Application and Admissions Policies

All documents submitted in support of an application for admission become the permanent possession of Pace University and cannot be returned to the applicant or photocopied for the applicant. For your records, please make photocopies of all materials submitted.

The ELI will begin processing I-20s 12 months before a program start date. Applications received earlier than 12 months will be held until this date. The deadline to apply for an ELI Program as an initial student (outside the US and requiring an F-1 Visa interview) is 1 month before the first day of classes for the session you are applying to. Transfer students already in the US in active F-1 status may apply until 1 week before the course start date.

Incomplete applications will be held for 3 months. After 3 months the application and all materials will be discarded.

For Students Whose New Program Start Date is Within 5 Months of their Original Program Start Date

Students that are not able to receive their F-1 visa by the start date of their chosen program are able to defer their I-20 to the next available program. Submit your request using our online form. Students will be able to request their first deferral free of charge. If asking for a second deferral, please pay the $65.00 I-20 Deferral Fee. No future deferrals will be permitted. Learn more about future program dates for ELI.

Current proof of financial support issued within 3 months of your deferral request is required.

There is no requirement for the TOEFL/IELTS exam to apply to the ELI at Pace University. The ELI does not accept TOEFL/IELTS scores during the admissions procedure or to determine the proficiency of students. All students will take the ELI Placement Exam during their admissions process and before arriving on campus to determine their level of English in our program.

The minimum age to enroll at the English Language Institute is 16 years old.

The minimum age to reside in Pace University on-campus housing is 18 years old.

Requests for a second placement test during the application process

Upon request, an academic advisor may review a placement test and determine if an additional test is necessary.

Placement test policy for previously enrolled students returning to the ELI

Students who are not enrolled in the ELI program for more than one semester (3 months) must take the ELI placement test to re-enroll.

Placement test policy for returning non-enrolled students

Placement test results are valid for six months. Students who previously took a placement exam but did not enroll and decide to enroll at a later date (more than six months later) must re-take the ELI placement exam to determine current proficiency level.