Embassy of the United States

Study in the US

Frequently Asked Question

Education in USA

1.  What is the structure of U.S. higher education?

There are undergraduate and graduate degree programs.  Within undergraduate are associate's degrees (two years) and bachelor's degrees (four years).  At the graduate level are master's degrees and doctoral degrees.

2.  Are "colleges" and "institutes" in the U.S. as good as "universities"?   

Degree-granting institutions, accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-approved accrediting organization, can be referred to by any of these terms. Colleges and institutes are not inferior to universities.  As a general rule, colleges tend to be smaller than universities and usually only offer undergraduate degrees, while universities offer graduate degrees.  Institutes often specialize in certain fields e.g. engineering, art, etc.

3.  What is a community college?

Community colleges provide two-year associate degree programs as well as technical and vocational programs.  They can be public or private institutions and are sometimes called junior colleges or two-year colleges.  Tuition costs are often lower at two-year than at four-year institutions, and many have articulation/twining agreements to allow students in transfer programs to move easily into the third year of a bachelor's degree at a university.  A growing number of international students choose to study at community colleges.

4.  I am a Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) scholarship recipient.  Where do I go for information and assistance?

Please refer to the MOHE website (http://www.mohe.gov.sa/) for up-to-date information as there are rules and regulations attached to scholarship programs. The MOHE provides an Admission Center to help scholarship recipients and it is important to follow the center's advice about MOHE-approved ESL schools and MOHE-approved universities.  Note: Procedures and requirements for MOHE scholarship recipients may be different from information presented in this FAQ section.

5.  When do I begin my search for universities in the States? 

It is recommend that you begin your search 12-18 months before your intended departure date. For example if you plan to start study in the U.S. in September 2008, you should begin your search in June/July of 2007.

6.  How do I begin my search?  

Ask yourself a few questions:

• What do I want to study?
• Does my secondary school coursework prepare me for the demands of this major?
• Can I meet admission requirements?
• What kind of environment do I want to live in? (large city, small town, cold climate, close to family, etc.)
• Do I want to go to a small (Under 5,000), medium (10,000+) or large (20,000+) school?
• What is my budget and how much can my family afford?
• Do I want to go to a private or public institution?
• Do I want to attend a university that has services for international students?

7.  Can you give me a list of the top schools in business?

Many ranking lists are created by magazines and other publications.  No list has official status or is endorsed by the U.S. government. Rankings are likely to be subjective and they are generally based on a wide range of criteria that do not necessarily include academic standards.  The more established rankings may give you a starting point for your decision, however, the "best" college or university for you will be based on many other factors, including how you feel about a program's potential to meet your needs. 

8.  How many universities should I apply to? 

If you have conducted thorough research with the Ministry of Higher Education Admission Center and/or an Education Advisor, you will probably only need to apply to 6-12 institutions. 

9.  What documents must I submit for admission to U.S. colleges and universities?

Individual institutions set their own admission requirements and application procedures.  Check college/university websites and/or printed application materials for details. You may be required to submit the following items before universities evaluate your application:

• A completed application form
• An application fee
• Official copy of your academic transcripts stamped by the Ministry of Education.  If the transcript is not in English, then it needs to be translated by a Ministry of Higher Education-approved translator and then stamped by the Ministry of Education. 
• An application essay
• Two or three letters of recommendation.
• Financial documents proving you have adequate funds, or a scholarship, to study in the U.S.
• Official standardized test scores sent directly to the university from the testing company (TOEFL iBT/SAT/GMAT/GRE, etc.)

All items must be submitted according to application deadlines set by the college. Deadlines can range anywhere from 3 to 9 months before classes start.

10.  Which standardized tests will I be required to take?

Generally speaking, the TOEFL iBT is required of all international applicants, regardless of the intended field or level of study.

Undergraduate students are often required to take the SAT Reasoning Test. Some competitive institutions require scores from the SAT Subject Tests.

With the exception of GMAT for MBA programs, graduate students are almost always required to take the GRE General Test.  A few graduate programs will require scores from the GRE Subject Tests in addition to the GRE General Test. 

You need a strong command of both spoken and written English. If an applicant cannot speak English, then that individual would need to enroll in an Intensive English or English as a Second Language (ESL) program and achieve a designated level of proficiency prior to matriculation. 

Always check university websites for specific details on standardized test requirements.

11.  I would like to take a preparation course for a standardized test (TOEFL iBT, SAT, GRE, etc).  Do you offer these classes at the Embassy/Consulates?

