Monmouth / Admissions / International Students / Information for International Students

Information for International Students

A Quick Summary of the Basics:
Monmouth College is a selective, nationally-ranked, residential liberal arts college (a university-level institution dedicated to undergraduate education). Monmouth has approximately 1350 students and 97 faculty, and is located in a small, charming, very safe and inexpensive town in the Midwest.  Illinois is a largely agricultural state with one large city (Chicago); Monmouth, Illinois (http://g.co/maps/zrnz6), is a town of 10,000, four hours south and west of Chicago, near the Mississippi River.

Monmouth College offers a mixture of lecture and seminar (discussion) classes.  The average class size is 18. The College is distinctive for its personalized attention to students, its faculty advising, its many and varied opportunities for student engagement in the community and in student organizations on campus, and for the strength of its academic program.  Monmouth offers a variety of cultural and athletic events, and organizes field-trips for international students to Chicago, St. Louis, Springfield and other regional destinations.  

Monmouth College’s academic calendar is organized by semesters. The first semester runs from the last weeks of August into mid-December. The second semester begins in January and ends in late May. See the calendar page for information about the exact dates for a specific year.  You will find the Academic Calendar (and other calendars) for Monmouth College at http://www.monmouthcollege.edu/information/calendars.aspx.

The academic program is organized into disciplinary majors, plus required general education courses leading to a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) degree at the university level. See Graduation Requirements for additional information (http://www.monmouthcollege.edu/academics/requirements).

The College is residential – all students are expected to live on campus during the academic year, and residential life is understood to be an important part of the student’s undergraduate experience. See the Scots Guide, the Monmouth College Student Handbook, for important information about policies, procedures, expectations regarding academic honesty, and much, much more - http://www.monmouthcollege.edu/life/residence-life/scots-guide.

Monmouth has an Intercultural House (http://www.monmouthcollege.edu/life/activities/intercultural) at which cultural events for the entire campus community take place, and which also serves as a resource hub, study and social center for international students. The International Club offers international students a chance to meet one another, arrange trips together over breaks, and provide programming and presentations for the college community.

All international students are assigned a faculty advisor in their major disciplinary area.
All international students are connected with host families in the community.

The fields of study available at Monmouth:
http://www.monmouthcollege.edu/academics

English proficiency requirements:  
Original TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score report or ELS Language Center completion certificate for Intensive English for Academic Purposes* if your first language is not English. TOEFL or IELTS scores / ELS certificate should be sent directly to Monmouth College from the testing agency/ELS program. We require a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (paper) or of 79 (internet), or an IELTS score of 6.0. TOEFL/IELTS scores / ELS certificate must have been issued within the past two years. The Monmouth College code for TOEFL and SAT is 1484 and for ACT is 1084. (The language proficiency requirement may be waived upon request with adequate documentation if you have completed three or more years of high school in an English-medium school within the United States, United Kingdom, Australia or New Zealand; attended one of the United World colleges schools; or transferred as a sophomore from a US college or university with satisfactory grades in humanities and social science courses.)

A-Level Requirement:
Applicants submitting O-level exams results only will not be considered for admission. For A-level candidates we require Advanced Subsidiary (or equivalent) results and A-level predictions, usually indicated in the Secondary School Report and/or the counselor or headmaster recommendation letter.  This requirement also applies to students who have studied in countries with similar education paths.  Examples include, but are not limited to: Ghana: GCE or BECE must be followed by the SSSCE; India: ISSCE must be followed by the ISSE, or ICSE must be followed by the ISC.  

Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate:
Monmouth College recognizes the academic validity of Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and A-level programs and will award general academic credit (applied toward the graduation requirement) for strong performance on these examinations.  Enrolled student may apply for AP/IB credits to count toward their major distribution, but this distinction is department specific.  

Mailing Address for Application Materials:
Office of Admission
Monmouth College
700 East Broadway
Monmouth, IL 61462 USA

You may submit your documents all at once, or you may submit them individually (or in small batches) as they become ready.  Each document must contain your full name and your date of birth.  As information is submitted and received we will match them up with your application file.

English Translation of Transcripts and Other Documentation:
If your original school transcript is not in English, you must send a copy in the original language and a copy that has been translated into English.  The original document must have a school stamp and signature, and the English translation must have formal attestation that the results are true and accurate. We prefer that transcripts come directly from the issuing authority by postal mail. We will accept documents submitted via fax or email attachment, but only if they clearly indicate that they are being sent to us by a school administrator.  If there is any cause for concern regarding authenticity of documents, we reserve the right to contact school officials for confirmation and/or request original, stamped and signed documentation in order to complete the application file.  

