- FAQ
University Admission
How many international students attend Suffolk University?
Currently, there are over 1,000 international students at Suffolk from 102 countries.
What makes Suffolk University a great school to attend?
Small classes, a diverse student population, dedicated and accessible faculty, city-campus life, excellent career placement assistance, proximity to State House & Financial District, and a historical city makes Suffolk an ideal school.
What does Suffolk University have to offer?
Suffolk University offers over 70 undergraduate and graduate degree and certificate programs.
What are the requirements for admission to Suffolk University?
Admission is based upon the level and range of high school courses, grades achieved, SAT or ACT scores, TOEFL scores, recommendations and the essay submitted. All factors are weighed together. This allows the admission counselors to individually consider you and your potential for success as a student at Suffolk.
For undergraduate applicants—You must be able to demonstrate proficiency in reading and writing English. To do so, applicants are expected to submit official TOEFL or ELPT scores with their application materials. A minimum score of 525/197 computer (TOEFL) or 956 (ELPT) is required for admission to a degree program. Applicants whose scores are below the recommended norms may be considered for the English Language for Internationals Program (ELI), an intensive program of language instruction to prepare students for entry into a degree program.
International students are required to submit an official copy of all records of academic course work, accompanied by an official English translation.This includes:
- Secondary school records with courses taken and grades received
- Official documents verifying the awarding of all secondary diplomas and/or academic certificates with the title and date awarded.
International applicants must submit the Confidential Declaration and Certification of Finances form to show evidence of their ability to pay these educational and living expenses while studying in the US. Please request this form from the Office of Undergraduate Admission. Submit it with the application for admission. The information provided must demonstrate the ability to pay the annual cost of approximately $38,866.00 and be certified by a bank seal.
Should you have questions, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission at (617) 573-8460, or fax (617) 557-1574, or email admission@suffolk.edu.
For graduate students—You must demonstrate proficiency in the basic knowledge and tasks asked within your major. To do so, applicants are expected to submit official test scores with their application materials. For Sawyer Business School programs, applicants are required to take the GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test). For all College of Arts and Sciences programs, applicants are required to take the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) or the MAT (Millers Analogies Test). For all joint degree programs with Suffolk University Law School, applicants are required to take the LSAT (Law School Admission Test).
Applicants are required to have completed and received a baccalaureate degree from an approved undergraduate institution. International applicants are required to submit an explanation of the grading system if the candidate’s undergraduate education was not received in an American institution.
International applicants must also submit an official TOEFL test score if English is not the candidate’s native language. (This requirement is waived for permanent residents of the United States and those candidates possessing a baccalaureate degree from a US college or university within two years of application.)
International applicants must submit a statement of Financial Resources certifying that sufficient funds exist to cover the candidate’s academic and living expenses.
Should you have any questions, please contact the Office of Graduate Admission at (617) 573-8302, or fax (617) 305-1733, or email grad.admission@suffolk.edu.
How do I apply to Suffolk University?
For undergraduate programs—Applicants are required to obtain and complete an international application for Suffolk University, which you can request or download at our web site at: http://www.suffolk.edu/admission/app.html.
Applicants must also fill out the Confidential Declaration and Certification of Finances form, which can be obtained from the Office of Undergraduate Admission.
Applicants are required to send an official transcript of grades and an official document verifying the awarding of all secondary diplomas and/or academic certificates with the title and date awarded. Finally, you need to submit your TOEFL or ELPT score.
Should you have questions, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission at (617) 573-8460, or fax (617) 742-4291, or email admission@suffolk.edu.
For graduate students—Applicants are required to obtain and complete an application form for Suffolk University, which you can request or download at our web site at: http://www.suffolk.edu/gradadm/forms.html.
You must also submit the appropriate non-refundable application fee (College of Arts and Sciences - $35.00; Ph.D. $50.00; Sawyer Business School $50.00). Along with the application, applicants must submit a current resume, two letters of recommendations, a statement of professional goals, official score reports of either the GMAT, LSAT, GRE, or MAT, and official transcripts of all prior academic work.
