestine,
Romania, Rwanda, Serbia, Slovakia, South Africa (3), South Korea, Sri Lanka, Sweden,
Thailand, Timor Leste, Turkey (3), Uganda (2), Ukraine, Vietnam (3), Zambia, and
Zimbabwe (4).
How “international” is St. Lawrence?
International students find a welcoming global community at St. Lawrence. Almost 50%
of our students study abroad or complete international research each year. Over 50% of
the faculty have significant international training and expertise. St. Lawrence is unique
among US colleges and universities as being the liberal arts college closest to another
nation’s capital (Ottawa, Canada), and we take advantage of our proximity to Canada
through formal courses and co- and extra-curricular programs. In addition to academic
programs like Global Studies and modern languages, faculty across the campus routinely
incorporate global perspectives in their courses. Outside the class room, clubs and
organizations such as International House, Amnesty International, Global Awareness
Club, and the SLU Model United Nations Club allow students to explore their global
interests in other venues.
Is St. Lawrence a religious school?
No. St. Lawrence is named in honor of the St. Lawrence River Valley. The St. Lawrence
River flows about 1,207 km (750 miles) from Lake Ontario, along the Ontario-New York
border and through southern Québec, to the Gulf of St. Lawrence. The river was first
sighted by Jacques Cartier, a French explorer, on the Feast Day of St. Lawrence in 1534.
The St. Lawrence River today is a major shipping route and a destination for boating,
fishing, and vacationing on both sides of the river.
What kind of support is provided for international students?
St. Lawrence provides support for international students in a variety of ways. Ms.
Deborah Harrison, Coordinator of International Student Services, is the primary support
person for international students. She provides visa (I-20, F-1, J-1) advice and assistance,
a comprehensive international student orientation that takes place before other new
students arrive, income tax support, and is available to assist international students with
their challenges and to applaud them for their successes. Her office is located in the heart
of campus in the Student Center.
Famous alumni?
While we like to think that all of our alumni are accomplished, a number have achieved a
high degree of recognition. Among St. Lawrence's distinguished alumni are industrialist
and diplomat Owen D. Young (1894), for whom the Young Plan for European war
reparations was named; Olympia Brown (1863), the first woman in U.S. history to be
ordained a minister; author Lorrie Moore (’78); United States Senator from the state of
Maine, Susan Collins (’75); actors Kirk Douglas (’39) and Viggo Mortensen (’80); and
members of parliament, Kenya, Joseph Lekuton, (’91, M’94) and Chachu Ganya (’96).
What is a liberal arts and sciences education?
St. Lawrence University is firmly committed to undergraduate liberal arts and sciences
education for women and men, an education that requires breadth, depth and integration
in learning.
Breadth: St. Lawrence students must complete a set of distribution requirements that
expose them to a number of disciplines beyond their intended major(s). Distribution
requirements should be seen not as a checklist of courses to complete but rather as an
invitation to explore, indeed, to cultivate wisdom. Students often find that they discover
or develop life long interests through carefully selected courses that satisfy their
distribution requirements. All students must complete one course in arts/expression;
humanities; social science; mathematics or foreign language; two courses in natural
science and science studies, one of which must be a laboratory course; two courses from
two different departments that engage participants in the critical study of sameness and
difference; and the First-Year Program (First Year Course and First Year Seminar.
Depth: Students are also required to complete a concentrated field of study, or major.
Students may choose a major or majors from a number of traditional, combined or
interdisciplinary majors and programs.
Integration: Through a liberal arts education students not only learn and develop specific
information and skills, but also learn how to learn, adapt, and integrate diverse material;
communicate appropriately; and utilize effectively what has been learned. This is
accomplished at St. Lawrence through the First-Year Program, numerous opportunities
for interdisciplinary studies, minors, research opportunities, and the Senior Year
Experience, required by some majors.
How will a liberal arts and sciences education help in my career search?
