Kenyon students come from 49 states plus more than 40 foreign countries to form a close-knit academic community where collaboration is the guiding spirit. You will find challenging classes, interesting organizations, and a rich cultural life.
If you're an international student who is already attending an American college and you wish to transfer to Kenyon, follow the steps for transferring to Kenyon. Otherwise, please read the information below.
Questions? Contact the admissions office.
Any student who is currently enrolled in their final year of secondary school (high school) or any student who has completed secondary school but has not begun studies at the university level is eligible to apply to Kenyon as a first year student. However, students who have enrolled at a college/university after the completion of secondary school are not eligible to apply as first year applicants. Current university-level students must apply as transfer candidates.
Anyone who is not a citizen or a permanent resident of the United States is considered an international student.
No. Non-U.S. citizens use the same application as U.S. citizens: the Common Application or Coalition Application.
In addition to the Common Application or Coalition Application, we require the following:
• Official test scores (optional for 2021 applicants)
• Official school report
• Official transcript
• Official letters of recommendation from one teacher and one counselor (or school administrator)
• Proof of English Proficiency (see below)
"Official" means that these parts of the application must be sent by a school administrator directly to admissions@kenyon.edu or submitted through the Common Application or Coalition Application. We will not consider any of these parts "official" if sent directly by a student.
Official test scores must be submitted to us by a school administrator or the testing organization. We will also accept test scores on official school transcripts. We will not accept scores directly from the student.
The deadline for Regular Decision applicants is January 15. Early Decision (binding first choice) candidates should apply by November 15 for the first round or January 15 for the second.
For more information, please refer to Standarized Testing at Kenyon.
You are required to submit the results of an English proficiency exam unless your primary language of instruction in secondary school is English. Kenyon accepts the following exams:
• Duolingo English Test (score of at least 120 is encouraged)
• IELTS Academic Test (score of at least 7.0 is encouraged)
• IELTS Indicator Test (score of at least 7.0 is encouraged)
• TOEFL (score of at least 100 is encouraged)
• TOEFL - iBT Special Home Edition (score of at least 100 is encouraged)
Please go to our How to Apply webpage.
There is no application fee at Kenyon College. It is free for anyone who applies.
Early Decision 1: November 15
Early Decision 2: January 15
Regular Decision: January 15
Yes: Kenyon offers significant need-based financial aid to international students applying as first year students. Families seeking need-based aid must complete either the CSS Profile (Kenyon code 1370) or the International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA).
If the application fee for the CSS Profile creates a hardship for you or your family, please complete the ISFAA form. Kenyon will not provide fee waivers for the CSS Profile.
Canadian students and all international students whose parents reside in the United States must complete the CSS Profile and may not use the ISFAA form as an alternate application.
If admitted, Kenyon meets 100 percent of a candidate’s demonstrated financial need for all four years. Students who are neither U.S. citizens nor permanent residents who wish to be considered for financial aid at any time during their four years at Kenyon must apply for financial aid at the same time that they apply for admission.
Since Kenyon is not need-blind in the admission of non-U.S. citizens, financial need may be a factor in the evaluation process for admission. Therefore, those admitted without financial aid subsequently would not be eligible to receive Kenyon funding during their years at the college except under the most extreme circumstances (i.e., death of a wage-earning parent, natural disaster, etc.).
Each year, over 1,000 international students apply for admission and about two-thirds of the pool require some form of aid. While we offer a substantial package, it becomes more competitive the more need you require.
While our financial aid packages are substantial, international students will be considered for merit-based aid. These awards are given to the most exceptional international students who have applied. You do not need to complete any additional paperwork to be considered for merit-based aid.
International students can also be considered for talent scholarships in music, art and writing. You must apply separately for the talent scholarships. Find out more.
Kenyon is not permitted to offer any athletic scholarships to any students, domestic or international, by the guidelines of the NCAA Division III.
Kenyon does not provide financial assistance for international transfer students.
Kenyon College is located in the beautiful, tree-lined village of Gambier, which is in central Ohio. We are located one hour northeast from John Glenn International Airport.
Kenyon is accessible from airports in Columbus and Cleveland, Ohio. Shuttle buses are provided during breaks for traveling to and from the John Glenn International Airport.
We have all four seasons in Gambier. The average temperature in the winter is around 34 °F (1 °C) and around 84 °F (29 °C) in the summer. We experience mild to moderate snowfall in the months between December and February, so we do recommend a warm coat and accessories in the winter time.
In recent years, Kenyon has been named the "Most Beautiful Campus in the World" by Forbes magazine and this year the Princeton Review ranked Kenyon's athletic facility number one in the entire country. We have been ranked in other polls including the top ten smartest and friendliest campuses, top five U.S. colleges with the best professors, and highest graduation rate among Ohio colleges and universities.
About 6 percent of Kenyon students hold foreign citizenship and 11 percent are dual citizens. Current students represent 50 different nations with the largest representation coming from Canada, China and Hong Kong, Ghana, Pakistan, Palestine, Singapore, the United Kingdom and Vietnam.
Kenyon’s Center for Global Engagement (CGE) provides assistance to all non-U.S. students, including a new international student orientation program, and helps them through the visa process. The CGE provides support for both immigration and cultural issues and helps with adjustment to college and life in the United States. The office also serves as a general international resource for the campus and local community.
Yes. Local families are eager to host international students. While you will live on campus like any other student, there may be breaks that you are not able to return home for, and host families will be there for you during these breaks, take you to and from the airport, store your belongings over the summer, and show you around the area on fun road trips. It is a great way to get to know the area better!
Students who have earned scores of 4 or 5 on an advanced placement (AP) exam are eligible for credit. International Baccalaureate scores of 6 or 7 on higher-level exams are also awarded credit. Kenyon also grants credit for high scores on certain foreign advanced programs of study such as the GCE A-levels, the German Abitur, the French Baccalaureate, etc. These will be determined by the Office of the Registrar. The maximum credit is up to 3 units (equivalent to 6 courses) on all types of curricula.
Until you actually receive your green card and a permanent resident number from the U.S. Immigration Service, you will be considered for admission and aid as an international student.