International consideration
"International student status refers to any student who is not a US citizen or a US citizen who has studied outside the United States and intends to transfer coursework or a degree from a country other than the United States."
International students must be self sufficient, and when applying, must meet the following criteria as well as all requirements from their program of choice.
Courses are all taught using the English language on the Loma Linda campus.
Points of contact
If you have further questions after reading through this site, please contact the following persons by email. They can provide further detailed information for international students.
When contacting us it is helpful if you can let us know if you have applied or plan to apply. If you have applied, please provide your program of interest.
Due to time differences, please allow ample time for responses via email.
Please do not email multiple contacts regarding the same issue or questions at the University. The above contacts can help you directly.
Qualifications for Applying
You will need to fulfill all admissions and program requirements including prerequisites, plus meet all financial responsibilities, to be considered.
All students are encouraged to apply online at Loma Linda University. We do not accept paper applications. If you are having problems with the online application, please contact us so we may assist you. There is a nonrefundable application fee at time of application. Refer to admissions information
Checksheet for International Students (This is a personal checksheet for students and does not need to be sent as part of the application.)
Please do not send us...
What to send when applying to Loma Linda University
Your application is incomplete until we receive all the required elements.
Once accepted at Loma Linda University, the student will need to send the following to the University before the first quarter registration is cleared...
Checking application status
Admission decisions are made by the department and notifications are sent by the admissions office. The program director or department will have the most up to date status or can check on the status of a student.
Please allow additional time for International Student Acceptances. International applications typically take longer to verify and review.
Additional notes
Time issues
Application periods
You may apply online anytime year around or as instructed on the online application.
Apply online
All students are encouraged to apply online at Loma Linda University. Applications must be submitted through our online system in order to be considered. We do not accept paper applications. If you are having problems with the online application, please contact us so we may assist you.
Apply to LLU |
If you are applying to the Doctor of Physical Therapy Entry Level program or the Physician Assistant program please apply using the following services.
PT Entry Level Doctorate
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Physician Assistant
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Acceptances
Transcripts/Mark Sheets
Official transcripts or mark sheets must be attested by the affiliated university and sent directly from that institution to admissions processing at Loma Linda University. Do not send sealed transcripts on behalf of yourself, they will not be accepted as official.
Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by an approved evaluation center from the list below.
Request Transcripts
You will need to request official transcripts to be sent from each college or higher educational institution you have attended. High school transcripts are also needed for students who do not have a previous associate's or bachelor's degree or if your program requires proof of high school math.
Please contact our admissions director if you have issues regarding this procedure.
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School Codes: The PT department code is 48.
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Have transcripts and evaluations sent to:
School of Allied Health Professions
Nichol Hall Rom 1605
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda Ca 92350
United States of America
Immigration Documents
Please submit your LLU application and supporting documents early! LLU must have time to process all necessary immigration documents and send them to you for your processing. Governmental papers take time. Please be sure to apply early and have your transcripts and evaluation sent early so we will have time to offer an acceptance and then follow the standard immigration procedures to get you here before your classes begin.
English Proficiency
Courses at Loma Linda University are taught in English and proficiency of the language is a requirement. Lectures are often delivered at a rapid rate and note taking is expected. Term papers, theses, and exams are expected to be written in clear and correct English. Therefore, it is necessary for the prospective student to possess a high proficiency in the English language.
Regardless of nationality or citizenship, an applicant whose native language is not English and whose secondary education has been given outside the U.S. is required to pass the TOEFL, the MTELP, or their equivalents. A minimum TOEFL Score of 550 (paper-based) / 213 (computer-based) / 80 (internet-based) is required. In addition, a minimum final score of 5.0 is required on the TWE (Test of Written English) part of the TOEFL. A Test of Spoken English (TSE) with a minimum score of 55 is required for MPA, post professional, DPT only. TOEFL scores are valid for two years from the test date. If it has been more than two years since the test taker last took the TOEFL, the test must be taken again to have the scores reported.