International applicants must also submit an explanation of grading system (see above questions for more explanation), official TOEFL test score, and a Statement of Financial Resources.
Should you have questions, please contact the Office of Graduate Admission at (617) 573-8302, or fax (617) 305-1733, or email grad.admission@suffolk.edu.
What are the application fees?
Undergraduate application fee is $40.00. Graduate application fee for Sawyer Business School is $50.00. For College of Arts and Sciences is $35.00 and for the Psychology Ph.D. Program is $50.00.
What is the difference between ELI and ESL?
ELI stands for English Language for Internationals. The Suffolk University ELI Program is a non-degree, intensive English language program designed to help international students: (1) improve their English proficiency, (2) prepare for admission to a college or university in the United States, and (3) improve TOEFL score. Students have 22 hours of class instruction per week, which include skills instruction and enrichment classes. ELI is a full year program, with four levels to offer students (low and high intermediate, and low and high advanced). Admission requirements include ELI application and TOEFL scores of 400+.
Should you have questions please contact Office of Second Language Services at (617) 973-5392, or fax (617) 305-1757, or email epascale@suffolk.edu and ask for the Coordinator of the ELI Program.
ESL stands for English as a Second Language. The ESL program at Suffolk University is a degree tracked, credit-bearing program. It leads to a bachelor’s degree and provides students with the opportunity to improve English fluency and proficiency while earning academic credit and preparing for study in a university setting. The goal of the ESL program is to enable students to think, write, and study independently. These are the skills required for mainstream academic work at Suffolk University. Students take 1 course per semester in their major plus 3 ESL courses. The 3 ESL courses count either as a major subject, or as elective credit. Exams are given at the end of the second semester to test English proficiency. A student must pass this examination in order to continue to the second year at Suffolk. Students must maintain a grade of a C- or higher in order to pass. Admission requirements are the same as for Undergraduate Admission, except the student must have a 500+ TOEFL score for ESL.
Should you have questions, please contact the Office of Second Language Services at (617) 973-5392 or (617) 573-8677, or fax (617) 305 - 1757, or email epascale@suffolk.edu and ask for the Coordinator of ESL Program.
Deposits
When is the deposit due?
Tuition deposits are due on or before May 1st. For students admitted after April 15th, deposits are due within 30 days. For students admitted after July 15th, deposits are due within two weeks.
What is the amount due?
The amount of an enrollment deposit is $100.00.The refundable housing deposit is $350.00.Therefore the total deposit for housing and enrollment is $450.00.Should you have any questions please call the office of Undergraduate Admission at (617) 573-8460, or fax (617) 742-4291, or email admission@suffolk.edu.
How can I pay my deposit?
Send check or money order with the deposit form enclosed with your acceptance letter. Can’t find the deposit form? Just make sure your full name is on the check. Visa and MasterCard are also accepted!
Financial Aid
Am I eligible to receive financial aid?
International students are ineligible for all forms of U.S. federal and Massachusetts financial aid. However, students can apply for all University-funded employment programs and some scholarships which are based on merit (grades!). A list of all financial aid available to international students can be obtained by contacting the Financial Aid Office at (617) 573-8470, or fax (617) 720-3579, or email finaid@suffolk.edu.
What are University-funded employment programs?
University-funded employment programs are on-campus employment. Recipients are selected on the basis of demonstrated financial need and merit. Award amounts range from $1000 to 1500 per academic year. If you entered the United States on a J-1 / F-1 Visa, it permits you to work up to twenty (20) hours on campus.Should you have questions, please contact the Financial Aid Office at (617) 573-8470, or fax (617) 720-3579, or email finaid@suffolk.edu.
Housing
Who is eligible for housing?
All University housing is determined on a first come, first serve basis - this holds true for both local and international students.
Where is it located?
Suffolk’s primary residence hall is located at 150 Tremont Street, across from the Boston Commons; a four-minute walk from the main campus buildings. It is an eleven-story building with doubles, triples, quads, and suites. The groundbreaking ceremony for the new Nathan R. Miller Residence Hall took place in April 2002. Located at 10 Somerset Street, the opening of this dormitory, which is located adjacent to the Sawyer Business School, was held in 2003.