Supplementary Materials:
While they are not required, we will gladly accept additional writing samples, essays, letters of recommendation, and other appropriate documents if you feel that they will enhance your application. For art and music portfolios we strongly prefer to receive them electronically (through a link to a website or a YouTube link).

Visa Procedures and Enrollment Deposit:
At the time that we notify you of your admission to Monmouth College, we will ask you to submit an enrollment deposit of $150 US to reserve your position at the College in the semester for which you have been accepted. You may do this via the Monmouth College website at http://www.monmouthcollege.edu/admissions/deposit.aspx with a credit card.

If you prefer to wire the deposit, you may use the following wire details:

Receiving Bank:
SWIFT BBWIUS44
ABA# 075912479
Bankers’ Bank
Madison, Wisconsin

REF/FFC
Bank Name: Midwest Bank of Western Illinois
Acct # 071102500
FBO:  Monmouth College

Once the enrollment deposit of $150 has been submitted, we will send you an I-20 form so that you may obtain your F-1 Visa to come to the United States to study.  You will need to make an appointment at the United States Embassy in your country to interview for the Visa.  We strongly recommend that you check the Embassy website in your country for specific information about the process of applying for a U.S. Visa in your country (the procedures, deadlines and costs for each country will vary).

College Costs and Financial Assistance:
Monmouth College offers scholarships to international students with demonstrated records of academic achievement and the promise of future potential. The College's merit-based financial assistance ranges from approximately $18,000 per year up to $21,000 per year (total assistance over four years averages $76,000).

Scholarships for international students include, but are not limited to, the following:
  • International Distinguished Young Leaders Scholarships are designated for students with outstanding potential as scholars and leaders. The highly competitive scholarships are offered to a limited number of students each year and provide a tuition waiver of up to $21,000. All admitted international students are automatically considered for these scholarships, which are renewable for three additional years of study with the maintenance of a 3.0 GPA or above.
  • International Merit Scholarships are awarded to admitted international applicants who demonstrate strong scholastic abilities and potential. Award amounts vary, with a maximum of $18,000, and may be renewed for three additional years of study. An applicant does not need to demonstrate financial need to be eligible.
  • Merit Scholarships for International Baccalaureate Students will be awarded to admitted international applicants who have completed the IB Diploma program at an IB World School (http://www.ibo.org/school/). Award amounts will vary, with a minimum of $10,000, and may be renewed for up to three additional years of study. The applicant should provide proof of graduation from the IB World School in the form of the high school transcript (course marks), sent directly from the high school. An applicant does not need to demonstrate financial need to be eligible for this scholarship. Monmouth College welcomes IB students!
No additional applications, forms or essays are required for consideration for any international-student scholarship. You will be considered for financial assistance once you have fully completed your application and we have received the necessary paperwork (school records, letters of recommendation, your essay, etc.). So - be sure to get everything in as quickly as possible!
See http://www.monmouthcollege.edu/business for information about tuition and fees and much more.
 
Course Registration:
Registration for classes is done by your assigned Academic Advisor with your input.  Once you have been assigned an academic advisor, he/she will be in contact with you via email to begin the registration process before you arrive on campus. Your registration will then be completed during the new-student orientation before the start of the first semester, when a time is arranged for you to meet in person with your academic advisor.

Housing:
All unmarried students are required to live on campus. Where space permits, double rooms are made available for single occupancy at an extra charge.  See http://www.monmouthcollege.edu/life/residence-life for further information. The Scots Guide Student Handbook (http://www.monmouthcollege.edu/life/residence-life/scots-guide) is also a good source of information about housing options and policies.

Food and Dining Options:
Monmouth College’s cafeteria includes vegetarian, vegan, kosher and halal options. Students will need to make their needs and preferences known to Student Life staff.

Additional Personal Costs:
Monmouth, Illinois, is an inexpensive part of the United States in which to live. The Midwest, in general, is less expensive than the coastal regions of the United States and the large urban centers.  You will have additional costs for travel, the F-1 student visa, books, supplies and personal expenses. These will vary depending on your point of origin, rates of currency exchange, and life-style choices.  We estimate that books, miscellaneous personal expenses and transportation (within the US) will be approximately $2,500 per year in addition to the direct cost of tuition, room, board and medical insurance.

