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International Students

You are welcome at DWU!

At DWU, you'll meet new friends and discover people and ideas you never imagined. You'll join organizations that stimulate your natural interests and be exposed to new ones you
didn't even know existed. 

Our Location

Climate

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Community

Check Us Out

What to Study 

You have many options when it comes to selecting a major or minor. Check out our more than 40 programs. Communicate with your admissions counselors to determine what program is best for you. 

DWU Distinctions 

  • Scholarship opportunities are available to you.  
  • You do not have to submit SAT/ACT scores.   
  • In the cafeteria, DWU serves special themed lunches to honor the heritage of DWU international students.  
  • Student to faculty ratio is 12:1. This allows for more one-on-one time for you to ask questions and make close connections with your professors.  
  • 96% of DWU recent graduates are employed full time or attending graduate school.  
  • Recognized by U.S. News & World Report as a Best Regional College and a Best Value College in the Midwest. 
  • Awarded a perfect score for NAIA Champions of Character. 
  • Every student organization and sport commits to at least one community service project. 
  • Wi-Fi is strong and accessible across campus 
  • Every on-campus student receives an iPad 
  • 24-hour Mac lab 
  • DNA sequencer in the biochemistry department 
  • Five residence halls: traditional, pods and apartments 
  • Corrigan Health Sciences Center, offering the latest in research facilities and simulator labs – opened 2013 
  • DWU/Avera Sports and Wellness Complex – opened 2016 
  • School of Business, Innovation and Leadership – opened 2021

Additional services provided by DWU 

  • Click here to learn about campus health resources
  • Campus Pastors and student ministry
  • Free membership to the DWU/Avera Sport and Wellness Complex
  • $85 USD each semester to spend in our DWU Starbucks Tiger Café  

Where Our International Students are From 

We welcome students from all over the world! Here are just a few countries that students are coming from:  Columbia, Brazil, Russia, Peru, Mongolia, Germany, Canada, Ireland, England

Admissions Requirements

Ready to apply? Here is what you need to do to enroll at DWU. 

Step 2: Required Items for Admission

1. Transcripts 

  • Official academic records from all secondary schools and postsecondary education are required 
  • International student-athletes must have transcripts evaluated by InCRED and choose the course-by-course evaluation

2. English Proficiency Test

International students from countries that do not acknowledge English as a national language are required to submit proof of English proficiency. DWU accepts the following:

  • Duolingo – Minimum Score: 100
  • TOEFL – Minimum Score: 71
  • IELTS – Minimum Score: 6

International transfer students are not required to submit an English Proficiency Test score if a US university has been attended for longer than one-year.

Step 3: Complete the required I-20

1. Complete the Financial Responsibility form found within the DWU Application for International Student Admission.

2. Submit proof of financial support.

  • Bank statement/letter
  • Sponsorship letter

3. Pay $200 enrollment deposit.

4. Get approval by DWU’s International Office and receive I-20.

Step 4: Apply for your F-1 Visa

If you are an international student, you should be aware that, unfortunately, our online programs will not be available to you due to the limitations of F-1 Visa regulations. This includes all graduate programs.  

  1. Pay I-901 SEVIS fee of $350
  2. Consult the instructions at the US embassy website on your country
  3. Complete the Form DS-160 and print the barcode page (learn more)
  4. Schedule a visa interview appointment. Visit the U.S. Embassy website where you will be interviewed for country-specific instructions.
  5. Pay the visa application fee of $160. Review country-specific instructions.
  6. Gather all necessary documents according to the embassy of your country. Commonly required documents include: 
  • I-20 
  • Passport 
  • Bank statements 
  • DS-160 form 
  • Confirmation of SEVIS fee payment 
  • Receipt of visa application fee 
  • Acceptance Letter 
Step 5: Registration and Medical Requirements

All international students are required to live on campus, obtain a meal plan and show proof of health insurance while enrolled in DWU. Be sure to list all medications that you take and the reason you are on the medication on the health form.  

  1. Complete Registration Form
  2. Receive DWU Email and Login Information 
  3. Complete Housing Form 
  4. Complete Proof of Medical Insurance on TigerGo.

