1. Create Account
  2. Login
StudyUSA
Match Me
  • Create Account
  • Login
  • School Search
  • Resources
    • All Resources
    • Articles
    • Student Voices
    • Videos
    • Magazines
    • Podcasts
  • Services
    • All Services
    • Accommodation
    • Support
    • Career
    • Financial
    • Testing
    • Other
  • Apply
  • Chat

What is Conditional Admission in the USA?

What is Conditional Admission in the USA?

Oct 29, 2021

By Jim Crawley

Many universities offer conditional admission to academically qualified students who need to improve their English proficiency.

Choosing to continue your education in the United States is an exhilarating decision. As you begin your search for the right U.S. school you may feel hope, excitement, motivation and a little intimidation. 

Some of you may know exactly what you want to study, and possibly you have even chosen a university or college. Others of you are dreaming of being in an American university classroom, but are not sure how to make the dream come true.

When you learn about a school’s English language requirements, and realize your English language skills are not at a high enough level to begin classes, you may feel frustrated. Your academic marks meet the college or university admission requirements and you have the financial means to study in the USA. The only problem is your English language proficiency. This may cause you to delay your plans to study in the U.S., or to give up on a prospective school. 

But there’s another way …

Many universities now offer “conditional admission” to international students who meet all other admission requirements, but need to improve their English language proficiency. Conditional admission provides talented and capable international students a pathway into university classrooms. 

Step 1: Apply for conditional admission to a university

Not all universities and colleges offer conditional admission, so it is important to find out whether this option is available before applying for admission. Frequently, if the university has an intensive English program, or has an agreement with a local private intensive English program, applicants who are academically qualified may be considered for conditional admission. In this case, you would submit an application packet with all required original documentation, with the exception of the proof of English proficiency.

The university will evaluate your application documents and if you’re academically admissible, the university could issue you a letter of conditional admission. This means that once you successfully complete the specified intensive English program and/or have the appropriate test score report (TOEFL or IELTS), you will be offered full admission to the university.

Step 2: Apply for admission to an intensive English program

Once you have been granted conditional admission, you will also need to apply for admission to the university approved intensive English program. All the appropriate application, fees, and verification of financial support need to be submitted. The intensive English program will then issue you an admission letter and the appropriate immigration form, usually a Form I-20.

Step 3: Apply for your student visa

To apply for a student visa, you will need to take the admission documents from the intensive English program, original financial support documentation, and the conditional admission letter from the university to the U.S. consulate or embassy.

Even though you may have limited English abilities, it is important that you are able to answer basic questions about the intensive English program and the university. Knowing the university and English program’s location, what you want to study, and having the ability to briefly state why you want to attend that school can be very helpful in the visa interview. Although there are no guarantees in the visa interview, the more natural and comfortable you are with your answers, the more likely there will be a positive outcome.

Step 4: Confirm, confirm, confirm!

When you begin studying in the intensive English program it is important that you contact the university to which you’ve been conditionally admitted. You will want to confirm the conditions of the offer of admission, and the university will want to verify when you will complete the intensive English program. This will ensure that you start in the semester indicated in the letter of conditional admission.

Step 5: Success! You’ve completed your intensive English program and are gaining full university admission

Once you’ve completed the intensive English language program, you will be transferring to the university. Remember that your student visa will be transferring as well. Therefore, you might be required to provide updated verification of financial support before the transfer can take place. Be sure and check for any other items that were outlined in the offer of conditional admission—all requirements must be met before a full offer of admission will be extended to you.

One last tip …

The final word of advice is to take advantage of all the classes offered by the intensive English program and to speak English in and out of the classroom. You will not only become proficient in English during this time, but you will have practiced the study skills necessary for university success.

Follow us:
Written by

Jim Crawley


Jim Crawley is the Director of Global Recruiting and Partnerships at Alma College in Alma, Michigan

Get matched to the best program for you

Let us know what you're looking for so we can find the best school for you.

Get matched
Call to action background image. Decorative.