A liberal arts and sciences education provides for a large number of options in the choice
of a career. For example, 97.4% of the Class of 2007 either had a job within six months
of graduation or enrolled in graduate school. 19.9% enrolled in graduate programs and
77.5% were employed. Typically, more than 40% of our alumni enroll in graduate
programs within five years of graduation. The Office of Career Services and Leadership
Education is committed to empowering students and graduates to discover their passion,
explore their career options, develop their personal career plan, and attain their goals as
part of their lifelong educational philosophy.
Can I study Engineering at St. Lawrence?
St. Lawrence does offer a 3+2 Engineering program in which students spend three years
at St. Lawrence and two years at a cooperating engineering school (Clarkson University,
Columbia University, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, University of Rochester, and
University of Southern California) and graduate with a bachelor's degree from each
institution. This option allows students to receive three years of a broad-based, wellrounded
liberal arts education before specializing in an engineering field. It also allows
students the freedom to change their major plans from engineering to another field
without changing schools. Please note that international students who require and/or
receive financial assistance to attend St. Lawrence may not find this the best option.
Because financial aid to international students is limited, and institutional policies vary, it
is not possible to predict the level of financial assistance a student will receive from the
engineering school. It would be necessary for students to apply for scholarships and other
financial assistance directly from the engineering school.
Can I study Business at St. Lawrence?
Pre-management Program. Many St. Lawrence students choose to pursue graduate programs in management or careers in business. More than 30% of the graduates of the
class of 2007 were employed in banking, finance, sales, or marketing within six months
of graduation. Majors from any discipline may complete the pre-management program at
St. Lawrence, which combines an individually tailored course of study with career
building programs and leadership skills development. A certificate is awarded to students
successfully completing the Pre-Management Program. Participants should work closely
with the Pre-Management Program coordinator and with career services and leadership
education.
4+1 MBA Program. St. Lawrence University has 4+1 MBA agreements with the
graduate schools at Clarkson University, Rochester Institute of Technology, and Union
College that allow students to plan their undergraduate program to include courses that
serve as foundation courses for graduate study. Students must complete a regular
undergraduate major and meet prescribed admission standards in addition to the
foundation courses. Those who are admitted can expect to complete the requirements for
the MBA degree in one year rather than the usual two or more. In addition, applicants
with outstanding academic records will receive a prompt decision concerning admission
and financial aid. Preliminary inquiries concerning these programs may be made by
consulting with the pre-management coordinator.
What are the admissions criteria?
Competitive candidates should be completing or have completed the equivalent of 12
years of education (primary and secondary) or the program of study that leaves them
eligible for admission to university-level study in the educational system in which they
are enrolled. For example, students who are completing or who have only completed O
level, GCSE/IGCSE, SMP, or HKCEE study should not apply and may be at a
competitive disadvantage for admission and financial aid consideration. Candidates
should apply when they are completing the final year of advanced level study, or the
equivalent.
When can I apply?
International applicants may apply for fall (August) admission.
Due to our limited international student financial aid, first year and transfer applicants
who are also applying for financial aid may only apply for admission to the fall (August)
semester. Applications for spring (January) admission from students in this category will
be converted to fall (August) applications.
International applicants not applying for or requiring need-based financial aid may apply
for fall (August) or spring (January) admission.
Canadian citizens may apply for fall (August) or spring (January) admission regardless of
their financial aid status and should review the Canadian Admissions FAQ.
What is the application deadline?
The Regular Decision application deadline is February 1 and applicants are notified of
their decisions by the end of March. Applicants applying from outside the U.S. are
strongly encouraged to submit their application and supporting materials well in advance
of the application deadlines.
Can I apply Early Decision?
Please note that, due to our limited international student financial aid, applicants applying
for international student financial aid may NOT apply for Early Decision admission.
International applicants not applying for financial aid and who have selected St.
