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Portland and Biddeford, Maine

ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ announces agreements with high schools to accept international students

The agreements will ease the application process for students hoping to attend college outside their home countries

Anouar Majid and CAS Director John Randolph signed the agreement in the presence of Mr. Omar Laafoura, the chair of CAS' board of trustees.
ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ Vice President of Global Affairs Anouar Majid (left) and Casablanca American School (CAS) Director John Randolph signed an agreement in the presence of Omar Laafoura, chair of CAS' board of trustees.

International high school students now have an easier pathway to higher education, thanks to an agreement signed between the ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ and various secondary schools in Maine and beyond.

ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ has partnered with Thornton Academy in Saco and Casablanca American School in Casablanca, Morocco, to allow conditional acceptance for eligible graduates who apply to most of ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ’s academic programs.

To qualify as eligible for conditional acceptance, students must study at their respective schools for at least two years and maintain a 3.0 unweighted G.P.A. Additionally, English language proficiency tests will be waived for students who complete two years of schooling at their respective institutions. Qualifying graduates will receive merit scholarships of at least $17,000 per year.

Students who apply to ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ’s nursing and 3+4-degree pathway programs are not eligible for conditional acceptance.

β€œThis agreement provides a clear map of what ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ requires for undergraduate admissions and takes some stress out of applying to college in a country that’s not your own,” remarked Perceval Inkpen, M.S., an admissions counselor at ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ who spearheaded the agreement. β€œFor international students at Thornton Academy and in Casablanca, having that clarity and understanding goes a long way toward increasing access to higher education.”

Unique about the partnership with Casablanca American School is the ability for Moroccan foreign students to attend ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ and go back to Morocco to study at the University’s campus in Tangier, which all ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ students may do.

It is a partnership that allows for reciprocal, cross-cultural learning, said Anouar Majid, Ph.D., vice president for Global Affairs and director of the Center for Global Humanities at ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ.

β€œGiven our presence in Tangier and the excellent relationship between Morocco and the United States, I think it would be valuable to Moroccan students attend ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ in Maine and travel between our transatlantic campuses,” Majid reflected. β€œI am grateful to my colleagues in Admissions for helping make this happen, and I am hoping we can do more in the future.”

In addition to Thornton Academy and Casablanca American School, ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ aims to partner with other schools in Maine and New England to offer conditional acceptance for international students.

β€œAs we exit the COVID-19 pandemic, the U.S. is seeing a significant rebound in new international students,” said Scott Steinberg, MBA, vice president of University Admissions. β€œWorking with our partner high schools in the U.S. and abroad, our goal is to increase access to a ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ education for qualified international students.”

About the ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ

The ΒιΆΉΒγΑΔ is Maine’s largest independent university, with two beautiful coastal campuses in Maine, a one-of-a-kind study abroad campus in Tangier, Morocco, and an array of . In an uncommonly welcoming and supportive community, we offer hands-on learning, empowering students to make a positive impact in a world full of challenges. The state’s top provider of health professionals, we are home to Maine’s only medical college, Maine’s only dental college, a variety of other interprofessionally aligned health care degree programs, as well as nationally recognized programs for marine science degrees, natural and social sciences degrees, arts and humanities degrees, and business degrees.