• Complete the online application (Make sure you answer all questions correctly)
• A $75 application fee (collected online)
• Copies of transcripts from all institutions of higher education previously attended or currently attending (confirm with your program if unofficial transcripts can be used during admissions review).
• Three letters of recommendation 
• Proof of English language proficiency: TOEFL or IELTS scores (Required for students applying from countries that do not meet SMU’s TOEFL exemption policy)
• Official scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (check department requirements)
• Video essay (Required for some Dedman College applicants)

It is important to note the application deadlines so that all your materials are submitted in a timely manner.

Read: I Successfully Navigated the Application Process — Here’s How

The Test of English as a Foreign Language, or TOEFL, and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) evaluate students’ proficiency in four areas of English language skills — reading, writing, listening, and speaking. 

A TOEFL/IELTS score is required of all international applicants from countries where English is not the native language. Your test scores must be within the past two years of the application deadline; otherwise, you must retake the test.  For more information on the guidelines surrounding testing, including minimum score requirements for admission at SMU, please visit the international applicant page of the Moody School of Graduate and Advanced Studies SMU. 

Why take IELTS/TOEFL?

English proficiency tests are important because they demonstrate your ability to function and learn within the English language, a necessary skill for all Ph.D. students in the U.S. IELTS and TOEFL are both widely used and trusted to be accurate. Due to the strict nature of both tests, you can be sure your score is an accurate representation of your understanding of English. 

 If you score well enough, it might also help you secure a teaching assistantship — and the funding that goes along with it. To serve as a teaching assistant while you earn your Ph.D., your school needs to know that you can accurately communicate the lessons and grade papers and assignments appropriately.

Beyond your academic goals, a good IELTS/TOEFL score can also help you secure a job. Whether you want to work for a multinational company, a government agency or in education, your score will help demonstrate to employers that you have a strong understanding of English. 

Tips for Acing the IELTS/TOEFL

Here are six helpful tips for the IELTS/TOEFL

1. Know the test format
   Having a good grasp of the number of questions, sections, the length of the test, and the types of questions that will be asked will help you to feel more prepared going into the test. The fewer surprises the better, so spend some time learning about what will be on the test.
2. Create a study plan
   Name specific strategies for learning to speak, read, write, and listen in English. You can find many english proficiency test exercises online that will help you outline what and how to study.
3. Take as many practice tests as you possibly can
   Practice tests, especially ones published by the testing companies themselves, will help you familiarize yourself with the material.
4. Set a goal score
   Setting a goal will keep you motivated, focused, and will help you measure your progress throughout your time taking practice tests.
5. Enlist support
   Ask family, friends, tutors, and anyone else to help you practice your English language skills.
6. Retake the test
   Trying again is an option if you leave enough time to retake the test.

Here is an in-depth look at how the IELTS and TOEFL exams are structured and scored.

Many graduate programs in the United States require students to submit official scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). The GRE is a test that measures a student’s proficiency and skills in several areas, necessary for graduate education. The test focuses on three areas of competency: verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, and analytical writing. To succeed in taking the GRE, students should study the structure and scoring methodology of the test. 

Students have the option to take the test on paper or online, and should choose the arrangement that works best for them. The test is offered in more than 160 countries, and is administered at 700 test centers around the world. Results can be sent electronically to the program of your choice (SMU’s code is 6660). Most graduate programs require applicants to take the GRE within five years of application.

However, check whether or not your program still requires the GRE. Some programs have opted to be test optional, but English language proficiency test scores are still required by all programs.

A video essay is required for certain Dedman College  Ph.D. applicants. You are required to submit a video essay if:

• You submitted a TOEFL/IELTS speaking score below 23 (TOEFL) or 6.5 (IELTS).
• You are applying to the Statistics or Biostatistics PhD programs.

If you receive a higher score than those listed above, the video essay is optional.

Students should not be nervous about the video essay portion of the application. This is an opportunity for you to speak directly to your admissions committee via a recorded response about your passions and strengths. The best thing students can do to prepare for the video essay is to practice a lot, and to think about it like a job interview. 

Read More: De-mystifying the video essay portion of the Dedman College application

How does the video essay work?