Lawrence as their first choice may apply under the Early Decision Program. Applicants
accepted under this program are obligated to attend St. Lawrence and must withdraw any
applications submitted to other institutions. The Early Decision I application deadline is
November 15, with notification on December 15. The Early Decision II application
deadline is January 15, with notification on February 15. Canadian citizens may apply for
Early Decision admission regardless of their financial aid status and should review the
Canadian Admissions FAQ.
Should I apply for first-year or transfer admission?
Students who have enrolled as a degree candidates at tertiary-level, post-secondary (high
school) institutions of higher education must apply as transfer applicants and will not be
considered for first-year admission. For more information about transfer admission,
please visit the transfer admission web page. We normally offer transfer admission and
financial aid to 3 to 5 international students each year.
What are the application requirements?
Application. Applicants for admission may start their application by completing Part I of
our application online or by downloading it and mailing it to the Office of Admissions.
All applicants for admissions must submit the Common Application with the required St.
Lawrence Supplement. They may submit the Common Application online or by
downloading and mailing it to the Office of Admissions. They may also submit the St.
Lawrence Common Application Supplement online or by downloading and mailing it to
the Office of Admissions.
Application Fee. The US$60.00 application fee is waived for all international (non-U.S.
citizen) applicants.
Transcripts. We require that applicants submit a 3-year secondary school transcript (a
record of courses taken and marks received in their classes from the 2005-2006, 2006-
2007, and 2007-2008 academic years) as well as a record of the courses they are taking
during their final year of secondary school (2008-2009). Applicants who have completed
secondary school should provide a transcript of their secondary school courses and grades
as well as the results of any qualifying or terminal examinations. PHOTOCOPIES,
FAXED COPIES, PDF FILES, AND EMAILS OF TRANSCRIPTS ARE NOT
OFFICIAL AND WILL NOT BE MADE PART OF AN APPLICANT’S ADMISSION
FILE.
Applicants must submit official secondary education credentials for all years of
secondary education, including any qualifying and terminal examinations. An official,
notarized translation of any credentials not in English is required. It is important to note
that we require both the official secondary education credentials not in English as well as
the official notarized translation of these credentials.
Standardized Testing. Although we are a Test Optional institution, international
applicants and particularly those applying for international student financial aid are
encouraged to submit SAT Reasoning if English is their first language and SAT
Reasoning and TOEFL scores if English is not their first language.
All standardized testing should be completed by the end of December 2008, but must be
completed no later than January, 2009. Candidates for the SAT Reasoning Test can
obtain information from either their guidance office or the College Board, Box 592,
Princeton, NJ 08540, www.collegeboard.com. Candidates for the TOEFL (paper-based,
inter-active) can obtain information at www.ets.org.
It is the applicants’ responsibility to make arrangements for official exam scores to be
sent to the St. Lawrence Admissions Office. PHOTOCOPIES, FAXED COPIES, PDF
FILES, AND EMAILS OF TEST SCORES ARE NOT OFFICIAL AND WILL NOT BE
MADE PART OF AN APPLICANT’S ADMISSION FILE.
Recommendations. Applicants are required to submit a recommendation from a
university or guidance counselor. If there is no guidance counselor at their school,
applicants should have the principal, headmaster, head tutor or other school official who
has been closely supervising or monitoring their secondary school studies write a
recommendation. Two letters of recommendation from teachers with whom the
applicants have studied in an academic subject in their final two years of secondary
school are also required. If the guidance counselor or teacher recommendations are not
written in English, a certified translation must be provided.
Financial Aid. Applicants for international student need-based financial aid must submit
a copy of the 2009-2010 International Student Financial Aid Application (available on
line in August). Please note that, due to our limited funding for international student
need-based financial aid, applicants applying for this aid may NOT apply for Early
Decision admission or spring (January) admission. International applicants may also
apply for the following Community Service Scholarship.
Miscellaneous materials. The Admissions Committee does not require and does not
review in their decision making art works; portfolios; photographs; or music, dance,
theatre, or athletic CD’s or tapes. Applicants are encouraged, however, to submit the
Common Application Arts Supplement or Common Application Athletic Supplement.
