Admissions

International Candidates

The heart and soul of our international programs is our Jesuit, Catholic tradition of ensuring educational excellence, promoting knowledge and justice to serve others, and preparing each student to go forth and make a difference in the world.

St. Joseph’s Preparatory School is proud to welcome students from all over the world and to offer exchange and study abroad programs to Prep students in many different countries. Please contact Mrs. Jenny Mars 215-978-1951 or jmars@sjprep.org for questions concerning:

Short or Long-Term Study Programs at the Prep for International Students
4-year-Academic programs for students
International Prep Exchange Group Programs for Prep students
Individual Study Programs Abroad for Prep students
International Student Connections Social Events
International Scholarship Programs for Prep students

Contact Information

International Recruiting Agents:

Apex International Education Partners, LLC
Ivy International Group
Asian American Cultural Exchange Association
Quest Exchange

Hu Jintao

Culture is a window reflecting the history, culture, and spiritual world of a nation. Cultural exchange is a bridge to enhance the mutual understanding and friendship between the people of different nations."

International students at St. Joseph’s Prep will be challenged and cared for by their teachers, counselors, and coaches in an environment that rewards hard work, embraces difference, and prepares you for whatever lies ahead.

Why Choose St. Joseph’s Prep for your son?

Because you want him to:

Gain a competitive edge by studying in one of the best countries in the world.
Stay with a family that you can trust and whose son is part of the Prep community.
Learn English at a school that has a strong reputation for its excellence and that will challenge him through a classical curriculum.
Learn from men and women dedicated to the Jesuit philosophy of education that includes “cura personalis” (or attention to the individual student and respect for his potential).

Receive an individualized curriculum and care that focuses on his home school requirements.
Learn more about the American culture by attending a school whose location attracts a diverse mix of students and gives him access to all of Philadelphia’s cultural and historical landmarks.
Join a brotherhood that permeates life at the Prep, a bond of friendship and family that is incomparable with a commitment to strong moral and ethical values.

At the Prep, young men become “men for and with others,” men who strive to understand not only themselves but also the global world in which they live—and to cultivate the best of both.

How to Apply?

We currently accept international students for one-semester and two-semester programs. Because our international students can apply directly with us without needing a sponsoring organization, space is limited and we encourage students to apply as soon as possible.

International Students Applications are accepted on a rolling basis for each academic year. Please submit your application and transcripts as soon as possible.
To apply successfully, each applicant must do the following:

Submit the Online Application for international students;
Submit the most recent Transcripts in English;
Submit an Essay in English titled: Why is an international study program at St. Joseph's Preparatory School important to you? (Minimum of 250 words, maximum of 300 words);
Submit an official copy of your TOEFL score. TOEFL Jr., iTEP, SLATE and ISEE tests are acceptable as well.
Submit a copy of your Passport;
Submit two (2) Letters of Recommendation: one from a teacher of your choice and the other from your English teacher;
Submit the Health Form verified and signed by a doctor as well as the Copy of your Immunization Records;
Submit a copy of an International Medical Insurance valid for the entire program time.
Have a SKYPE Interview with the Director of International Studies.

International Application

Tuition & Fees

Our programs are highly customized to fit each student’s individual needs and the requirements from his home school.

Where do international students live?

International students who come to our school for a short or long-term studying experience live with host families in our community for many good reasons:

Homestays provide safe language learning environments to try out new words or practice the local language.
Spending day to day life with a local host family gives foreigners priceless firsthand experiences hardly available in any other way.
Living in a local home gives endless opportunities to impeccably explore familial traditions of the nation.
All our host families have been carefully selected based on their and the international student’s backgrounds.

Become a Host Parent

To more fully learn and understand other cultures and traditions, St. Joseph's Prep families are invited to host an international student. We are seeking families from within the school community who see this as an opportunity to develop new perspectives while providing a loving and suitable home for one of our international students.

As a host family, you and your family can experience these benefits:

Develop a direct and long-lasting influence on the young person who will lives with you
Gain a broader perspective on world issues
Increase your knowledge of another country
Gain deeper insight into the values and patterns of your own family and culture
Hosting an exchange student is a tremendous experience; it is also a significant commitment to welcome a young person from another culture into your home for a few months or for a
full year. That’s why we match the students to households with great care, taking into account several factors to ensure a wonderful experience for both the student and your family.

If you are interested in becoming one of our host families, we ask that you fill out the application and return it to the Prep.