Who can apply to Agnes Scott College?
Agnes Scott College enrolls students of diverse backgrounds, interests and talents whose academic and personal qualities promise success. Qualified students of any race, age, creed or national or ethnic origin are encouraged to apply to Agnes Scott.
In addition, as a learning community that embraces its identity and mission as a women’s college and its commitment to inclusive excellence, we admit students who were assigned female at birth, as well as those who were assigned male or female at birth but who now identify as female, transgender, agender, gender fluid or non-binary. Read more about our Gender Expression and Gender Identity Policy.
Important Application Tips
The recommended high school academic program is a minimum of:
- 4 years of English/Literature
- 4 years of mathematics
- 4 years of a laboratory or physical science
- 4 years of a social science
- 2 years of a foreign language
Credits and diplomas must be earned at recognized institutions. Students may be admitted without the recommended number of courses in a particular field on a case-by-case basis.
* You must arrange to send your official transcripts to Agnes Scott College in a sealed envelope. If that is not possible, the official document may be attested and verified by your high school principal, headmaster or an administrator in the U.S. Education Center in your country. Unattested photocopies or documents that have been faxed or scanned are not acceptable.
The submission of SAT or ACT scores is optional for international applicants. Students are welcome to submit test scores if they think they are representative of them as a student, but are not required to do so. You will have the opportunity on the Common Application supplement to tell us if you wish us to review your test scores. All students, regardless of whether or not they submit test scores, will be considered for all of our merit scholarships.
To be a student at Agnes Scott, you must be able to proficiently communicate in English from the first day of classes. Because of this expectation, if your native language is not English, you are required to submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Duolingo English Test (DET), Cambridge English: Advanced (CAE) or provide alternative evidence of English language proficiency.
Agnes Scott accepts TOEFL MyBest Score.
Accepted Tests Minimum Scores
- TOEFL iBT - 80
- IELTS - 6.5
- Duolingo English Language Test - 110
- Cambridge English (CAE) - 176 (B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency)
- ELS - Level 12 Certificate
- SAT Verbal/ACT English - 520/20
While a valid TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Language Test or CAE score can satisfy Agnes Scott’s English language proficiency requirement, this requirement can also be met through the following alternatives:
- Your country of origin is also an English-speaking country and English is your native language. English test scores are not required of applicants from the following countries:
- Anguilla, Antigua/Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Canada (Except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas), the Grenadines, Guam, Guyana, Ireland, Jamaica/other West Indies, Liberia, Montserrat, New Zealand, South Africa, St. Helena, St. Kitts & Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent, Trinidad & Tobago, Turks & Caicos, United Kingdom, United States
- You have earned at least one of the following:
- An associate's degree from a U.S. institution of higher education meeting Agnes Scott’s English course equivalency
- Graduation from a U.S. high school following three years of continuous enrollment.
- You have earned a minimum score from one of the following tests:
- ELS Language Centers - Level 12 Certificate
- General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) Examination* - C in English Language (not English as a Second Language)
- International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) Examination* - C in English Language (not English as a Second Language)
*Arrange to send the official examination result directly from the examination council to Agnes Scott College in a sealed envelope. If that is not possible, the official document may be attested and verified by the high school principal, headmaster, or an administrator in the U.S. Education Center in your country. Unattested photocopies or documents that have been faxed or scanned are not acceptable.
If you must obtain an I-20 document (F-1 Visa) in order to attend Agnes Scott, you are required to show proof of financial support. Additionally, if you are an F-1 Visa holder in the U.S., you MUST provide a copy of your current Visa status. Applicants who are in the U.S. with any other Visa type (e.g., H-4, L-2, etc.) must also show proof of financial support.
Agnes Scott does not offer need-based financial assistance to international students. For this reason, we do not require or accept the CSS profile or the International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA).
Still have questions? Check out our FAQ:
Who qualifies as an international student?
Agnes Scott recognizes and celebrates the many international experiences represented in our student body. For the purpose of admission, students who do not hold a US passport (and are not considered DACA or undocumented students living in the U.S.) are considered international students. This includes students who intend to apply for an F-1 Visa as well as those who are in the U.S. with any other Visa type (e.g., H-4, L-2, etc.).
Who is my admission counselor at Agnes Scott College?
You can Meet Our Admission Team to find your admission counselor. If you have questions about the admission or scholarship process at Agnes Scott, you can reach out directly to your admission counselor or email admission@zzsghm.com to be connected to them.
How do I apply to Agnes Scott?
International students interested in Agnes Scott College are encouraged to complete the Common Application as well as submit supplemental application documents through their Agnes Scott admission portal. You can view the international application checklist here.
After I submit my Common Application, am I done with my application?
