Loving life is easy when you are abroad. Where no one knows you, and you hold your life in your hands all alone, you are more master of yourself than at any other time.
Hannah Arendt
When you decide to study in the United States, you are making a fantastic decision for your future as you will be joining along over one million other international students in the country. The United States has a wide range of higher education alternatives. With so many educational options, no matter your aptitude or objectives, there will be a degree that is a good fit for you. Still, as an international student, you must be aware of and ready for various criteria while applying to universities in the United States.Because the entire admissions process takes around 18 months, it is a good idea to begin organising and preparing your academic records and other essential papers to be sent to the chosen universities/colleges as soon as possible. There are several benefits to studying in America, including professional opportunities and cultural variety.
Table of Contents
- What are the Exams Required to Study in the USA?
- Entry Requirements To Study In USA: Undergraduate Level
- Entry Requirements To Study In USA: Postgraduate Level
- Entry Requirements for PhD Scholars In USA
- Entry Requirements to Study In USA: Vocational Courses
- Requirements to Study Law In USA
- Requirements to Study Medicine In the USA
- Visa Requirements To Study In the USA
- Best Universities To Study In the USA
- USA Admission Process
- FAQs
What are the Exams Required to Study in the USA?
If you are from a non-native English-speaking country, you must also provide English language proficiency exam results.
Language proficiency Exam
All applicants who do not speak English as their first language must provide proof of English language ability. As an international student, you will normally be required to provide a TOEFL or IELTS test score. The English language competence requirement is not required in a few Universities if the candidate has completed four years of schooling at an English-language secondary school.It is essential to finish these tests a year before starting university. Universities often have minimum score requirements; the table below illustrates the minimum score requirements for both undergraduate and graduate applicants:
Test Name |
Undergraduate Minimum Score |
Graduate Minimum Score |
IELTS |
5.5 |
6.0 |
TOEFL |
70 |
80 |
TOEIC |
650 |
700 |
Duolingo |
75 |
90 |
Admission Tests
For admission, universities in the United States need international students to take a few entrance examinations. Examine the programme for which you are applying. Before applying to your preferred US university, your results should be available. The following are some of the important admission exams:
- SAT - Scholastic Assessment Test
- ACT - American College Testing
- GRE - Graduate Record Examinations
- GMAT - Graduate Management Admission test,
- MCAT - Medical College Admission Test
- LSAT - Law School Admission Test
Entry Requirements To Study In USA: Undergraduate Level
The greatest advantage of studying at the undergraduate level in the United States is the educational flexibility, which allows students to choose a major after exploring various options, combine various majors and minors, obtain a 'double major,' and also customise the programme to their needs and career interests.In the United States, universities have three intakes: 'Fall,' which lasts from August to December, 'Spring,' which lasts from January to May; and 'Summer,' which lasts from May to August.
Deadlines: It is recommended to apply early because top university application deadlines are normally 10 months before admissions, which are between mid-October and early November. Furthermore, the deadlines for other universities are in January and March.
Please review the following entrance criteria for Bachelor's Degree and Undergraduate Pathway Programs:
Study Level |
Entry Requirements |
Bachelor’s degree |
|
Undergraduate Pathway Programs |
|
Documents Required for Undergraduate Admission to US Universities:
- Passport
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Marksheets
- Completion certificates
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
- Entrance Exam Scorecards—SAT/ ACT
- English Language Proficiency Test Scores
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Essays
- Work Experience Letters (if any)
- Certificates for extra-curricular activities
- Application confirmation copy
- Proof of Funds
Entry Requirements To Study In USA: Postgraduate Level
Before we discuss the specifics of the documents necessary for US university admission, here is a brief checklist. We provide a list of admission criteria for applying to Master's level universities.
Study Level |
Entry Requirements |
Master’s degree |
|
Graduate Pathway Programs |
|
Documents Required for Masters in USA
- Passport
- Resume/Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Transcripts
- Marksheets and completion certificates
- Bachelor's degree or equivalent
- Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
- Entrance Exam Scorecards - GRE/ GMAT/ LSAT/ MCAT
- English Language Proficiency Test Scores
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Experience Letters (if any)
- Application confirmation copy
- Essays
- Certificates for extra-curricular activities
- Proof of Funds
- Research proposal/ Portfolio/ Project Description (for specific courses)
Entry Requirements for PhD Scholars In USA
A Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree from the United States is considered the highest conferred degree at many US universities and colleges for most subjects of study; for many overseas students, it is a dream course.
