To be considered for admission, an international student whose native language is not English must present a minimum International TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 173 on the computerized version, 61 for internet iBT, or 500 on the paper version. Students may petition to waive the TOEFL requirement under one of the following conditions:
- Completion of a transfer level college English composition course at an accredited United States institution with a grade of "C" or higher;
- Completion of the San Diego Mesa College ESL assessment and placement test at a level of ESOL 40 or higher; in addition, the student must take the prescribed course work at the level of assessment: or
- A minimum ACT verbal score of 19 or SAT verbal score of 450.
Advanced Degrees: An international student in possession of an Associate Degree or its equivalent (completion of about 60 semester units) may be considered beyond the course offerings of Mesa College and is encouraged to apply to a four-year college or university.