Once Agnes Scott receives your Common Application, you will get an email from the Office of Admission granting you access to your admission portal. There, you will be able to see what documents the college has received and which documents the college is still waiting on before considering your application for admission. You can view the international student application checklist here.
Can I waive the international student application fee?
This fee is required of all international applicants and cannot be waived.
How can I access my admission and scholarship decision?
All admission and scholarship decisions will be released in your Agnes Scott admission portal. Access to your admission portal will be emailed to you after you submit your Common Application to Agnes Scott. If it has been over a month since you submitted your application and you have not yet received an admission decision, you can reach out directly to your admission counselor or email the Office of Admission at admission@zzsghm.com.
Do all documents need to be submitted in English?
If your transcript, recommendations or other Agnes Scott supplemental items are not in English, please submit a notarized translation as well as the original documents.
Do I have to submit SAT or ACT scores to be considered for admission?
Agnes Scott College is a test-optional college. Students may choose if they wish for us to evaluate an SAT or ACT score, and no penalty is incurred should students wish to proceed without test scores. We review applications holistically based on several factors, including courses taken, grades received, college essay, activities and honors, recommendations, and, if submitted, test scores.
We encourage all students to consider the optional interview with an admission counselor or InitialView Interview, where you are able to give context to your application.
What aid opportunities are available for international students?
International students who submit a completed application by the scholarship priority deadline on January 15 will be considered for our full range of merit scholarships. Most scholarships at Agnes Scott range from U.S. $23,000 to $26,000. For additional information on the remaining cost to attend Agnes Scott, please visit our Cost of Attendance page.
Agnes Scott does not offer need-based financial assistance to international students. For this reason, we do not require or accept the CSS profile or the International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA).
Will I keep my scholarship all four years?
All merit-based scholarships at Agnes Scott are renewable for up to four years of study. Students must maintain satisfactory academic progress in order to renew their scholarship each fall. Additional details on merit-based scholarships will be included in a student’s scholarship letter.
Does the cost of attendance stay the same each year?
Most colleges and universities in the U.S. (both private and public) raise tuition and fees annually. Although costs are likely to increase, student scholarship awards will remain the same.
Does Agnes Scott offer loans for international students?
No, Agnes Scott does not have a student loan program. Some international students may be eligible to apply for student loans in their home countries for study in the U.S. Other international students are eligible to apply for student loans through U.S. banks if they have a U.S. citizen cosigner for the loan application.
Does Agnes Scott offer full-ride scholarships to international students?
Agnes Scott College does offer one full tuition, room and board scholarship to an international student each year. This scholarship, known as the Marvin B. Perry Presidential Scholarship, is the college’s most competitive academic scholarship. Top first-year applicants may be invited to compete for this prestigious award. Students selected as Agnes Scott Presidential Scholars excel in academics, leadership, character and personal achievement.
Can I work on campus to help cover the cost of attendance?
Agnes Scott does have a small number of work study awards that are awarded as part of the admission process. Additional work study opportunities, like tutoring positions in the campus learning centers, may be available once a student arrives on campus. Please note that most work study positions earn $2,300 per academic year and will not cover the full cost of attendance. Instead, most international students use their work study earnings to help cover living expenses.
Who should I contact with financial aid questions?
If you have additional questions about financial aid and scholarships for international students, you can reach out to your admission counselor or email admission@zzsghm.com.
What does it mean to be a liberal arts college?
Liberal arts colleges are very popular in the United States and emphasize undergraduate study in the liberal arts (humanities, fine arts) and the sciences (natural science, social sciences). They offer the opportunity to have a well-rounded education and to succeed in many fields after graduation.
There are so many liberal arts colleges in the United States; how is Agnes Scott unique?
There are hundreds of liberal arts colleges in the U.S., and we know it makes it hard to find the right school for you. Agnes Scott is known for SUMMIT, our signature experience which reimagines the liberal arts and sciences for the 21st century. By focusing on leadership development, global connections and preparation for the future, SUMMIT prepares Agnes Scott’s students to be global change agents. Because of this, U.S. News & World Report has ranked Agnes Scott the #1 Most Innovative School among national liberal arts colleges five years in a row!
Do I have to apply to be a part of SUMMIT?
No, because SUMMIT is integrated into Agnes Scott’s general education curriculum all students are able to experience SUMMIT at Agnes Scott.
What are the benefits of attending an inclusive women’s college?
Most graduates of women’s colleges will probably say that they never saw themselves attending a women’s college. Post-graduation, research shows that the women’s college experience is almost uniformly positive.
