International First Time Student Admission Requirements

First Time in College (FTIC) Students 

FTICs are students who have never enrolled in a degree program at Howard University or any other post-secondary institution of higher education following their high school graduation. 

FTIC Academic Eligibility 

We consider the applicant's secondary school academic record, SAT or ACT scores (if submitted), recommendations, leadership in school and community activities, unique talents and skills, and educational objectives. For admission consideration, an applicant should have a well-balanced college preparatory program. 

FTIC Admission Requirements Package

A complete application package includes the following materials: 

  1. Common Application and Howard Supplement with non-refundable US $45 application fee.  

  1. One letter of recommendation from a school counselor, principal, head of school, or school official; 

  1. One letter of recommendation from a teacher or professor; 

  1.  SAT or  ACT scores (optional) 

    • To obtain SAT  test dates, visit www.collegeboard.org – school code 5297 

    • To obtain ACT test dates, visit www.act.org – school code 0674; 

  2. High School transcript, official certified final secondary school records, or mark sheets including grades 9-12; 

  1. Certified documentation of exit examination scores for example CXC, GCE, WAEC, BGCSE, or exit examination scores from your region or country - All course titles, and the marks earned in those courses, should be reflected. 

  1. If your transcript, exit exam, leaving certificate, or grade scale system is in a foreign language, an official English translation by World Education Services (www.wes.org) is required. Request the International Credential Advantage Package (ICAP) (Transcript + Evaluation) Document by Document Report only.

  2. Common Application Essay 

  3. Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) http://www.ets.org/toefl are required for applicants whose native language is not English.  Howard’s school code is 5297. Only official reports from ETS will be accepted.  

    • Score of 550 on the paper-based test (PBT) 

    • Score of 79 on the internet-based test(iBT) 

  4. In lieu of the TOEFL (if not offered in your country), applicants may submit results from IELTS (International English Language Testing System) with an overall score of a 6.5. 

  5. Statement of Financial Resources Form for non-U.S. citizens, permanent residents, or nationals; the “1st Year” column must be completed, using the “General Undergraduate” figures; it must be signed by you and your sponsor. If you are self-sponsored, you should sign on both lines. The form does not require a signature or stamp by a bank official. 

  6. Statement of Financial Resources Form 
    http://www.howard.edu/enrollment/documents/admission/Statement%20of%20Financial%20Resources.pdf 

  7. Sponsor’s letter stating the sponsor’s name, your name, relationship to the sponsor and the sponsor’s intent to be responsible for your expenses; if you are self-sponsored, you should submit a letter stating that you are sponsoring yourself 

  8. Recent monthly bank statement; if the statement is in a foreign currency, the US dollar equivalence and conversion rate must be stated. The balance must match or exceed the total completed in the “1st Year” column on the Financial Resources Form; a letter written by a bank is not acceptable.