Applicants who meet the academic and financial requirements - but who do not meet the English proficiency requirement of the University of Arkansas - will be offered conditional admission and be required to attend the intensive English program through Spring International Language Center. Final admission may be met by one of the following:
- 550 on the paper-based TOEFL or a 213 on the computer-based TOEFL or a 6.5 on the IELTS
OR- For undergraduates: Successful completion of the advanced levels of Spring International Language Center (SILC) with a "B" average; completion of a TOEFL Waiver Application; and receiving a recommendation from the Director.
- For graduates: Successful completion of Level 600 of Spring International Language Center with "A"s and "B"s in their Level 600 classes; completion of a TOEFL Waiver Application form; receiving a recommendation from the Director and approval from the University of Arkansas Graduate School.
UNDERGRADUATE APPLICANTS (for B.A., B.S., etc.):
Conditionally admitted undergraduate students will be fully admitted to the University of Arkansas when:
- They obtain a 550 on the paper-based TOEFL or a 213 on the computer-based TOEFL or a 6.5 on the IELTS OR
- Successfully complete the advanced levels of Spring International Language Center (SILC) with a "B" average; complete a TOEFL WAIVER APPLICATION; and receive a recommendation from the Director.
Any conditionally admitted student who does not obtain the 550/213 on the TOEFL or 6.5 on the IELTS may apply for a TOEFL WAIVER. TOEFL WAIVER APPLICATIONS (TWA) will only be considered in December for Spring semester and August for Fall semester.
Applicants for a TOEFL WAIVER should follow the process below:
- Students should obtain a TOEFL WAIVER APPLICATION (TWA) form from the office of the SILC Assistant Director for Academics (ADA).
- Students should fill out the application form and write the required essay explaining why you feel that you are qualified for admission to the University of Arkansas, without the required TOEFL score, on the back of the form and give it to the SILC ADA.
- SILC will forward your recommendation to the Office of International Admissions.
- Undergraduate students will be notified by the Director of International Admissions as to their final admission to the University.
SILC's final recommendations may take the following forms:
- NO recommendation at this time: remain full-time at Spring International Language Center.
- Remain part-time at SILC and take one U of A course.
- Remain part-time at SILC and take two U of A courses.
- Part-time SILC, U of A EASL (English as a second language) course and one academic course.
- Enter U of A full-time with U of A EASL courses and academic courses.
- Enter U of A full-time with NO EASL course requirements.
Once final recommendations are sent to IAO, final decisions on admission are made. Letters outlining course requirements are then sent from IAO to students the week following the end of SILC terms.
No undergraduate student will be eligible for a TOEFL WAIVER recommendation from SILC if he/she does not complete a term and take the final Michigan Exam. All SILC recommendations are based upon student performance and SILC evaluation of potential for success in an academic program. Evaluations are made on a case by case basis.
Recommendations are based upon grades, Michigan Test scores, teacher evaluations, classroom performance, along with recent TOEFL scores if they are available.
GRADUATE SCHOOL APPLICANTS (for M.A., M.S., M.B.A., Ph.D., etc.):
Conditionally admitted graduate students will be fully admitted to the University of Arkansas when:
- They obtain a 550 on the paper-based TOEFL, or a 213 on the computer-based TOEFL or 6.5 on the IELTS OR
- Successfully complete Level 600 at Spring International Language Center with "A"s and "B"s in their Level 600 classes; complete a TOEFL WAIVER APPLICATION form; receive a recommendation from the Director; and approval from the University of Arkansas Graduate School.
Recommendations will only be considered in December for Spring semester admission and August for Fall semester admission. No summer or mid-semester recommendations will be sent forth.
Applicants for a TOEFL WAIVER should follow the process below:
- Students should advise the SILC Assistant Director for Academics of their intent to receive final admission through SILC in lieu of achieving a 550/213 TOEFL score or 6.5 IELTS score. Obtain the application form for the TOEFL WAIVER from the SILC Assistant Director for Academics (ADA).
- Students should fill out the application form and write the required essay explaining why you feel that you are qualified for admission to the University of Arkansas, without the required TOEFL score, on the back of the form and give it to the SILC ADA.
- SILC will forward your recommendation to the Office of International Admissions.
- Graduate students will be notified by the Dean's Office of the Graduate School regarding their full admission to Graduate status.
SILC's final recommendations may take the following forms:
- NO recommendation at this time: remain full-time at Spring International Language Center.
- Remain part-time at SILC and take one U of A course.
- Remain part-time at SILC and take two U of A courses.
- Part-time SILC, U of A EASL (English as a second language) course and one academic course.
- Enter U of A full-time with U of A EASL courses and academic courses.
- Enter U of A full-time with NO EASL course requirements.
Once final recommendations are sent to IAO and the Graduate School, final decisions on admission are made. Letters outlining course requirements are then sent from IAO and the Graduate School to students the week following the end of SILC terms.
Graduate students are required to maintain B's in their advanced level 600 courses at Spring International and in their academic courses which they undertake once they have been academically admitted. SILC does not consider recommendations for graduate students who have not completed level 600 with A and B grades.
No graduate student will be eligible for a TOEFL WAIVER recommendation from SILC if he/she does not complete a term and take the final Michigan Exam. All SILC recommendations are based upon student performance and SILC evaluation of potential for success in an academic program. Evaluations are made on a case-by-case basis.
Recommendations are based upon grades, Michigan Test scores, teacher evaluations, classroom performance, along with recent TOEFL scores if they are available.
Would you like to learn more about international admissions and programs?International Admissions Office
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