General University Requirements

1.  Completed and signed school application forms   

2.  Copy of Passport (If you have a passport now.  Otherwise, send a copy as soon as you receive the passport)

3,  Bank statement: Either, (a) a copy of a current Bank Statement in US dollars in student’s name between $10,000 and $19,000 US dollars depending on the school. (if you are providing your own financial support) or, (b) letter of support written and singed by the financial sponsor along with his/her current bank statement in US dollars for least $10,000 to $19,000, along with his/her current bank statement that amounts to at least $10,000 to $19,000. 

4.  Currency Conversion: If you or your sponsor can not get the bank statement in US dollars you may get the conversion from the internet and submit the printed the page showing the conversion and include it with the bank statement. www.currency-exchange.co.uk/Currency-Converter.htm

 5.  Sponsor letter and financial form: if you are using a sponsor, the university will need a signed letter from the sponsor stating, "I am the sponsor for _______ and I intend to provide him/her with financial assistance during his/her first year at up to the amount of $_____."  

 6.  GRE AND GMAT  Most four-year institutions require the GRE or GMAT (business majors) score for graduate applicants.  Required scores range from a minimum of 500 on the GMAT and 1500 on the GRE (old scoring system) or 1000 Verbal & Quantitive combined and 3.5 for Analytical. (new scoring system).  For more information regarding these tests visit www.gre.org and www.gmat.org

There are some universities that do not require these tests.  However, it is important to realize that getting admitted into a college or university is only half the battle.  You also must be granted the visa so that you can attend the school.  Therefore, it is our suggestion that even if these tests are not required you should consider taking them so that you have a better chance of receiving the visa.  There are some countries, such as Nigeria, where a student will automatically be denied if they have not taken one of these tests.

7.  Two letters of recommendation. The recommendation letters must be one each from a supervisor and from a co-worker. The letters should support in detail the writer’s assessment of the applicant’s ability to successfully complete studies in the US.

8.  Resume:  Applicants need a resume (curriculum vitae).  The resume needs to include personal information (name, address, date of birth), work history, educational history, any research or publications in your field, any honors or awards received, and any organizations to which you belong.

9.  Evidence of English proficiency, or a minimum TOEFL score of 550 (213 computer base) or 6.0 on IELTs. or documentation showing you have taken at least two years of classes taught in English.  (Documentation that you have studied in English may be, a letter stating that English is the medium of instruction, or a special letter from the university stating that fact).  Official TOEFL will need to be submitted in order for the English proficiency to show on the I-20.    English programs are available for those who do not have the required proficiency.   Applicants’ English skills will be tested when you arrive to the school.  Those who do not pass the test will need to take English Proficiency classes. 

   TOEFL

TOEFL is the Test Of English as a Foreign Language.  Most American colleges and universities require an official TOEFL score as part of the application materials from international students whose native tongue is not English.  It is also recommended that students take an official score report with them to the visa interview.  TOEFL exams can be taken in paper or (in some countries) computer-based versions.  Most schools require the following minimum scores:  Paper-based test 550+ and Computer-based 213+.  For more information on the TOEFL test visit www.toefl.org .

Schools admitting students with less than minimum scores usually require the student to take English as a Second Language courses.  The student's I-20 will state "English is not proficient" and the student will usually be accepted into a program "conditionally".  This means that the student may not be able to take regular academic classes until they have taken and passed the ESL classes.

    IELTS 

IELTS is the International English Language Testing System.  Some colleges and universities are now accepting this score in place of or in addition to the TOEFL score.  A score of 5.5 would be approximate to a written TOEFL score of 500, 6.0  to 550 and 6.5  to 600.

10.   Certificate/diploma/proof of Bachelor's degree ( high school degree for bachelor's degree program) awarded in original language as well as an English translation, officially done with translator's seal and signature

11.   Official or attested TRANSCRIPTS in original language as well as an English translation, sealed in an university envelope.  If English was not the medium of instruction, then you need to have the translator's seal and signature.  Transcripts need show every year that you studied at the university level.  It is important that the transcripts show all subjects taken and all grades or marks earned for each subject.  It also is very helpful if the grading system of the university is shown on each record. You should show they have the equivalent of a 2.75 GPA or greater.  

 12.  Dependent Documentation: If you are planning on bringing you spouse and/or children you will need to provide copies of the dependents’ passports, birth certificates, marriage certificate (for spouse) along with a letter giving the following details for each family member you plan on bringing: Full name, date of birth, country of Birth, and country of citizenship.  You also will need to show an increase in the bank statement of $6,000 per family member that you are planning on bringing. 

 13.  Additional Documents if you are in the U.S.    a) If you are currently enrolled at a US university or college, a completed transfer form from your current university,  non-immigration verification of status form and I-20 b) Copies of visa, passport, I-94, and c) foreign address.