Health insurance:
Unlike some other countries, the United States does not have a universal health care system. A short stay in the hospital can result in thousands of dollars in medical expenses. A non-emergency visit to a regular physician today can easily cost $100, not including medication if needed. The U.S. government does not pay for health care costs for international students. Because of the high cost of medical care in the United States, adequate health insurance coverage is required of all international students at Monmouth College.  Insurance is not required to obtain your I-20; however, you will be required to show proof of coverage upon your arrival at Monmouth.  

There is a Student Health Insurance plan available through Monmouth College.  This health insurance plan is required of all international students unless proof of comparable insurance is provided. A summary of the Student Plan benefits is available online at www.gallagherkoster.com/Monmouth.

The Student Health Insurance plan is primarily an accident and sickness plan and does not cover some of the additional concerns of international travel such as medical evacuation and repatriation.   Medical expenses related to injury or sickness as defined in the policy and treated in the area of Monmouth College and while traveling in the US could be submitted as a claim to this policy.  Other insurances may require that you pay for the medical services yourself and be reimbursed by the insurance carrier.
 
If, after comparing the Student Health Insurance plan and other U.S. health insurance plans, you believe you have sufficient health insurance you may waive the Student Health Insurance.  To waive the Student Health Insurance you must provide a copy of your health insurance card, written in English, to the Business Office upon your arrival at Monmouth College.

Regardless of your choice of insurance company, you need to clearly understand the nature and the extent of your coverage.  Dental and vision services normally require separate insurance policies.
See http://www.monmouthcollege.edu/business/student-health-insurance.aspx.

Immunization Requirements:
http://www.monmouthcollege.edu/life/residence-life/scots-guide/health-immunizations.aspx

Work Opportunities:
There are two types of work opportunities available to international students at Monmouth College:   on-campus employment and off-campus employment (for which students are eligible after one academic year of study in a United States college or university and only if they are approved through the Department of Homeland Security).  

  • On-Campus - All F1-Visa and J1-Visa Students are eligible to work on-campus (and ONLY on campus) during the school year for up to 20 hours per week (40 hours per week during school vacation breaks, including summer).  
  • Off-Campus - Curricular Practical Training (CPT) is available for students completing internships in their major or related fields of study for course credits up to 6 credit hours. (Eligibility is limited to students who have spent at least one academic year of study in the United States).  Optional Practical Training (OPT) is also available to students who have spent one academic year of study in the United States. The approval for the OPT is sought through the department of Homeland Security. See details about these options here.

Employment authorization due to severe economic hardship is difficult to obtain.  It is a very limited option for students who can prove extreme foreseen economic conditions.  The application must be submitted to and approved by the CIS.  Students interested in this option should see the Director of Intercultural Life.

Vacation Arrangements During the Academic Year:
International students are approved to stay on campus during vacation breaks at no extra charge. Food service is not available during the winter break, but students have access to a kitchen in their vacation living quarters on campus.  Students have in the past organized their meals by taking turns to cook. The residence halls are all equipped with kitchenettes and basic cooking utensils.  There will be a Student Life dean on call every week throughout winter break and security is continuously available.

Summer in the United States:  
The summer vacation (which goes from mid-May through mid-August) is treated as are the other vacation breaks at Monmouth College.  Rooms are available at no cost to the international student (meals must be managed on one’s own, as food service is not available during extensive vacation
periods).  International students may work up to 40 hours per week on campus – for further details see the information under Work Opportunities.

Services for International Students at Monmouth College:
Monmouth College offers a highly personalized experience for its international students, both degree-seeking and one-year exchange/one semester exchange.  All international students are matched with host families who help introduce the students to the community and area. The Intercultural House provides gathering spaces for meetings, quiet study areas, and cultural resources.  International students are invited to offer informational presentations about their countries of origin at the annual Cultural Festival in September and at International Luncheons, which occur monthly throughout the academic year.  The Office of Intercultural Life (http://www.monmouthcollege.edu/life/activities/intercultural) is available to assist with logistical questions about campus and community life, paperwork associated with passports and visas, part-time on-campus employment, and ongoing personalized support throughout the year for the usual ups and downs of college life.

Getting Here – Travel Information:
The nearest commercial airport is Moline Regional Airport, 40 miles north of Monmouth. Another nearby option is the Peoria Regional Airport, 45 miles east of Monmouth. International gateway airports in the region include Chicago, Minneapolis and Detroit. An Amtrak station in Galesburg, fifteen miles east of Monmouth, provides direct service to Union Station in Chicago (a 3 hour trip one way).