Students will be asked to record their answer to just one question. Students can practice as many times as they want, but they are only allowed two chances to record their final answers. Students will be asked one randomized question from one of the following three categories: 

• Interest in SMU and/or their desired degree program 
• Personal characteristics, leadership skills, and activities
• Academic and research experience 

Unofficial transcripts are accepted during the application phase for applicants applying to Dedman College of Humanities and Sciences or the Lyle School of Engineering. Upon admission to SMU, you will need to send official transcripts, certified and translated if from a foreign institution, directly from each school of higher education you attended. Applicants applying to the Meadows School of the Arts or Simmons School of Education and Human Development must provide official transcripts at the time of application. 

Applicants must also provide a copy of their diploma in the original language and in English. The translation of these documents should effectively and accurately explain the title of the course from its native language, so the faculty can understand what it is.

Meadows School of the Arts and Simmons School of Education and Human Development also require transcript evaluations for international applicants. All foreign transcripts must be accompanied by a professional evaluation and an official transcript, including an English translation if it is not in English, and course descriptions or syllabi. Dedman College applicants must provide an official transcript evaluation if they hold a 3-year Bachelor’s degree in order to demonstrate equivalency of a 4-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree.

It is the student's responsibility to procure this evaluation and to assume financial responsibility for it. Because of the importance of this information, SMU only accepts evaluations from the following agencies of proven reliability:

As part of your application, you will need to submit three letters of recommendation. When choosing the three individuals who will write your letters of recommendation, you should choose people who know you well and can speak specifically to your accomplishments. Unless you have specific and extensive work experience in your chosen field, the best recommendations for Ph.D. applicants are from academic references. 

Be sure to provide them with all the materials they need to craft your letter, and plenty of time to submit it before the deadline. 

Easy Steps to Get the Best Letters of Recommendation for Grad School

Fellowships are gifts of money, offered by either the university or external benefactors, that are commonly given to students as a merit-based award. Fellowship funding can last anywhere from one year, to the whole duration of a student’s Ph.D. program. Fellowships are frequently used to sponsor a student and fund proposed research that will advance their specific area of study. 

At SMU, tuition fellowships are available from the university, and are awarded on a competitive basis for both merit and need. If a program offers departmental funding, students are considered at time of application and do not need to fill out an additional fellowship application. Sometimes additional documentation is required, in which case the department will contact the student directly. 

You can also research additional external fellowships through websites such as ProFellow and GoGrad.

Teaching and research assistantships are available from the departments. 

Teaching assistantships are positions in which students support department faculty members in their various courses. Some of these positions will involve work helping the professor prepare materials for the class, and in some cases graduate assistants you may be asked to teach the class yourself. 

Research assistantships are similar, in that you will support a department faculty member in their lab and research while receiving compensation, but you will not be involved in classroom interactions.

Similarly to fellowships, they are awarded on a competitive basis for both merit and need, and students are considered for these opportunities at the time of their application. Assistantships cover a student’s tuition and fees and can, in addition, pay stipends for designated work in the departments. 

Grants and scholarships are both gifts of free money from both private and public institutions that will not need to be paid back after you finish your Ph.D. These types of funds are usually earmarked for students from specific ethnicities, countries, or with particular skills or other qualifications. The best way to take advantage of grants and scholarships is to begin your research early and apply for as many as possible. 

International students are not eligible for U.S. Government grants, but there are plenty of opportunities from private institutions — some even offer fully-funded scholarships or grants for international graduate students. You can find grants and scholarships specifically for international students on websites such as GreatCollegeDeals and CollegeScholarships.org.

Private loans are offered to international students through a variety of different institutions. Students can borrow up to the total amount of the cost of their education and education related expenses, after financial aid is applied, to be paid back to the institution with interest upon completion of your degree. 

You will need to apply for these loans, which will include providing the lender with some financial information. International students applying for loans will often be required to have a creditworthy cosigner on the loan who is a U.S. citizen or a non-citizen permanent resident. 

Websites such as International Student Loan and IEFA can help you find and compare loans, interest rates, and repayment plans. 

Every international student is required to file a tax return if they were in the US during the previous calendar year. These need to be submitted by April 15th of each year. You must file a tax return (or in some circumstances Form 8843) to comply with a F-1 visa, even if you didn’t earn any money in the U.S.. 

If you received income in the US in the last calendar year, you will need to file both Form 8843 and most likely Form 1040NR-EZ. There are several options for completing your tax paperwork:

• File online, by purchasing a tax code for an online program facilitated by the International Student and Scholar Services Office (ISSS)
• Fill out hard copies and mail them directly to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS)
• Pay a professional to file them for you

For more information and resources regarding filing taxes, purchasing access codes, and obtaining the correct paperwork, current students should contact the Office of International Student and Scholar Services. 