The U.S. Embassy/Consulates do not provide classes for the public.  There may be some language schools or institutes in your area that offer preparation courses.  Most students preparing for a standardized test purchase study guides at local bookstores, such as Jarir Bookstore.  There are also online preparation courses and practice tests.  For more information contact the Education Advising Offices at the Embassy/Consulates.

12.  The university, to which I am applying, asked that my transcripts be reviewed by a credential evaluator.  What does this mean?

Universities might evaluate your grades and documents themselves, or they might require international applicants to pay an outside company, called a credential evaluator, to evaluate.  Follow application directions provided on the institution's website.  Some universities will indicate what credential evaluation company they want you to use.  For a list of evaluators, go to the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services website at http://www.naces.org/members.htm

13.  My application requires a notarized signature.  How can I get my signature notarized?

Some applications, mostly for medical schools, require an applicant's signature to be notarized. This service is offered through U.S. Citizen Services.  Details can be found at

14.  When are the university application deadlines?  

For students interested in starting programs in August/September, deadlines may be as early as November of the previous year.  Since every university has its own deadlines, it is best to locate these dates on each university's website.  There are also universities that have rolling admissions where applications can be submitted throughout the year and decisions made on a monthly basis.

15.  How much does it cost to study in the U.S.?

The cost of study in the United States varies widely among universities and the cost of living from one location to the next.  Comprehensive costs can range from US$12,000 per year to over US$40,000 per year. Scholarships for Saudi students are available from the Ministry of Higher Education and also from a limited number of U.S. universities. 

The figures listed below are designed to provide some indication of how much students can expect to pay for 12 months of study in the U.S.

Finances Per Year

Tuition                           $4,000-$25,000

Room-board                    $2,000-$10,000

Books-supplies                $400-1,000

Health Insurance             $500-$1,000

Personal Expenses           $1,200-$3,000

Travel to USA                 $1,200

Total                            $12,000-$40,000

16.  How do I find out if a college/university is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education (USDOE)-approved accrediting organization?

The U.S. Department of Education has an online database, which provides the names of postsecondary institutions and programs accredited by a USDOE-approved accrediting organization.  The database has multiple search functions, allowing search options by name, location, type of institution, accrediting association, etc.

U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions & Programs

http://www.ope.ed.gov/accreditation/

In addition, the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) is another website that lists postsecondary institutions and programs that are accredited by USDOE-approved accrediting organizations.

Council for Higher Education Accreditation

http://www.chea.org/  

If you would like step-by-step directions for the U.S. DOE database,  Click Here  If you have difficulty navigating these websites, contact an Education Advising Office at the U.S. Embassy/Consulates and an advisor will assist you.

17.  Will my degree be recognized/equalized in Saudi Arabia?

If you are a Saudi citizen, you will want to make sure that the colleges/universities you apply to are recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education (MOHE) in Saudi Arabia.  The MOHE has a list of approved schools by major and degree type on its website, http://www.mohe.gov.sa/ This is important because when you return to Saudi Arabia you will probably want to have your degree equalized by the MOHE.  

18.  I went to university in the United States and I need to have my documents authenticated/attested by the U.S. Embassy or Consulates.  How do I get this done?

The Education Advising Offices (EAO) at the U.S. Embassy/Consulates ONLY authenticate/attest documents from schools that are accredited by U.S. Department of Education-approved accrediting organizations.  Your college/university must be listed in either the U.S. Department of Education or CHEA databases in order for the degree to be authenticated/attested.  This service is provided by appointment only and arrangements can be made through EAO. 

19.  I need to get my U.S. degree certified/authenticated by The Saudi Arabian Cultural Mission to the USA (SACM) in Washington, DC.  How do I do this?

It is possible that a Ministry will refuse to accept an authentication of the U.S. Embassy/Consulate. You should then contact the Saudi Embassy/SACM in Washington, DC to get your degree certified.  Their website provides document certification regulations/requirements.  http://www.saudiembassy.net/Travel/DocReg.asp

20.  I want to earn my degree online because I am unable to leave Saudi Arabia to study.  How do I begin to search for a U.S. Department of Education-approved college/university?

Distance education is a popular way to study and you will want to make sure that the college/university you enroll in is accredited by a U.S. Department of Education-approved accrediting organization. There are MANY online colleges and universities that are not recognized.  If in doubt, contact an Education Advising Office for assistance when selecting programs.  If you hope to have your online degree recognized by the Ministry of Higher Education, check with them prior to enrollment.