Volume 1, Issue 1

Volume 1, Issue 1

Introduction

The purpose of this newsletter is to update Iranian students on new developments related to studying in the United States, inform them of answers to frequently asked questions, and address important education topics.

The web site has 10 major sections on topics such as visas, fields of study and graduate study in the United States.  We have also made the following updates:

Finally, we would like to thank everyone who has contacted us with questions. We are working hard to address all the inquiries we receive.

Popular Question:  Iranian Credentials

In this section of our newsletter we will answer a frequently asked question from our mailbag.

This volume will address whether documents from Iranian universities are accepted by U.S. universities.

The answer is yes, typically.  If you received your degree from an Iranian university accredited by the Ministry of Education, then U.S. university admissions offices will generally accept your degree. This includes degrees from both public and private universities in Iran. You can always double check with the university admissions office in the United States if you are uncertain.

It is important to note that U.S. universities prefer to receive transcripts with the official stamp of the institution in a sealed and stamped envelope.  The same goes for letters of recommendation—they should be sent to the universities in a sealed envelope with the signature of the person providing the recommendation on the back of the envelope across the seal.

Also, if you are applying to a U.S. university from a less well-known Iranian institution, you may want to mention specifically to the admissions office that your university is approved to issue degrees by the Ministry of Education.

How to Start Researching Degree Programs

Many students write in with the following question, “I’m majoring in__. How do I find a university in the United States that offers my program?”

One way to begin answering this question is by using a web site called Petersons.com. This web site allows you to search U.S. universities and to find details on their programs and sometimes individual faculty research.

Interested in pursuing a master’s or Ph.D. program? Click here for the graduate section. Undergraduates click here.

Another site that is useful in researching universities but that is only for graduate students is gradschools.com

The College Board offers a search program just for undergraduates.

Research programs thoroughly. You may find additional possibilities as you do so. Also, remember that you should apply to approximately seven universities if possible. If it is not possible to apply to seven, at minimum apply to four.

Where to Take the TOEFL & IELTS in Iran

ETS, the company that created the TOEFL exam (the Test Of English as a Foreign Language) is now offering the test in six different Iranian cities: Amol, Chabahar, Isfahan, Shiraz, Tabriz, and Tehran.Generally Internet-based (iBT) TOEFL tests are offered four times a month. Paper-based tests (PBT) tests are offered much less frequently and this version of the test is expected to be slowly phased out entirely. The TOEFL registration fee is 5 or approximately 143,871 tomans. Click here for more information.

Another English language assessment test offered is the IELTS(International English Language Testing System).  Not all U.S. universities accept the IELTS, but over 1,500 schools do. It is always a good idea to check first. IELTS is offered in two locations in Tehran only.  The IELTS test fee is 7 or approximately 155,320 tomans. Click here for more information.

Student Visa Applications in Dubai

For a few months Iranians could not schedule visa appointments in Dubai online; this situation has been remedied and now students can make online visa appointments. Click here to fill out the form to make an appointment.

Click here for information on the documentation that you will need to provide during your student visa interview.

Other locations with designated Persian-speaking consular officers familiar with the Iranian educational system and documents are Ankara, Turkey, and Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

GRE and GRE Subject Tests in Iran

The Graduate Record Examinations (GRE) General Test is required for students applying to most (though not all) graduate-level programs in the United States. This test is composed of three parts, as described at www.gre.org:

Verbal Reasoning.   The skills measured include the test taker's ability to—

Quantitative Reasoning The skills measured include the test taker's ability to—

Analytical Writing 
The skills measured include the test taker's ability to—

GRE Subject Tests gauge undergraduate achievement in the eight disciplines listed below. Each Subject Test is intended for students who have majored in or have extensive background in that specific area. GRE subject tests can be useful in increasing the applicant’s competitiveness and are required by some programs in the fields in which tests are offered. Check with the U.S. college or university to which you are applying to for specific information on requirements. Subject test are offered in:

GRE Test Centers in Iran:

 In Iran, all GRE tests are currently the paper-based version.  They are offered through—

Candidates can register by going to any of these centers and purchasing a voucher.

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