Admissions Process
Applying to a university abroad can be scary. Making a move to another country isn’t easy. Let us walk you through some basic steps to make the transition an easy one.
How to Apply
This page is created specifically to provide as many answers as possible to the most common questions our international students have or answers to questions that we believe you need to consider.
International Student Packet
WNMU’s International Student Packet can be access below through the e-flipbook. You can expand it and flip through for easy reference and also download it to print the directions and documents that are required as part of the admissions process to receive your I-20.
International Undergraduate Checklist
Requirements and checklist for you to complete before you can be fully admitted to Western New Mexico University.
Apply for Admissions.
Find the application for admission online (wnmu.edu/applynow). Note: Birth dates should be listed in mm/dd/yyyy format only. Your name for admissions (given-first name & surname or family name-last name) should be entered on the application as it appears on your passport.
Send in Official Scores.
WNMU requires that international undergraduate students establish English proficiency by one of these means: 1. A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 500 or higher on the written version of the test or 61 or higher on the Internet version of the test; or 2. A Score of 6 or higher on the IELTS (International English Language Testing System); or 3. An ACT English subscore of 21 or higher or an SAT Verbal score of 310 or higher AND demonstration of adequate speaking skills as assessed by an interview conducted by a designee of the Vice President for Academic Affairs; or 4. A Duolingo English Test (DET) score of 85 or higher; or 5. An ACT English subscore of 17-20 or an SAT Verbal score of 430-490 AND three years of high school English with a 2.5 G.P.A. and demonstration of adequate speaking skills as assessed by an Interview conducted by a designee of the Vice President for Academic Affairs.
Secure International Student Insurance.
As an International Student of WNMU, it is REQUIRED to carry health insurance as long as you are a student. Students who are not covered by health insurance are in violation of policy and are financially responsible for all medical charges incurred in the U.S.. Students can choose their own insurance as long as it meets the coverage requirements set forth by WNMU. IT IS THEN THE STUDENT’S RESPONSIBILITY TO CARRY INSURANCE THROUGHOUT THEIR STAY IN THE U.S.! If proof of your own coverage is not provided, WNMU will purchase insurance through a provider of our choice on behalf of the student and will then bill the students account accordingly. If you choose to purchase insurance on your own, proof of such insurance will need to be provided to WNMU’s international representatives in the Office of Admissions before the deadlines stated below. Proof of insurance will have to be provided and on file by July 1 (Fall students) or December 1 (Spring students). If proof of insurance is not supplied by the deadline, WNMU will purchase health insurance on behalf of the student for the full academic year time frame leading up to the Fall term (e.g. Term Start Date – Aug. 1). If the student
supplies proof of insurance after the deadline, they are responsible for paying any costs associated with the coverage that had been purchased, either for the full term(s) or at a prorated amount dependent on the insurance company’s policies. WNMU’s insurance carrier will provide at least the following minimum requirements. Insurance purchased outside of WNMU’s carrier must also meet these minimum requirements:
- $100,000 minimum per person per accident or illness
- $25,000 for repatriation of remains
- $50,000 for medical evacuation
If you choose to purchase your own health insurance, here are some links to assist your search in finding a provider that meets these requirements and finding the right plan for your needs. WNMU does not endorse any provider over another.
https://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/f1student/ (comparison site)
https://www.americanvisitorinsurance.com/student-insurance/ (comparison site)
https://www.worldtrips.com/student-secure-insurance#/ssq
https://www.sevencorners.com/plans/visitors-insurance#/quote
https://www.geobluestudents.com/plan-options/inbound-international-travelers
Send in Official High School/College Transcripts.
Transcripts need to be translated into English and have a cross-reference chart converting the grade ranges/descriptions into letter grades generally used in the United States. For example, some systems use the following:
A=superior; B=above average; C=average; D=below average; F=no credit received.
College Transcripts
Western New Mexico University seeks to afford students with foreign transcripts, every opportunity to transfer as many credits as possible. To that end, WNMU requires students with foreign transcripts to provide a highly detailed translation and evaluation of any foreign transcript being submitted for possible credit transfer. Translations and evaluations must contain:
- Semester Units
- Individual Grade Equivalents
- Over all GPA
- Identification of class levels – upper division, lower division, professional, vocational
- Course descriptions
- Translations and evaluations submitted without the above criteria will not be considered for credit transfer.
All foreign transcripts must be submitted at the time of admission. Foreign transcripts submitted after the time of admission will not be considered for evaluation unless prior arrangements have been made with the Director of Undergraduate Admission and Recruitment.
High School Transcripts
Transcripts from foreign high schools do not need to meet the college transcript requirements. However, foreign high school transcripts must be translated into English and articulated into the US GPA format. The evaluation must also state that the diploma earned is the equivalent of a US high school diploma.
List of WNMU approved Translation and Evaluation services (Click Here)
International Financial Statement
https://admissions.wnmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/International-Financial-Statement-Form-23.pdf
Check To See if Accuplacer Placement Test is Needed.
Contact WNMU Testing Facility at 575-538-6134.
Apply for Housing/Residence Life.
Our newly opened Mustang Village apartments are calling your name. Find more here: http://wnmu.edu/residencelife.
New Student Orientation
Sign up online at http://www.wnmu.edu/orientation.
