International students can apply to Tulane Pre-College Programs, which enroll motivated high school students from across the United States and around the world each summer.
According to U.S. News & World Report, pre-college summer programs can get students excited about and better prepared for higher education, and even boost their college applications.
Tulane Pre-College Programs international applicants follow the same core steps as domestic students, with a few added requirements around English proficiency and travel documentation. You can review the full process on our admissions page, or contact us with country-specific questions by emailing summer@tulane.edu or calling (504) 314-7619.
What Do International Students Need to Apply to Pre-College Programs?
Pre-college programs will differ from one college or university to another, but the requirements for international students to apply to Tulane Pre-College Programs are fairly standard. Every applicant completes an online application starter to reach the student portal. From there, the materials you submit depend on whether you choose an enrichment course or a credit-bearing course. International students applying to Tulane Pre-College Programs have three extra requirements: proof of English language proficiency, a scanned passport, and emergency contact information. All submitted materials must be in English.
- English proficiency: Applicants who are not native English speakers submit TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test scores. Alternatively, students can choose to submit SAT or ACT scores.
- Passport: International students upload a scanned copy of their passport that is valid for at least six months beyond the end date of their pre-college session.
- Emergency contact: All applicants must have an emergency contact within the United States who is 18 years of age or older. We ask international students to provide this on their application. Applicants cannot list an embassy as their emergency contact.
- Language of documents: Transcripts, essays, and recommendations must be provided in English.
Before you submit, review our application checklist for more information and to make sure nothing is missing.
Application Materials by Course Type at Tulane Pre-College Programs
Enrichment courses at Tulane Pre-College, open to rising 9th through 12th graders, require a recent report card and a short essay about your interest in the course. Credit-bearing courses, built for rising 11th and 12th graders, require a full high school transcript, an essay, and a teacher recommendation. International applicants add the English proficiency scores, scanned passport, and emergency contact described above.
Key Tulane Pre-College Application Deadlines for International Students
International students must apply by the priority deadline in February, to allow sufficient time for visa document processing and approvals — an important consideration given that wait times can vary. Tulane encourages all international students to submit their applications as early as possible; current visa wait times are available on the U.S. Department of State's website. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis, and it can take up to three weeks to receive a decision.
| Application Milestone | Date |
|---|---|
| Application Opens | December 4, 2026 |
| Priority & International Student Deadline | February 19, 2027 |
Before applying to Tulane Pre-College Programs, decide which student experience fits you: residential or commuter. The residential experience places you in a university residence hall for the duration of the program, where you'll live alongside fellow students, eat at the campus dining hall, and experience the full rhythm of college life. Commuter options let admitted students attend classes during the day and return to an off-campus dwelling in the evening.
Visa Requirements for International Students
Visa requirements for international students depend on which type of Tulane Pre-College course they plan to attend. Students enrolling in enrichment courses, which are part-time and recreational in nature, typically attend under a Visitor Visa, which students are responsible for securing on their own. Students enrolling in credit-bearing courses who do not already have U.S. immigration status will need to obtain an F-1 student visa.
After admission, Tulane's Office of International Students and Scholars will issue an I-20 immigration document via email to support the F-1 visa application process. Regardless of program type, all courses are taught in English without the benefit of an interpreter.
Frequently Asked Questions for International Student Applications
Can international students apply to Tulane Pre-College Programs?
Yes. Tulane Pre-College accepts students from across the United States and internationally, with the same rolling admissions process for all applicants.
Do international students need to take an English test?
Yes, if English is not your native language, you'll need to take an English test to apply to Tulane Pre-College Programs. Applicants submit TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test scores to show English proficiency. Successful applicants typically score 95+, 6.5+ or 130+ on TOEFL, IELTS or the Duolingo English Test, respectively. For non-native English speakers who choose to submit SAT or ACT scores, a 600+ on the SAT reading/writing or 27+ on the ACT English waives your requirement for an English proficiency score.
Do international students need a visa to attend Tulane Pre-College?
Yes, the type of visa depends on the program. International students attending enrichment courses typically participate under a Visitor Visa, which they are responsible for securing on their own. International students attending credit-bearing courses who do not already have U.S. immigration status will need to obtain an F-1 student visa. After admission, Tulane's Office of International Students and Scholars will issue an I-20 immigration document via email to support that process.
Do international students need a passport to apply?
Yes, international students applying to Tulane Pre-College upload a scanned copy of their passport with the application. The passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the end date of your selected pre-college session.
When is the application deadline for international students?
The priority and international student deadline at Tulane Pre-College is February 19, 2027. International student applications will not be accepted after this date, so check the admissions page for the current cycle's exact date.
Does Tulane Pre-College offer financial aid to international students?
A limited number of need-based scholarships are available to admitted Tulane Pre-College students, but international students must be admitted for credit-bearing courses in order to qualify for financial aid. Awards are made on a first-come, first-served basis. More information is available on our tuition and financial aid page.