International students will need to acquire several documents to legally study in the United States. At SMU, our Office of International Student and Scholar Services works with students directly to process their visa paperwork. The office will contact students directly through email, to help get paperwork in order and remind students if anything is still missing.

After being accepted by SMU, a Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) certified school, international students will begin the process of filling out your paperwork to study in the U.S.. Follow this easy step-by-step list will help ensure international students complete each necessary component.

How to Apply For A Student Visa to Study in the United States:

1. Your designated school official (DSO) will send you an I-20 to complete
2. Pay Your I-901 SEVIS Fee (make sure to keep your receipt — you will need it!)
3. Apply for a U.S. Visa (F-1 student visa status) 
4. Arrive at U.S. Port of Entry (schedule arrival within 30 days of official program start date listed on your I-20)
5. Once international students arrive in the US, they will be met by a U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) officer. Be prepared to present the following:
• Form I-20
• Valid visa
• Passport
• Acceptance letter from your SEVP-certified school
• Evidence of financial support
• Name and telephone number of your DSO 
6. Once international students have been admitted, they will receive a form I-94, “Arrival and Departure Record”
7. International students must maintain their status as a fulltime student, until they have completed their chosen degree program 

After one full year of study, international students are eligible to take an annual vacation. Students who wish to find part time employment must speak with their DSO first to ensure that they meet all the necessary requirements.  

F-1 students should speak with their DSO if they are planning to do any of the following:

• Change their major, program, or degree level.
• Change their education level.
• Transfer to a new school or take a leave of absence.
• Take a break from school.
• Travel outside the United States.
• Move to a new address.
• Request a program extension.

Additional Resources For International Students:

U.S. Department of State’s EducationUSA

EducationUSA Find Financial Aid

U.S. Department of Homeland Security Most FAQs

SMU provides funding to cover the cost of premiums for the Student Health Insurance plan for all full-time enrolled Ph.D. students who meet the eligibility requirements. 

Coverage is provided for up to five years, with the goal of improving the quality of life for students and removing a significant financial burden so students can focus on their doctoral studies. 

Students who elect to accept the university’s health insurance plan have access to the Dr. Bob Smith Health Center, located on SMU’s campus. Your insurance covers all services offered, including comprehensive quality medical services, dental services, counseling services, and health promotion. 

Annual health maintenance such as flu shots are free to students, and the Health Center hosts a pharmacy for students to easily access medications and prescriptions. 

At SMU, there are both on- and off-campus housing options for graduate students. 

On-campus housing options can be found through the SMU Residence Life and Student Housing website: 

• Houses/Dorms
• Apartments

To apply for on-campus housing, contact the Office of Residence Life and Student Housing (housing@smu.edu).

Whether you are an international student looking to live off-campus in a larger space that is more accommodating to your family, or you just want the privacy of living on your own, there are several options for graduate students. Check out this list of nearby apartment complexes, or search websites like Very Apt, Zillow, Trulia, or Redfin to find homes or apartments for rent near campus:

• Cedar Lodge Apartments
• Cambridge Court Apartment Living 
• The Caruth Townhome Apartments 
• The Village Dallas
• The Avery on Southwestern
• Grand Reserve Townhomes
• The Standard
• Mockingbird Flats 

SMU is centrally located in the heart of Dallas Texas, just miles from the city center. Dallas is a cosmopolitan city, and home to large groups of individuals from several different nationalities and backgrounds. In our experience, international students have no problem feeling right at home in this cultured city, with grocery stores, restaurants, and cultural centers that offer a little taste of their home country. Once you get to Dallas, be sure to take some time to explore the area, find places where you can buy your favorite food or experience familiar music and art.

Read More: 3 Reasons Dallas is a Graduate Student's Dream City

Dallas is a large, popular, and easily accessed city, which makes it easy to get to and from SMU.

• There are two major airports in the Dallas area: Love Field and Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport. 
• DART is the transportation system that gets you around Dallas and 12 surrounding cities. SMU participates in a DART Higher Education Pass Program. All enrolled students are eligible to receive a FREE annual DART transit pass. 

The SMU Express and Museum Express shuttles are free to all students and do not require a DART Transit Pass to ride.