How to Apply to Iowa State University from Nigeria

Studying in the United States is an experience in itself and for many Nigerian students looking for quality education, work opportunities, and permanent residency, these opportunities is a no brainer.

One of the top universities you should look to applying is Iowa State University (ISU). This university is one of the most selective among international students. Admission process can be slightly difficult, but if you are prepared and have all the required materials and documents, it’s definitely possible to get admission, including scholarship from ISU.

In this guide, I will take you through the journey of applying to ISU, the admission requirements, and other relevant information. I will like to know in the comment section if you have any questions or need further clarification. I would love to hear from you.

What is special about Iowa State University?

Iowa State University is a public land-grant, and tier 1 research university. It allows students to learn among intentional students and be taught by excellent tutors focused on tackling some of the world’s challenges.

The university belongs to the elite AAU and has what it takes for you to become a resourceful professional in your career. With over 35,000 students, ISU offers a great opportunity to create your own college adventure.

How to apply to Iowa State University from Nigeria

ISU operates on rolling admission for international applicants. You should apply six to eight weeks before the deadline to offer you a plethora of time to complete the admission process and obtain your visa. This also helps you to arrive in the US early and settle before learning commences.

For the fall semester, admission starts on July 1 of the previous year. However, for other semesters, admission starts approximately 12 months before the beginning of the semester.

The first step in applying for admission at Iowa State University from Nigeria is to create an account. After creating your account, you can begin the application, save it, and resume existing applications or view already submitted ones. Application is solely online, including uploading of documents. This saves you the time and expense of mailing them to the university.

Applications for admission are available online at www.admissions.iastate.edu.

What are the Application Requirements to Study at Iowa State University?

ISU is test-optional for first-year applicants. Hence, you may attach an ACT or SAT score to your admission application. Upon receipt of your documents and application fee, the school will make an official decision regarding your admission. For Nigerians, the minimum requirements to apply for admission to ISU include the following:

• English language proficiency proof: IELTS overall score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 for each band, Duolingo English test overall score of 100, iBT TOEFL overall score of 71 with a minimum score of 17 in writing and speaking sections, and paper-based TOEFL score of 530.
• A minimum of C4 on the WASSCE or GCE
• Academic transcript
• Financial documents
• Official copy of passport
• Transfer documents, if any
• SAT/ACT, optional

In addition, ISU keeps required materials to the barest minimum to enable the admission officers to attend to the plethora of applications before them. Hence, letters of recommendation, essays, merit certificates, and others are irrelevant.

Also, if your supporting documents are incomplete at the time of the application, you can always save them and go back to them later when you have sorted them out.

If you are having difficulty uploading your documents, you can mail them to the address below not later than 30 days after the deadline:

Iowa State University

 Office of Admissions

 2433 Union Drive

 100 Enrollment Services Center

 Ames, IA 50011-2011 USA

What is the acceptance rate for international students at Iowa State University?

The acceptance rate for international students is 92%.

What is the application fee for Iowa State University for Nigerian students?

Nigerian applicants pay a nonrefundable fee of $100.

How long does it take for ISU to send your acceptance letter?

The school sends an email notification of the status of your admission application within three weeks. But you are likely to hear from them within one to two weeks. Most admission decisions are made before the end of the previous semester. That is December for spring admission and May for fall admission.

In addition, the university does not send an acknowledgment for receiving your application or supporting documents. However, they will email you if your supporting documents are not complete within a specific timeline. This will form the basis for the consideration of your admission.

Finally, your completed application may be considered for the following semester if you are not admitted. Your application is valid for only one year.

What is the deadline to apply to ISU?

The application for admission opens on October 1st and the deadline is April 1st for the following academic year. Nigerian students are admitted on a rolling basis with priority given to applications received first.

How much is the cost of studying at ISU?

The tuition for international students is $31,141, food and housing costs around $10,018, and books and study materials cost around $1091.

How do I apply for a student visa for ISU?

Once you have been confirmed for admission, the institution will mail a certificate of eligibility for a Form 1-20 (student visa). With this, you can apply for a student visa; ensure to keep the receipt of the application-processing fee. You must also show proof of financial stability to cover your study and living expenses.

Aside from Form 1-20, you will provide a completed non-immigrant online visa application form (DS-160) with your photo. You can collect the forms at the embassy at no cost.

Another important document is your passport, valid for at least six months after your proposed entry date to the US. Proof of SEVIS fee payment is also necessary.

How long does it take to obtain a US student visa?

It takes one week to a few months for your visa to be ready. In some cases, it may take only a few days to process, but you will need two or three days for the delivery of your updated passport.

How much is the cost of a US student visa?

A non-immigrant visa application costs $160, but with a SEVIS application, the total cost is $510.

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