International Applicants

International Applicants

As an international theological center, STM represents the changing landscape of the Catholic Church on the global stage by training priests, lay ministers, and theologians from over 30 countries. While we continue to attract and train students from North America and Europe, more and more, the future leadership of the Church is emerging from South America, Africa, and Asia. STM is a part of this movement, training some of the first indigenous professors of seminaries, universities, and theological centers in those regions.

We encourage clergy, religious men and women, and lay students from all countries to apply to our programs. Please review our admission policies and procedures before applying. Additionally, important information regarding admissions requirements and processes for international students is included below.

Application Requirements

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Applicants who are Catholic diocesan priests or deacons or members of religious orders must submit a letter of approval and financial support from their bishop, major superior, or Provincial. Please select "Bishop/Major Superior" as the recommender type on the application form.

Evidence of English Proficiency

All applicants for whom English is not their native language must demonstrate proficiency in the English language.  Students will not be admitted into any STM program without an acceptable demonstration of English proficiency.  This must be done in the following ways:

  1. Written Essay
    In addition to the personal statement, international applicants are required to submit a 250 word essay in English in response to the question below. This essay cannot be written or edited by anyone but the applicant himself/herself. Please respond to the following question: From a theological and/or pastoral perspective, why is Christianity important today?

  2. Video Essay
    Within the online application you will find a Video Essay section, in which you will be prompted to give a 90 second verbal response to a random question. Once you are given the prompt, you will have 60 seconds to prepare your response. You will have 2 attempts to answer the question. This portion of the application requires a web-camera to complete. If you experience any difficulties, please contact our office.

  3. English Language Exam
    All applicants for whom English is not their native language must also provide test score results from one of two tests:

    TOEFL: An acceptable TOEFL score is 85 or above on the internet-based test. When taking the exam, include STM’s institutional code – 3971 – so that your scores may be sent directly to the school. You can register for the TOEFL here: www.toefl.org.

    IELTS: An acceptable IELTS score is 7.5 (band score) or above on the paper- or internet-based test. Results can be sent to the School of Theology and Ministry directly. Register here: https://www.ielts.org

The English exam requirement will be waived if:

  1. You are a citizen of Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, Guyana, an Anglophone country of Africa, or an English-speaking country of the Caribbean.
  2. You earned your prior college or university degree in the U.S.A., in one of the countries listed above in section 1, or at a college or university where the official language of instruction is English.
  3. You are currently enrolled as a full-time student in a degree-granting program in the U.S.A. or at an English-speaking school in one of the countries listed above in section 1 and will have the completed at least two academic years of college/university work before beginning your studies at Boston College.

All requests for a waiver from this requirement must be sent in writing to STM admissions: stmadm@bc.edu.

Visa Process

Before Being Accepted

No work on the part of the international applicant needs to be done toward a Visa until after they receive a letter of admission, have confirmed intent to enroll, and have proven financial ability for studies.

After Being Accepted

After being accepted, the Admissions Office will send you the Certification of Financial Support form for the I-20 document. Filling out and returning these forms to the STM Admissions Office will start the process of obtaining an F-1 visa to study in the United States. Students must meet the financial and English language requirements. International students, who are also Diocesan priests, must obtain priestly faculties to serve as priest in the Boston Archdiocese. The student’s Bishop or Major Superior must write to the Archbishop of Boston, requesting housing and faculties to function as a priest in the area. A copy of this letter should be sent to STM. Boston College can only issue an I-20, after such faculties have been secured.

Standardized Test Requirement

The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is not required for international applicants.

If you would still like to submit scores, our GRE code is 2508. You can register for the GRE at www.gre.org.

Costs

The United States Government requires all international students to prove that they have the financial means to support themselves while studying in the United States. If you are a member of the clergy or a religious, you need to document by either a bank statement or letter of support from your bishop or congregation that you have funds to live and study in the U.S. The U.S. Embassy will not issue you a visa if you do not have the necessary funds. Any tuition costs not covered by STM scholarship funds must be documented.

Financial Aid

The cost of higher education in the United States is high. STM awards tuition grants to international students depending on availability, to help ease their financial burden. Students must be enrolled in a degree seeking programs. Students must exhibit an exemplary academic record and personal potential. Students should be aware that, even if receiving a tuition grant, they still must obtain support to pay for their living expenses. Unfortunately, federal loans are not available to those who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents.

All international students must show that they have sufficient funds or resources to pay for their tuition and living expenses during the course of their studies, whether support comes in the form of scholarships, grants, and support from a religious order or from a personal bank account. Applicants do not need to supply evidence of sufficient resources with their applications. Once accepted, the admissions office will send a form where one can document resources.

Housing

Members of religious orders usually find housing with area parishes or religious communities. The assistant director of admissions can assist placing religious in such communities, though placement and housing is not guaranteed.  International lay students are encouraged to contact the admissions office to learn about off-campus housing options close by.