Applicants are also encouraged to provide a listing of certificates or other honors they
have earned rather than sending photocopies of these certificates.\
What is the English proficiency requirement?
St. Lawrence strongly recommends that international applicants whose first language is
other than English take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Applicants
whose first language is other than English who do not provide official results of the
TOEFL may be at a competitive disadvantage for admissions and financial aid
consideration.
The following are the recommended minimum scores for each version of the TOEFL:
• Paper-based TOEFL: 600, with no subscore below 50
• iBT/Interactive TOEFL: 82 with no subscore below 20 (19 for speaking)
Please note that these are not required minimum scores but recommended scores.
St. Lawrence waives the TOEFL requirement for applicants who have completed or are
expected to complete International Baccalaureate Higher Level English A1 (mother
tongue) or A2 (bilingual) exams with scores of 5, 6, or 7. Students taking International
Baccalaureate Standard Level English may request a waiver on a case-by-case basis by
contacting the Director of International Admissions.
St. Lawrence also waives the TOEFL requirement for applicants who have earned a score
of 600 or higher on the Critical Reading section of the SAT Reasoning Test.
How do I send the results of my SAT Reasoning, SAT Subject Test, or TOEFL
exams to St. Lawrence?
There are several ways to submit test scores. Applicants should indicate St. Lawrence as
a recipient institution for their scores when they register for the exams. Our institutional
code number is 2805 for SAT Reasoning, SAT Subject Test, and TOEFL scores. University or guidance counselors may include the exam results on the Common
Application Secondary School Report Form.
University or guidance counselors may send us attested or certified copies of the test
results.
PHOTOCOPIES, FAXED COPIES, PDF FILES, AND EMAILS WITH TEST SCORES
ARE NOT OFFICIAL AND WILL NOT BE MADE PART OF AN APPLICANT’S
ADMISSION FILE.
Applicants should also be consistent with the spelling and sequence of their
family/surname and given names when registering for standardized exams and
completing the application. We recommend that on all application and testing materials
applicants provide their name as printed on their passport. Differences in the spelling or
sequence of names may delay the receipt of test scores and the review of applications.
Are the SAT’s the most important criteria the Admissions Committee uses to make
its decisions?
No. We do not require SAT’s. And if applicants do submit SAT scores, our decisions
are based on many factors. We use a holistic approach when reviewing applications and
consider all the information – secondary school courses, level of difficulty of the
academic program, trend in achievement, recommendations, personal statements, and
extracurricular activities.
Can I receive advanced placement or credit for coursework I complete while in
secondary school?
St. Lawrence University awards advanced placement and credit toward graduation for
entering first-year students through the College Board Advanced Placement program.
Generally, advanced placement and credit toward graduation are granted to students who
achieve a rating of 4 or 5 on Advanced Placement Examinations. Advanced placement
and credit may also be earned by completion of International Baccalaureate Higher Level
examinations with scores of 5, 6, or 7. The effect of advanced credit upon the department
major requirements is at the discretion of each department chair. Each department chair
will review the requested credit and make a recommendation to the registrar.
Awards are made on the basis of an analysis of a family's ability to pay for college and a student’s academic achievement. Applicants applying for international student financial aid must complete and submit a copy of the International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA; available on line in August).
The ISFAA should be submitted at the same time as your complete application for admission. No awards will be granted solely on the basis of merit, but rather on the combination of financial need, academic excellence and extracurricular involvement.
Competition for international student financial aid is keen. This year, only 43 international applicants were offered financial aid out of the 850 international applicants who also applied for financial aid. Applicants are strongly encouraged to explore other sources of scholarship and financial aid.
The decisions regarding the number of scholarships and the amount awarded to international students are based on the information students provide in their admissions application and ISFAA, and are made in the context of the entire applicant pool. It is not possible for us to give applicants an assessment of whether or not they will receive financial aid or how much they would receive unless they are admitted.
