International Students

All citizens of countries other than the U.S. are considered international students.

If you attend a U.S. high school, but have a foreign passport, you are an international student. All international applicants will be considered for merit-based scholarships

How to Apply

  1. Submit an application via the Common Application in addition to the following items:
  2. Letter of recommendation from a recent or current teacher
  3. Secondary School Report from your college/guidance counselor
  4. Official high school transcripts reflecting coursework through the junior year for Early Action applications, and through the fall semester of senior year for the Regular Decision applications.
  5. Standardized test scores. Whittier College will consider your highest section scores from across all test dates (also known as super scoring) from your SAT or ACT results. Students should provide all test score results by submitting an official score report through the testing agency (SAT I Code #4952, ACT Code #0480), or by Self-Reporting all scores using the Test Score Form in their application portal*. Enrolling students that applied using Self-Reported test scores will need to verify their scores by submitting an official score report from the testing agency before starting classes. Whittier College has a Test-Optional policy, which allows students with a minimum 3.0 Whittier Admission GPA** to apply for admission without submitting standardized test scores.  Students wishing to apply under the test-optional policy must indicate this preference in their Common Application.
  6. Official TOEFL, IELTS, iTEP, or DuoLingo exam results. (TOEFL minimum: 80 / IELTS minimum: 6.5) Exemptions available for the following:
    • A score of 550 or higher on the verbal section of the SAT, or a sub score of 24 or higher on the Reading and/or English sections of the ACT.
    • The applicant’s first language is English.
    • If the applicant has attended a high school where the primary language of instruction is English for at least three years.
    • TOEFL/IELTS/iTEP waiver form.
  7. International Financial Certification form

*Test scores self-reported in the Common Application will not be used for the admission review process.

**The Whittier Admission GPA is a 9-11 grade, weighted GPA that includes all academic classes. Students that apply under the test-optional policy with a Whittier Admission GPA under a 3.0 will be required to provide standardized test scores in order to be considered for admission.

Please submit any supporting documentation as well as questions you may have to internationaladmissions@whittier.edu.

When to Apply

Early Action

Application deadline: November 15
Decisions sent: January 17
Enrollment deadline: May 1 

Regular Decision

Application deadline: February 1
Decisions sent: April 1
Enrollment deadline: May 1

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Financial Aid and Scholarships

Merit Scholarships

There is no separate application process to be considered for merit-based academic scholarships.

Talent Scholarships 

  • Must be an admitted student to apply for talent-based scholarships in Art, Music, and Theatre.
  • Scholarship recipients do not have to major or minor in the subject, only maintain involvement with the department throughout their time at Whittier.
  • Scholarships are valued from $1,000 to $12,000 and are based on a separate application process.
  • Deadline to apply: February 2020
  • Audition/Portfolio Review Date: February 2020
  • Talent Applications, FAQs, and Contact Information

Helpful Tips

  • Fully complete the Common Application. Leave no question unanswered! If you are having trouble with The Common Application you will have to contact the Support Center through the Common Application website. Unfortunately, we cannot resolve certain problems.
  • Use the same name on all documents you submit. Specifically, the name as it exactly appears on your passport will help our office in future immigration matters. 
  • Thinking about mailing your documents? Save time by emailing internationaladmissions@whittier.edu or faxing them to the Office of Admission at 562.907.4870.
  • Submit a completed Whittier College International Financial Certification with U.S. dollar amounts listed in the columns for Assured (first year) & Projected Support. Bank statements and third-party signatures will be needed for the visa process if you are admitted.
  • Do not miss the application deadlines! Early Action: November 15; Regular Decision: February 1. It usually takes us 2-3 weeks to process documents that are submitted online. Please be patient!

Contact

Shim Shimaz
Associate Director of International Recruitment and Admission
internationaladmissions@whittier.edu
562.907.4284

Clery Act

We value the safety of all members of the Whittier community. The Whittier College Annual Security and Fire Safety Report can be viewed online here. This report provides crime statistics for the prior three years, policy statements regarding various safety and security measures, campus crime prevention program descriptions, and procedures to be followed in the investigation and adjudication of reportable crimes. A paper copy of the document is available at the Department of Campus Safety or by calling 562.907.4211