In “Four Critical Years,” Alexander Astin found that students in women’s colleges “become more academically involved, interact with faculty frequently, show increases in intellectual self-esteem and are more satisfied with practically all aspects of the college experience compared with their counterparts in coeducational institutions. Women’s colleges increase the chances that women will obtain positions of leadership, complete the baccalaureate degree and aspire to higher degrees.”
Is Agnes Scott a welcoming place for international students?
Agnes Scott’s signature experience, SUMMIT, aims to increase global and cultural awareness among our campus community. Students, staff and faculty at Agnes Scott therefore choose to be part of our Agnes Scott’s community because they are interested in engaging with cultures and communities around the world. Agnes Scott welcomes all international students who share these same values and intentions.
Is housing guaranteed on campus?
Yes, Agnes Scott is a residential community, meaning housing is guaranteed on campus. This includes community-style residence halls, suite-style residence halls, living learning communities and campus apartments.
Where is Decatur, GA?
Decatur is a historic residential community about 9 kilometers from downtown Atlanta. With great restaurants, shops and festivals, Agnes Scott students get to experience the small-town feel of Decatur while still being in the thriving Atlanta metropolitan area.
Atlanta is located in the southern United States in the state of Georgia. It is a very diverse city with many great resources for international students. You can see this represented in the restaurant options (from Ethiopian to Korean to Mexican to Colombian to French to Thai to Hawaiian) and festivals that take place every year.
What’s the weather like?
Agnes Scott is located in the southern United States in the state of Georgia. When students first arrive on campus in August and September the weather is normally sunny with temperatures around 30° - 35° C and occasional rain. In the winter, temperatures often range from 0° C to 10° C. Agnes Scott does not generally receive any snow during the winter, although students may enjoy a small amount of snow every few years. Temperatures begin to increase again in March and April.
A maximum of 32 credits may be earned from qualifying examinations (a sum of all below). Credit will not be granted for scores from two programs which appear to be equivalent.
College Board Advanced Placement: Scores of 4 and 5 on most examinations result in credit and/or placement. See Agnes Scott's AP credit policy.
International Baccalaureate: Scores of 5, 6 or 7 on higher-level examinations may result in credit and/or placement. See Agnes Scott's IB policy.
French Baccalaureate: In general, scores of 12/20 or higher on examinations in a variety of subjects may result in transfer credit and/or placement. Students with qualifying scores should consult with their SUMMIT Advisor and the appropriate department chair to determine the specific transferred credits and course placement. Language credit is awarded after completion of an internal placement test.
German Abitur: In general, scores of 10/15 or higher on examinations in a variety of subjects may result in transfer credit and/or placement. Students with qualifying scores should consult with their SUMMIT Advisor and the appropriate department chair to determine the specific transferred credits and course placement. Language credit is awarded after completion of an internal placement test.
Cambridge ACE (Advanced International Certificate of Education) and Cambridge General Certificate of Education (British A-Level Examinations): Agnes Scott requires at least five O levels with at least one in Mathematics and one in English for matriculation purposes. A/AS levels with examination grades of A, B and C are considered for advanced standing. A final GCE statement of results is required for evaluation.
In general, grades of A and B may result in credit and/or placement. Students with qualifying grades should consult with their SUMMIT Advisor and the appropriate department chair to determine the specific transferred credits and course placement.
Financial Aid for International Students
Agnes Scott does not offer need-based financial assistance to international students. For this reason, we do not require or accept the CSS profile or the International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA)
In addition to the cost of attendance, international students are required to purchase mandatory health insurance (currently $1,500 per year).
The costs for room and board during summer and winter breaks are not included in the international student cost of attendance, but should be kept in mind when considering the costs of college. Meal plans are also not available during these breaks.
Additional costs for international students vary and include personal expenses such as travel, personal items and books. Depending on your academic major, the cost of books could be higher than the estimate.
Scholarships for International Students
Agnes Scott’s merit-based scholarships are highly competitive. The academic qualifications determining scholarship awards are dependent on the strength of the applicant pool. Priority consideration will be given to students completing all application requirements by the Early Action II deadline.
Scholarship offers and award amounts will be determined by a holistic review of the application for admission and thorough evaluation of academic indicators, including (but not limited to) rigor of coursework, high school GPA, standardized test scores (if submitted) and overall quality of the application for admission.
Scholarships are automatically renewed for four years, provided the student maintains the academic requirements as stipulated in the scholarship terms and conditions.
Important Notes
- Most schools in the U.S. (public and private) raise tuition and fees annually.
- International students may not apply for additional forms of financial assistance once enrolled at Agnes Scott College.
- A few international students are eligible to apply for student loans in their home countries for study in the U.S. Other international students are eligible to apply for students loans through U.S. banks if they have a U.S. citizen co-signer for the loan application. Agnes Scott does not have a student loan program.
The Agnes Scott $100K Promise
