Documents required for admission to universities in the USA/UK

High school students and school graduates who dream of getting a higher education abroad know about the need to collect a lot of "papers" - documents for this. And successfully passing tests like the SAT, including language tests like TOEFL is only part of the task. You will need a visa, a passport and other papers. Admission to universities in the USA and Great Britain is a complex and responsible process that requires the preparation of various documents. In this article, we will consider in detail what documents are required for admission to universities in these countries.

The quest - "study abroad" begins with the selection of an educational institution, of which there are many in America and Great Britain. The required number of points on the exam, the list of documents, the date of acceptance of applications and, in general, the future of the applicant depend on this.

Documents for admission to US universities

1. Application for admission

• Most universities use general application forms, such as the Common Application or Coalition Application. The application includes personal information, academic history and selected programs.

2. High School Diploma

• You must provide a copy of your high school diploma (or equivalent) showing completion of school.

3. Transcripts

• Official grades for all years of schooling. These documents must be certified and sent directly from your school.

4. Letters of Recommendation

• Typically 1-3 letters from teachers or other individuals who can attest to your academic achievements and personal qualities.

5. Essay or Motivation Letter

• In the essay, you should outline your goals, reasons for choosing a particular university and program, and talk about your achievements and experience. Also known as a statement of purpose – a written appeal from an applicant to the admissions committee of the university of his choice. It is written in English, without grammatical and other errors, with the aim of convincing the applicant to choose it from among many candidates. It is not easy to write such a message, it is important to stand out with originality among others, revealing the level of language proficiency (vocabulary, ability to form sentences), the author's academic achievements, his motives and personal qualities. In the message, without going into details, describe the reasons for choosing this university and future specialty, and also describe the purpose of obtaining an education. For example, to become a lawyer to fight against domestic violence by legal means or, by becoming a doctor, to invent a vaccine or a method of treating cancer.

6. Standardized test results

• Many universities require SAT or ACT scores. You may also need SAT Subject Tests or Advanced Placement (AP) exams if you have taken them. American universities regard SAT or ACT as the Unified State Exam, and local school graduates take similar tests, demonstrating knowledge of language and mathematics, text analysis, and writing. They used to be important for admission, but since 2021, the College Board has removed the essay - the final stage of testing and SAT Subject. Therefore, before taking a standardized test, it is better to check the requirements of the selected university. For example, GMAT / GRE is required for admission to management or mathematics departments, and only LSAT is required for law.

7. English proficiency test

• International students are required to provide TOEFL or IELTS test results to confirm their level of English proficiency.

8. Financial documents

• Some universities require proof of financial solvency to cover tuition and living expenses. This may include bank statements or letters from sponsors.

9. Copy of Passport

• A copy of your passport is required for identification.

10. Photographs

• Some universities may request photographs for their documents.

Documents for admission to UK universities

1. Application for admission (UCAS)

• Most UK universities apply through the UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) system. The application includes personal information, academic achievements and courses chosen.

2. High School Leaving Certificate

• A copy of your high school leaving certificate or equivalent (e.g. GCSE, A-level).

3. Transcripts

• Official grades for all years of study. As a rule, you will be required to provide A-level results or their equivalent (IB, SAT, etc.).

4. Letters of recommendation

• Usually one or two letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors who can assess your academic abilities are required. Characteristics of yesterday's school student, written by teachers - subject teachers from the school or the principal. Either the original text in English, or translated with a notary certification confirming the accuracy of the content. Reflect the character, social role and skills of the applicant, how he showed himself at school, what he did, what he was strong in. At the bottom is the author's signature and the name of the educational institution with a seal. You can take several letters, from different teachers or from the school and additional educational institution that the candidate attended - preparatory courses, music school, social organization where he was a volunteer, etc.

5. Essay or personal statement

• A personal statement is an important component of the application, where you can talk about your goals, motivation and reasons for choosing a course and university.

6. English proficiency test

• Foreign students are also required to provide TOEFL or IELTS test results.

7. Financial documents

• Some universities may request proof of financial solvency for visa and tuition fees.

8. Copy of passport

• A copy of your passport for identification.

9. Photos

• Some universities may request photos for document processing.

Applying to universities in the US and UK requires careful preparation and collection of necessary documents. It is recommended to familiarize yourself with the requirements of a particular university in advance, as they may vary. It is also important to keep an eye on application deadlines and plan all steps in advance to avoid unnecessary stress during the admissions process. Good luck on your educational journey!