When applying for high-level management roles, government expert positions, and employment as a university professor, researcher, or scientist in various subjects, a Ph.D. degree is sometimes necessary.
Ph.D. entrance criteria in the United States vary depending on the university and the topic of study. However, most colleges in the United States demand the following from overseas students seeking a Ph.D.:
Entry Requirements to Study In USA: Vocational Courses
The vocational courses are offered at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The eligibility requirements for UG and PG programmes vary. They've been listed below:
Eligibility for UG Courses
Vocational training can begin in high school and continue after a student graduates. Certain occupational courses are offered as part of high school curricula. It consists of academic studies, main course studies, and the introduction of students to different trade forms such as business, construction, art and craft, agriculture, health studies, information technology, and so on.The following are some prerequisites to note while applying for admission to the B.Voc programme.
1. The candidate must have finished 10+2 from a recognised board or institution with at least 55% overall.
2. Each institution or university has its own percentile cutoff. To be admitted to their selected college, applicants must score above 55. Alternatively, students may be required to take the admission exam.
Eligibility for PG courses
A student must be a 10+2 pass out to enrol in post-secondary vocational courses, indicating that he has a basic education. Certificate and diploma programmes are the most common.
Requirements to Study Law In USA
Law school in the United States differs from that of many other countries. There is no law programme that students may begin immediately after graduating from high school. In the United States, being a lawyer is difficult but not impossible. In reality, the problems just prepare you for the job market and the legal world.
Generally, academic requirements to study law in the United States include:
- A bachelor's degree is required (4-year undergraduate degree in any subject).
- LSAT (Law School Admission Test) results are included on academic transcripts. Minimum scores vary depending on the law school.
- Minimum undergraduate GPA (Undergraduate Grade Point Average). Depending on the law school in question.
- Letters of recommendation.
- Personal statement.
- Proof of English proficiency (TOEFL). For students whose native language is not English.
- Other law school-specific admission requirements.
- Credential Assembly Service (CAS) reports.
Requirements to Study Medicine In the USA
As an international student, you cannot directly enrol for a medical degree in the United States. First, you must complete a bachelor's degree programme in science. The majority of students choose chemistry or biology as their pre-medical course. After successfully completing the programme, you will be qualified to participate in the four-year medical programme.
Application process and how to study medicine in the USA
To apply for MBBS, you must first complete a course in the science stream and then take the MCAT (Medical College Admission Test). Applicants can apply to colleges through the American Medical College Application Service (AMCAS, a central application processing service). Please keep in mind that only a few colleges accept applications directly.Tests to be eligible for MBBS in the USA are:
1. IELTS, PTE, or TOEFL
2. MCAT
3. NEET
4. Pre-medical course
5. Completion of 10th and 12th
Documents required for taking admission in MBBS in the USA:
1. Statement of purpose (SOP)
2. Letter of recommendation (LOR)
3. Criminal background verification
4. Curriculum vitae (CV)
5. Evaluation of foreign transcript by an accredited agency
6. High school certificate
7. TOEFL score of 90-100 or IELTS score of 6.0-7.5
8. Undergraduate degree in science with a least 3.0 GPA
9. MCAT results to choose a college/university
Student Visa Requirements to Study In the USA
There are presently over one million international students studying in the United States, and you may join them with some preparation and help. We've put together the F-1 visa criteria to help you get started.
If you want to apply for an F-1 student visa, you should be aware of many F-1 visa restrictions. For your application to be accepted, you must satisfy the following requirements:
- University certification - SEVP Immigration & Customs Enforcement must authorise the college or university where you intend to study.
- Full-time enrolment means that you must be enrolled as a full-time student at the school for the academic semester.
