From understanding priority deadlines to meeting English proficiency requirements, we've outlined key details to help you navigate the application process. Learn about SAT/ACT expectations, required documents, next steps, and how to connect with us or work with educational agents for additional support.
Iowa State University follows a rolling admission process for international student applicants. To ensure sufficient time for completing the admission process, receiving the Form I-20, and arranging for a visa and travel, we strongly recommend applying at least six to eight weeks in advance.
You can submit your application up to one year prior to your intended start date, with the option to upload supplemental documents as they become available after submitting your online application.
For the purpose of applying for admission to Iowa State University, English may be considered your primary language only if you have been raised in an environment where English is the ONLY official language of your locality and nation, and English has been the primary language used in your home.
Applicants whose primary language is not English must meet the English proficiency requirement by any one of the options listed below.
English proficiency options and minimum requirements
Students may submit a scanned copy of their test results when applying to Iowa State University. If admitted, you must request official scores to be sent directly from the testing agency to Iowa State.
TOEFL: 6306
SAT: 6306
ACT: 1320
DET: No institutional code required
IELTS: No institutional code required
PTE: No institutional code required
The SAT and ACT exams are not required for applicants educated abroad or for transfer students. However, submitting scores can aid in the admissions process and assist with placing you into appropriate first-semester courses. Our school codes for reporting SAT and ACT scores are 6306 and 1320, respectively.
Investigation of test scores
Iowa State reserves the right to investigate test results if there is reason to believe they do not accurately reflect an applicant's abilities. This may include significant discrepancies between scores on different tests or subscores. Investigations typically take at least 12 weeks, and admission review will be delayed until the investigation is concluded.
Applicants are expected to demonstrate above-average academic performance in their prior education. Minimum academic requirements are specified by country; however, meeting these standards does not guarantee admission.
To save you time, effort, and the cost of mailing materials such as academic records, test results, and financial documentation, we allow you to upload these documents directly via our online application portal. (If admitted, official and final academic records will still be required.)
When creating your online application account, please ensure you enter your full legal name as it appears on your passport. This name will be used to issue your I-20 visa eligibility form. Discrepancies between your passport name and the name on your I-20 could result in a visa denial.
A nonrefundable application fee of $65 is required for submission. The fee must be paid by credit card through the online application system. Unfortunately, we are unable to offer fee waivers.
International students applying for a U.S. student visa must provide a residential address (not a P.O. box), as the U.S. government requires it for visa processing. Additionally, we send admission letters via express mail, which does not deliver to P.O. boxes.
If you are currently attending or have attended a post-secondary institution, you must list it on the application, regardless of whether you want it to be used in our admission or transfer credit decisions. Omitting such information is considered fraud, and could result in denial of your application or dismissal from Iowa State.
If your academic records are not in English, please include a certified English translation.
If you don't have all required documents available when you apply, you can log into your application account later to upload additional materials. Simply click on the “Managing Your Documents” link to return to the upload page.
If you encounter difficulties with scanning or uploading legible documents, don't worry—we’ll still fully consider your application as long as all required materials are submitted by the deadline. Official English proficiency exam results may be submitted up to 30 days after the deadline.
Iowa State University
Office of Admissions
2433 Union Drive
100 Enrollment Services Center
Ames, IA 50011-2042 USA
Your application will be reviewed based on the documents you’ve uploaded. The processing time for admission decisions may vary, and during peak submission periods (especially right before deadlines), it may take several weeks due to high application volume. If you're admitted, we will send you an offer letter along with your I-20 Form. Please note that your admission is contingent upon us receiving official, hard copies of your final academic records by the deadline specified in your admission letter.
To ensure efficient communication, please limit your email inquiries and include your full name (as listed on your application) and date of birth in all messages. For all inquiries, send your email directly to admissions@iastate.edu and avoid sending duplicate messages to multiple staff members.
Iowa State University has formal agreements with a select group of educational agents in India, China, Brazil, Nigeria, and Mongolia. If you wish to confirm whether the agent you are working with is officially contracted by Iowa State, please email admissions@iastate.edu for verification.
Important: Ensure that your agent uses your unique personal email address when completing your application. Our system cannot process applications with an email address that is already associated with another student's account. We send important updates directly to you via email, so if your agent is using a different email address, please make sure they forward all our correspondence to you.
The Office of Admissions is here to help.
