Students from all backgrounds can study at U.S. colleges.
If you are a foreign student applying for college in the United States, there are a few things you must do differently from a resident student. Colleges will still judge you on the same merits, but your transcripts and testing will be somewhat out of line with standardized testing and grading in the United States. If you are applying for college as a foreign student, start early in case you run into problems transferring information. Give yourself more time to make sure that you do not run into a wall right as the deadlines are due.
Instructions
1. Sign up to take the SAT (Reasoning Test through the College Board) at collegeboard.org. The SAT helps colleges determine where one student ranks against others by administering a test that is nationally standardized. Some colleges will accept the exit test for schools in your home country. Check with the admissions office.
2. Take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Register at ets.org/toefl/. It is a language test that demonstrates you have the ability to understand English, which is a requirement in U.S. colleges.
3. Obtain an application form from the admissions office at the college of your choice. Most schools also accept online applications. Fill out the application, marking "International student" when prompted and giving evidence of your right to be in America.
4. Locate an evaluation agency to have your credits evaluated. The agency needs to be a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services. The university to which you are applying should direct you to one that meets their needs. When your credits are evaluated, the school will be able to determine that you meet their coursework admissions requirements.
5. Submit all coursework documents, essays, recommendations and test scores to the admissions office. Wait for your acceptance. You may have to file additional visa paperwork after you have been accepted.
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