Useful Articles

Main image for the article titled Internships and Fellowships for International Students
Internships and Fellowships for International Students
Main image for the article titled Studying Psychology at St. Joseph’s University in New York
Studying Psychology at St. Joseph’s University in New York
Main image for the article titled What Should I Major in to Become an Anesthesiologist?
What Should I Major in to Become an Anesthesiologist?
Main image for the article titled Transfer from Shoreline Community College to Your Dream University
Transfer from Shoreline Community College to Your Dream University
Read more

Check Out These Schools

Pacific Lutheran University

Pacific Lutheran University

$25,000—$30,000 Year

Bachelor Degree English Programs Masters
Contact
Lawrence University

Lawrence University

$50,000—$60,000 Year

Summer Secondary/Boarding Bachelor Degree
Contact
University of Northern Iowa

University of Northern Iowa

$15,000—$20,000 Year

Masters Certificate/Short Term English Programs
Contact

Featured Programs

Santa Barbara City College

Typical cost per Year: $5,000—$10,000

Bachelor Degree Masters Certificate/Short Term
Learn More

Florida Institute of Technology

Typical cost per Semester: $40,000—$45,000

Bachelor Degree Masters Online
Learn More

City College of San Francisco

Typical cost per Semester: $1,000—$5,000

Bachelor Degree Certificate/Short Term Summer
Learn More

Related Stories

TOEFL® (Test of English as a Foreign Language)

Main image for the article titled TOEFL® (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
Arman Belyalov from Kazakhstan: Studying English at English as a Second Language (ESL) Services at the University of Texas at Austin

Main image for the article titled Arman Belyalov from Kazakhstan: Studying English at English as a Second Language (ESL) Services at the University of Texas at Austin

Start your U.S. adventure with Study in the USA

What's your dream? We can guide, advise, and connect you with your perfect U.S. school. We can also help you with the application process.
More about us
Partner Services

Learn About U.S. education financing, housing, and more

Partner service logo for A world of greater possibility.

A world of greater possibility.

Follow your dreams with the TOEFL iBT® test, which has helped millions of students study abroad.

Read more
Partner service logo for Study-USA Healthcare can give you the certainty of protection in an uncertain world.

Study-USA Healthcare can give you the certainty of protection in an...

Get international student medical insurance for as low as $1.12 USD per day. Our plans are available to any student studying outside their home country and include coverage for Covid-19. Get your free quote and enroll today!

Read more
Partner service logo for CORT Furniture Rental Student Packages

CORT Furniture Rental Student Packages

Most U.S. apartments come unfurnished. Make your move easy with a student furniture rental package from CORT. Flexible lease terms. Delivered before you arrive. Starting at $99 per month.* *with a 12-month lease

Read more

Testimonials

Quotation mark.

Study in the USA is giving me informations about school in the United States.

Awa Camara Côte d'Ivoire

It helped me realize the opportunities that were present to an international student like me and helped me evaluate my options to finding the best college for me

Muskan Uprety Nepal

I was able to get a filtered list of suggestions of schools that are more suitable to my needs financially and program-wise from Study in the USA.

Hermela Aboye Ethiopia

Resources

Learn about American culture and education direct from our experts at Study in the USA. Read more

Achieving Your Goal
Admissions and Placement Testing
Beyond the Basics
Education System in the USA
Financing Your U.S. Education
Frequently Asked Questions
Life in the USA
Resources
Student Experiences
For students age 10-18
Study in Canada
Podcasts
Magazines
Videos
Student Voices
Ask StudyUSA.com

Subscribe to get the latest from Study in the USA

You can unsubscribe at any time.


StudyUSA
Explore

  • School Search
  • Resources
  •   Articles
  •   Student Voices
  •   Videos
  •   Magazines
  • Partner Services
  •   Accommodation
  •   Career
  •   Financial
  •   Other
  •   Support
  •   Testing
  • Apply
  • Chat
Information

  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Course Index
  • Article Index
  • Create account
  • Sign in
  • For Educators & Institutions
Match Me
  • English
    العربيـة English Español Français Bahasa Indonesia 日本語 한국어 Português Русский ภาษาไทย Türkçe Tiếng Việt 简体中文 繁體中文

  • Privacy & Policy
  • /
  • Terms

Study in the USA logo

© 2023 Study in the USA. All Rights Reserved.

Global Study logo
A member of the Global Study network

When you visit or interact with our sites, services or tools, we or our authorised service providers may use cookies for storing information to help provide you with a better, faster and safer experience and for marketing purposes.