Frequently Asked Questions About U.S. Study
AMIDEAST/Morocco maintains a library of information on U.S. institutions
and offers regularly scheduled presentations
on many different aspects of U.S. study,
free of charge or for a low cost. Our professional
advisers have years of experience in assisting
students with the college selection and
application processes. Visit AMIDEAST/Morocco to browse the library and
learn more about the services available
to you.
AMIDEAST/Morocco offers free sessions on U.S. study.
Please plan to attend one.
With over 3,500 accredited institutions
in the United States, there is much to consider.
Some particularly important factors include
-
Accreditation/recognition. Be sure
the institution is accredited by a body
recognized by the Council on Higher
Education Accreditation and/or the U.S.
Department of Education. Also check
with a local educational advising center
or your countrys ministry of higher
educationsome countries have additional
requirements or recognize a smaller
number of U.S. institutions.
-
Areas of study. Even the biggest schools
do not prepare students for every careerbe
sure the types of programs that you
are interested in are offered by the
schools that you are considering.
-
Cost. Tuition and fees can differ a
lot between one U.S. university and
another. Living costs will also vary
depending on location. Look not only
at costs but also at how much financial
aid may be availablein some cases expensive
schools may be able to offer good financial
aid.
-
Location. Variations in climate and
landscape are large in the United States.
Consider also whether you would prefer
a campus located in an urban, suburban,
or rural setting.
-
Type of institution. Institutions may
be public, private, or religiously affiliated.
They may be large or small, have many
international students or only a few.
-
Qualifications and research interests
of faculty. A match with faculty interests
is particularly important for graduate
students.
-
Facilities and special resources or
programs. For instance, if you are not
fluent in English, you may want to look
for a school that has an English language
program on campus.
-
Admissions standards. How closely do
your qualifications match those of students
accepted to the school? This can give
you an idea how likely you are to be
accepted.
The United States does not publish any
official list of best universities. Some
private organizations compile "best"
lists that have been created based on such
factors as research funds or the opinions
of professionals in a given field. These
lists vary considerably in their conclusions,
which is not surprising given that over
3,500 accredited U.S. universities and colleges
currently operate, each with its own goals
and strengths.
Often the most famous universities are
also the most expensive and the most difficult
to enter. The "best" university
is going to be the one that is right for
you—one that offers your field of study
and meets other criteria important to you
such as location, financing, housing, and
facilities for international students.
AMIDEAST advisers are experienced in matching
students with the best U.S. institution
for their needs. Consider using our individual consultation or U.S. university admission services.
If possible, begin at least one to two
years before you plan to start your program.
The U.S. academic year begins around the
end of August and ends in May. Mid-year
admission (to begin classes in January or
February) may also be possible, but not
in all cases. Application deadlines may
fall as early as the end of November at
some schools. You will also need time to
register for, take, and wait for scores
from standardized tests. Some of these tests
are offered only once or twice each year.
AMIDEAST/Morocco can provide detailed test
information and help you register for required
examinations.
The most commonly required tests are
TOEFL®: If English
is not your native language, you must submit
a TOEFL score. Many institutions require
a minimum score of about 213 on the TOEFL
(equivalent to 550 by the old scoring method)
for both undergraduate and graduate students.
A few schools may not require the TOEFL
if you completed high school or college
in the United States or if you graduated
from a four-year, degree-granting institution
where English is the language of instruction.
SAT® I: The SAT
I may be required of some undergraduate
applicants. No standard score is required;
results are weighed with secondary school
grades and other elements of the undergraduate
application.
SAT II: Each SAT II examination
tests knowledge in a specific subject area.
One or more may be required of some undergraduate
applicants.
GRE®: Most graduate
applicants are required to submit results
on the Graduate Record Examination general
test and sometimes subject tests as well.
Some graduate programs require specific
minimum verbal or quantitative scores.
GMAT®: Graduate
applicants in business- and accountancy-related
areas usually must take the Graduate Management
Admission Test. A minimum score of 500 is
often required, with a score of at least
25 percent on the verbal portion.
