Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can.
- , indicating that you are applying to the ESL program as well
- Official transcripts in both English and your native language
- Official diploma and degree certificate in both English and your native language
- Statement of Financial Support with a bank statement or a scholarship letter attached
- $100 application fee paid with a credit card, check or a money order payable to Murray State University
- Information Release form if you are applying to Murray State through a recruiting agent
How long you will need to study in the ESL program depends on the results of your placement testing, which consists of three parts: essay writing, oral interview, and Institutional TOEFL. Some students may need only one term of ESL study, while others may need longer.
- Official transcripts in both English and your native language
- Official diploma and degree certificate in both English and your native language
- Statement of Financial Support with a bank statement or a scholarship letter attached
- $50 application fee paid with a money order or credit card
- Information Release form if you are applying to Murray State through a recruiting agent
- Official TOEFL/IELTS or GRE/GMAT score report sent directly to Murray State University from ETS or IELTS (Students' copies are not considered official)
Yes, you can, but you should understand that your admission to the degree program is not guaranteed.
If you apply for conditional admission, you will need to submit your application before the application deadline for the program you are applying to, but we would suggest that you apply as soon as possible to give yourself more time to be better prepared for your study at Murray State.
The application fee can be paid with a bank check or an international money order made payable to Murray State University. Credit cards can be used to pay the fee if you apply online.
An undergraduate application takes about two to four weeks to be processed and a graduate application takes about four to six weeks to be processed. If you are admitted, your I-20 packet will be mailed to you by UPS express, and it should reach you in about four to five days.
A graduate application has to be reviewed by the program you are applying to in addition to being evaluated by the International Admissions Office.
No, Murray State does not require any kind of medical examination or immunizations.
You can stay in on-campus housing. The application instructions and deposit forms are in your I-20 packet. ESL students are not required to live on campus but if you will be a Murray State student after ESL, you are required to live on campus if you are under 21 years old. To stay on-campus, you will have to sign a contract that lasts until the semester ends in May.
At this time, ESL doesn't have any home-stay programs. However, you may be able to arrange your own home-stay once you arrive.
You need to submit the Residential College application (for dormitories) or the College Courts application (for students 21 and older) and a $150 deposit. These applications will be available through your student account (called ). To complete them, please follow the instructions that were sent to you by your admissions advisor.
You should apply as soon as you know you are coming to Murray. There is often a waiting list for College Courts because the number of apartments available is limited.
The dates you should arrive will be included in your Admission letter. We have a shuttle from the Nashville airport on certain dates, but this is usually only available either the weekend or the week before the start date on your I-20.
We need your flight information as soon as possible to arrange for your airport pickup. We need to know at least one week in advance.
You should budget around $300 for books each term. Books can be purchased from the university bookstore.
Yes, you do. Wireless access is available in all of the buildings on-campus.
There are four seasons in Murray. The temperature is mild in both winter and summer. In winter, November through March, you may see some snow, and the average temperature is about 35-45 Fahrenheit. In summer, June through August, it could be humid and hot with an average temperature of about 85-95 Fahrenheit. In fall and spring seasons, from September to October and April to May, the weather is nice with an average temperature around 55-70 Fahrenheit.
Coats, sweaters and summer clothes.
The airport in Nashville, TN (BNA) is the closest major airport.
We offer a shuttle service one week before classes start in August and January and 3 days before classes start in March, June, and October. Please check your admission letter for the specific dates. If you arrive during the shuttle, the cost is $75. If you arrive before or after, we cannot guarantee we can pick you up and the cost is usually $200.
Anytime before 5 p.m. is okay. If you arrive after 5 p.m., you will need to spend the night in Nashville and we'll pick you up the next day.
We can reserve a hotel room for you close to the airport and the cost is about $90. You can take the hotel shuttle or a taxi to the hotel and we will pick you up the next day.
Yes, but if you miss more than 10 class days you may have to take the same level again.
Please see Expected Costs.
You will have 4 days to pay your tuition and fees or set up a payment plan after you register for classes.
All students (including Americans) who live on campus, are under 21, and are not a Junior or Senior are required to have a meal plan. Our offer a wide variety of foods including international foods.
University fees are posted on , the university computer system. You can pay with a check at Sparks Hall or with a credit card like Visa, MasterCard, Discover or American Express. Please note that there is a 2.75% transaction fee if you pay with a credit card through . To learn more, please view the Payment Instructions.
We will help you open an account in a local bank, , after you arrive, and you can then use your checks to pay your tuition and fees and for housing and meals to Murray State University. The bank is within walking distance from campus.
You can use your credit card in almost all businesses off campus, and there is no transaction fee.
There will be three days of activities before classes begin:
- testing (TOEFL, writing, and oral interview);
- Orientation (learn about ESL and immigration rules);
- Registration (sign-up for classes).
Yes, the United States government requires international students to have health insurance with $100,000 minimum coverage per accident. If you bring a policy from your country, it must be written in English.
You can buy health insurance in your country before you arrive, or we will help you buy it in Murray before classes start.
You are required to buy health insurance before you start classes. If you do not, you cannot attend classes.
Yes, ESL students are eligible to join Murray State clubs and societies.
Yes, there is the Racer Routes Bus Service, which goes around campus and the Murray community. The Racer Routes is a campus transportation service that will take you to the local grocery stores, restaurants, hair salons, Walmart and other stores.
There are a few grocery stores within walking distance from campus and on the Racer shuttle routes. There is also a small grocery store on campus, conveniently located near the student cafeteria.
You can take a taxi from Murray, or there is a Murray State shuttle at the beginning and end of each fall and spring semester running to the airport.
Many international students travel during this time, and some are invited home by their American roommates or friends. You are welcome to stay on campus during this time also if you do not feel like going anywhere.
Yes, you can work part time on-campus (up to 20 hours/week). Please understand that there are a limited number of jobs available to ESL students so you should not assume you will be able to find a job. It is illegal (against the law) to work off campus. If you do, your I-20 can be terminated.
You must apply at the Paducah, KY, Driver's License office (45 minutes from Murray) and take the driving test, written test, and vision test in Murray. If you have a driver's license from your home country, you should bring it with you.
We have an ESL Conversation Partners program for our ESL students. If you are interested in this program, you can apply and will be assigned a conversation partner with whom you can practice your spoken English and learn more about American culture outside your classroom. As a Murray State University student, you are encouraged to attend campus events where you can meet more American students.
No, you cannot take university classes until you graduate from the ESL program and meet the university requirements.