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Baylor BU Undergraduate Admissions Admission International International Gateway Program The Global Gateway Program (GGP) Learn More About GGP
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Learn More About the Global Gateway Program

Baylor is dedicated to fostering a globally connected community of students and we aim to provide valuable resources and insights into the rich array of international study programs and opportunities available through our Global Gateway Program (GGP). Whether you're curious about application processes, eligibility requirements or life in the USA, explore this comprehensive guide to help you navigate your international education at Baylor.

Admissions

1. How to Apply

If you would like to apply to study at Baylor University, you need to complete an application form and submit the relevant documentation, including an official high school transcript, English proficiency documentation and photo of passport. 

We will answer your questions and help with your application. We speak a variety of languages and understand several more. We will do our best to contact you in your preferred language. 

INQUIRE NOW

2. Entry Requirements

Baylor University has specific admission requirements. In order to be accepted into your program, you must meet the academic requirements, as well as a minimum level of English language proficiency. 

Undergraduate

Program GPA IELTS TOEFL Duolingo
1-semester Global Gateway Program 2.5 6.0 70 95-105
2-semester Global Gateway Program 2.5 5.5 60 85-90
3-semester Global Gateway Program 2.5 5.0 50 75-80

 

3. Programs of Study

Baylor University gives you a wide range of degree options, with 125+ majors to choose from. From arts to business to engineering, there are many options to suit your interests and career plans. Explore the different majors and minors available, or take the MyMajors assessment to see what majors could fit you best! Please note: Some majors may have specific entry requirements or may not be available as Global Gateway Program (GGP) entry majors. 

Baylor Campus Life

1. Where is Waco?

Waco is a mid-sized city in the heart of Texas. Nestled between Dallas and Austin, Waco has the amenities of a big city, including restaurants, shopping, water parks, museums and a zoo—all within the slower pace and “homey feel” of a smaller town. It truly is the best of both worlds.

Waco has welcoming Southern hospitality, vibrant culture and a beautiful setting on the Brazos River. There’s also an endless amount of beautiful nature to enjoy—think river kayaking, hiking trails, picturesque cliffs and soaring views of Lake Waco. With campus located conveniently near downtown Waco, you’ll find plenty of interesting places to visit and fun things to do.

Waco, Texas Graphic

 

2. About Baylor

Baylor University is a private Christian University and a nationally ranked Research 1 institution. The University provides a vibrant campus community for more than 20,000 students by blending interdisciplinary research with an international reputation for educational excellence and a faculty commitment to teaching and scholarship. Chartered in 1845 by the Republic of Texas through the efforts of Baptist pioneers, Baylor is the oldest continually operating University in Texas. Located in Waco, Baylor welcomes students from all 50 states and more than 100 countries to study a broad range of degrees.

3. Living on Campus

All first-year students live in residence halls on campus for one academic year. This helps you to settle in, meet other students and become an active member of the community. Dining halls, classrooms, libraries and other
facilities are located on-site. Some Baylor faculty also live on campus, providing a high level of academic, spiritual and emotional support. 

4. Safety on Campus

Baylor University's Police Department is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The Baylor PD has a staff of 37 police officers, 10 dispatchers and 14 security officers. The Department operates marked patrol vehicles on campus, a bicycle unit, a Criminal Investigation unit, and a Crime Prevention unit. Baylor also maintains eighty-one (81) emergency call boxes located across the campus and one-hundred fifty-two (152) emergency telephones, which are located in all building elevators. These phones are provided as an immediate means of communication to the Baylor Police Dispatcher during an emergency. There are currently two different styles of emergency call boxes on campus. One can be recognized by the large pole (yellow) with a blue light at the top, the other style is mounted directly onto a wall instead of a pole. Learn more about campus safety here.

5. Active Student Life

There are more than 375 clubs and organizations to be part of at Baylor, from rock climbing, rowing and theatre, to academic clubs, faith groups, and sorority and fraternity life. Explore the opportunities to find your place at Baylor!

6. Baylor Traditions

Baylor is known for its strong school spirit and traditions. These bring everyone together to celebrate the University’s heritage. Annual highlights include the Baylor Line tradition, the Homecoming parade and the Day of the Bear festivities. 

7. Sports Success

Baylor’s fantastic sports facilities include a riverside stadium, a golf facility, indoor tennis courts, and an equestrian center. The University’s 17 sports teams are an important part of community life — they compete at the highest
level (NCAA Division 1) and are cheered on by the rest of the Baylor Bears.

8. Virtual Tours

Get the insider’s view of Baylor from a diverse group of actual students, an inspirational faculty member, and Baylor President Linda A. Livingstone, Ph.D. Through this virtual tour, we’ll introduce you to life at our nationally ranked Christian research university that is steeped in tradition and filled with opportunities that will lay a foundation for your bright future.

 

9. Weather

Waco receives many days of sunshine a year, with moderate rainfall. Summers are hot, with high temperatures sometimes reaching 100°F (37°C), whereas in winter temperatures can drop to close to 32°F (0°C) or lower. Temperatures in the fall and spring tend to vary. For more information on current weather, check out the U.S. National Weather Service website.

10. Travel Information

While public transportation options in Waco are limited, several options do exist if you do not have a car.

For more information on the shuttle to HEB (food store), click here.

Baylor University Shuttle

The Baylor University Shuttle (BUS) is a free bus service provided to all Baylor students and scholars that operates on all class days from 7:25 AM to 5:25 PM. Currently, five routes exist that connect campus to various off-campus apartment complexes and neighborhoods close to campus. For more information on routes or to download the BUS Tracker App to your phone, click here.