Requests to waive the requirement for an approved test of English proficiency must be submitted to the University Academic Affairs Committee. The request must include adequate justification for the waiver. An applicant may be not offered acceptance before the waiver request is approved." English proficiency waiver form (PDF) NOTE: As a reminder, all visa applicants are required to have a personal verbal interview with a visa officer. If the interviewing officer feels that the level of English communications is inadequate for the level of study, they will deny the visa. Therefore, this waiver has consequences when not taken seriously. Character references
Admission committees seriously consider character references in making their decisions. The names and addresses of at least three individuals who can provide academic, personal, and/or professional character references must be provided by each applicant. Once an academic evaluation has been completed, the TOEFL scores submitted, and the character references have been received, the application and supporting documents are given to the admissions committee for official action. Each applicant is notified in writing (email or letter) of the admission committee's decision. The program acceptance letter is a key document needed for obtaining a visa.
Recommendation Form (PDF)
Obtaining a visa
To obtain a visa from a US embassy or consulate for entering the United States, prospective students are required to provide, at a minimum, the following documents: a valid passport permitting a student to leave his/her country of citizenship; a visa application form (either I-20 A-B/ID or IAP-66); an acceptance letter from Loma Linda University; financial documents clearly showing sufficient resources; and proof of English proficiency. Please note that facsimiles of documents are not accepted--original documents are required. In addition, financial documents should be as recent as possible and no more than six months old.
Loma Linda University cannot expedite letters of acceptances of incomplete applications to expedite issuances of student visas. The application process must be complete including the processing of the international student deposit.
To obtain a visa application form from Loma Linda University (either an I-20 AB/ID or IAP-66), the student will need full and regular acceptance into one of the programs available through one of the seven schools of the University. US federal regulations do not recognize provisional acceptances for visa issuance.
Once this letter is made available to the International Student Services Office, a Confidential Declaration and Certification of Finances form is sent to the student who provides an estimate of finances necessary for the visa, requests for documented proof that these finances are available, any additional information to complete the visa application, and a request for a $6,000 advance international student deposit. During the last quarter of enrollment, this deposit is refunded.
The type of visa application given for entry into the United States is determined by the International Student Services Office or the US Consulate and takes many factors into consideration. The F-1 visa (from the I-20 AB/ID application form) is the most common type of student visa. Another type of visa, though much less common, is the J-1 visa (from the IAP-66 application form), designed for exchange visitor students, visiting professors, or research scholars. Exchange visitors are completely or partially sponsored financially by their own government, the US government, or an international agency or organization (i.e., the World Health Organization).
Additional types of visas that make their holders eligible for at least part-time study include the H-1, TN (Trade NAFTA), B-1( business-related tourist), B-2 "prospective student," and dependents of F, J, and H (i.e. F-2, J-2, and H-4, respectively). However, none of the special-circumstance visas are based on visa application forms issued by Loma Linda University.
The TN visa is reserved for Canadian and Mexican professionals who have job offers from Loma Linda University or other immediate-area employers. This visa allows the professional to be both a part-time employee and a part-time student.
The B-2 "prospective student" visa is available to a student who has been accepted to more than one university and intends to visit each school before choosing one, or when he/she is required to take a pre-admission exam and/or be interviewed.
However, once a school has been chosen by the prospective student or the pre-admission requirements have been met, an I-20 AB/ID visa form will need to be submitted by the student to the Immigration and Naturalization Service for a change of status to F-1 (for which there is a fee).
Housing
Loma Linda University maintains on-campus residence halls for single men and women. The women's residence hall, Kate Lindsay Hall, can be reached by calling (909) 558-4561. The single men's and graduate women's residence hall, A.G. Daniells Residence, can be reached at (909) 558-4562. Residence hall applications can be downloaded from the University's housing web page.
No on-campus married student housing is available. However, some University-managed housing is available nearby for single and married students through the University foundation rental office at (909) 556-4374. All University housing requires a written application and an advance deposit.
Unless housing has been prearranged, it is recommended that international students who have families come ahead of them in order to arrange for housing, furnishings, and transportation. Housing in the community is fairly plentiful; however, finding a reasonably priced house that meets the needs of a student and his/her family takes time and effort.
All undergraduate students under the age 21 are required to live in one of the residence halls. However, petitions for exceptions to this rule can be submitted to the student affairs office. Residence halls contain basic furnishings; bedding, linens, and cooking utensils are not included.
