INTERNATIONAL STUDENT FAQs

Current Topics:

• Am I an international student?
• What percentage of Trinity's students is international?
• Does Trinity accept the common application?
• Does Trinity offer financial aid to foreign students?
• Is admission to Trinity need-blind for foreign students?
• What standardized tests are required for admission?
• How do I get college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) classes?
• Does Trinity offer any athletic scholarships?
• What type of special support or international organizations does Trinity offer its foreign/international students?
• Can I work at Trinity if I am a foreign student?
• As a foreign transfer student, may I apply to Trinity?
• What are Trinity's application deadlines for international students?

Am I an international student? — (BACK TO TOP)

At Trinity, we distinguish our international students in two ways. You are a “foreign” student if, regardless of where you went to secondary school, you are neither a citizen nor a permanent resident of the United States. You are an “overseas” student if, regardless of your country’s citizenship, you attended secondary school outside of the United States.

What percentage of Trinity's students is international? — (BACK TO TOP)

The Class of 2011 has 10% international students from 38 countries. Trinity received 457 applications from international students from 86 countries last fall. 120 of these students (26%) were admitted. Trinity met 100% of the demonstrated financial need for each of the 120 foreign students whom we admitted.

Does Trinity accept the common application? — (BACK TO TOP)

Yes, we do. You can access this application at www.commonapp.org, and you must also submit the application supplement. There is no fee for the online application, but if you submit a paper application, the fee is $50.

Does Trinity offer financial aid to foreign students? — (BACK TO TOP)

Yes, both need-based and merit-based scholarship aid are available to foreign students who are applying as first-year students. US citizens and Permanent residents who live abroad are packaged the same way as our U.S. students and should refer to our main Financial Aid web site. However, no financial aid is available to foreign transfer students so Trinity does not accept transfer applications from foreign students who require financial aid.

Automatic consideration is given to all foreign applicants for both merit- and need-based aid. No special application is necessary.

Is admission to Trinity need-blind for foreign students? — (BACK TO TOP)

No. Trinity is need-sensitive when making decisions of admission with regard to foreign students. When reviewing foreign applications, Trinity takes into account whether or not an applicant has requested financial assistance. Applying for financial aid places you in an extremely competitive applicant pool, and it behooves each applicant to put down the maximum amount their family can contribute to a Trinity education. Failure to do so could jeopardize a student’s chance of admission. If admitted, Trinity will meet the full demonstrated financial need of the student.

What standardized tests are required for admission? — (BACK TO TOP)

Trinity requires that all native English speaking students take either the SAT I and/or the ACT examination. The SAT scores for the middle 50% of the class of 2011 ranged from 1,210-1,380 (critical reading and math) and the ACT scores for the middle 50% were 27-31.

If English is not your first language, you must also take the TOEFL exam. We recommend a TOEFL score of 250 (computer), 100 (internet), or 600 (paper). Demonstrating superior English skills is an important factor in admissions’ decisions, since Trinity does not offer courses in English as a second language, and its curriculum requires a great deal of high-level writing and class participation. It is imperative that students have sufficient English preparation to achieve in this kind of environment.

How do I get college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) classes? — (BACK TO TOP)

Students may acquire up to 36 semester hours through credit by examination. Generally, AP credit is given for scores of 4 or 5, with the exception of English Language and Composition, which requires a score of 5, and Calculus BC, which requires a score of 3. IB credit is given for Higher Level scores of 5, 6, or 7 on the exams. Credit for British "A" Levels (A) and French Baccalaureate (15+) is also possible. At Trinity, credit is decided by individual departments in consultation with the registrar. Also, you may contact the Office of Admissions for a brochure that details the exams that give credit for specific courses.

Does Trinity offer any athletic scholarships? — (BACK TO TOP)

No. As a NCAA Division III school, Trinity offers no athletic scholarships. However, the university does have excellent teams in both men's and women's sports. For eleven of the past fourteen years Trinity has won the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference's President's trophy for winning the most championships in the conference. Most of our 18 varsity athletic teams enjoy success on a national level, including recent National Championships in Men's Soccer (Fall '03) and Women's Basketball (Winter '02).

What type of special support or international organizations does Trinity offer its foreign/international students? — (BACK TO TOP)

The International Student Advisor in the International Programs Office (IPO) is responsible for much of the on-campus support for international students. Other offices provide the same support that is available to all Trinity students, including a 24-hour-a-day staffed health center, access to local hospitals, and religious/spiritual guidance.

Some of the benefits and services available for international students at Trinity include:

• Guaranteed on-campus housing
• International student advising
• First year orientation
• Host family program
• On and off-campus employment opportunities
• International student mentor program
• Many international student organizations including the International Club, Trinity Multicultural Network, Latino Exchange, China Culture Club, Korean Student Association, Russian Club, German Club, Language and Culture Club, Asian Sub-Continental Association and the Muslim Students Association.

Can I work at Trinity if I am a foreign student? — (BACK TO TOP)

Yes, you can! On-campus students can work at the library, the athletic facilities, admissions office, international student services, or as a tutor. Trinity international students can obtain internships in fields applicable to their course of study. Many of these internships are paid and are facilitated through one of our academic departments.

As a foreign transfer student, may I apply to Trinity? — (BACK TO TOP)

Yes. Please note, that if at any time you have been enrolled in a degree program at another institution of higher education, you must apply as a transfer student, even if you are willing to relinquish the credit you have received elsewhere. However, foreign students who have enrolled at another university, and who require financial aid, are not eligible to transfer to Trinity. All foreign transfer students must demonstrate complete financial independence for their time at Trinity and must submit all courses taken for credit at secondary and other educational institutions before enrolling at Trinity.

What are Trinity's application deadlines for international students? — (BACK TO TOP)

Deadlines for Applying

Trinity offers four admission deadlines (applications must be postmarked by these dates) for First Year applicants:

	Application	Notification	Deposit
Early Decision	November 1	December 15	February 1
Early Action I	November 1	December 15	May 1
Early Action II	December 15	February 1	May 1
Regular Decision	February 1	April 1	May 1