International Admissions
We are so pleased that you are considering studying at Ouachita Baptist University.
Our first international student arrived from China in 1923, and we’ve been welcoming
students from all over the world for almost 100 years. Whether it’s helping to make
the admissions process as clear as possible or picking you up from the airport as
you start your educational journey at Ouachita, we look forward to investing in you!
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Of Students Live on Campus
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Nations Represented on Campus
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Of International Student Receive Some Scholarship Assistance
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Ouachita's Founding Year
Who is Ouachita?
Ouachita is a nationally ranked liberal arts university, recently named the top private college in Arkansas by Niche.com. Our fully residential campus is located in the quaint town of Arkadelphia, Arkansas. As a leading Christian university, Ouachita combines a solid academic reputation with a close-knit campus community. This provides a setting where students thrive academically, spiritually, and personally.
Ouachita currently has 30 countries represented on campus. Each day, flags fly in the International Flag Plaza, celebrating the different nationalities and backgrounds on campus. Our campus is deeply enriched because of the presence of international students and third culture kids.
Ouachita is pronounced “wash-i-tah” and is a Native American word referring to one of the tribes that formerly inhabited Arkansas. The beautiful Ouachita River runs right behind our campus, and the Ouachita Mountains and Lake Ouachita are a short hour’s drive away.
Arkansas is located in the southeastern part of the United States. Nicknamed “the Natural State” because of the beautiful landscape. Rivers, lakes, hiking trails and other outdoor adventures abound. The Ouachita River runs behind campus, and crystal clear Lake Degray is a mere 20-minute drive away!
Ouachita has a great Outdoor Recreation program that provides students with inexpensive expeditions to local places of natural beauty.
Experience warm Southern hospitality in the heartland of the United States here in Arkadelphia. Benefit from being in a place where locals are interested in getting to know about you and your home as they share their lives with you.
For parents sending their students to study far away from home, safety is often a concern. Ouachita was ranked one of the top 40 safest college campuses in all of the United States.
Ouachita has a full-time security team in place whose focus is on maintaining the safety of our students, faculty and staff at all times. They are professional law enforcement officers who regularly implement trainings for the campus community.
Ouachita is a small campus where the distance from the dorms to classrooms is easily walkable.
The surrounding community warmly embraces Ouachita students and is happy for the university’s influence in the town.
Most private universities in the United States were founded by different Christian denominations, including the majority of the Ivy League institutions. Over time, some of these universities have moved away from their denominational affiliations while others have remained closely connected.
Ouachita Baptist University was founded in 1886 in collaboration with the Arkansas Baptist State Convention. Since then, Ouachita has remained closely connected with Arkansas Baptist State Convention and upholds a theology considered interdenominational and mainline evangelical in nature.
Ouachita remains committed to her roots as a private Christian liberal arts institution and approaches education through a distinctly Christian lens. All students complete two Bible classes as a part of the core curriculum. Students are also required to attend a weekly chapel session, which focuses on spiritual, cultural and community issues.
While Ouachita remains distinctly Christian, students from a variety of denominations and other faith traditions – including no faith background – are welcome.
Ouachita’s department of communications offers unlimited career and community-building. The smaller class sizes and specialized programs create an environment where meaningful instruction and hands-on experience merge, equipping students with the skills needed to thrive in the workplace. During my time there, I was able to pursue my passion for communications in a variety of ways, from writing for the Ouachita News Bureau to working on a social media communications campaign that reached audiences nationwide to serving as a summer intern for a Christian news publication. Most importantly, I was able to participate in and learn from a body of students and faculty who respect, encourage and empower one another.
Michelle Perez
2014 business administration (finance and management emphases) and political science
graduate from Venezuela
INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Choosing to pursue education across the world is a big decision – an investment for you and your family. At Ouachita Baptist University, we seek to honor your trust by making a deep investment in YOU.
Our mission is to prepare individuals for ongoing intellectual and spiritual growth, lives of meaningful work and reasoned engagement with the world. Holistic development of our students is our aim.
We value the contribution that our international students make in the classroom and the campus community by sharing a global perspective. International students are encouraged to be engaged in every aspect of college life.
The Grant Center for International Education has a dedicated staff that assists students through the application process and mentors them once they arrive on campus.
We offer international students several options as they consider studying at Ouachita. We also provide scholarship assistance and ongoing student care.
- Apply online. Save your username and password used for your application.
- Submit a scanned copy of your passport.
