How to apply to Computer Science at Montclair State University: the ABET-accredited BS in the School of Computing, 4+1 BS/MS options, the 3.0 transfer GPA, international deadlines and English requirements, and what students in China, students in Canada and transfer students need

Montclair State University is in Montclair, New Jersey. Its BS in Computer Science belongs to the School of Computing within the College of Science and Mathematics. This guide summarizes what the university’s website says for students at high schools in China (including A-Level, IB and AP students), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. The program and courses

• Accreditation: the BS in Computer Science is accredited by the Computing Accreditation Commission of ABET.
• Content: the program page describes a foundation in programming, software design, algorithms and computer systems, with areas such as web development, cybersecurity, data science, machine learning and AI. It is taught on campus.
• 4+1 BS/MS: students can continue to an MS in computer science, cybersecurity or data science, starting graduate courses in the senior year. The Computer Science combined program requires a GPA of 3.0 or above (rolling admission) and completion at Montclair of all required computer science courses through CMPT 371; students below 3.0 must apply to the graduate program the regular way.
• Course list and credits: the full requirements are in the catalog (catalog.montclair.edu), which could not be reached when we checked, so they are not verified here. See the BS Computer Science page in the catalog.
• Direct entry and changing into the major: the first-year pages we read give no separate admission standard for Computer Science and no internal change-of-major rule. Ask undergraduate admissions or the School of Computing.

2. How first-year applicants are reviewed

• Holistic review: high school transcript, cumulative GPA and trend, and course rigor (especially honors and AP in the junior and senior years). The university says admitted students typically have a GPA of 3.3 or higher.
• High school courses: at least 16 college-preparatory units, including 4 English, 3 math (Algebra, Geometry, Algebra II), 2 of the same world language, 2 lab sciences, 2 social sciences and 3 more.
• Testing: SAT/ACT are optional; submit them only if they strengthen the application.
• How to apply: the Montclair application or the Common App; applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.

3. Dates and materials (international first-year)

• Fall 2027: Early Action (non-binding) closes December 1, 2026, with decisions by December 24, 2026; scholarship consideration deadline March 1, 2027; final deadline June 1, 2027; I-20 application deadline June 15, 2027. The final and I-20 dates are suggested deadlines for students outside the U.S.
• Spring 2027: the international first-year page gives the final deadline as “November 1, 2027”, which does not match its “Spring 2027 (January start)” heading; the domestic first-year page lists December 15, 2026 for spring 2027. Confirm the spring date with international admissions.
• Application fee: USD 65, non-refundable.
• Materials: records from all secondary schools (with official English translations if needed) and any IB, AP, IGCSE/A-Level results; English test scores unless exempt; an essay (prompts vary by major); an optional resume; one recommendation letter from a counselor or teacher, not required for most majors but strongly encouraged; optional SAT/ACT.
• Who applies as a first-year: students still in high school, or high school graduates who have attempted fewer than 16 university credits.

4. English requirements

• Minimums: TOEFL 70 (old version) or 4.0 (new version); IELTS 6.0; Duolingo 95; PTE 48; iTEP 3.7; SAT Reading and Writing 480; ACT English 22.
• Exemptions: U.S. citizens; citizens of listed countries; graduates of high schools in the U.S. or a listed country; or students at an international school following a listed country’s system (for example IGCSE or IB). The list includes Canada (excluding Quebec) and the United Kingdom. Students who switched mid-way from a local curriculum to a program such as IB should be in non-ESL English courses with a B average or better.

5. Students at high schools in China

• Credential: the equivalency chart lists the Senior High School Graduation Certificate or Upper Middle School Graduation Certificate for China, which must be equivalent to a U.S. high school diploma.
• Transcripts: non-English documents need official English translations; IB or A-Level results may earn credit, posted after the deposit.
• Gaokao: the website does not say how Gaokao scores are used. Ask international admissions.
• English: China is not on the exemption list, so students at regular high schools submit an English score; students in IGCSE or IB programs may be exempt under the rule above. Ask international admissions.

6. Students at Canadian high schools (including BC)

• Credential: the chart lists the High School Diploma for Canada.
• English: Canadian citizens (excluding Quebec), or graduates of high schools in listed countries, are exempt from the English test.
• BC grades: the website does not give BC grade requirements. Ask admissions.
• Status: students in F-1 or J-1 status pay out-of-state tuition; ask admissions whether you apply through the international or domestic process.

7. Transfer students

• Who is a transfer: anyone who has attempted 16 or more college credits after high school.
• Computer Science requirement: the transfer page lists additional requirements by major, and Computer Science requires a 3.0 GPA. Strong transfer candidates generally have an overall B average (typically 2.8 or higher) and success in courses related to the major.
• Credits: 100-level and higher courses with C- or better transfer. There is no cap from four-year schools, but 30 credits must be completed at Montclair; up to 60 credits transfer from two-year schools.
• International transfer: all foreign coursework needs a NACES course-by-course evaluation and English translation; applicants with 30 or more credits or an associate degree do not need to send a high school transcript. The international transfer page lists suggested deadlines of June 1, 2026 (fall) and November 1, 2026 (spring), with no fall 2027 date yet; the domestic transfer deadlines for fall 2027 are April 15, 2027 (preferred) and June 15, 2027 (final).
• Application fee: USD 65.

8. Costs and scholarships

• Tuition rate: international students in F-1 or J-1 status are charged out-of-state tuition.
• 2026-27 out-of-state on-campus estimate: tuition USD 27,924, fees USD 1,222, housing USD 10,838 and food USD 6,612, plus books, travel and miscellaneous costs, for a total of USD 51,808. Out-of-state tuition and fees for 12–18 credits are USD 14,573 per semester.
• Aid: as a public university, Montclair does not offer need-based aid to students on international visas.
• Scholarships: international first-years may receive the Presidential Scholarship, awarded automatically on GPA criteria and renewable for up to four years with a minimum GPA. The amount and GPA criteria are not published; details come with the admission decision. Talent-based awards exist for performing arts.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• For fall 2027, apply by March 1, 2027 for scholarship consideration and by June 1, 2027 at the latest; USD 65 fee
• Prepare TOEFL 70 (4.0 new version), IELTS 6.0 or Duolingo 95
• Send transcripts with official English translations, write the essay, and try to add a recommendation
• Ask international admissions how Gaokao scores are used

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Confirm the English exemption and how BC grades are read

Transfer students:

• Computer Science needs a 3.0 GPA; get a NACES course-by-course evaluation for foreign coursework

Sources: Montclair State University, BS in Computer Science; School of Computing; Computer Science combined BS/MS; International applicants; International first-year applicants; International transcripts and high school equivalency; International transfer applicants; International scholarships and aid; Undergraduate student costs; How to apply to undergraduate programs; Transfer students. Deadlines are for spring and fall 2027 entry; costs are for 2026-27. Check Montclair’s website for the latest.