Apply as an International Student
Apply as an International Student
We are so excited that you are considering joining the Elizabethtown College community! At Etown, we place a great emphasis on creating a culturally vibrant campus community where every student can achieve a sense of belonging. We welcome students from all over the globe to join our campus made up of advocates, changemakers, communicators, and cause organizers the world needs more of.
No other college will engage you in finding and pursuing your life's calling, your life's work, and your most fulfilling future like we do. Start your journey by finding your fit and completing our international student application. We can’t wait to welcome you to our campus!
Apply to Elizabethtown College
Contact Information
Anna Tartline
Admissions Counselor & Coordinator of International Recruitment
(Yo hablo español)
717-361-1191
Why Should I Apply To Etown?
When applying to colleges as an international student, it is important to find the college that best fits with the vision you have for your U.S. college experience. In order to have the best college experience possible, it’s essential that your academic and personal goals are met. If you share the following values, our close-knit campus community may be the right fit for you:
- Academic Excellence: Our students are high achievers. Our small class sizes, professional experiences and leadership opportunities prepare our students for their postgraduate aspirations.
- Social Accountability: Our College motto - Educate for Service - is ingrained into our students from the day they arrive on campus. We encourage our students to use their Etown education to serve others in their future careers.
- Active Campus Involvement: With 75+ clubs and organizations, sports teams, cultural and academic events, living learning communities and more, our campus is always bustling with students.
- Academic and Personal Mentorship: We understand the importance of having the ability to seek academic and personal guidance from a trusted source. We designate a team of International Leadership Assistants to serve as a resource as you transition to a new college and a new country.
Elizabethtown is located in historic Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Campus is less than 20 miles from Hershey, Harrisburg, and Lancaster, all of which are full of cultural, recreational, and entertainment opportunities. We’re also just a 20-minute drive from the Harrisburg International Airport (MDT) and have a Amtrak train station nearby so you can easily travel to nearby cities like New York City, Washington, D.C. and Philadelphia.
Take a Virtual Campus Tour!Resources for International Students
The Office of International Students (OIS) provides a broad range of support for all international students at Elizabethtown College. Our office can assist you with the following:
- Special introduction to the College through a New International Student Orientation
- Provide verification letters for applications to Social Security Administration, PDOT, maintaining F-1 visa status, travel, and more.
- Share information and connect students to College resources, social events, and academic requirements
- Provide resources and answer questions for adjusting to life and culture in the U.S.
- Create learning sessions to help understand the F-1 and J-1 visa rules and regulations
- Help you navigate topics like tax requirements, working on-campus, Curricular Practical Training, Optional Practical Training, and more
One of the hard things for international students is to make friends in their second language, but Etown offers many opportunities to have conversations with new people, like in First-Year Seminar (FYS). There are also great mentors like my Resident Assistant and faculty who helped me a lot through classes and on a daily basis.
Reiji Ito ’23 International Business
Ready to Apply?
For academic admission to Elizabethtown College, international applicants must submit the following academic items for review and verification:
- An official copy of your secondary school transcripts
- One letter of recommendation from your school counselor, an advisor, principal, or teacher
- One of the following to assess English language proficiency:
- SAT/ACT
- TOEFL
- IELTS
- EIKEN
- Duolingo
- PTE
- IESOL
- Cambridge English
If you are academically admitted to the College, you must submit the following items to verify you are eligible to obtain your form I-20 for the F-1 student visa. If you do not need an F-1 student visa, are already in the U.S. or entering on a different status, you do not need to submit the documents below:
- A copy of the photograph page of your passport
- Certification of Finances form
- Official bank statement with bank seal or signature (from within three months)
To receive a SEVIS form I-20, students must show proof of funds to cover the total cost of their first year of study minus scholarships. An expense breakdown is available on our Tuition & Cost page. International students are eligible for merit scholarships.
Proof of financial support is required by the U.S. Student Exchange Visa Program, section 101(a)(15)(F), through the department of Citizenship and Immigration Services. If you would like more information about this requirement, please visit this website.
Please note that the Elizabethtown College Office of Admissions reserves the right to request additional information and/or an admissions interview at any point in the admission process.
- The deadline for a completed application for Fall entry (August start date), including all academic and financial credentials referenced above, is July 15.
- The deadline for a completed application for Spring entry (January start date), including all academic and financial credentials referenced above, is Nov. 15.
Please email all credentials and any questions to international@etown.edu or by mail to:
Elizabethtown College
Office of Admissions
1 Alpha Dr.
Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2298
USA
On-Campus Housing
Please note that the Office of Community Living at Elizabethtown College cannot guarantee on-campus housing for students who are over 25 years old. If you have any questions or concerns regarding housing options, we encourage you to contact the Office of Community Living for further assistance. They can provide you with information about options that are available to you.
International Student Orientation
On-Campus Arrival
New international students for the spring semester may arrive and check-in on Aug. 19, 2025
Orientation Dates
International Student Orientation for fall 2025 takes place Aug. 20-22, 2025, and is required.