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Start with our pages on Choosing
and Applying to U.S. Colleges and
Universities and Testing,
which cover the most frequently asked
questions on this subject.
Also visit the Fields
of Study section to learn more about
particular majors in which you are interested.
[link to fields front page]
Below are the additional questions that
we’ve researched so far related to
U.S. undergraduate admissions and study.
Each month, we add any new questions we’ve
responded to on this subject, so check back
for more.
If you have questions not currently answered
on our site, please write
us.
What’s a “liberal arts
education”? A “liberal arts
college”?
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U.S. undergraduate study
focuses on exploration of varied areas
of knowledge rather than immediate specialization.
Students are expected to establish a
broad base of “general education”
or “liberal arts” study
through courses that provide solid background
in the arts, social sciences and languages,
science, and mathematics. This type
of education is offered in most U.S.
undergraduate programs, not just at
“liberal arts colleges.”
Institutions characterizing themselves
as liberal arts colleges typically have
a strong focus on undergraduate teaching.
They may have smaller classes and more
selective admissions than other types
of institutions, but this will vary
from institution to institution—it
is best to look at the particular college
rather than relying on its classification.
What are the different types
of U.S. university scholarships for undergraduate
students?
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Awards based on academic
excellence (often called “merit”
awards) are the most common type available
to international students. Level of
financial need is often also a factor
and some awards are primarily “need
based,” though it is hard for
U.S. universities to accurately determine
financial need in the case of Iranian
students.
“Talent” awards are usually
for ability in the visual or performing
arts. You may have to submit a portfolio
of your work or an audio- or videotape
of yourself performing, or even audition
in person. Consult the specific school
for details.
Other awards may be based on your
past involvement in community leadership
and service, or they may require you
to spend a certain number of hours
in support of the local U.S. community.
In the case of international students,
service may take the form of speaking
about your country to community and
school groups.
Some awards are reserved for women
(or, less often, men), international
students or U.S. citizens, members
of particular religious or ethnic
groups, or other special categories
such as individuals with disabilities.
I’ve heard that it’s
less expensive to attend a community college
for my first two years of undergraduate
study. Can you tell me more about this?
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Yes, two-year undergraduate
institutions (“community colleges”)
are typically less expensive than
four-year institutions, though they
do not generally offer financial aid
as do many four-year institutions.
Community colleges also typically
offer such advantages as a flexible
and less demanding admissions process,
faculty who concentrate exclusively
on teaching, and good student support
services.
As indicated by the name, community
colleges were historically founded
to serve local communities, with most
students living close by. While international
students are welcome, typically there
is no on-campus housing and extracurricular
campus activities may be limited.
Many students begin their undergraduate
study at a community college, graduate
with an associate’s degree,
then transfer their credits to a four-year
institution and finish the last two
years of the bachelor’s degree
there.
Not all two-year degrees are designed
to transfer. Some are vocational,
designed to provide workplace skills,
and will not transfer. Make sure you
are entering a transfer program if
you want a bachelor’s degree.
Specific transfer/articulation agreements
between two- and four-year colleges
are helpful in ensuring maximum credit
transfer, so find out about agreements
colleges you are considering may have
established. Academic planning can
be complicated, so meet early with
the academic adviser at your two-year
college as well as discussing your
plan in advance with four-year colleges
that interest you.
What are some ways that I can
earn credit toward an undergraduate
degree before I actually enter a U.S.
college?
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Undergraduates may
be able to earn credit for postsecondary-level
courses that they have taken previously
that are comparable to those offered
by the U.S. university they plan
to attend. Check with individual
admissions offices regarding this
possibility and how to have such
credits evaluated.
Over 2,900 U.S. institutions also
award credit for success on particular
examinations. Which examinations
and scores needed vary by institution.
You can read
more about two of the
more commonly accepted and widely
available tests, CLEP and DSST,
on this site.
If you have work experience that
includes structured corporate training
(or other nondegree training) or
if you have taken professional certification
tests, check to see if they are
included in the credit recommendation
published by the American
Council on Education.
Be aware that the recommendations
are only recommendations and will
not be accepted by all universities.
Other advanced nondegree training,
work, or other life experience can
sometimes, though less commonly,
be considered for credit. Again,
the key is to show that knowledge
gained through such training or
experience is comparable to specific
courses offered by the U.S. university.
This may involve “portfolio
assessment,” which can be
a fairly complex process, varying
from school to school. You would
probably only want to pursue portfolio
assessment if you have a really
substantial amount of life experience
that you think might be applicable;
if so, ask universities if such
assessment is a possibility there.
When can I expect to
hear back from universities
to which I have applied, and
what are the next steps
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/ Hide Answer
Undergraduates
may be able to earn credit
for postsecondary-level
courses that they have taken
Many universities do not
make admission decisions
until March or April. The
university will not act
upon your application until
they have received all required
documents, including any
required test scores (which
must be sent from the testing
agency). Applying to schools
with rolling admissions
may help you get a quicker
answer but you will still
have to wait until your
application is complete
before it is acted upon.
Once you have
heard from the different
universities that you applied
to (be sure to apply to
more than one!), make your
decision among those accepting
you and write a letter to
the university that you
choose, confirming that
you accept admission.
In addition
to a formal offer of admissions,
the accepting institution
provides successful applicants
with an I-20 form, which
allows the student to obtain
an F-1 or "student"
visa. (Students sponsored
by the U.S. government other
exchange program will instead
receive an IAP-66 from that
exchange program, which
enables the student to obtain
a J-1 or "exchange
visitor" visa.) You
will need to take the form
provided along with your
letter of admission, academic
records, and financial documents
when you apply for a visa.
Write to any
other universities that
you had applied to informing
them that you will not attend
and enclosing the unused
I-20s.
Some universities
and colleges ask for a monetary
deposit prior to registration.
If this is the case, check
whether the deposit is refundable,
especially in case the U.S.
visa is denied. Reserve
housing if desired. Health
forms also usually need
to be completed prior to
registration, requiring
documentation of vaccinations
and a medical examination.
See “Questions
and Answers on Visas”
for more on obtaining a
visa.
How does the Iranian grading system compare to the U.S. grading system?
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Iranian grades awarded on a 1-4 point scale are usually considered equivalent to the U.S. grading scale. For grades awarded on a 1-20 scale, 17 and above would typically considered equivalent to an A average (at the top of the U.S. grading scale). Do not change grades to try to match them with the U.S. scale when you are translating your transcripts but leave the numbers as they are. U.S. admissions offices will evaluate the grades themselves or refer you to a credential evaluation company.
How should my educational credentials be provided to U.S. universities?
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/ Hide Answer
If at all possible, have your school or university in Iran send transcripts (originals or certified photocopies in a sealed, stamped envelope) directly to the U.S. institution to which you are applying. Many U.S. universities require this. Send English translations but be sure to also send the originals in Persian.
Also send a photocopy of any degree certificates/diplomas.
I am older than most students. Am I still eligible to enter U.S. universities?
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/ Hide Answer
By U.S. law, universities are not permitted to discriminate based on age. You will be asked for your date of birth on various forms, but this is for identification purposes rather than being part of the admissions process. Your age will not be a factor considered in admission decisions.
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