An international student is any student who falls under the following criteria:
High Point currently has international students representing 37 countries, and historically, we have welcomed students from 52 countries on our campus. The international student population accounts for approximately 3.5% of the undergraduate population and continues to increase each year.
At High Point University, we are sensitive to the fact that the educational system varies based on the applicant’s country. Therefore, we consider each international application on an individual basis. Every international applicant must provide a complete application through the Common Application, secondary school transcript (and college transcript for transfer students) formally evaluated by an outside company, and a test score (TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, or ACT). Please see, “Which test score should I submit?” for more information on test score requirements for international students. More information on HPU admissions requirements can be found here.
High Point is part of the Piedmont Triad, which consists of High Point, Winston Salem, and Greensboro. The Piedmont Triad is a dynamic market that is poised for tremendous growth due to its temperate climate, centralized location, relatively low population density, and high quality of life. High Point, known as North Carolina’s International City, attracts over 100,000 exhibitors and buyers from all over the world twice a year for the High Point Furniture Market.
While the city of High Point itself is a relatively small city, it is centrally located in the state of North Carolina and offers several attractions nearby. North Carolina is known for its beautiful outdoors and many of our students take advantage of the mountains to the west and beaches to the east during weekends and on University breaks.
Downtown Greensboro (approximately 30 minutes away) offers a vibrant urban center that offers a mix of shops, restaurants, bars, offices, museums, festivals, parks, and growing residential enclaves. The city of Charlotte (approximately 1 hour and 30 minutes away) is the largest city in North Carolina and the second largest banking center in the country after New York City. Charlotte is a cultural hub with several museums, performing arts centers, exciting nightlife and restaurants, while also serving as the home of two major professional sports teams, the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the Carolina Panthers of the National Football League (NFL). Raleigh, the state’s capital, is approximately one hour and fifteen minutes from High Point and features several museums, performing arts centers, and is home to professional National Hockey League team, the Carolina Hurricanes.
High Point University is also centrally located amongst three major airports: Piedmont Triad International, Raleigh-Durham, and Charlotte. HPU students are able to travel to several major cities in less than a two hour flight, such as Atlanta, Washington, DC, New York, Miami, Nashville, etc.
Most foreign citizens are not eligible for federal student aid from the U.S. Department of Education. There are, however, some instances in which non-citizens may be eligible for financial aid from the U.S. federal government. Students are encouraged to visit www.studentaid.gov/eligibility/non-us-citizens to learn more.
High Point University offers all students the same access to university merit scholarships, and all applicants are reviewed for scholarships at the same time they are reviewed for admission. For consideration, prospective students must submit either SAT or ACT scores. Learn more about our awards and academic qualifications here.
At High Point University, 99% of all first year students and 93% of the entire student population live on campus, which makes for a very rich and engaging campus life. Living in a residential dorm provides many social and academic opportunities for all students, and international students especially benefit from living on-campus as a way to connect with other students, improve their English language skills, and further benefit from the resources available on campus. Click here to learn more about Residence Life at HPU.
We understand that internet connectivity can be unpredictable in certain countries, and therefore, we do allow students to submit paper applications. However, we strongly suggest and prefer that all applicants use the Common Application online portal.
International admissions notifications are issued on a rolling basis, with priority given to Early Action and Early Decision applications. Students are informed of a decision via email first, and receive a packet in the mail shortly after the initial communication.
Students who are offered admission to HPU will receive their I-20 at the permanent address indicated on their application via FedEx. Students attending school in the US may prefer to receive their application at their domestic address, in which case they must inform their admissions counselor of this request. Click here for more information about the immigration process for international students.
All students who are applying to HPU must submit a School Report form. This document is perhaps even more important for international students as it helps their admissions counselor better understand the curriculum at their high school. As some high schools abroad do not have counselors, the School Report Form can be filled out by any school official.
All applicants must submit a letter of recommendation. This letter can be written by any adult who knows the student well, excluding family members. HPU requires one letter, but you are more than welcome to include more than one in your application.
Yes, all transcripts (high school and college) must be submitted in English. High Point University recommends several transcript evaluation companies, and they can be found at: https://www.highpoint.edu/admissions/international-admissions/.
The TOEFL or IELTS is the exam required of most international applicants. There are instances in which the SAT or ACT is required instead. These include:
Click here for more information on English proficiency requirements.
Students can stay on campus during all breaks, except for the winter break in December. Students staying on campus over the summer must enroll in courses and/or obtain summer employment on campus.
Whether you play a sport, are passionate about a cause, or have a hobby you would like to continue through college, HPU offers many opportunities for international students to become involved on campus. HPU has over 100 clubs and different levels of sports participations for athletes, including club and intramural sports. Students are encouraged to visit Student Activities for more information on different ways to get involved on campus.
International students studying at HPU on an F-1 visa may work up to twenty hours on campus.