Finances
Once you have been accepted, to Procure an I-20 visa you will need to send a $6,000 deposit, which will be held for your final quarter of study.
Send to: Atten: Mr. Martin Aguirre
International Student Office
Loma Linda University
Loma Linda, CA 92350
United States of America
Tuition
Earning an advanced degree in the United States can be very expensive for the international student. Prospective students must provide evidence of financial support for their educational and living expenses for the entire period of their stay. An estimate of tuition, fees, and living expenses will be provided by the International Student Services office after the acceptance letter has been issued and received by the office. This can take several days.
Loma Linda University does not have funds available in the form of financial aid, scholarships, or loans for international students.
Current tuition rates are for tuition only and does not include personal living or transportation costs. All living, room and board, transportation, and books are extra and are the students' responsibility.
There is an additional quarterly school fee of $498, which includes student health coverage and other on campus fees. There is a slight increase in tuition annually.
Flying in
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) is the closest airport for international travel. LAX is about a 2 hour drive to LLU.
Ontario, California (ONT) is the closest airport for domestic flights and is about 20-30 minutes away from LLU. Shuttle service to the University can be obtained at www.supershuttle.com. The University does not have shuttle service for students to and from local airports.
Transportation
Students are responsible for their own transportation both on and off campus. Students must be licensed and insured to be able to operate automobiles in the State of California. Parking is free but automobiles must be registered with campus security. Shuttles run between Loma Linda University Medical Center and outlying Loma Linda Medical Center buildings and parking lots. A bus line runs from different points on campus to San Bernardino and outlying cities.
See Omnitrans bus information.
Students may also opt to purchase bicycles or scooters.
Meals
University students have several dining options for meals. Students may also cook and prepare their own meals in Lindsay Hall and Daniells Hall, which have cooking facilities. Restaurants and fast food options are available locally. The Loma Linda Market is within walking distance of both residence halls, and other grocery stores are close by. Students may opt to rent or buy small refrigerators for their residences.
See meal options.
Jobs
International students should not expect to be able to work full time to help fund their living expenses. While a few part-time jobs are available on campus, the competition for them is high while the hours available and the wages are minimal.
The international student must be physically on campus in order to apply. Jobs are not granted for students who are not yet here.
Certain allied health professions have national regulations for working within the US. Check with the department for further information.
Area lifestyle
The California/American lifestyle can be hectic and fast paced. Californians are relatively independent and self sufficient. Most Californians own their own cars and go where and when they need to.
Traffic and parking are issues at and around LLU and in Southern California.
Traffic updates
The City of Loma Linda
The area surrounding Loma Linda University is considered city to residential with freeways and surface streets connecting cities. Loma Linda is situated in a valley close to the San Bernardino mountain range with a nearby desert close by. The California coast is also within driving distance. Loma Linda is a bedroom community off the Interstate 10 freeway, southeast of the city of San Bernardino and west of Redlands. Loma Linda is the home of Loma Linda University Medical Center and Children's Hospital and the Jerry L. Pettis Memorial Veterans Affairs Medical Center.
Loma Linda City History
Area weather
The weather is usually mild to hot. It does rain in Loma Linda in the winter months and can freeze. It rarely snows on campus. During the summer months the temperature can range from 90-115 degrees. Classrooms and dormitories are equipped with air conditioners.
Local weather forecast
Student clubs and organizations
Student clubs and organizations at Loma Linda University include: the Asian Pacific-Islander Student Association (APSA), Associated Latin American Students (ALAS), Black Health Professional Student Association (BHPSA), Club International, Korean Professional Student Club, Loma Linda University Student Association (LLUSA, the main campus-wide student association), and Students for International Mission Service (SIMS). Other special interest groups and clubs exist on campus and are open to international student membership.
Student services at Loma Linda University
The International Student Services Office functions as an information resource and referral center and assists with new-student and other orientations for all international individuals. Some of the services available on the Loma Linda University campus include housing, student clubs and organizations, an employment office, non-career personal counseling services, Student Health Services, a health and fitness center, the Campus Cafeteria, and the Department of Security.
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Last Revised: Fri, Jul 18, 2008