First-Year Applicants
How to Apply
If you are applying to DU as an international student, there are a few steps you will need to take to make sure your application is complete. We will review your academic performance in the context of your home country's educational system and make sure that you have the necessary background to study here at the University of Denver. We want to make sure that you are prepared for success, and we are here to help you through every step of the application process.
If your native language is not English, you will need to demonstrate English language proficiency in addition to your other application materials. You can demonstrate English proficiency with a qualifying test score, or by qualifying for an exemption.
If you have any questions, contact your admission counselor.
Application Checklist
Submit Your Application
- Nov. 1 for Early Decision I and Early Action
- Jan. 15 for Early Decision II and Regular Decision
What's the difference between the deadline options?
Early Decision is a binding agreement between you and the University that you will attend DU if you're accepted. You can only apply Early Decision to one school, and if you're accepted to DU via Early Decision, you must withdraw your applications from other institutions. You should only apply Early Decision if you're sure you want to be a DU student.Early Action andRegular Decision are non-binding applications, and you can apply to as many schools as you like for these deadlines.
- We accept the Common Application.
- The application includes an essay requirement.
- The application requires a $65 nonrefundable application fee.
- To pay online, please log back into your Common Application account.
- You can also pay by U.S. check or money order, made out to the University of Denver and mailed to Undergraduate Admission.
- If you're facing financial hardship, you can apply for a fee waiver. These are granted on a case-by-case basis and require a school official to verify that paying the application fee would be a burden on you and your family. To apply for a fee waiver, fill out the top part of the fee waiver form. Next, have your school official (counselor, teacher, principal, etc.) fill out the bottom part and send it to our office via e-mail at intladm@emeieme.com.
- For applicants inside the US, we may accept additional fee waivers from reputable sources like NACAC.
Submit Your Supporting Materials
- Academic performance is the most important factor in our admission process. However, we are a test-optional university, and submitting test scores is your choice. If you choose to submit your SAT and/or ACT scores, they will be considered along with your other application materials for both admission and merit scholarships. Please be sure to review exceptions on this page.
- Submit your test scores (optional) via College Board or ACT using the following codes:
- SAT Code: 4842
- ACT Code: 0534
- We do not consider subject test or writing sections.
- Super score: If you’ve taken either test more than once, we’ll combine the best sub-scores to create your best possible composite result.
- If you receive an application fee waiver, you have the option to upload ACT and/or SAT test scores to your application status page. Simply log into your account to choose the "Student Submitted Test Score" material upload type and send your official test scores through our site. You may also email us at INTLADM@emeieme.com. Once we verify the score report, we will complete the test score requirement for your application. Please note this process may take 24-48 hours to complete.
- Contact each of your secondary schools or high schools to have them send your official transcripts to International Student Admission in separate sealed envelopes.
- We require you to include certified English translations if your transcript is in a different language.
- Your high school counselor can send your transcript electronically through Naviance or the Common Application.
Alternatively, your counselor can mail your transcript to this address:
International Student Admission
University of Denver
University Hall
2197 S. University Blvd.
Denver, CO 80208-9401
Send your letters of recommendation
- We'll need to read a letter of recommendation from your teacher or school counselor. If possible, please make sure these letters include information on your class rank and other helpful academic measurements.
- Counselors can use the Common Application Secondary School Report, the NACAC Secondary School Report form or a personal letter.
- You're welcome to submit additional letters from those that know you best and can speak to your academic abilities and personal qualities (a teacher, a coach, etc.). These letters are optional.
- You can submit a ZeeMee profile with your application (ZeeMee is a free service designed to help students bring their application to life by highlighting your personal story via photos, video and text). This is optional, but if you'd like to include it, simply copy and paste your ZeeMee link into your University of Denver application.
Additional Steps
English Proficiency Requirements
- We accept scores from one of the following as proof of English proficiency:
- TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
- IELTS (International English Language Testing System)
- DET (Duolingo English Test)
- CAE (Cambridge Certificate in Advanced English)
- Please ensure you send your test scores at least one month before enrollment.
- For more information, visit our English Proficiency page.
You have the option to complete an interview after submitting a successful English proficiency score. This helps us better evaluate your English proficiency and learn more about you as a student and a person. We believe in a whole-person approach to admission decisions, and we want to know as much about you as we can. You can choose from two options for completing your interview:
You can use our online tool to check the status of your application.
If you have been accepted to DU and you want to enroll as a student, submit your deposit online to confirm your spot.
Submit your depositExtra Steps
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Early Decision Applicants
Submit your Early Decision Agreement Form.
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Students over 24 years old
If you've been out of high school for three or more years and you don't have any previous college credit, you can apply through the Common Application. You also have the option of submitting a letter of recommendation from an employer.
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Home schooled students
If you're a home schooled student, you can use the application process listed above and you may apply to DU with or without SAT and/or ACT standardized test scores. However, you will need to submit a letter of recommendation from a non-family member.
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Students attending a non-graded school
If you are a student attending a non-graded high school that does not provide a letter or numerical grade, you are required to submit official ACT or SAT scores with your application.
- Due to COVID -19, we will evaluate special circumstances on a case-by-case basis for students unable to take a standardized test.
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GED students
Please submit a copy of your high school transcript that shows all completed coursework. You need to submit one letter of recommendation, preferably from a former teacher or counselor.
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Music majors
If you are applying to be a music student, you will need to submit a supplemental application from the Lamont School of Music. You will receive this after you've submitted your Common Application. You will also be required to submit an audition or portfolio. All music applicants must apply for the Regular Decision deadline. Contact the Lamont School of Music with any questions.
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Art/design majors
If you are applying to a BFA program, you must submit a portfolio. Contact the Art Department if you have questions.
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Business majors
The majority of students interested in attending the Daniels College of Business will be directly admitted to the program of their choice. Some students will be asked to start at DU as a pre-business student, and to apply to the Daniels College after the completion of their first year on campus.
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Fee Waivers
If you're facing financial hardship, you can apply for a fee waiver. These are granted on a case-by-case basis and require a school official to verify that paying the application fee would be a burden on you and your family.
To apply for a fee waiver:
- Fill out the top part of the fee waiver form.
- Next, have your school official (counselor, teacher, principal, etc.) fill out the bottom part and send it to our office via e-mail at intladm@emeieme.com.
- For applicants inside the US, we may accept additional fee waivers from reputable sources like NACAC.