International Students

International students have attended Oakwood Friends School since as early as the 1830's and have long benefited from our successful college preparatory program and well developed ESL courses.  We are an inclusive community of students from throughout the U.S. and 12 other countries. We encourage international students to maintain their cultural identity, make new friends, share their culture, and use English even outside the school day.

Students may apply to Oakwood Friends School using our electronic application here: https://oakwoodfriends.schooladminonline.com/portal

We also accept several other applications including the Standard Application Online (SAO), TABS Application, and applications from approved educational consultants. Please be sure to check with our office before submitting an alternative application.

For a typical international application we require:

• Application
• Application Essay
• Current year transcripts/report card
• Two previous years transcripts/final report cards
• English Teacher Recommendation
• Math Teacher Recommendation
• Personal Recommendation
• Interview (we can do this via Skype or Zoom)
• TOEFL score, TOEFL, Jr., or DET by DuoLingo (http://go.duolingo.com/oakwoodfriends) 

Documents we need to legally issue the I-20 for F-1 Visa:

• Recent bank reference showing funds for one year of tuition and Parent Affidavit for Support
• Copy of Passport

*Please note that all documents must be submitted in English.

We do require an English proficiency score from all international applicants. DuoLingo has created a reliable and user-friendly English language proficiency exam called Duolingo English Test (DET) that students can take on any platform (computer, phone, tablet). Many other institutions such as Yale, Dartmouth, NYU, UCLA, Tufts, also recognize the efficiency and accuracy of using this exam. Students and the Admissions Office will typically receive the results with 24-48 hours!

You may already be familiar with DuoLingo, since it is the world’s largest online language-learning platform and the most downloaded education app in the world for both Android and iOS devices. If you have never heard of the Duolingo English Test before you can explore the website here: https://englishtest.duolingo.com/

The scores we use as guidelines are as follows:

We do not want students to be discouraged to apply if they score below a cut-off. We realize that a student is more than just a number. We also closely look at recommendations, grades, and the Skype interview to determine if a student is admissible. We understand that many international students come to the USA to learn and enhance their English skills, and better prepare themselves for college in the USA.

SEVIS and International Visas:

Oakwood Friends’ experienced Designated School Officials are experts in SEVIS regulations and vigilant in ensuring that the school, and every student, is in compliance. With two DSOs and a designated PDSO, Oakwood has decades of experience in working with international families through all aspects of the application process. Oakwood Friends School is certified to issue I-20s to international students and has great success in helping students obtain their F-1 Visa. We look forward to helping you.

Why Choose Oakwood as an International Student?

• We have welcomed students from other countries since the 1830’s, so our international student program is well established.

• Oakwood Friends boasts a family-like community. Most faculty resides on campus and every student has opportunities to forge close relationships with faculty and staff.  

• Every morning starts with Collection, a morning meeting during which we celebrate one another’s accomplishments and share community events.

• Every student is assigned a faculty advisor.  Advisors support their students in their academic and social life at school.  They also give advice and assistance with non-academic and personal issues.  

• International students are fully integrated with non-international students in the dormitories, academic, athletic and art programs, clubs, and advisory groups.  

• Oakwood Friends School is a diverse community, currently comprised of students from 12 different countries.

• Several levels of English as a Second Language (ESL) support are available. A core program serving students with less developed English proficiency consists of four classes: Grammar, Reading, Writing and Conversation Lab. International students with more advanced English have the opportunity to study upper level ESL classes in Writing & Literature and World History.

• All international students have the opportunity to take well rounded and rich curriculum including art, music and theater.

• International students new to Oakwood Friends are invited and encouraged to attend a three-day orientation program specifically for them, prior to the start of the school year. Students meet faculty and staff, learn about all the resources available on campus, participate in activities in the local Hudson Valley area, and get to know each other before the returning students return to campus.

• Oakwood Friends employs an International Student Advisor who is fluent in Mandarin and serves as a resource for both, international students and their parents.

• The college counseling process is individualized and comprehensive. Our full time Director of College Counseling ensures that every student has a list of right-fit schools and assists them throughout the college application process. In addition, 75+ college admissions representatives from colleges and universities across the country visit our campus every year to meet with Oakwood students.