Information and resources for

Prospective Students

Application Process and Requirements

The following applies to international applicants (not U.S. Citizens or permanent U.S. Residents).

Complete an application online*

• ONLINE APPLICATION (select 'Internat'l - as application type)
• Pay the required $50 international application fee

*If you experience difficulty with the online application, see our FAQS and contact us for guidance. If you are unable to use or access the online application, contact us to request a paper application PDF sent by email or post from our office.

Branch campus applicants (Dona Ana Branch, NMSU-Alamogordo, NMSU-Carlsbad, NMSU-Grants) must complete the paper application.

Additional application requirements

• Request official TOEFL score sent to NMSU (code 4531) Minimum score required for regular admission is IBT 61, CBT 173, or PBT 500 or equivalent for undergraduate and IBT 71, CBT 197, or PBT 530 for graduate students. Exceptions to the TOEFL requirement are by country and educational background.
• IELTS exam scores are also accepted, 5.0 for undergraduate applicants and 6.0 for graduate applicants are the necessary scores for regular admission.
• Lower TOEFL or IELTS scores may be acceptable for ‘provisional’ admission and require further intensive English study following mandatory English proficiency testing during new student orientation.
• Have official academic documents** with proof of graduation sent directly from your previous institution(s) to:

International Student Services, MSC 3G
New Mexico State University
P.O. Box 30001
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001 U.S.A.

or, if using a courier service:

International Student Services
Educational Services Building, Suite G
New Mexico State University
1780 E. University Ave.
Las Cruces, NM 88003-8001
U.S.A.

 

**NMSU requires official or official attested academic documents, received directly from the institution if possible. Translations from an official translator or translation agency must be provided if the transcript is not in English. All previous college or university coursework must be included on your application. See the required minimum standards of admission (grade point average, etc.) for graduate applicants in the NMSU Graduate Catalog, and for undergraduate applicants in the NMSU Undergraduate Catalog.

For assistance with attesting or certifying academic or other educational documents, contact the nearest EducationUSA advising center. EducationUSA advisors can also answer many questions about applying to American universities and the U.S. system of education.

 

If your current/previous institution is an eScrip-Safe® Network Member, you may order your documents sent electronically using the eScrip-Safe format.

Graduate applicants must submit one complete academic record from each college or university attended.

Undergraduate transfer applicants must submit an official transcript from each university or college attended, and may also be required to submit secondary school records.

Undergraduate freshman (first time at any college or university) must submit an official secondary school transcript and graduation or school leaving document. Applicants who graduated from an American high school must also submit ACT or SAT results.

• Graduate applicants must also submit additional requirements of their departments. See a list of these graduate degrees and application requirements and contact the department directly with questions. Examples of additional requirements that may be required are the GRE or GMAT exams, letters of recommendation, a statement of interest, a departmental application, or other. It is the responsibility of all graduate applicants to be aware of the departmental requirements and application process.

Please note:

• An admissions decision cannot be made until all supporting documents have been received. It is not possible to advise an applicant of their 'eligibility for admission' without a complete application.
• Applicants for graduate degrees are evaluated both in International Admissions for university standards, and also in their department for admission to the departmental graduate degree program.
• Graduate department deadlines are given in the webpage above (graduate degrees). If no deadline is given, and for undergraduate applicants, the recommended deadlines are:
  • for Fall semester (August - December): March 1
  • for Spring semester (January - May): October 1
• NMSU does not usually accept applications from international applicants for summer start.
• To be issued a document to obtain a student visa, financial documentation requirements must also be met. Documents to meet these requirements must be original.

For more information, download our 'Admissions Checklist,' check our FAQs, or contact us directly.