International Student Admissions
Students from all around the world come to the University of Maine at Machias to learn in our supportive small-campus environment on Maine’s Bold Coast. We’re proud to welcome the diverse perspectives of international students and value their contributions to the learning community in Machias.
To apply as an international student, you must:
- Submit one of our admission applications, Common Application or ApplyMaine.
- Submit official transcripts of all previous secondary/high school (submissions requirements by country). If you attended a university, submit the official transcript.
- If the document is not in English, submit a certified English translation.
- We can accept copies of transcripts and test scores submitted by the student to edocs@maine.edu. Once admitted, the student will be required to submit official documents to our office before class registration is possible. Transcripts must be issued from the secondary/high school directly to be considered official.
- Submit a Declaration of Finances Form along with supporting documents via e-mail to umm.international@maine.edu. This documentation must be original, certified, or notarized, and be less than one year old.
- If submitted with the application, this form expedites the issuing of the I-20 (immigration document). Documentation should be submitted to support scholarships, sponsorships and family funds.
- Submit a copy of passport ID page and submit via e-mail to umm.international@maine.edu.
- Official English language proficiency test scores if you reside in a country where English is not the primary language. (see FAQ below)
What happens next?
You’ll receive an email with information about activating your maine.edu student email account and MaineStreet student portal.
Activating your MaineStreet Student Portal allows you to monitor the status of your application. It’s important to monitor the Student Self-Service option on the portal to ensure that you’ve submitted all required documents.
Deadlines
Our university accepts applications on a rolling admission basis. Suggested deadlines are December 1 for a spring start and July 15 for an August start. We do not offer a summer start date in May.
Frequently Asked Questions
What counts as an official transcript?
Official transcripts must be issued from the secondary/high school directly to the admissions office. Required credentials vary by country. Check your country’s requirements here.
If the document is not in English, submit a certified English translation.
How can I submit official transcripts?
- Uploaded by a school official through the Common Application
- Mailed directly from the organization issuing the transcript to:
| Sent via airmail or equivalent: | Application Processing PO Box 412 Bangor, ME 04402-0412 |
| Shipped using courier service (FedEx, DHL, UPS, etc.) : | c/o University of Maine Machias Admissions 116 Obrien Ave Machias, ME 04654 |
What are the costs of attendance for international students?
Our international students are eligible for the same tuition rate as domestic out-of-state students. This changes yearly; you can find the most updated information here. As of fall 2020, Canadian students qualify for in-state tuition.
Are SAT or ACT scores required?
No, the University of Maine at Machias does not require SAT or ACT scores. However, SAT or ACT scores can often establish admissibility to the university when foreign academic records alone may not.
What English language proficiency tests do you accept, and how can I get a waiver?
All applicants must request that an official English language proficiency exam score is submitted to the University of Maine at Machias by the testing agency:
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) – minimum score of 79 (iBT) or 550 (paper-based test). Click here for test score submission instructions. UMM’s institution code is 3956.
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System) – minimum score of 6.5. Click here for information on submitting your test scores.
- PTE (Pearson Test of English) – minimum score of 53. No institution code.
- CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) – completed level C1 Advanced (Certificate of Advanced English). No institution code.
- DET (Duolingo English Test) – minimum score of 105. Due to the current unprecedented situation globally, UMaine has made the decision to temporarily accept DET score as an approved test to demonstrate English proficiency.
Waived language test if:
- native speaker of English (e.g., Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, U.K.)
- SAT Verbal score is 550 or higher; Click here for information on submitting SAT scores. Institution code: 3956.
- ACT English score is 24 or higher; Click here for information on submitting ACT scores. Institution code: 1666.
- high school transcript clearly states that English is the language of instruction of all subjects.
- student studying in the U.S. or Canada for two or more years and not in an ESL track.
- student has successfully passed an English Composition course at a U.S. higher education institution with a grade of C or higher, even if student has not studied in the U.S. for two or more years.
Can I be admitted even if my English doesn’t meet your requirements?
We do not offer conditional admission. Students who do not meet the language proficiency requirement are encouraged to enroll in the University of Maine Intensive English Institute for appropriate English coursework until suitable English proficiency is acquired.
Can I attend the University of Maine at Machias for only a semester or a year?
We do not have an international exchange program in place at this time.
How quickly will the University of Maine at Machias send me the form (e.g., I-20) I need to apply for my visa?
As soon as you have been admitted and established your ability to finance your education, we will prepare the Form I-20 and mail it to you along with information about applying for your visa and preparing to come to the U.S.
Can I submit the International Student Declaration of Finances form after I am accepted?
Yes, you may submit the International Student Declaration of Finances form before or after admission. Submit it as soon as possible to speed up the issuance of your Form I-20.
Do Canadian commuting students still need to submit an International Student Declaration of Finances?
No, Canadian students who live across the border and commute to our campus each day do not have to submit an International Student Declaration of Finances form. However, if circumstances change and you wish to live in our residence halls or elsewhere in the United States, you must notify International Admissions of this change and submit the form so you can be issued the Form I-20.
I do not need transfer credit from my former university. Do I still have to have it professionally evaluated?
No, we evaluate many transcripts in our Admissions office. However, we may ask an applicant to complete a diploma equivalency evaluation or course-by-course evaluation if we are not familiar with the submitted transcript type or cannot verify its authenticity.
As an international student, will I be allowed to work?
U.S. immigration regulations allow international students in F-1 status to work on-campus for up to 20 hours per week while school is in session, and full-time during winter and summer vacation.
As an international student, which semesters can I apply for?
International students can apply to the Fall and Spring semesters but they cannot be admitted for the Summer semester due to visa regulations.
If I already have a bachelor’s degree, or an equivalent, can I apply for admission at the University of Maine at Machias?
The University of Maine at Machias only offers bachelor’s and associate degrees. You may apply for a second bachelor’s degree and be eligible for an international scholarship.
Still have questions?
Contact us at umm.international@maine.edu.