Monmouth College offers a shuttle service each week on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays at no charge.   The shuttle runs every 20 minutes beginning at 4pm and includes stops at several retail and restaurant locations in Monmouth.  During breaks and holidays, a shuttle to and from the Galesburg Amtrak train station is available for a minimal fee.

Arriving on Campus:
New international students arrive on campus approximately one week before the start of the first semester (in August; check the Calendar for the exact dates for a specific year) for an orientation to the academic program and campus life. Students move into their residence hall rooms at this time, meet one another, and begin to acquaint themselves with the campus and community.  

Monmouth College representatives will meet new, incoming international students at the Moline and Peoria airports and at the Galesburg Amtrak station. You must provide information about your travel arrangements and date and time of arrival. It can be helpful to you to have a working cell phone upon arrival in the States, with several contact numbers for various offices (Student Life, Intercultural Life) already loaded.

International Student Orientation:
All new international students gather on campus before the start of the first (August-December) semester for an orientation to the College and then join the larger group of incoming first-year students for new-student orientation, which includes ice-breaking activities, individualized appointments with faculty advisors, an introduction to the campus and to academic and student-life programs and policies, and an introduction to the Monmouth community via a tour of the small town in which the College is situated.
 
Academic Support Services:
The Teaching and Learning Center (http://www.monmouthcollege.edu/academics/support/tlc) offers one-on-one and group tutoring in writing, quantitative reasoning and advanced reading comprehension, assistance with study skills, time management and test taking, and course-based study groups and assistance with oral presentation skills. The Center provides support for advanced students pursuing research projects and presentations as well as beginning students. The Center welcomes academically strong international students as peer tutors on its staff.  In addition, Information Technology provides year- and semester-long workshops on standard computer programs.

English as a Second Language (ESL) Support:
The Teaching and Learning Center provides assistance to students for whom English is not a first language.  The Center has an English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) tutor available for individual sessions and group workshops.  The Center offers support for students seeking assistance with written and oral assignments in English, and assistance with reading comprehension at the college level.  

Career Services and Leadership Development:
The Wackerle Career and Leadership Center (http://www.monmouthcollege.edu/wc/) offers a variety of career and leadership development workshops and training sessions, including alumni panels and presentations, job fairs and graduate-school preparation, including training for GRE (the graduate school entrance exam), LSAT (the law-school entrance exam) and MCAT (the medical school entrance exam) in conjunction with the Learning Center.

Monmouth College also provides an extensive array of volunteer and community service programs sponsored by student groups, the Wackerle Center, Greek organizations, and the chaplain's office. Some community-service opportunities are associated with courses and may be credit-bearing. All international students are welcome to participate in volunteer and community-service programs and partnerships. The International Club is an active student organization that participates in - and often leads - volunteer activities.

Cultural Events and Community Connections:
Monmouth College offers opportunities for cultural engagement for international students:  music and theatre performances and art exhibits by students, faculty and visiting artists, athletic events and intramural sporting activities, art openings at the Buchanan Center for the Arts (a highly regarded private gallery in downtown Monmouth) as well as at the Civic Art Center in Galesburg and the Figge Art Museum in Davenport, jazz festivals along the Mississippi (notably in Davenport and Dubuque), lecture series, discussion series such as Great Decisions (a venerable program on the Monmouth campus), and local and regional harvest fairs and community celebrations. Exceptional opportunities for cultural engagement are available in Chicago and St. Louis (cities readily accessible by train).

The Office of Intercultural Life (http://www.monmouthcollege.edu/life/activities/intercultural) helps international students plan and implement off-campus trips and participate in on-campus programs.

Places of Worship in the Vicinity of Monmouth, Illinois:
Protestant and Catholic churches are readily accessible in Monmouth. Synagogues are located in the nearby towns of Galesburg (fifteen miles to the east), Rock Island and Davenport (the Quad Cities – 45 miles to the north). Mosques are located in the nearby towns of Moline (the Quad Cities – 45 miles to the north), Macomb (40 miles to the south) and Peoria (50 miles to the east).  Greek Eastern Orthodox churches are available in Peoria, Rock Island (Quad Cities) and Moline. Chicago, four hours to the north, is a huge urban hub, with numerous options for connection with a wide variety of faith communities.

The College provides a shuttle service for students who wish to attend services in nearby towns and who communicate their need for transportation to the Office of Student Life. The Chaplain of Monmouth College (http://www.monmouthcollege.edu/life/activities/religious) offers programs and activities that serve as a point of connection for students of all faiths.  The Chaplain’s Office provides a welcoming physical space in a beautifully renovated house on the college campus for interfaith dialogue and for both sectarian and ecumenical worship