Exchange Student Application

Thank you for your interest in the Exchange Student Program at the University of Michigan School of Social Work. Arrangements for international student exchanges are limited to students who are enrolled at an institution with which the University of Michigan School of Social Work has a Memorandum of Understanding or Exchange Agreement. Please read the important information below including the requirements and steps for becoming an exchange student.

Requirements:

• Exchange students must be recommended and approved by their home institution to participate in the exchange program
• Exchange students must return to their home institution upon completion of the exchange program. Students cannot remain at UM for additional semesters or complete their degree at UM
• Exchange students must be proficient in English. English proficiency can be met in the following ways 1) native English speaker, 2) enrollment at an institution where English is the official language of instruction, or 3) by providing an official score report from either the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing Systems (IELTS), the ECPE - Cambridge Michigan Language Assessment, or the Michigan English Language Battery (MELAB). Note that the last MELAB test administration was June 2018. Official score reports are available and valid two years from the test date.
• The minimum score for each test is as follows:
  • TOEFL: 600 (PBT); 250 (CBT); 100 (iBT)
  • IELTS: 7.0
  • MELAB: 85
  • ECPE: Certificate of Proficiency

Students that meet the above requirements must complete the following steps in order to become an exchange student at the UM School of Social Work. Please email all forms and requested materials to [email protected]

Application Process:

Please follow the steps exactly as stated. Failure to do so may result in a delay processing your visa. Materials listed in Step One must be submitted 8 to 12 weeks before the intended placement start date.

Step One

Compile the following documents, merge them into a zip file, and save as lastname_ds-2019_documents.zip. Note that you should replace the word "lastname" with your last name (surname or family name). (If you don't know how to make a zip file, follow these steps):

1. International Exchange Student Non-Candidate for Degree Enrollment Form
2. Statement of Purpose (use the Goal Statement Guidelines for Exchange Student Applications)
3. Affidavit of Financial Support for International Exchange Students
4. Exchange Visitor Information Form
   • Ensure a signature is on Page 2
   • Include a copy of current CV or resume
5. Copy of passport picture page including expiration date

In a second, separate zip file, compile and merge the following documents and save as lastname_transcript_documents.zip. Note that you should replace the word "lastname" with your last name (surname or family name).

1. Unofficial transcripts from each college or university previously attended, and from your current institution
2. Proof of English Proficiency (If required, see requirements above)

Email the two zip files to [email protected].

Applicants who are approved for admission will receive an acceptance email from the Office of Student Services. Once accepted, supporting financial documents must be submitted. All supporting financial documentation must be dated within three months of processing the student's I-20 or DS-2019 request. The student will receive an email requesting the following information, which must be compiled, merged into a zip file, and saved as lastname_financial_documents.zip. Note that you should replace the word “lastname” with your last name (surname or family name):

1. Original bank statement(s) (including applicant's name on all documentation)

2. If bank statements are in a currency other than USD, convert to USD using the xe currency converter. Take screenshot or save page as PDF.

Email the zip file to [email protected].

Step Two

Please review the descriptions of the MSW Program Pathways that U-M uses to organize field placements. From the agency list provided to you, select three agencies that fit your pathway interests, and email your top three agency preferences in order to [email protected] along with your goal statement and resume. (Though you have already sent your goal statement and resume as a part of Step One you will need to send them again along with the other placement information). An example email is written below:

Step Three

Check out the International Center's Guide to life in Ann Arbor. If interested in housing with current Masters of Social Work (MSW) students, write an email telling the community a little about yourself (see the housing request email example). The Office of Global Activities ([email protected]) can forward your email to current students.

Step Four

Once posted, please review the Course Catalog for the Spring/Summer term and email [email protected] if you are interested in taking additional courses. For exchange students beginning in mid-May or later, the only available courses are mini courses (1 credit courses). You can view a list of 1-credit courses by sorting the Course Catalog by Credit Hours, ascending.

Placement Dates & Logistics:

We recommend that exchange students start their field placement on the 1st of the month. This recommendation is based on the fee associated with the required health insurance that exchange students must purchase for the duration of their placement. The required health insurance has a monthly fee and it cannot be prorated for portions of a month. Thus, we recommend that you start your placement at the beginning of a month.

For more information about the required health insurance please visit the International Center's page on health insurance. If you are required to purchase insurance through your home institution you may want to read more about applying for an Insurance Waiver.

Please note: The J-1 visa allows students to arrive in the U.S. 30 days before the visa start date. Thus students who plan to start their placement the 1st of the month will be able to arrive the month prior to get settled into Ann Arbor. (Health insurance does not need to be purchased prior to the visa start date).

If you have specific questions please email [email protected].