Documents to apply for a school in USA: full list

From its inception, the American educational system has sought to meet the practical needs of a dynamically evolving society. Thus, the primary task of education became the education of an ambitious, strong-willed person who could make decisions and act quickly.

Today secondary and higher education in the United States is open to foreign children, schoolchildren, adolescents and students at the best combination of price and quality. A school, college or university should provide students with practical skills that can be applied to everyday life or professional life.

The U.S. Secondary Education System

Schooling in the United States begins around age 5, when children enter kindergarten in elementary school. Elementary education in the United States continues through 5th or 6th grade, after which high school begins and ends in 8th or 9th grade, depending on the state. High school is 3 or 4 years of study - from 9th to 12th grade. Secondary education ends at age 18.

Elementary school in the United States: Arithmetic, reading and writing are taught from academic subjects. Natural and social sciences are barely given.

Secondary school is called middle school (grades 6-8) or junior high school (grades 7-9). They start coming here at age 11. At this time, students study a set of compulsory subjects (mathematics, English, natural sciences, social studies, sports and arts) and several optional subjects (foreign languages, arts and technology, journalism, rhetoric, dramatic arts, etc.)).

High School - Grades 9 to 12 (high school) or 11 to 12 (high school). There are more subjects to choose from, and students are already guided by the goal of entering college. U.S. schools offer a wide range of subjects, from agricultural engineering to 3D design. You will need to earn a certain number of credits in exact sciences, social sciences, etc. (each subject has a certain number of credits). In most states, 8-9 subjects are required.

Graduates of schools operating in the U.S. education system receive a high school diploma in grade 8. From grade 9 to grade 12, students prepare for final exams, after which they receive their high school diploma. Those who wish to pursue higher education can enter a college or university where they earn a bachelor's degree in 4 years.

There are schools and a special 13th grade - Advanced Placement Program. it is suitable for those who wish to study in depth the subjects they plan to specialize in at university. Graduates of this program can enter immediately in the second year of university. The AR preparation results in easy access to 90 percent of the universities in the United States and Canada, and they are required for admission to top universities in the United Kingdom and more than 50 countries. However, an AP is required to earn a minimum of 3 points on a 5-point assessment. If you pass with "distinction", you can apply to Princeton, Harvard and Yale. AP: This is not only the final stage of completing secondary education, but also a mature career path that best prepares students for success in college.

Students are evaluated on a subject based not only on test scores, but also on attitude toward learning, participation in classroom life, etc.

Advantages of Studying in U.S. Schools

The U.S. secondary education system also has the most valuable advantage: the education system is as flexible as possible, and in school it offers a very extensive list of subjects from which students can choose their priorities. The flexibility of the school curriculum means that children have the ability to focus on specialized subjects. In fact, admission to American universities is based on the results of an assessment of 3 tests - English, mathematics and a profile subject.

Career guidance with schoolchildren is ideally set in the United States, a country with a large number of summer academic schools that offer access to loans and recommendations, thus increasing the chances of getting into the university of choice.

The United States is very loyal to foreigners: to enter a U.S. university, they need to pass the SAT/ACT and provide proof of admission from their home country. They do not need to retake school subjects. However, this last advantage has more to do with the accessibility of higher education.

What documents are needed to enter a school in the United States

Typically, to enter a school in the United States, the United States requires the following documents.

  • Passport, passport photo

  • Completed school application

  • Transcripts of the last 2-3 years of grades from the last place of study

  • Letters of recommendation from teachers  and classroom teachers

  • Essay 

Various diplomas, awards, trophies and medals, certificates and letters of appreciation - everything that will set you apart from other students and impress the admissions committee.

When choosing an American educational institution, you need to carefully consider all your wishes, requirements and demands. Study trips to selected U.S. schools can be organized - so you can see for yourself the comfort and facilities of the campus, see the living conditions and interact with the principal, teachers, administrators and educators.

How much does it cost to study at a U.S. school?

The high quality of education at private schools makes them expensive. On average, a year of study at a private boarding school in the United States costs between $18,000 and $46,000. The most expensive private school is The Pinnacle School in Connecticut, which costs $96,200 per year. At a regular private school, the cost is lower because it does not include housing and usually does not exceed $22,000 per year.

Ask a question

Please fix next errors:

* - These field a required