Applying to Marquette as an International Student
Overview of Admissions Process
In the United States, selective private universities are well respected for the quality of their academic programs and for the individual assistance they give their students. Marquette University admits only students who have been successful in their previous academic programs at levels of achievement which promise continuing success at Marquette
Prospective international students apply to the Office of International Education. This office helps each international student provide the most useful information about his or her preparation for Marquette studies, and also sends the student additional information about Marquette.
Steps to Apply
The process to become a Marquette student includes the following general steps.
- Submitting Your Application
Each student applies for admission to begin studies in either the fall or the spring semester by presenting a completed International Undergraduate Application Form (online or in paper) and the Application Fee of $40 (USD) along with any other required application materials that are available at the time of the application.
To begin the application process, click the link below:
- Submitting Materials
The student completes his or her application file by sending to Marquette the other required materials as soon as they become available. University administrators correspond with the student throughout this process to clarify the status of the application file and to provide more information about Marquette.
- Application Review & Determination
When the application file is complete, specialists evaluate it. Then the Admissions Committee decides on the admission of the student. Also at that time, the scholarship committee decides on honorary financial awards or scholarships for outstanding students. Finally, the committee decides on any other conditions of admission, including the specific requirements for English testing upon arrival for students whose application documents have not proven their fluency in English. Transfer credit is decided at the time of an applicant's admission decision or later when the appropriate records arrive. Then the Office of International Education informs the student of the results of these admission decisions.
- Student Financial Sponsorship Requirement
The university completes its verification of student financial sponsorship in order to comply with U.S. government regulations for F-1 (student) visa status. The student's financial sponsor provides certified evidence of the required finances and sends an advance deposit of money to demonstrate the availability of the guaranteed funds. This deposit, minus $500, is refundable if the student does not enroll at Marquette. Government-sponsored students arrange for the university to receive an official billing authorization directly from their government offices. [Students and their financial sponsors can learn more details about these procedures by reading the Sponsorship Form (PDF)]
- Federal Certificate of Eligibility
After the financial verification is completed, the university sends to the prospective F-1 visa student a federal Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) for the necessary government arrangements to join Marquette. At this time administrators also send more information about legal arrangements, arrival at Marquette, the special orientation program for new visa students, and other pre-enrollment assistance.
- Special Orientation Program
Each student can then complete the legal, travel and other arrangements to join Marquette University. Each new student is invited to a special orientation program which begins several days before the start of the new term. During these days of orientation students can prepare for successful living and study, and then they enroll for their first term of classes. Advising continues for them throughout their time at Marquette.