What is a double, triple, quad, and/or suite?
A double is a room that can accommodate two people. A triple accommodates three people. A quad accommodates four people. While a suite is an individual room that only accommodates one person. It is sometimes called a single.
What if I want to live off-campus? May I do this?
Yes. The Office of Enrollment and Retention Management helps students to secure apartments and roommates. Should you have any questions please contact the Office of Enrollment and Retention Management at (617) 573-8647, or fax (617) 742-2651, or email suffolkocho@yahoo.com.
How can I get more information about housing?
Materials are sent in late March to all admitted students who have checked “resident” on their admission application. Rooms are filled on a first-come, first-served basis. The projected move-in day is the first Sunday in September. Should you have any questions please contact Residence Life at (617) 305-2500, or fax (617) 305-2504, or email reslife@suffolk.edu.
Health Insurance
Effective August 2006, the State of Massachusetts amended the student health insurance. Requirements concerning international students!
All international students regardless of the number of credits for which you are registered, must participate in the university-sponsored health insurance plan. There are no waivers for insurance coverage that is no U.S. based, including Embassy or U.N. sponsored insurance as well as foreign based insurance that includes worldwide coverage.
Should you have questions please call Health Services at (617) 573-8620, or fax (617) 367-9405, or email sgracia@suffolk.edu.
back to top^Immigration
What is The Center for International Education?
The Center for International Education serves as an information and resource hub for international students, and is specifically designed to coordinate and facilitate the wide variety of activities and services that are available to assist and support Suffolk’s international community. The Center for International Education answers basic, routine questions regarding the I-20, the F-1 student visa and university policies regarding international students.
When will I receive my 1-20?
1-20’s are issued to students who have been officially admitted into the university and who have submitted a properly completed certification of finances. The certification of finances is included in the application for admission. Once both the admission and the certification of finances are received, the I-20 is issued within 5 business days and delivered by express courier.
I need to have the I-20 in order to obtain the certification of finances from the central bank. Is it possible for you to issue the I-20 early?
Unfortunately, government regulations prevent any university from issuing an I-20 before the financial certification is received by the school.
What do I need to give the embassy when I apply for a student visa?
Visa application procedures vary from country to country. The U.S. government web site (http://www.state.gov/) is an excellent resource that contains links to all of the U.S. embassies worldwide. Each embassy site will list the specific documents needed for each country. In general, students need to complete the visa application, provide 2 photographs, an original I-20, the original letter of admission and a copy of the certification of finances form. In some countries, the consular officer may want to see the transcripts of previous study and the TOEFL score.
**NEW** In addition to the above items, all male visa applicants must complete the supplemental security application and provide information about travel and affiliations during the last 10 years.
The fee for the visa is different in each country and is determined by a scale of reciprocity that is determined by the U.S. and the student’s home country. Fees are listed on the embassy web site.
How long will it take to obtain the F-1 visa?
For female applicants, same day service up to 3 weeks. For male applicants, a minimum of 3 weeks.
May I apply for the F-1 visa within the United States?
F-1 visas are issued only at U.S. embassies outside of the territory of the U.S.
What can Suffolk do if I have been denied the F-1 visa?
Students who are denied the F-1 visa need to obtain from the consular officer the precise reason for the denial and contact an immigration advisor. Usually there is very little that any university can do when a visa is denied since denials are not based on the documents issued by the school but on the applicant’s ability to meet the criteria for a non-immigrant visa. We are happy to provide any specific clarifications that the embassy requests us to make to them regarding the documents we have issued. We do not provide unsolicited letters of support to the embassy, as consular officers do not accept such letters from schools. The I-20 alone is sufficient to notify the embassy that the student had been officially admitted.
Can Suffolk give me the J-1 visa instead?
J-1 visas are used only for students whose study is funded by the U.S. government or the home country government. Self-funded students may use the J-1 visa when they are participating in a bilateral exchange agreement between Suffolk University and the home university. Students who fall into these 3 categories can receive the J-1 visa. The J-1 documents are prepared by the Center for International Education.
