Information for International First Year Applicants

Application for Admission
Admission to Colby is highly selective, and students who are admitted have records of strong scholastic ability and achievement. An international applicant must have completed a pre-university course of study and must submit the following documents. 

1. A completed Common Application, including Colby's supplement, and a nonrefundable $65 application fee in U.S. dollars (by means of an international money order or a check drawn on an American bank). There is no application fee for those submitting an electronic application. The fee is also waived if it would constitute an undue financial hardship to the applicant and/or the applicant's family.

2. An official record of secondary school work with all courses and grades, including results from appropriate examinations (e.g., IGCSE, "A" Levels, International Baccalaureate, HSC, WASC).

3. An explanation of the grading system used and an English translation of records reported in other languages.

4. Official standardized test results from:

a. The SAT-Reasoning Test (critical reading, mathematics, and writing) or the American College Test (ACT) or three SAT-Subject Tests if any of these tests is offered in the student's home country. 

b. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), is required of all applicants whose first language is not English and whose medium of secondary school instruction has not been English.

c. The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) in lieu of SAT scores if the applicant is from mainland China.

These examinations are offered at test centers around the world. United States embassies, consulates, and educational resource centers provide information on the examinations and often have descriptive booklets and practice tests available. All required testing must be completed no later than January for entrance in the following September. The Colby College ETS code number is 3280, and the ACT code number is 1638.

The candidate's portion of the application, including the application fee, must be postmarked on or before January 1. Application documents and all other supporting credentials (academic records, personal references, standardized test results) must arrive in the Colby Admissions and Financial Aid Office by February 1. International students may apply for Early Decision, which requires a binding enrollment commitment from the applicant.

Advanced Standing / International Baccalaureate
Colby recognizes the International Baccalaureate and offers advanced placement and credit based on individual Higher Level examination results as well as performance on the full IB Diploma program. Advanced placement and credit toward a student's Colby degree may be earned for scores of 6 and 7 on Higher Level examinations. Students may earn up to a full semester of standing in this manner. A full year of Colby credit may be earned for an IB point total of 36 or better, assuming all examination scores are 5 or better. Credits toward one's Colby degree will be granted by the registrar following consultation with the appropriate academic department and after the student has show satisfactory progress in courses during the first year at Colby.

Passport / Visas
A student is admitted to Colby only when the student receives an official admission letter or telegram from the dean of admissions. This letter is sent in late March for September enrollment. A student indicates acceptance of an offer of admission by returning the enrollment response card with a $300 (U.S.) nonrefundable deposit. After the deposit and card are received in the Admissions Office, a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status, also known as an I-20 form, will be sent. A student may then apply for a student visa at a United States consulate or embassy. It is the responsibility of each student to know, understand, and conform to U.S. immigration regulations.