Undergraduate Admissions

Welcome to the Alfaisal University Admissions web page.

Alfaisal University seeks to attract academically gifted students who will achieve and succeed and also contribute to the development of the University's community.

One indicator of how students will do at Alfaisal University includes performance in high school. When we review a prospective student's high school transcript, we consider a variety of factors including overall level of achievement, enrollment in honors and AP- or IB-level courses, GCSE scores, and individual academic strengths.

The Admissions Committee reviews every application for undergraduate admission to ensure that each prospective applicant has the scholastic aptitude and ability to succeed in Alfaisal University. The Committee focuses its emphasis on the strength of a student's secondary school record, and the most competitive students will have excelled in the most demanding coursework.

The scores of required tests (SAT, TOEFL or IELTS, Qudurat and Tahseely), teacher and/or counselor recommendations, personal essay and interview, and all other personal qualifications as demonstrated by extracurricular activities and community involvement are carefully evaluated and weighed before we extend an offer of admission.

ADMISSIONS

The University Preparatory Program (UPP)

www.upp.edu.sa

Designed for students whose first language is not English, UPP offers English language training, skills training, and intensive academic coursework at the college preparatory level as well as the university level for students who qualify.

The UPP curriculum is designed to provide all students with instruction in English language, study and learning skills, and computer skills. Math and science course options will depend on the specific UPP pathway that the student follows. The pathways prepare students for university study in engineering, medicine, science, and business.

Students entering Alfaisal University in Oct 2008 from the UPP who have successfully completed the UPP with a cumulative average GPA of 2.0 or better, and have no grades of "F" in the second semester, will automatically be admitted to the college of the corresponding pathway for the academic year of 2008/2009. Colleges may have specific additional and more stringent admissions criteria. The College of Engineering requires supplemental scores from the SAT. For Fall 2008 admission, the Colleges of Business and Medicine do not have additional criteria. The College of Science and General Studies will not admit students to its major in Genetics and Life Sciences in Fall 2008.

Alfaisal University strongly urges prospective students to attend the University Preparatory Program (UPP). The UPP prepares students to be scholastically successful in the University’s academically challenging instructional programs.

1. Students applying for admission to the University Preparatory Program

The following are the minimum requirements for Admission to the UPP:

High School GPA       85%
Tahseely                   62
Qudurat                     73
TOEFL (paper based) 425

Specific academic requirements for both kinds of admission are described below.
To apply to the University Preparatory Program, go to www.upp.edu.sa.

2. Students who wish to transition from the UPP to Alfaisal University should submit:

The UPP matriculated application form

Students applying to enter Alfaisal University upon successful completion of the UPP with a GPA of 2.0 or better may download the application from our website (Download UPP Application Form).

Students finishing the UPP with an average GPA of less than 2.0 will not be admitted to Alfaisal University.

3. Students Applying to Alfaisal University Directly from High School

Academic Performance

Students who are admitted directly to Alfaisal University will have scores on the above mentioned UPP criteria, including tests, which are much higher than those required for entrance into the University Preparatory Program. For example, TOEFL (paper-based or its equivalent) must be 550 or higher., SAT II subject tests should be 650 or higher in each subject. Scores on the SAT Reasoning Test should be 1600 or higher.

Students with the above minimum scores are not guaranteed admission to Alfaisal University as the above represents only the minimum required for consideration on for admission. Alfaisal University strongly encourages all students to apply to the University Preparatory program (www.upp.edu.sa).

Recommendations

Recommendations from guidance counselors, principals, headmasters and teachers help us learn more about our applicant's academic and personal accomplishments, academic promise, and character. We want to enroll students who will be good citizens in the Middle East and in the global community.

Required Materials

Students must submit a paper application this academic year of 2008/2009. You may download the forms from our website (Download Form) and print them.
Please complete all required fields on the application.

Students applying to enter Alfaisal University directly from high school should submit:

Completed non-UPP matriculation Alfaisal University application
Application fee: SAR 1500 (non-refundable)
Secondary school transcripts
Official SAT (with writing) results.
Counselor, teacher, and principal/headmaster recommendations (three (3) required)
Transcripts from any college-level course work
TOEFL or IELTS scores
Qudurat and the Tahseely scores (non-Arabic speaking students from American and international schools that do not have the language ability or access to take these tests are exempt from this requirement)

Other Requirements:

Minimum scores of 550 on the TOEFL paper test or 80 on the iBT are required. The application includes a personal essay question, and an interview will be required with the Alfaisal University Admissions Committee. Three recommendations are required. The interview will assess the following:

Personal Characteristics

Alfaisal University emphasizes academic excellence in admission decisions. However, our evaluation process also assesses a student's personal qualities and experiences. Personal characteristics include extracurricular activities, geographic, cultural, ethnic and international backgrounds, and interests, achievements, experiences and talents. These are personal attributes that can enhance the University and its various communities. Prospective students should utilize their essay and letters of recommendation to create a complete portrait for the Admissions Committee.

Community Service and Leadership

Prospective students meeting the minimum requirements should emphasize the school, family and community activities that best demonstrate their skills, commitment, and achievements. This will permit us to evaluate what has been meaningful to our applicants and determine how the University can work with its students to achieve academic and life-long success.

Ability to Contribute to a Diverse Campus Community

The University is committed in promoting a diverse student body because of the enlightening benefits that spring from such diversity. Diversity includes (but is not limited to) age, gender, race/ethnicity, geographic origin (e.g. urban, rural, international background), or personal background.

We look for students that are engaged and successful in and out of the classroom. Creativity, diversity, leadership, a global perspective, resiliency and adaptability are highly valued characteristics. Applicants are encouraged to highlight their experiences in these areas.

The Division of Student Affairs and the Office of Admissions is now located in the King Faisal Palace.

Our hours of operation are:

Sat. - Wed. 8:00 am – 5:00 pm

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