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[nopm]

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[ridgey]

Probably the reverse. International applications get considered in the same way as others (except at UC schools - see other thread). The department recommends admission/rejection to the Grad School, who have the final say. It is their responsibility, rather than the department's, to check everything is in order, including a BA/BSc/Bwhatever equivalent to a US bachelor degree. This is probably done in consultation with the uni's international office. It's less work overall if international applications are reviewed within programmes, and only those that are recommended for admission get the other checks.

Bear in mind, though, that even though the adcom isn't evaluating whether an international student has an equivalent degree in terms of meeting minimum admission requirements, they are evaluating it in terms of whether the applicant is good enough. They're less likely to be familiar with the insitution, unless you went to Oxford, and may not have heard of your letter writers.

Or such is my understanding from reading many, many, many programme websites and international office websites.