A Simple Guide To Higher Education In The United States Part 5: How U.S. Colleges And Universities Evaluate  Academic Credentials

If you are a student preparing to apply for admission to colleges and universities in theUnited States, it is important for you to understand the procedures that most U.S. institutions follow when evaluating your academic credentials in order to decide whether or not to admit you.    
In your country, it is probably the ministry of education, or some similar body, that determines the eligibility of applicants from outside your education system. In the U.S. there is no ministry of education to make such decisions. Each college or university is free to set its own standards for admission, and it is the responsibility of the institution to review your previous education and academic performance to determine if you meet those standards.    
U.S. colleges and universities are generally classified as highly selective, selective, somewhat selective, or open admission (institutions that can admit students regardless of their previous academic performance). The level of selectivity that an institution follows is based on many factors, and since each college and university has its own admission criteria, your academic credentials may meet the standards at some institutions but not at others.    
Many institutions have their own staff members evaluate or assess your previous education. Other institutions might require you to send your academic records to an outside agency that specializes in providing evaluations of non-U.S. education. Sometimes an institution specifies a particular agency, or it might provide you with a list of several agencies and ask you to choose one. However, these agencies do not make the decision whether or not to admit you. They assess your previous education and provide the institution with their evaluation. The institution then makes the decision regarding your admission.    
Pay close attention to the instructions on each application you submit and follow the instructions carefully. If you apply to more than one institution, you will probably be required to follow different instructions for each one. Do not assume that all institutions’ requirements are the same.    

Here are some things to keep in mind when applying:    
- You will need to have an official copy of all your previous academic records (often referred to in application materials as an “official transcript”) sent to the institution    
(and to the reviewing agency, if one is being used). “Official” records mean that the school where you studied must send a copy of your academic record directly to    the institution (and to the agency, if one is being used). You, as the applicant, should not mail such records to the institution. If you do, the records might not be considered “official.”    
- Academic records that are not in English need to be translated, and both the original-language records and the translation must be sent. Pay particular attention to the instructions regarding translations. Some institutions and agencies might allow you to do the translation yourself if you are sufficiently proficient in English. However, others might require an official translation or one done by an authorized or licensed translator. Follow instructions carefully to avoid unnecessary delays.    
- Standardized tests are an important part of the application process for U.S. institutions. If you were educated in a system that uses external national examinations, such as the Baccalaureat from France or “Ordinary” or “Advanced” level examinations from the United Kingdom, you will need to send copies of the results of these examinations. If you are applying as a first-year student at the undergraduate    
(bachelor’s degree) level, you may also need to take certain standardized tests that are often required of U.S. applicants, such as the SAT or the ACT  Assessment. Schools will instruct you as to which test(s) to take and how to make arrangements for testing.    
- If English is not your native language, or if you have not been educated in a country or region where English is a native language, you may be required to submit the results of an English language proficiency test, such as the Test of English as a    
Foreign Language (TOEFL).    
- If you need an F-1 or M-1 (student) visa or a J-1 (exchange visitor-student) visa, you will need to present evidence that you have adequate financial support for the entire period of your anticipated study. Most U.S. colleges and universities will ask you to complete a form regarding the financial support for your studies, or they will tell you what documentation is required. Usually, you will have to complete a form outlining the sources of your financial support as well as provide verification of such support. Again, carefully follow all instructions regarding documentation.    
- Deadlines are extremely important! Pay close attention to any deadlines listed on the application forms. The admission of international students to U.S. institutions does take more time than the admission of U.S. students, and most schools have an earlier international application deadline. U.S. colleges and universities receive thousands of applications from international students each year. In order to be considered for admission for the term in which you want to begin your studies, it is essential that your application and all materials be received before the deadline.    
Studying in the United States will be an exciting and rewarding experience. To start off in the best possible way, carefully follow the instructions of each institution in which you are interested. If you have any questions about the application process or what materials you need to provide, contact the institution for clarification or assistance.