Exchange/Visiting Students

What's the difference and how to apply

Exchange Student:

An exchange student is a student from a partner university who studies at South Dakota Mines (SDM) for 1-2 semesters and then returns to their home university to complete their degree. Exchange students are accepted through a direct agreement between the student's home university and SDM. Exchange students must be nominated by their home university and accepted by SDM. 

Exchange students pay tuition (if any) to their home university. Exchange students are charged certain fees explained in the exchange agreement, as well as any applicable costs such as on-campus housing and meal plans. Health insurance is mandatory and if a student wants to use their home country plan, it must be reviewed by the Ivanhoe International Center.

Visiting Student:

A visiting student is a student who applies to study at South Dakota Mines (SDM) for a short time (usually 1-2 semesters) but who does not plan to complete a degree at SDM. Visiting students are non-degree seeking and are required to pay tuition and fees to SDM.

Visiting students must submit the SDM online application and submit the official documents required by the application process.

Applying for Admission as an Exchange/Visiting Student:

STEP 1: Apply Online (For Undergraduate and Graduate Applicants)

• Submit an application: https://apply.sdsmt.edu/apply/.
• Select application type "Non-Degree Seeking Student" - do not select another type.
  • If you have questions or encounter technical issues, contact us at international@sdsmt.edu
• Email international@sdsmt.edu to notify us when you have submitted an application. This will allow us to track your application.

STEP 2: Admissions

• Documents
  • Copy of your transcripts
    • Have your university advisor send to international@sdsmt.edu
  • English proficiency scores
    • For Students of Most European and English speaking Countries
      • Download the recommendation form.
      • Have a university official fill out the recommendation form for each student to assess their English ability and send it to international@sdsmt.edu
    • For Students from Non-English Speaking Countries
      • Learn more about our English proficiency requirements
  • Class Request
    • Download, fill and get proper signatures for the Learning Agreement Exchange-Visitor Student.
      • To search for classes, follow the Class Search Instructions (see page 2-3 of the learning agreement download).
      • Add more classes than you plan to take. There may be some classes that you will not be allowed to take or are not offered.
    • Send to: international@sdsmt.edu

STEP 3: Immigration Paperwork

• In order to apply for your visa you will need a DS-2019 (exchange) or I-20 (visiting)
  • Exchange students
    • Fill out the J-1 Detail Information Form.
      • You will be asked to upload a copy of your passport ID and financial documents. Do not send this through email.
  • Visiting Students
    • Fill out the I-20 process Form.
      • You will be asked to upload a copy of your passport ID and financial documents. Do not send this through email.

STEP 4: Keep in touch

• Make sure to keep in touch with our office in regards to your class selection, immigration paperwork, visa approval, and other items.
• You will receive a link for the Accepted Students Checklist in an email.

Home Institution Process:

Learning Agreements (Exchange or MOU)

• If you wish to sign a learning agreement with our university, please contact us at international@sdsmt.edu

Accepted? Now What?

Visit the Accepted International Student page for the next steps.