Application, Admission, and Visas

Eligibility

NIAHD's Pre-College Program in American History is open to high school students who will have completed at least 10th grade by the time the summer program begins.  

English Language Requirement

NIAHD's Pre-College Program in American History is conducted entirely in English and requires high-level English speaking, reading, and writing abilities. International students will be held to the same standard of excellence and comprehension that we expect from American students. Only students who are fluent in their English language abilities should consider applying.

If English is not your native language, you will be required to show proof of your English fluency during the application process. More often than not, if an international student is denied admission it is because he/she did not demonstrate a strong command of the English Language.

Non-native English speakers will need to submit TOEFL or IELTS scores taken after April 1, 2023. NIAHD will only consider students who meet or surpass the minimum test scores:

SAT and ACT scores cannot be submitted in place of either the TOEFL or IELTS.

In addition to test scores, non-native English speakers must also submit a letter of recommendation from their English-language teacher, in addition to the letter of recommendation submitted by their history teacher. 

Immigration and Visas

International students accepted into the program will need to apply for and acquire an F-1 visa to enter the United States and the Pre-College Program in American History. This is a long process that can take several months to complete. Failure to acquire a visa prior to the start of the program may result in dismissal without a refund.

NIAHD and the W&M Reves Center for International Studies will guide students in the process of acquiring the appropriate travel documents, however, NIAHD will not process any I-20 requests until we have received full payment of the Pre-College Program.

Admission Process

Admission to NIAHD's Pre-College Program is not guaranteed and space in our program is limited. Students are encouraged to apply as early as possible. Completed applications are reviewed in the order in which they are received.

Every application goes through multiple levels of review before a final decision is made. It can take up to one month for applications to be reviewed. Our goal is always to have decisions made as quickly as possible.

NIAHD will communicate all admissions decisions via email. International email servers that block U.S. email addresses may prevent a student from being able to attend the program. NIAHD will test email addresses by sending confirmation messages when applications are received. If you do not receive a confirmation message, please email [[pre-college,NIAHD]] and request an update.

If you receive an offer of acceptance, you will be asked to respond to the offer within 14 calendar days of NIAHD sending your acceptance email. If we do not receive a response within 14 calendar days, your place in the program may be given to another candidate.

Students who accept their offer of admission will receive a second email within 5 days. This email contains important details pertaining to immigration, registration, and payment deadlines. Once a student accepts admission to the Pre-College Program, NIAHD will expect full payment to be made by wire transfer as soon as possible. NIAHD will not process any immigration paperwork until we have received full payment.

Students should review all of the information about making payments and traveling to/from W&M (including the limited Shuttle Transportation available from NIAHD) before committing to the program.

Important: Admission to the National Institute of American History & Democracy's Pre-College Program in American History does not imply or guarantee admission to the undergraduate program at William & Mary.

How to Apply