- Request that your official high school transcript be sent to Ouachita. Your high school guidance counselor may send it to 410 Ouachita Street, Box 3777, Arkadelphia, AR 71998. Ouachita also receives official electronic transcripts from Parchment, E-Scrip-Safe, Naviance, Scribbles and National Student Clearinghouse. Completed transcripts will be required before enrollment. For admission, transcripts showing at least three years of academic work at the secondary level are required.
- All foreign transcripts not in English and on a 4.0 scale must be translated and evaluated for review. You may use International Education Evaluation (IEE) or Spantran, the two evaluators of choice for our institutional needs.
- Have the testing agency send your official TOEFL, IELTS, SAT or ACT scores directly to Ouachita Baptist University. Photocopies or digital copies of scores are not considered official test scores.
Ouachita Baptist University codes:
ACT 6549
SAT 6549
International Students from non-English speaking countries must submit either a TOEFL or IELTS score.
For admission to Ouachita as a degree-seeking student, international students must receive a minimum TOEFL score of 78 or a minimum IELTS score of 6.0.
International students who have studied in an English-speaking curriculum and/or come from English-speaking countries may submit ACT or SAT scores instead of TOEFL or IELTS.
We recommend all international students—even those for whom English is their first language—to consider taking the TOEFL (or IELTS) exam to be given the best opportunity for scholarship consideration. The TOEFL exam is not simply an English proficiency exam, it is designed to assess a student’s ability to thrive in an American-style academic education setting. By taking one of these exams, you will be giving yourself the best opportunity to be compared with other international students and be awarded the highest scholarship level for which you are eligible.
If you do not yet meet the score minimums, we will consider you for admission to our English as a Second Language program. See more details below.
- Submit completed Financial Verification Documents
- Submit completed Health Form to student portal.
- Submit deposits: $200 for tuition, which is applied to the first semester’s bill (refundable until May 1). $50 for housing, which also is refundable until May 1. $350 for the I-901 SEVIS fee. The I-901 receipt is then included with acceptance materials and is non-refundable.
- Apply online. Save your username and password used for your application.
- Submit a scanned copy of your passport.
- Request that your official high school transcript be sent to Ouachita. Your high school guidance counselor may send it to 410 Ouachita Street, Box 3777, Arkadelphia, AR 71998. Ouachita also receives official electronic transcripts from Parchment, E-Scrip-Safe, Naviance, Scribbles and National Student Clearinghouse. Completed transcripts will be required before enrollment. For admission, transcripts showing at least three years of academic work at the secondary level are required.
- All foreign transcripts not in English and on a 4.0 scale must be translated and evaluated for review. You may use International Education Evaluation (IEE) or Spantran, the two evaluators of choice for our institutional needs.
- Have the testing agency send your official TOEFL, IELTS, SAT or ACT scores directly to Ouachita Baptist University. Photocopies or digital copies of scores are not considered official test scores.
Ouachita Baptist University codes:
ACT 6549
SAT 6549
International Students from non-English speaking countries must submit either a TOEFL or IELTS score.
For admission to Ouachita as a degree-seeking student, international students must receive a minimum TOEFL score of 78 or a minimum IELTS score of 6.0.
International students who have studied in an English-speaking curriculum and/or come from English-speaking countries may submit ACT or SAT scores instead of TOEFL or IELTS.
We recommend all international students—even those for whom English is their first language—to consider taking the TOEFL (or IELTS) exam to be given the best opportunity for scholarship consideration. The TOEFL exam is not simply an English proficiency exam, it is designed to assess a student’s ability to thrive in an American-style academic education setting. By taking one of these exams, you will be giving yourself the best opportunity to be compared with other international students and be awarded the highest scholarship level for which you are eligible.
If you do not yet meet the score minimums, we will consider you for admission to our English as a Second Language program. See more details below.
- Submit completed Financial Verification Documents
- Submit completed Health Form to student portal.
- Submit deposits: $200 for tuition, which is applied to the first semester’s bill (refundable until May 1). $50 for housing, which also is refundable until May 1. $350 for the I-901 SEVIS fee. The I-901 receipt is then included with acceptance materials and is non-refundable.
- If you previously attended an American university, submit the transfer clearance form signed by the international advisor at your previous university.
Ouachita’s American Semester for International Students (OASIS)
Use Ouachita as your study abroad site. Take credit bearing classes for a semester or a year.
- Apply online. Save your username and password used for your application.
- Submit a scanned copy of your passport.
- Request that your official high school transcript be sent to Ouachita. Your high school guidance counselor may send it to 410 Ouachita Street, Box 3777, Arkadelphia, AR 71998. Ouachita also receives official electronic transcripts from Parchment, E-Scrip-Safe, Naviance, Scribbles and National Student Clearinghouse. Completed transcripts will be required before enrollment. For admission, transcripts showing at least three years of academic work at the secondary level are required.
