International Student English Requirements
Jkobe Peoples
Other popular college ranking lists include Forbes, The Princeton Review, and Times Higher Education. Foreign students in the US can use rankings to see which colleges provide a quality education. But remember: Rankings should not be the only criteria you use to choose a university.
For many international students in the USA, your major (or the focus of your academic studies) might be the most important factor when choosing colleges to apply to in the United States. If you have multiple academic interests, you may be able to complete a double major at a particular college or university. Or, you may decide to add a minor (a secondary academic focus that requires about half the total classes taken for a major).
If you are unsure about what you want to study in the USA, do not worry: In the United States, most students change their minds on what their intended major will be during their time in college, and 20 to 50% of undergraduate students begin their first year in college with an undeclared major.
While every US university has its own admissions criteria, there are several common requirements they share. In general, American universities require the following from international student applicants:
Keep in mind that college application deadlines are important. For more selective colleges that admit students through early action or early decision, you may need to submit your applications by November or December.
If you are considering studying at a Shorelight university in the US, there is a separate online application you can use to apply directly to one or more colleges or universities, and many do not require foreign students to submit an essay or SAT/ACT scores.
Simply put, studying at American universities is expensive. But what is different about paying for college in the United States is that there may be academic, athletic, artistic, and even service-based scholarships available, or need-based financial aid (like grants for international students), depending on the university or college.
When it comes to paying for college, do not rule out certain universities based on their total costs. Check and see if these colleges offer any financial aid for international students in the USA to help cover expenses.
If you have applied for undergraduate study in the USA at multiple universities, it is so exciting to get good news and learn that one or more have accepted you. This means you will need to make a big decision and choose which university you want to attend.
Once you have made your decision, go back to your admission letter or email. It will have next steps to accept your offer, how to receive the I-20 form needed to apply for your student visa, and the dates to arrive on campus for the beginning of classes. For many US colleges, a tuition (and possibly housing) deposit is required by a specific deadline to secure your place.
Once you have made the all-important decision of where to study in the US, the next step is getting your visa. There are three main types of visas to choose from, each with their own student visa requirements:
F-1: This student visa permits you to study at US universities or colleges with funding from friends, family, or yourself. You are also permitted to work part-time on campus for a maximum of 20 hours per week when your academic term is in session. F-1 visa students may be eligible to work off campus during their first year on a case-by-case basis depending on special circumstances such as financial hardship.After their first year, F-1 visa students may engage in certain types of off-campus work which include:
J-1: With this student visa, you can participate in study- and work-related exchange programs at US colleges or universities approved by the U.S. Department of State Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. Your program must be funded by an educational or nonprofit sponsor. On a J-1 visa, you may be authorized to work part time on campus according to the terms of your visa or off campus after receiving permission from the responsible officer mentioned on your DS-2019 form (based on serious economic hardship). The duration of work may be limited to a maximum of 18 months (or for PhD students, a maximum of 36 months).
M-1: If you want to pursue vocational studies, you can apply for a M-1 visa which permits you to study at institutes certified by the Student and Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP). Program funding may come from friends, family, or yourself. On a M-1 student visa, are allowed to engage in practical training only after completing your studies, and any off-campus work should be related to your studies and approved by your Designated School Official. Note that you will need an Employment Authorized Document (EAD) before starting work and you can only work for a maximum of six months.
To apply for a F-1 or M-1 visa, you will need an I-20 form, and for a J-1 visa you will need a DS-2019 form. While each form is slightly different depending on the visa, they all cover personal information (full name, birthdate, SEVIS ID numbers, academic program, English proficiency standard, start date, and funding sources).
Some colleges will send you an I-20 or DS-2019 with your admission letter, especially if you have documented that you have the funding available for at least one year of academic study and are not required to pay a deposit. Other US universities will only send an I-20 or DS-2019 after funding is documented, any institutional financial awards are made, and a deposit is paid.
To learn more about the DS-160 form, check out our DS160 form explained article or speak to a Shorelight advisor. Our advisors can act as your guide to US universities and help you learn how to study in the USA for international students, provide personalized visa assistance, and prepare you for the student visa process.
While you are making arrangements for your visa, it is time to think about the actual arrival on campus! Your US college or university will tell you when you need to arrive for the beginning of the academic term or an optional orientation. Consider arriving early: It is a good idea to give yourself as much preparation time as possible before your first day of classes.
Booking travel should now be a high priority. In addition to your academic term and orientation dates, there are two other dates that are even more important for your travel plans: (1) immigration regulations require you to arrive in the United States no more than 30 days in advance of the program start date on your I-20; (2) you must arrive by that I-20 program start date.
Depending on your university, you will likely know about your options and assignment for student housing before your departure. Many universities offer on-campus housing in dormitories, or have both on- and off-campus options including apartments, complexes, shared houses, and more. Carefully research each option prior to leaving and choose the option that best suits the needs of your lifestyle.
At Shorelight colleges and universities, you will take part in an orientation on arrival and ongoing advising sessions throughout your first year to ease the campus transition process. Sessions on international student housing, health insurance plans, on-campus work options, student activities and organizations, and much more will make you feel welcome.
International students in the US may find that campus life is very different compared to life at home. Before you arrive, it can be helpful to make a list of necessities to take with you to the US. Consider bringing and/or setting up:
A bank account: Research potential banks near campus for you to open an account in the US. Some banks may be affiliated with your university and give you benefits, like campus discounts or special offers at local retailers.
Documentation: Make sure you have all important documents needed for your life as an international student, such as health insurance information, copies of your student visa and I-20 form, passport, recommendation letters, and test scores.
Personal medication: Check with your advisor if any medication you rely on is available in pharmacies near your campus. It may be helpful to bring extra medication with you in case of emergencies.
Each UC campus, including UC Berkeley, has an International Admission Specialist who is familiar with the educational systems of other countries. Complete the educational history section of the application exactly as it appears on your school records.
Students who have completed the IGCSE or O-level exams have not yet met the requirements for admission at UC Berkeley. The university requires further study, either completion of the two-year A-level program with a minimum of three academic exams, the IB diploma program, or another similar academic curriculum.
Students from countries requiring entry into military service upon completion of secondary education should not submit an application until the obligation has been met. UC Berkeley cannot defer admission to a later term.
Language exam results must be received in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions no later than January prior to the fall semester in which the student wishes to enroll. Our code is 4833. Please contact TOEFL to confirm when your test scores are mailed to campuses.
Before a U.S. consul will grant a visa, you must prove that you will have sufficient money to meet all your expenses while studying in the United States. You must explain the source of your funds and guarantee that you will receive them while at UC Berkeley.
Unless you are able to provide written evidence demonstrating you have adequate financial resources for the entire time needed to complete your degree program, the consul will not grant a student visa.
Penn State requires a number of different materials from international students to complete an application. Please review the following requirements to ensure you can provide all of the proper documentation to complete your application.
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