TSE®: The Test of
Spoken English may be required for graduate
students seeking teaching assistantships.
AMIDEAST/Morocco can guide you through
the maze of requirements and paperwork.
Schedule
an appointment with one of our professionals
now.
Application procedures will vary slightly
from one university to another. Here are
the common steps:
- Check scheduled dates for the TOEFL
or any other exam required for your field
and level of study. Register at least
two months before the date you wish to
take these exams.
- After research, make a list of schools
that seem to match your needs and preferences.
Send e-mails or letters to each requesting
information and application forms.
- When you receive the application forms,
complete one form for each of the three
to seven universities that best meet your
needs and send each one, along with the
application fee, to the university. Your
academic documents and test scores may
be sent later, although applications received
without the application fee will be returned.
Test scores must be sent directly from
the testing agency. Copies are not acceptable.
- Ask schools that you have attended to
submit official transcripts showing the
courses you took. If you took a school-leaving
examination, also send a copy of these
results. Most U.S. colleges and universities
also ask for recommendations to be sent
directly by teachers, employers, or others
aware of your strengths. Documents not
in English must be accompanied by a certified
English translation.
AMIDEAST/Morocco can certify true copies
of educational documents if your school
is not able to provide multiple original
transcripts. They can also help with filling
out applications and provide consultations to answer your specific
questions.
For full guidance on the application process,
visit AMIDEAST/Morocco.
Use the same spelling of your name on all
application forms, test applications, and
so forth. Use the spelling that is on your
passport if you have one. Differences in
spelling from one document to another can
cause problems.
Type or word process materials when possible,
or print very neatly.
Usually students are asked to write an
essay, personal statement, or statement
of purpose. Specific guidelines may be provided
by the institution but these essays usually
serve the following purposes:
-
Graduate programs are most interested
in learning details about the applicant's
desired area of study, their career
goals, and how the program being applied
for meets the applicant's specific academic
needs.
-
At the undergraduate level, the essay
allows the admissions staff to gain
a better feel for the applicant's individual
personality and background. How are
you different from other applicants?
The essay may also provide a good place
to discuss your interests and skills
that are not fully described in other
parts of the application.
If you intend to major in performing arts
areas such as music or dance, you may have
to provide a videotape or an audiotape of
a performance. Artists may be required to
provide a portfolio or slides of their work.
You will be required to submit a financial
statement from a bank stating that your
familys account contains enough money to
cover your expenses during the first year
of university.
Use airmail for all materials sent from
outside the United States or apply on-line
if possible. Keep a copy of everything you
send to institutions.
There will probably be items on the application
that do not fit international students (such
as Social Security number, zip code, and
so forth). You can leave these blank—
you may attach a cover letter explaining
why certain items have been left unanswered
if you feel anything might be confusing.
AMIDEAST/Morocco can help you sort through
the over 3,500 institutions in the United
States providing on-line information on
their programs. Please contact us to make an appointment for personal
assistance.
There are many sites on the Web where you
can find information on U.S. colleges and
universities and even applications to apply
for their programs. Be aware that
some of these sites do not include information
on every U.S. institutionsome list only
schools that have paid to be included.
For comprehensive, unbiased information
on U.S. study, visit AMIDEAST/Morocco.
You should also always contact the colleges
and universities that interest you directly
to get the most current and complete information
on programs.
Here are links to some Web sites that may
be helpful. AMIDEAST/Morocco can provide
additional resources based on your particular
interests.
AMIDEAST
Institutional Members. Colleges, universities,
and other institutions that have chosen
to be AMIDEAST members in order to better
serve their Arab applicants.
American
Universities. Alphabetical list
of links to the home pages of U.S. Universities
granting bachelors or advanced degrees.
Community College Web.
Links to over 1,100 two-year college home
pages plus approximately 200 related Web
pages.
Edupass. Specifically for international
students considering U.S. study, this site
discusses admissions, financing, English
language study, visas, cultural differences,
U.S. life and more.
Petersons. This educational publishers
Web site allows searching not only for collegiate
and graduate programs, but also for English
language programs, summer opportunities,
distance education, private secondary schools,
and much more.
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