Empire State College: State University of New York Skip navigation Home | MyESC | Site Index

MyESC Site Map

Check announcements and deadlines, contact someone for help and get to the pages and services you use the most.
Check your financial and academic records, activate your login, and update your contact information.
Register for your studies, find tutorials and other information about registration.
Access your online courses, choose your studies for upcoming terms, and plan your studies.
Visit the online library, get help with writing and math, find a tutor and more.
Financial aid and scholarships, billing, college bookstore, disabilities services and all other student services.
International Student Services

• International Student Services
• Admissions
• Maintaining status
• Practical training
• Resources

Print this page

Application Instructions

International Student Services Home > Admissions > Application

Admissions requirements & instructions for completing the application


Before applying:
  1. Visit our website at www.esc.edu and learn more about the college. Determine whether or not our programs meet your educational needs.
  2. Call the International Student Liaison (ISL) at (518) 587-2100 x2447, 1-800-847-3000, ext. 2447 or email Melanie.Kaiser@esc.edu to ask any questions you may have about the college, the requirements for admission and requirements for Canadian border commuter students.
  3. Please visit the international student services website, www.esc.edu/iss.
  4. Visit the US Citizenship and Immigration Services website, www.uscis.gov, to learn more about being a border commuter student.

To apply:
  1. Follow all of the guidelines for admission to Empire State College found in your admission packet.
  2. Submit your educational documents to one of the following approved evaluation services prior to being submitted to Empire State College:
  3. Take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) to demonstrate your English proficiency, if English is not your first language. Official score reports must be sent directly from Educational Testing Services (ETS) to Empire State College. You must obtain a score of 213 on the computer based exam or 550 on the paper based exam for admission to Empire State College and 80 on the TOEFL (iBT) internet-based exam. For more information, visit ETS’s website at www.ets.org/toefl.
  4. Complete the Foreign Student Financial Statement and submit the required documents to prove you have sufficient financial support for the term. The following documents are acceptable:
    • Original bank statements from both the student and his or her sponsor(s). Statements must show that the funds have been available for a period of 6 months or longer. Funds must be in US dollars.
    • Notarized letter of support, if student intends to utilize a sponsor’s financial support.
    • Original signatures from the student, bank official and sponsor on the Foreign Student Financial Statement.
  5. Gather all of the required documentation and submit your application to the Admissions office. An application is considered complete when the following have been received:
    • Completed application for admission
    • 300 word essay
    • Official transcripts from accredited colleges.
    • Official TOEFL score reports from ETS (if necessary)
    • Official evaluation report from WES of foreign educational credentials (if necessary)
    • Immunization records
    • Payment of $50.00 USD Orientation fee. Payment may be made by cashier’s check, money order, or credit card (Visa, Master Card, Discover)
    • Completed Financial Statement and supporting documentation
Mail your completed application to:
              Admissions Office
              Empire State College
              Two Union Avenue
              Saratoga Springs NY 12866-4390
              USA

What happens next?
  1. Admissions will process your application.
  2. The International Student Liaison (ISL) reviews your application to determine if you have the required English proficiency and financial support to be admitted.
  3. Once your application is accepted, you will receive your I-20 with information about maintaining status, paying your mandatory fees, and other required information.

For more information, please contact Melanie Kaiser, International Student Liaison, at (518) 587-2100 x 2447 or email Melanie.Kaiser@esc.edu.
8/12 Return to navigation links
Copyright © 1999 - 2012 Empire State College. Contact the webmaster