Applying to ESR as an international student

• Application form: Degrees, Certificates, Occasional and Audit
• Application fee of $40: payable online or in Slate app
• References: You are expected to ask your references to fill out a recommendation as part of the application process, or you can share the Recommendation Form link with them.
• Essays: Complete the essays within the application system.
• Resume: Upload your resume within the application system or email it directly to ESR at [email protected]
• Academic writing sample: If conditional, special, international or upon request, email writing samples to [email protected].
• All official post-secondary transcripts: You are expected to order your transcripts from your post-secondary institution and have them sent to ESR electronically or via mail.
• Results of TOEFL, Duolingo, or IELTS testing: If applicable, you should request the testing facility to send official scores directly to ESR at [email protected].

Appealing Admissions Decisions

Any applicant denied admission may appeal by filing a written request for review to the director of recruitment and admissions within ten days of being informed of the decision. Included with the request should be supporting information not previously available, particularly information of an academic nature. The Admissions Committee will consider the appeal and report its decision to the applicant in writing within 30 days from the receipt of the request.

International degree-seeking applicants: Master of Divinity and Master of Arts

International degree-seeking applicants planning to study residentially at ESR should fill out the standard application, the ESR financial aid form, and the international student statement of financial position form. They will also need to submit a writing sample (e-mail to [email protected]) and language assessment test scores (official scores must be sent to ESR by the testing facility). The Director of Recruitment & Admissions will send you a link to the Standard Application if you are invited to submit an application following your inquiry.

International degree-seeking applicants planning to enroll in ESR’s distance program, ESR Access, need not complete the Financial Position form but should plan to travel to ESR for intensives to cover the residency requirement for the degree. ESR does not have scholarship funds available for International distance students.

If a degree-seeking residential international applicant is admitted and agrees to enroll at Earlham School of Religion, a $1,125* U.S. enrollment deposit is required. Payment of this deposit signifies agreement to the conditions of admission and financial aid (where applicable) for the entire period of study at ESR. The School of Religion sets aside $1,000 of the deposit to be used by the admitted student to return home upon completion of study at ESR. A balance of $1,000 is required in the student’s ESR account at all times. If the funds are unused at the time of the completion of studies, they are refunded directly to the student. Rising costs of travel may increase the student’s travel cost after graduation to a level above the $1,000 U.S. of their refunded ESR deposit. Admitted degree-seeking ESR Access students may pay their enrollment deposit online (email [email protected] for payment link).

*Many international students need scholarship assistance in order to attend ESR residentially. Up to two International Cooper Scholarships provide tuition, housing in an ESR house, fees, and a small living stipend. Many times there is a waiting list of admitted students for these scholarships. ESR gives priority to members of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers). The International Cooper Scholarship provides approximately $35,000 U.S.* per year of study (including tuition, fees, housing, and stipend). This amount provides the very minimum that a student will need and the stipend is intended for the student only (stipend may not be sent to family members). A source of personal funds is helpful in case of illness, the need for cold-weather clothing, or other such personal necessities. ESR provides housing with international scholarships, when possible, in a college-owned, co-educational-living house. Skills such as cooking, cleaning and community living are advantageous. ESR is unable to supply funds or housing to support spouses or family members.

Admitted students who have been awarded an International Cooper Scholarship retain the financial responsibility to pay their confirmation fee of $1,125 U.S.* mentioned above, the embassy visa fee and travel costs of transportation, food and lodging while traveling to and from ESR. International admitted students who are not awarded a Cooper Scholarship must document financial sponsorship or the ability to pay the cost of one year’s study. Another type of Cooper scholarship offered to International residential students by ESR covers tuition alone.

International non-degree-seeking applicants: Certificate and Occasional

International applicants should fill out the Certificate or Occasional Student Application. Degree and Certificate students may qualify for an F-1 visa, but Occasional Students are ineligible. While financial aid is not available for the Occasional Student program, limited need-based aid of up to 25 percent is available for the Certificate program. Applicants seeking financial assistance should complete both the ESR financial aid form and the international student statement of financial position.