As an International Student at Mount St. Mary's University, you will find a distinguished, safe, student-friendly learning environment, and inclusive culture. When you are transitioning to life and study in the U.S., the Mount staff are here for you to help you explore your options every step of the way. Our goal is to enable you to achieve your educational pursuits and to further your academic study all while being part of our very special community.
Why do international students come to the Mount?
With 75% of students living on campus, and a faculty to student ratio of 14:1, this is a small community where everyone supports each other.
Our Center for Student Diversity helps all students on campus, but specifically focuses on underrepresented student populations to meet specific needs.
The University offers numerous programs within our Schools of Business, Education, and Science and College of Liberal Arts. In addition, there are many opportunities to study abroad.
Centrally located between Baltimore and Washington D.C., yet being able to live in a rural, safe environment is an ideal location for many students.
For a step-by-step guide of the international admissions process, view the International Student Life Cycle (F1/M1) pdf provided by studyinthestates.dhs.gov.
Admissions staff members are here to guide you through the enrollment steps and to make it an easy path to follow.
Complete a free online application.
Check your status on your Application Status Portal. It is essential to check your portal often to see important communications from the university along with a list of any materials we still need to make an admissions decision. You can also upload supporting documents in your portal.
Once admitted, complete the Decision Form. Upon acceptance to the degree program, the international student must complete the Decision Form through their application portal. This form lets the university know that you are accepting our offer of admission.
Follow the process in the I-20 Requirements section to obtain an F-1 Visa to study in the United States.
Contact International Undergraduate Student Coordinator Brandon Rockwell at 301-447-5605 or email him at b.w.rockwell@msmary.edu.
Mount St. Mary's University has the approval of the United States Citizen and Immigration Services (USCIS) to enroll foreign students into its degree programs. An international student wishing to study in the United States must have a non-immigrant F-1 Student Visa. If you are not a U.S. citizen, a U.S. permanent resident, or hold other legal status, you need an F-1 student visa to study in the United States. Visas are issued by United States embassies and consulates not colleges or universities. In order to obtain your F-1 visa, you will first be required to obtain an I-20 issued by the university. You cannot be issued an I-20 until after you have been admitted to Mount St. Mary's University, submitted your enrollment deposit and completed the proper paperwork.
The Mount DSO will issue a Form I-20: Certificate of Eligibility of Nonimmigrant Student Status after all I-20 documents have been reviewed and verified. This I-20 will be uploaded to the student admissions status portal for students to use to obtain their International F-1 student visa.
International students must work with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency to obtain the international F-1 Student Visa Stamp which is needed to enter the United States.
International students with a previous I-20 record that is being transferred to the Mount do not need a new F-1 Visa stamp to attend Mount St. Mary's University. The old F-1 Visa stamp in the passport is still valid for travel into the USA (even though a different school is listed) as long as the date has not yet expired. In addition, the international student must have maintained status with a current I-20.
Once you have completed Admissions Steps and I-20 requirements you will need to follow the Current Student/Admitted International Graduate Steps that are located here (provide link)
Emmitsburg & Frederick campuses
New Students - Undergraduate Programs (Emmitsburg campus)
Current Students - Undergraduate Programs (Emmitsburg campus)
We want your experience at the Mount to be amazing, so we start it off with an orientation that gives you a chance to meet other new students. New Student Orientation is when the college transition starts to feel real for both students and parents, and provides new students the opportunity to:
Office of Orientation and New Student Services
301-447-6783