Admissions for F-1 Visa Students

Virginia Institute of Science & Technology (VIST) is a SEVP-certified school by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). VIST provides an opportunity for prospective international students to study in the United States. VIST also offers OPT and CPT opportunities for qualified/eligible students. VIST offers a vibrant multicultural atmosphere. VIST is located in the US nation’s capital metropolitan area, the Greater Washington Area, and the center of politics, arts, science, advanced technology, and the Federal Government of the United States.

Virginia Institute of Science & Technology is authorized by Federal Law to issue I-20s to international students admitted to a program.

All applicants for admission to VIST must submit to the Admissions Office the required documents and a non-refundable $75 Application Fee:

 * International degrees must be evaluated for the U.S equivalency by a recognized agency.

**Not for domestic students or students who attended /graduated from an accredited U.S based institutions.

International students admitted without a 2.5 bachelor’s GPA must also submit a letter of intent to complete the program explaining the low GPA and strategy for success in the master’s program. An Academic Committee will review the application to make the determination. (Policy effective with the Fall 2021 term)

 Previous Transcripts & U.S. Equivalency:

All applicants must submit official transcripts, or otherwise notarized or attested copies of transcripts, from all colleges or universities previously attended (whether or not a degree was earned). Transcript for a degree earned outside of the U.S must be evaluated by a member of the Association of International Credentials Evaluators (AICE) or American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) or the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or by any other authorized U.S based agency. The Institute recommends using (International Education Research Foundation, Inc.) IERF. For admission to all graduate programs, a bachelor transcript or its US equivalency is required.

 Note: For a transfer student, who was once admitted by any an accredited degree-granting institution in the U.S.A., VIST does not require foreign credential evaluation as a part of the admission process. An original transcript from the U.S institution is needed to prove that the student was admitted to a degree program and as well as to process transfer credit towards VIST.

Evidence of English Proficiency:

Any test score submitted must not be older than 2 years. This may include a minimum:

TOEFL score of 61/or above (iBT), OR,

IELTS score of 5.0/or above, OR,

Duolingo Score of 90/or above, OR,

iTEP score of 3.5/or above, OR,

PTE score of 50/or above, OR,

WAEC score of C6 or higher.

 Note:  A student who was admitted by any degree-granting institution in the U.S.A is exempt from the English proficiency requirement.  A student, who successfully completed all levels of English training in a language school accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S Department of Education, will be considered to have satisfied English proficiency. Also, the U.S citizens and green-card holders of any applicants are deemed to have met the English proficiency requirements.

Alternatively, students can choose to study and complete advanced level ESL courses at VIST. Successful Completion of the following ESL courses would also satisfy the English Proficiency requirement for admission into degree programs at VIST.

ESL 101 – Advanced English Reading
ESL 102 – Advanced English Listening
ESL 103 – Advanced English Writing and Grammar
ESL 104 – Advanced English Speaking & Communication Skills

Financial Documents:

An applicant must present a current proof of financial funds shown in U.S. currency/dollar showing that the international student has adequate funds available to cover the cost of one (1) academic year of study in the USA (This amount for the MSCIA program is: tuition & fees – $12,110, living expenses – $7,000; total – $19,110). For example:

Personal funds – official bank statement

Sponsors – affidavit of support accompanied by another bank statement

Scholarships – official scholarship letter document

Passport and Immigration Documents: 

All applicants must present a copy of the photo page of the passport. If they are currently in the U.S., they have also to provide a copy of their current visa and most recent I-94. Students transferring from other universities must also provide any previous I-20 forms at the time of application.

All required documents must be directly emailed to admission@vist.edu or mailed to:

Virginia Institute of Science & Technology

2070 Chain Bridge Rd. Suite G100, Vienna, VA 22182.