- Have your transcripts evaluated by one of the following agencies and sent to Ouachita Baptist University: International Education Evaluations, Inc., Educational Credential Evaluators or World Education Services.
- Have the testing agency send your official TOEFL or IELTS directly to Ouachita Baptist University if you are not from an English speaking country. Photocopies or digital copies of scores are not considered official test scores. If you do not yet meet the score minimums of a 78 TOEFL/6.0 IELTS, we will consider you for admission to our English as a Second Language program.
- Submit completed Financial Verification Documents.
- Submit completed Health Form to student portal.
- Submit deposits: $200 for tuition, which is applied to the first semester’s bill (refundable until May 1). $50 for housing, which also is refundable until May 1. $350 for the I-901 SEVIS fee. The I-901 receipt is then included with acceptance materials and is non-refundable.
Fall Break
Each year, the Grant Center for International Education plans a trip for international students, TCKs and other friends. The goal is to get off campus, experience new places, and make and deepen friendships. Past trips have included St. Louis, New Orleans, San Antonio, and beautiful northwest Arkansas.
Food Fest
The International Food Festival is an exciting and long-standing celebration of diversity on Ouachita’s campus. Cook up your favorite dish from home and come join the party! More than 500 students, faculty, staff and members of the community typically participate in this tradition of sharing food and culture. Watch the video, here.
International Club
International Club is a student-led organization in which international students, TCKs, MKs and any Ouachita student with an interest in international culture can gather. It is a great opportunity for fun, friendship, leadership and learning from one another.
WHAT TO EXPECT:
As an international student, you’ll be on an F1 student visa. As soon as you turn in all pieces to your application and are officially accepted to Ouachita, we will send you the following items via Fed Ex:
- An I-20
- An official copy of your acceptance letter
- A copy of your I-901 receipt
This website will help you learn how to apply: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html
Go to info.obu.edu. Once there, you’ll be able to use your student ID number (provided in the packet along with your I-20 and acceptance letter). You should set up your student portal, which will provide you information about schedules, billing, etc. during your time as a student.
You should also set up your Tigermail email account. Please start to check your Tigermail regularly for important messages from the university.
You’ll be emailed by your academic advisor after you’re accepted. Your academic advisor will help you register for classes. This typically occurs in April. Your classes can then be viewed on your or student portal. You can view the course schedule online to provide input for your advisor.
All freshman males are assigned to housing in Flippen-Perrin Hall.
All freshman females are assigned to dorms in Francis Crawford Hall.
Upperclassmen will be assigned with other upperclassmen in other dorms.
Ouachita has a special orientation called World to Ouachita scheduled for all international, MK and TCK students a few days before the campus-wide orientation begins.
During this time, students will have the opportunity to meet other students from around the world. They will also meet faculty and staff who are available to support them during their transition.
International students will also learn about F1 student regulations at this time.
When campus-wide WOW (Welcome to Ouachita’s World) begins, international students, MKs and TCKs will join the other new students for this exciting introduction to university life.
While some families may opt to drive to campus, others opt to fly.
One option is flying into the Little Rock (LIT) airport. You’ll find Little Rock’s airport to be small, friendly and easy to navigate. Little Rock is about an hour from Ouachita’s campus by car.
Please communicate your plans to the Grant Center for International Education so that they can make appropriate arrangements. Students arriving in Little Rock by plane will be picked up at the airport by university representatives.
There is no shortage of ways to get involved as a student at Ouachita! You’ll find our international students and third culture kids involved in a wide variety of activities across campus including our annual Fall Break trip and International Food Festival.
If you’re able, we would strongly encourage you to participate in the Freshman Outdoor Orientation Trip!
Consider checking out the Campus Ministry retreat at the beginning of the semester. It’s a great place to connect with new friends!
Jump in to Ouachita’s culture with both feet by joining in a Tiger Tunes performance!
Like sports? Consider playing on a club sports or intramural team.
Looking for a way to serve and give back? Check out the many options available through the Elrod Center for Family and Community!
Musically inclined? There are ample ways to get involved, from joining the Tiger Steel Drum Band to choral ensembles and more.
Love to be outside? Our Outdoor Recreation department regularly plans inexpensive outdoor adventures.
WHAT OUR STUDENTS SAY:
See for yourself
Experience a glimpse of the campus life we get to live every day at Ouachita!
GET IN TOUCH
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