Application and Requirements

Admitted Exchange Students

Study here!

How to Apply

Please complete the steps below to apply as an exchange student at North Central College!

Fall Admission - Nominations due April 1st / Applications due May 1st
Spring Admission - Nominations due October 1st / Applications due November 1st

Step 1

Complete North Central's online application!

  • Application for Admission of J-1 Exchange Student 2026-2027
  • Follow the following tips to complete your application!
    • Under Biographical Information, for the question “Do you plan to take classes at North Central’s Excel Program: Advanced English Language coursework for multilingual students”?  please select “Unsure” if you are unsure if your English proficiency scores meet the requirements.
    • Under Citizenship Information, please select “Citizen of a non-U.S. country”.

Step 2

Submit Supporting Documents

After submitting your exchange application, you will receive an email with detailed directions to upload your supporting documents.

  • Copy of Passport I.D. page
  • An Affidavit of Support (to be emailed directly to partner institution contact upon receiving student nominations)- please note that the sponsor's name on the Affidavit of Support must match the account holder listed on the bank statement. The sponsor may be the student if submitting personal funds.  If the student is funding themselves, the bank account and corresponding statement must be in the student's name.
  • An official bank statement in English showing sufficient funding for your entire stay. Please note that funds must be liquid and accessible without penalty and include a signature or stamp from the bank.
  • Personal Statement
  • Two Letters of Recommendation
  • English Language Proficiency Scores with the following minimums (not required for native-English speaking students or students from the American College of Greece):
    • TOEFL iBT tests taken on or before January 21, 2026: Minimum score of 79, TOEFL iBT tests taken on or after January 21, 2026: 4.5, IELTS: Total score of 6.5 or higher with sub-scores of 6.0 or higher, SAT: Minimum score of 490 on the EBRW section, ACT: Minimum score of 19 on the English section, EIKEN: Minimum Grade Pre-1, Pearson's English Test (PTE): Minimum score of 65, Duolingo English Test (DET): Minimum score of 120, Michigan English Test (MET): Minimum score of 58, LANGUAGECERT Academic: Minimum score of 70, Cambridge B2 First: Minimum score of 180.
    • Students with the following English proficiency scores are eligible to enroll in our English language Excel Program coursework. Please contact Ashley Orihara (aforihara@noctrl.edu) for more information about the Excel Program: TOEFL iBT tests taken on or before January 21, 2026: 60 - 78, TOEFL iBT tests taken on or after January 21, 2026: 3.5 - 4.0 (no score below 3.5), IELTS: 5.0 - 6.0 (no score below 5.0), Institutional TOEFL: 498 - 547, EIKEN: Grade 2A, Pearson's English Test (PTE): 50 - 64, Duolingo English Test (DET): 85 - 119, Michigan English Test (MET): 49 - 57, LANGUAGECERT Academic: 55 - 69, Cambridge B2 First: 154 - 179.
  • Transcripts in English

Step 3

Watch for an acceptance email!

North Central College will review your application and supporting documents in a timely manner and will send your acceptance letter and DS-2019 for your J-1 visa application via email.

This page is for students participating in a short term exchange program. This is not information for students wishing to receive a degree from North Central. Not an exchange student? Click here to learn more!