May I use the B tourist visa to study at Suffolk University?
No. Applicants who are in the U.S. in B status must either file a change of status to F-1 student or travel outside of the U.S., obtain the F-1 student visa in the home country and return in F-1 status. Applicants outside of the U.S. should seek the F-1 visa using the Suffolk University I-20. If a student already holds a B tourist visa, that visa will not be cancelled simply because the student also obtains the F-1 student visa.
I hold H1-B status in the U.S., but my employer has terminated my job. May I study at Suffolk University?
H1-B workers who are terminated have 10 days to leave the U.S. or change to a new immigration status. Clearly, it is difficult to do either in 10 days. Applicants in this situation should speak with a Suffolk immigration advisor or an immigration attorney as soon as possible.
I am in the process of applying for a change of status to F-1 students. May I work/receive a fellowship while I am waiting for the change of status?
No. While F-1 students can work 20 hours per week on campus, applicants for a change of status cannot work or receive a fellowship until the approval notice granting the F-1 status is received from INS. There are no exceptions to this regulation.
I am transferring to Suffolk University from another U.S. University. Which I-20 do I use to enter the U.S.?
It is very important for transfer students to use the Suffolk I-20, not the I-20 from the old school. Even if the F-1 visa sticker has the name of the first school on it, it can be used with the Suffolk I-20 as long as the visa sticker is still valid. If the visa sticker has expired, the student may apply for a new sticker at the embassy.
I have heard that the INS is starting a new electronic tracking system for international students. Can you tell me anything about this?
A new program called SEVIS or SEVP will be implemented in 2003 to create an electronic database of all international students and scholars in the U.S. The details of the new program are still in development, but Suffolk is working to make sure that its students and scholars can be added to the program quickly and conveniently. Check the Center for International web site for updates. (http://www.suffolk.edu/international)
Should you have questions, you may contact the Center for International Education at (617) 573-8154, or fax (617) 305-1751, or email oia@suffolk.edu.
Immunizations Records
In accordance with Massachusetts State law, all students enrolled for 12 or more credits must submit necessary immunization records before they can attend class at Suffolk.
Should you have questions please contact Health Services at:
73 Tremont Street, 5th floor
Boston, MA 02108-2770
Tel: (617) 573-8260
Fax: (617) 305-1745
Email: tlake@suffolk.edu.
Orientation and Registration
I have information about two orientations. Which one do I have to attend?
International students have to attend both orientations. One is administered by the Center for International Education. This one is to get all immigration information in order before you register for classes. It is usually held the last week of August. If you do not attend the orientation you will have a hold that will prevent you from registering from classes.
Should you have any questions please call the Center for International Education at (617) 573-8154, or fax (617) 367-9438, or email oia@suffolk.edu.
The second orientation is administered by the Registrar’s Office. This orientation is a two-day overnight orientation and registration program, which includes important sessions about all aspects of campus life, get-acquainted activities, special events and clubs at Suffolk, academic advising, selection and registration for courses.
Who has to go to these orientations?
All incoming and transfer international students need to attend the Center for International Education’s orientation. All students that are incoming and transfer students (including international students) need to attend the Registrar’s orientation.
Where do we stay during these orientations?
You will stay in the Residence Hall at 150 Tremont Street, Boston.
Tuition
How much does it cost to attend Suffolk University?
For current Tuition Rates and Fees, please visit the Student Accounts office.
When are tuition payments due?
Fall:
Payemnts are due in full by August 1st.
Deferred Payments due November 1st.
Spring:
Payments are due in full by December 15th.
Deferred Payments are due March 15th of the following year.
**An additional $35 fee is added to a student’s bill for a deferred payment plan.**
How can I pay my tuition?
Tuition and room & board may be paid by check, money order, MasterCard, or Visa. The charges for each semester may be paid in two installments.Should you have questions please contact Student Accounts at (617) 573-8407, or fax (617) 557-4399, or email stdact@suffolk.edu.