    Provide a copy of the medical benefits provided by your insurance company, the cover sheet that shows the start and end dates of your major medical insurance policy, and a copy of the front and back of your insurance card, if your company provides one. If your company issues an insurance card, go to TigerGo and follow the prompts to upload the card under Medical Insurance, letter “F”. If no card is available, DWU will manually enter the data when submitted by student. All insurance policies must be in effect for the entire semester, or academic year. If purchasing insurance by semester, updated paperwork will need to be submitted for the spring semester upon return. Determine the start date of your policy based on when your sport is required to report for practice. 
  5. Complete Health form on TigerGoBe sure to list all medications that you take and the reason you are on the medication on the health form. 
  6. Complete Immunization record form

    Your medical provider must complete the immunization form. Unsigned immunization forms will not be accepted. Return the completed DWU Immunization form and attach a copy of your official immunization record to the Campus Nurse or mail the immunization requirements to: 

    Dakota Wesleyan University 
    Campus Nurse 
    1200 W. University Ave., Box 926 
    Mitchell, SD 57301 

    All submitted immunization records must be translated to English.  

  7. Complete a physical examination for athletics

    If you are planning to play a sport at DWU, you will need a current physical completed by June 1 and on file with the DWU athletics department by July 1 for fall sport participation. For spring semester participation, physicals must be done on or after November 1 and on file with the athletic department by January 1.  

    Physicals must be completed by a medical doctor, doctor of osteopathy, physician assistant or certified nurse practitioner. Physicals can be done after arrival in the USA, upon student request at the student’s expense.

    DWU Physical Form
    Email a copy of the completed form to the
    athletics department, and bring the original copy with you to turn in to athletics upon your arrival, or mail completed original physical form to: 
     
    Dakota Wesleyan University 
    DWU Tiger Athletics 
    1200 W. University Ave. 
    Mitchell, SD 57301 

    All submitted physicals must be translated to English.  

Traveling to DWU 

Regional Airports 

  • Sioux Falls Regional Airport – 1 hour and 10 minutes’ drive to campus 
  • Omaha Eppley Airfield – 3 hours and 30 minutes’ drive to campus 
  • Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport – 4 hours and 50 minutes’ drive to campus 

Sioux Falls is the airport we recommend. Besides being closer to campus, people from DWU can pick you up upon your arrival. For other airports, you might have to use a bus service to get to Mitchell, South Dakota. 

There are tools that our international students use when researching or cheaper flights. Functions like comparing prices by company, date and airport are just a few of the ways to search. 

Bus Lines 
Greyhound Bus, Jefferson Lines

  • Sioux Falls to Mitchell: $24 - $28 
  • Omaha to Mitchell: $70 - $78 
  • Minneapolis to Mitchell: $84 - $94  
What to pack?

Carry-on bag 

For traveling purposes, including going through immigration, it is important that you include the following items on your carry-on/personal bag: 

  • Boarding passes 
  • Passport (current and containing your F1 visa) 
  • I-20 
  • Financial Documentation (bank letter/statement) 
  • Letter of acceptance from Dakota Wesleyan 

Also, you can bring items that might be necessary or that you might use for leisure on your carry on, for example: 

  • Electronics (laptop, tablet, kindle, earphones), 
  • Books 
  • A pen 
  • A change of clothes 
  • Hygiene objects 
  • Medicine 

Keep in mind that any liquids, creams, aerosols, and pastes must be packed in a transparent traveling container, with at most 100 milliliters. Make sure you check this information with your traveling company. 

Items to purchase in the USA

Some of your items might take too much space/weight. It might be worth buying it once you are in the USA. Our suggestions include: 

  • Bed Sheets 
  • Blanket 
  • Pillow 
  • Towels 
  • Hygiene products (soap, shampoo, toothpaste, etc.) 

As soon as you arrive in Mitchell, you can take a trip to a store and purchase those items. 

It is important to note that the power outlets in the USA are not the same as some countries in the rest of the world. It is important to check if the type of plug your devices have will be compatible with the USA model. If not, you can buy an adaptor or a new charger/power output. 

Financing Your Education

Tuition and Fees 

Before issuing your I-20, the US Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) requires that we obtain proof of financial responsibility. Please review the educational costs for international students for the upcoming academic year and provide the required information that reflects your ability to cover the costs. 

Education Costs per Year for International Students:

  • Tuition: $31,700 
  • Service and Activity Fee: $490 
  • Technology Fee: $700 
  • Room and Board (varies depending on plan): $7,600 
  • Enrollment Deposit$200  

TOTAL*: $40,690 

*Students are responsible for travel, books and personal expenses. Fees are subject to change without notice. 

All international students are required to live on campus, obtain a meal plan and show proof of health insurance while enrolled in DWU.  

It is recommended to have your finances in order before you arrive. Federal Financial Aid is only available to U.S. citizens and eligible noncitizens. If you're in the U.S. on an F-1 student visa, you're not eligible for federal financial aid. For details regarding eligible noncitizens see the Federal Student Aid website.

International students are eligible for merit scholarships. 

For billing information or payment plan options, please contact our business office at 800-333-8506 or via email.

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Questions?

Please email us or give us a call.

605-995-2650
admissions@dwu.edu