- English language competence - You must satisfy the institution's necessary English language proficiency score or be enrolled in courses that will help you enhance your English proficiency.
- Sufficient funding - You must demonstrate that you have enough money to cover your education and living needs while in the United States.
- Valid passport - Your passport must be valid for at least six months following the finish date of your programme.
- Home country residency - You must have a domicile in your home country to which you will return after completing your degree.
Did You Know?
In the United States, there are two types of student visas. The F-1 visa is for academic students entering the nation, whereas the M-1 visa is for vocational students.The majority of international students will be considering the F-1 visa, which allows them to attend higher education institutions.
Best Universities to Study In the USA
With over 1.1 million international students, the United States has risen to the top of the list of study destinations. One of the main reasons students travel to the United States to study is the high reputation that US colleges and degrees have. Many leading institutions in the United States excel at teaching standards and contribute to students' overall growth. Let us have a look at the greatest universities in the United States:
University |
QS World Ranking 2023 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
1 |
Stanford University |
3 |
Harvard University |
5 |
California Institute of Technology (Caltech) |
6 |
University of Chicago |
10 |
University of Pennsylvania |
13 |
Yale University |
14 |
Columbia University |
19 |
Princeton University |
20 |
Cornell University |
21 |
USA Admission Process
The admission procedure for university education in the United States begins with course selection and finishes with visa acceptance. The complete procedure is detailed here.
1. Course Selection:
For prospective students, choosing the correct course is critical. There are hundreds of educational courses to choose from, and picking which one to take might be difficult. Please contact the Career Counselor if you have any questions about course selection or its scope.
2. Selection of the right universities:
After deciding on the course you want to pursue, look for institutions that offer your chosen programme. The institution should be chosen based on a variety of considerations, such as its resources, facilities, housing, fee structure, and job opportunities. US institutions approach us for unbiased information and shortlisting.
3. Contact University's Admissions Department:
Contact US universities for further information on their teaching techniques, internships, housing, cost structure, and admission information for international students, among other things. You may reach them via mail or phone.
4. Examine Admission Criteria: Examine the eligibility criteria and the list of papers necessary for university admission. The qualifying standards range from one university to the next.
5. Take the Entrance Test: Schedule your IELTS, TOEFL, PTE, GRE, GMAT, SAT, OET, and other examinations 6 months in advance.
6. Prepare your SOP and LORs:
While completing your application form, you must submit an SOP (Statement of Purpose) and 1-3 LORs (Letters of Recommendation) to the universities.
"The SOP is an essay in which you explain why you want to study abroad, your aims and aspirations, and how you intend to contribute to the university and community."
"A letter of recommendation (LOR) is issued by an employer or professor that states the applicant's personal qualities and professional performance."
7. Fill up Application Form:
After gathering all of the relevant papers, SOP, and LOR, you can now fill out the application forms for all of the universities you've chosen. Pay the application fee online by visiting the appropriate websites. Scholarship applications may need the completion of additional paperwork.
8. Await the acceptance letter: Your application's status will be communicated to you via your registered email address, whether approved or refused.
9. Fee Payment:
Once accepted by a university, submit the entrance fee.
10. Apply for a US Study Visa: Fill out an F or M visa application and Form I-20.
Planning ahead of time and understanding what is necessary and what documents you will need to prepare will make applying to universities in the United States easier. Before submitting your application, make sure you have funds available for each application, a valid passport, and test scores relevant to your programme.If you want to study in the United States, the country of opportunity, but aren't sure which institutions to go to or which courses to take, contact AECC, where our counsellors will not only help you pick the finest programmes but will also aid you in completing the admission-related formalities.
FAQs
What are the requirements to study in the USA for Bangladesh students?
The following are the prerequisites for a Bangladesh student to learn in the United States:
- Excellent performance on the general examinations and the English Proficiency test.
- Letter of acceptance from the university.
- Passport must be valid.
Which exam is accepted in the USA?
Aside from English language tests, the most common examinations approved in the United States are the SAT/ACT, GRE, GMAT, MCAT, and LSAT. Undergraduate applications require SAT and ACT scores, whereas graduate-level courses require GMAT/GRE and MCAT scores.