Frequently Asked Questions

question match your criteria

Can the English proficiency test requirement be waived?
<p>The English proficiency test requirement can be waived for international students who qualify under the following categories:</p> <ul> <li>You are a citizen of Australia, Canada (except Quebec), Great Britain, Ireland, New Zealand, Guyana, an Anglophone country of Africa, or an English-speaking country of the Caribbean.</li> <li>You earned your prior college or university degree in the U.S.A., in one of the countries listed above in section 1, or at a college or university where the official language of instruction is English.</li> <li>You are currently enrolled as a full-time student in a degree-granting program in the U.S.A. or at an English-speaking school in one of the countries listed above in section 1 and will have completed at least two academic years of college/university work before beginning your studies at Boston College.</li> </ul>
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Can you grant me a visa as an international student?
<p>If accepted, and after meeting the financial certification requirements, you will be issued an I-20 form, which certifies to the U.S. government that you are eligible for F-1 Visa Student Status. The I-20 form certifies that you have met our admissions requirements, have been accepted for a full course of study, and have demonstrated that you have sufficient funds to study and live in the United States. I-20 forms are uploaded to your admissions portal no more than 90 days prior to the start of your term of entry. These forms are uploaded only after you have been accepted, have confirmed your intention to enroll, and have submitted financial certification. </p>
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Does Boston College provide housing for international students?
<p>Unfortunately, Boston College does not provide graduate student housing. Lay international students must find an apartment or place to live for themselves, though we provide as much support in this process as possible. </p> <p>There are select possibilities for international priests to find housing through the Archdiocese of Boston. More instructions will be given after admission.</p> <p>Boston College has partnerships with a couple of local convents for religious sisters. We are able to nominate a few sisters per year for this housing.</p>
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If I am an international applicant, what additional application requirements do I have?
<p>International applicants are asked to submit the following additional requirements:</p> <ul> <li>Two brief supplemental essays: These essays cannot be written or edited by anyone but the applicant themself in English. This requirement is waived for applicants from select countries and who are applying to select degree programs. Please follow the prompts in your application.<br> </li> <li>Video Essay: Within the online application you will find a “Video Essay” section, in which you will be prompted to give a 90 second verbal response to a random question. Once you are given the prompt, you will have 60 seconds to prepare your response. You will have 2 attempts to answer the question; this portion of the application requires a web-camera to complete. If you experience any difficulties, please contact our office. This requirement is waived for applicants from select countries and who are applying to select degree programs.</li> <li><span id="docs-internal-guid-3f02ac95-7fff-8b7e-11f7-785ec3c7a09d">English Language Exam: All applicants for whom English is not their native language must also provide test score results from one of two tests:</span><ul> <li><span><span id="docs-internal-guid-6b06259d-7fff-bf53-e0af-229ef5f652dc">TOEFL: An acceptable TOEFL score is 85 or above on the internet-based test. When taking the exam, include STM’s institutional code—3971—so that your scores may be sent directly to the school.</span></span></li> <li>IELTS: An acceptable IELTS score is 7.5 (band score) or above on the paper- or internet-based test. Results can be sent to the School of Theology and Ministry directly.<br> </li> <li>If you feel that you may be eligible for an English Language waiver, please see the FAQ &quot;Can the English proficiency test requirement be waived?&quot;</li> </ul> </li> </ul> <p><a href="/content/bc-web/schools/stm/sites/audience-pages/international-applicants.html"><span class="btn btn-default btn-gold">International Applicant Info</span></a></p>
bc:schools/stm/admission-faq/search-tags/if-i-am-an-international-applicant,-what-additional-application-requirements-do-i-have
Is there a minimum IELTS or TOEFL score to apply?
<p>An acceptable TOEFL score is 85 or above on the internet-based test. When taking the exam, please include CSTM’s institutional code (3971) so that your scores may be sent directly to the school. An acceptable IELTS score is 7.5 (band score) or above on the paper- or internet-based test. Results can be sent to the Boston College Clough School of Theology and Ministry directly.</p>
bc:schools/stm/admission-faq/search-tags/is-there-a-minimum-ielts-or-toefl-score-to-apply
What happens after I receive my I-20?
<p>Take your acceptance letter, I-20 form, bank statement or financial certification, and passport to the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, preferably in your country of citizenship, to obtain your student (F-1) visa. Be prepared to explain to the embassy or consulate officials how your U.S. education will relate to your future in your home country. Once you have your F-1 visa, you will not be admitted to the United States until a date that is 30 days or less prior to the beginning of your program date, or start date, as given on your I-20 form. Please consider that date carefully when making your travel plans to the United States.</p>
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What scholarships and on-campus job opportunities are available as an international student?
<p>Higher education in the United States is expensive. However, CSTM is proud to award tuition grants, as well as graduate and research assistantship opportunities, to international students, depending on availability, to help ease their financial burden. For consideration, students must be enrolled in a degree seeking program, and should exhibit an exemplary academic record and personal potential. Students should be aware that, even if receiving a tuition grant, they still must obtain support to pay for their living expenses. Unfortunately, federal loans are not available to those who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents.</p> <p>All international students must show that they have sufficient funds or resources to pay for their tuition and living expenses during the course of their studies, whether support comes in the form of scholarships, grants, or support from a religious order or a personal bank account. Applicants do not need to supply evidence of sufficient resources with their applications. Once accepted, the admissions office will send a form where one can document resources.</p>
bc:schools/stm/admission-faq/search-tags/what-financial-aid-scholarships-and-on-campus-job-opportunities-are-available-as-an-international-student

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