After-Hours Route

Free after-hours bus service is available Monday through Thursday from 6:30 PM to 1:30 AM. There is also a Home Shuttle that takes students to their homes from 5:30 to 6:30 PM Monday through Thursday. For more information, click here.

Zipcar

Baylor has partnered with Zipcar to bring self-service, on-demand car sharing to the Baylor area. For more information, click here.

Career Development & Employability

1. Your Personal Career Plan

Each Career Service Professional (CSP) specializes in an academic area with specific majors. Your CSP will assist you in career discovery, resume development, internship and job searching, applications, interview preparation, networking, negotiations and more.

2. Core Employability Skills

We help you to develop core career skills such as planning, leadership, organization and communication. This lays the foundation for becoming a highly employable graduate by building your competence, capabilities and confidence.

3. Office of Student Employment

Baylor University is committed to giving students real-world experience before they graduate. The Office of Student Employment works with students to find campus jobs, community work and placements to help develop transferable skills for the workplace.

4. Success at Baylor
  • 73-75% acceptance rate into medical school for graduating seniors
  • 88.6% acceptance rate to law school for graduating seniors 2017-2022
  • 92% of students find jobs or start graduate school within six months of graduation
  • 3.49 average GPA
  • 156.7 average LSAT
5. Post-Graduation Outcomes

Baylor students have achieved success  in internships and jobs at top companies including:

  • 3M 
  • Amazon 
  • AT&T 
  • BP 
  • Dell 
  • Disney 
  • ExxonMobile 
  • General Motors 
  • Goldman Sachs 
  • IBM 
  • KPMG 
  • Microsoft 
  • Oracle 
  • PriceWaterhouseCooper 
  • Shell 
  • SpaceX 

Studying in the USA

1. What to Expect

The USA is the home of the world’s number 1 education system. Students travel from all over the world to join prestigious universities like Baylor University. Studying for, and graduating with, a degree from a USA university will give you a recognized degree and a great starting point for your career.

You can choose your major from a wide selection, after two years of liberal arts education. This means you get to try out different subjects and find what you enjoy and excel at. While studying, you can also choose to participate in research projects with faculty, or get involved in business or sports ideas.

2. Being an International Student in the USA

Studying abroad gives international students the opportunity to study in a new way, while discovering new cultures and exploring the world to expand your horizons. Baylor is a private Christian University where research, scholarship and faith guide the mind in understanding the complex diversity of God's creation and prepare the whole person for service and leadership. Whatever your religion, you will find others on campus who share your beliefs and want to discuss important shared issues. International students are welcomed on campus and there is a large international student society.

3. What It's Like to Live in Texas

Texas is the second largest state in the U.S. and has the second largest population. Baylor’s location in Texas offers incredible potential for internships and employability. The state capital, Austin, is conveniently located just 90 minutes away from Baylor. Additionally, other cities within driving distance include Dallas-Fort Worth, Houston and San Antonio.

You will also find a wide range of tourist attractions and things to do during your free time here. National Parks such as Big Bend or Guadalupe Mountains, museums like the Bullock Texas State History Museum, the Houston Space Center, and historical sites including The Alamo make Texas an exciting place to explore.

4. Staying Healthy & Safe

Your safety while studying abroad is a top priority, which is why Baylor University has its own police department and emergency call boxes and telephones located across the campus in case students need urgent assistance. As an international student, you are subject to the same laws and protection as American citizens so you've always got someone to contact in an emergency.

Baylor also has an on-campus Health Services Center located on the 2nd floor of the McLane Student Life Center (the SLC). All international students at Baylor are required to have unlimited coverage in medical insurance coverage. Learn more here.

5. Finance & Daily Expenses

The official currency in the USA is the U.S. dollar (USD/$). You can open a bank account when you arrive to Waco, if you do not already have one with a U.S. bank. Banks will allow international students and scholars to open an account as long as they can provide two forms of ID. Learn more about valid forms of ID here. You will be able to easily pay with both cash and cards in most shops, bars and restaurants.

6. Adapting to a New Culture

Arriving in a new country for the first time is exciting but can also be intimidating while you get used to your new surroundings. Experiencing 'culture shock' is normal, but it will fade as you settle into a new routine and make friends.

Baylor is experienced in helping students adjust to living in the USA. At Baylor, our admissions counselors and Global Gateway staff will be ready to help you with any questions or concerns you might have during your studies here.

7. The American Education System

Higher education in the USA is recognized around the world but comes in many different formats. From ‘Ivy League’ to community colleges, for both undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Universities are usually large institutions made up of several colleges across disciplines. Colleges are smaller, usually focused on a limited number of subjects with fewer students than universities have.

Flexible Learning

US universities offer flexible learning where you can study a broad range of subjects before choosing your major and focusing your studies. This is called ‘liberal arts education’, and means you can learn multiple subjects that you’re interested in while concentrating on a degree in your chosen path. The benefit of this is that you gain a broad knowledge and transferable skills you can use in many industries, making you a unique graduate.

You usually do not need to declare your major until your third year (also known as junior year), giving you time to explore your interests. You can still change your major later in your degree but this may extend your program.

Undergraduate Admissions

Office Hours (CT)
Monday-Friday: 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

1-800-BAYLOR-U option 1-1 or (254) 710-3435
Admissions@Baylor.edu
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