1. Where is Centre? What is it like there?
Centre is located in the beautiful city of Danville with a population of 18,000. Danville is in the heart of Kentucky's beautiful Bluegrass Region, world famous for its horse farms. Danville offers the charm and security of historic small town, within easy driving distance of three metro areas:   Lexington, Louisville, and Cincinnati. The town offers a fine array of dining, shopping, and entertainment options. The climate here is warm during summer when temperatures tend to be
in the mid 20's °C (upper 70's °F) and very cold during winter when temperatures tend to fall below 0 °C (30's °F).

2. What countries do Centre College students come from?
With a strong commitment to foster diversity and multicultural values, Centre College attracts highly motivated students from around the world. Currently, students from 18 countries contribute to the rich academic, co-curricular, and social atmosphere of the College. Our close-knit community values and promotes multicultural interaction, which gives the community powerful opportunities for learning and growth.

3. Who is considered to be an international applicant?
Regardless of where in the world they live, a student who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a U.S. permanent resident is considered as an international applicant.

4. Are all international students required to take the TOEFL? What is the minimum score required to gain admission?
Centre College requires that all non-native English speakers submit their scores for the TOEFL.   Centre typically expects scores of 237 on the computer-based TOEFL, 580 on the paper-based version, and 90 on the Internet-based TOEFL.

5. Does Centre require international students to submit SAT or ACT scores?
Considering that in some countries SAT or ACT is not offered, we do not require our international students to submit SAT or ACT scores. For students who have taken one test or the other, Centre will accept the score and use it in our evaluation.

6. Is there a separate international application for foreign or international students?
International applicants should submit the official Centre application, or the Centre Online Application. We also accept Common Application from international students. In addition, to complete the application package international students should also fill the College Board's Certification of Finances.

7. Is it possible to request an application fee waiver?
The application fee of $40 may be waived if a school official sends a letter on your behalf requesting for a fee waiver. The application fee is waived for on-line applicants.

8. Will Centre accept a photocopy of my standardized test result?
TOEFL and SAT scores should be sent directly to Centre College from the Educational Testing Service. In cases where complying with such requirements would cause excessive financial burden to the family, we will accept a high-quality copy of test results that has been certified with the school seal and signed by the head of school and/or college advisor.

9. What financial aid and scholarships are available for international students applying to Centre?
Based on their academic achievements and financial eligibility as determined by College guidelines, limited amounts of financial assistance are awarded competitively to international applicants. These funds vary in amount and are composed of a combination of grants, merit scholarships, and work-study. The merit scholarships are highly competitive and are based on academic achievement, scholastic aptitude, and promise of contribution as a student and citizen.

10. Can international students apply as transfer students?
Centre does accept international transfer applications. However, we only accept transfer application of international students who are enrolled or attended institutions in the U.S.

11. Can an international student apply for Spring Term admission?
Typically, we do not accept Spring Term applications from international students.   With the exception of few students, who were admitted for the Fall Term and were not able to come to the college until Spring Term for visa reasons, all new international students may only enroll in the Fall Term of each year.

12. Can international students apply for early action?
Yes, we accept early action application. You will be notified about your admission and scholarship status by February 1.

13. How and when do I apply for student visa?
You can apply for visa after you receive an I-20 form from the college. The college will issue you an I-20 form once we have received the student's US $300.00 enrollment deposit and the certification of finances showing adequate financial support. After receiving the I-20 form you must apply for a student visa at a U.S. Embassy or Consulate in your home country. The college will not cover the cost of visa application in your home country. Because applying for a visa can take quite a bit of time, depending on the country, you should submit the application and required documents as soon as possible. You can apply for the visa up to 120 days ahead of the start date for your studies, and you can travel to America up to 30 days ahead of the start date.

14. What kind of support is available to international students once on-campus?
Centre values the vitality international students bring to the classroom and our community. We know that the transition from your home country to Centre can be challenging as well as exciting. Centre is committed to providing special services to international students in order to ensure a smooth transition to life on an American college campus. Before the official freshman orientation, the College invites international students to a special orientation that introduces them to Danville and the United States. The International Student Advisor is officially responsible for much of the on-campus support available to international students such as social security card and employment documents. However, other offices also provide the same caring support available to all Centre students.

There is also a student-run organization for international students, International Student Association (ISA), to help them integrate into the Centre community. In addition, there are various other organizations such as the Diversity Student Union (DSU), Muslim Student Association (MSU), and CentreFaith that organize social and cultural events to promote togetherness and encourage diversity.

15. What documents should I bring to the U.S.?
When to come to the US you should bring with you any important documents that relate to your academic, medical, and legal history:

•  Official transcripts from secondary schools, colleges, or universities

•  Medical and dental records, including certificates of immunizations and vaccinations

•  Information about medical conditions or treatments, prescriptions for medication and eyeglasses

•  International driver's license

Before you leave your home country, if these documents are not in English, obtain English translations and have the translations certified by a U.S. educational advising center or a U.S. consulate or embassy. Retain photocopies of all original documents for your records.

16. Does Centre offer ESL (English as a Second Language) classes?
Currently, Centre does not offer ESL classes. However, informal conversation sessions with native speakers are offered for interested students.

17. Can international students spend the summer at Centre?
For international students that wish to spend their summers in Centre, we offer a variety of on-campus employment. In past, students have collaborated with their professors in conducting in-depth research projects or taken more typical summer jobs also available often in office support. The College offers low-cost housing for those students wishing to remain on campus during the summer months.

18. Will I be able to study abroad while at Centre?
Of, course. Centre offers term-long study-abroad programs, international students can apply to spend their semester in England, France, Mexico, Northern Ireland, Turkey and Japan. Besides that, short-term trips to places such as Barbados, Australia, Indonesia and Russia are open to all students.

Back to top of page

updated 1/21/08 by rusnak@centre.edu