Tuition Breakdown
See Tuition Information here
Click to see sample tuition and learn about our Tuition Guarantee.
https://admissions.wnmu.edu/tuition/
Social Security
Social Security Numbers for International Students
Who Can Apply?
F-1/J-1 Students
F-1 and J-1 students are not eligible for a Social Security Number (SSN) without an employment offer. Students are required to present a job offer letter when asking for a DSO (Designated School Official) work authorization letter from a WNMU DSO in the Office of Admissions. The student or department must submit a request through email (admissions@wnmu.edu) and attach a valid job offer letter for on-campus employment, or present the job offer letter in person. Please see the Documents to Submit for SSN Application section below for more details on what needs to be included in the job offer letter. Your international student advisor will review the content of the letter, and endorse the job offer letter if it meets the Social Security Administration’s standards. An email will be sent to the F-1 student when their letter is ready for pick-up from the WNMU Office of Admissions, or can be drafted and given if visiting in person.
Documents to Submit for SSN Application
After you have received the proper work authorization from the WNMU DSO and human resources, you will need to complete a SSN application form and take all of the documents listed below to the local Social Security Administration (SSA) office:
- SSN Application completed using blue or black ink: The SSN Application Form and Instructions are available online.
- Original I-20 (F-1) or DS-2019 (J-1) and a photocopy
- Original I-94 card and a photocopy
- Original passport and a photocopy of the picture page (the page showing the expiration date, and your U.S. visa stamp)
- Employment offer letter issued by the hiring department or human resources. To comply with the Social Security Office rules, the following must be included in the job offer letter:
- Student name (as it is listed on the student’s passport)
- Department
- Position/Title
- Start Date
- Number of Hours per week
- Rate of pay
- Contact information for employer and supervisor
- Employment identification number (EIN) if possible (This number can be requested from the payroll office of the hiring department.)
- DSO Work Authorization letter (usually includes the EIN
SOCIAL SECURITY CARD CENTERS
The closest social security office to WNMU is located at: Address: 2141 Summit Ct, Las Cruces, NM 88011 Phone: (800) 772-1213 Hours: M – F 9 AM-4 PM, Sat/Sun Closed
International Students and Social Security Numbers
https://admissions.wnmu.edu/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/International-Students-and-Social-Security-Numbers.pdf
Application for Social Security Card
https://web.archive.org/web/20250120190556/https://www.ssa.gov/forms/ss-5.pdf
Curricular Practical Training (CPT)
Curricular Practical Training is defined to be an alternative work/study, internship, cooperative education</span >, or any other type of required internship or practicum that is offered by sponsoring employers through cooperative agreements with the school.
Details:
- Training relates directly to the student’s major area of study.
- Training is an integral part of the school’s established curriculum.
- Designated school official (DSO) authorized CPT in SEVIS, and the authorization prints on the student’s Form I-20.
- Occurs before the student’s program end date on the Form I-20.
- Authorization is for one specific employer and for a specific period of time.
- Student must secure the training opportunity before CPT can be authorized.
- CPT must be authorized before the student can begin work.
- Student can have more than one CPT authorization at the same time.
- One year of full-time CPT eliminates a student’s eligibility for OPT.
What the PDSO/DSO needs to authorize CPT:
- Social Security Number
- Email or letter from your Professor or Program Chair
-
- The course number and name that credit would be given towards
- How many credits the course is worth
- How many hours or time would be needed to work to earn all credit
- Where you will be working/Employer
-
- Dates of employment (start date and end date)
- Supervisor name, title, and contact information
- How the job relates to the course
- Your job title
Note: Working off campus without prior approval from the PDSO/DSO can result in immediate deactivation of your I-20.
Optional Practical Training (OPT)
What is Optional Practical Training?
Optional practical training is one type of work permission available for eligible F-1 students. It allows students to get real-world work experience related to their field of study. While a Designated School Official (DSO) recommends OPT in SEVIS, it is the student who must apply for the work permit with the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS). If the OPT is approved, USCIS will issue an Employment Authorization Document (EAD). The student must not begin working before the start date on the EAD.
Details:
- Training relates directly to the student’s major area of study.
- DSO recommends OPT in SEVIS.
- Student does not have to secure training before the DSO can recommend OPT.
- Authorized by the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS), and the student is issued an Employment Authorization Document (EAD).
- Allows the student to work for any employer, as long as the training relates to the student’s major course of study
- Can occur before or after the student’s program end date.
- Periods of OPT cannot overlap.
- Students are eligible for an additional 12 months of OPT authorization, when they change to a higher educational level.
If interested in OPT, you can learn of the processes, check to see if you qualify, and receive assistance with your application by contacting WNMU’s PDSO/DSO. You can also go to https://studyinthestates.dhs.gov to learn more.
International Initiatives
Office of International Studies
The Office of International Studies offers support for international students from around the world.
Contact Information
If you need to send us forms, applications or just your greetings; here are several ways you can do that.
Mailing Address
WNMU Office of Admissions and Recruitment
PO Box 680 Silver City, NM 88062
Phone Numbers
Local: (575) 538-6000
Toll-free: 1 (800) 872-9668 ext. 6000
Fax: (575) 538-6127
E-mail: admissions@wnmu.edu.