Documents for US University Applications
The papers Indian and Pakistani students need to apply to a US university, and the rules for official copies. Each university and course can ask for more, so check its page too.
US universities group your papers like this.
Transcripts and degrees
Your marks and degree papers from the colleges you attended.
Test scores
English tests and, for some courses, the GRE (Graduate Record Examinations) or GMAT (Graduate Management Admission Test).
Personal papers
Statement of purpose (an essay about why you want this course), resume and letters of recommendation, as your course asks.
Money papers
Proof of money. You show it after admission, so your university can send your Form I-20, the paper your university sends after you are admitted, which you need for the student visa.
These show what you studied and your marks.
- Most universities want transcripts from every college you attended
- At the University of Texas at Dallas (UT Dallas), upload copies to apply; official ones are sent after admission
- At Arizona State University (ASU), send one official set from each college where you earned a bachelor's degree or higher
- At UT Dallas, upload it unless your transcript shows the degree, main subject (major) and date
- Needed for papers not in English
- You cannot translate them yourself
Important
Many courses ask for these as well as your marks.
- At ASU, some courses ask for a statement of purpose or writing sample
- At UT Dallas, if your bachelor's degree took three years, a personal objective statement is part of the review
- Asked for by many courses at both universities
- Asked for by some courses
Essays
- Read what your course asks for: a statement of purpose (an essay about your goals), a writing sample or a personal objective statement
Recommendations
- Check if your course asks for letters of recommendation, and how many
After admission, you show you can pay before the university sends your Form I-20, the paper you need for the student visa.
- At ASU, after you are admitted you send a form showing you have enough money. You need it for your student visa
- You show the visa officer how you will pay all study, living and travel costs
- At ASU, the application fee is never paid back, for any reason
Copies must come from your college, or be stamped by an official who confirms they match the original.
Official Copies
- Done by your college, a certified translation company or a government office
- Not by the student
- At ASU, translations stamped by a notary are not accepted
- Originals with the college seal and the signature of the registrar (the college office that keeps student records)
- Or copies confirmed as matching the original by your college or a government or embassy official, signed and stamped on each page
- At UT Dallas, do not send a report from a service like WES that checks foreign degrees. The university checks your degree itself.
Document Verification Timeline
Collect your papers
Before you apply
Ask each college for transcripts and degree certificates.
Upload copies
By the deadline
All papers must arrive by the application deadline.
Send official papers
After admission
At UT Dallas, official transcripts and scores must come directly from the college or test agency before you join classes.
•At ASU, copies stamped by a notary (a public official who witnesses signatures) are not official
•At ASU, a GRE test taken at home on your computer is not accepted
•At UT Dallas, false or changed papers can cancel your offer
Most master's applications ask for these. Your course page lists the exact items.
Studies
Tests
Personal
After admission
Upload Tips
Scan clear copies at a size of 300 dpi or less (a simple scan setting). Upload a long transcript as one file. Scan a downloaded PDF again, because downloaded files are often locked (encrypted).
Complete Guide to United States
Explore all aspects of studying in United States with our comprehensive guides
Admissions - Detailed Guides
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Get personalized guidance for studying in United States with our expert consultants
Get Free ConsultationNeed Help With Your Papers?
We help you collect, translate and send the papers each US university asks for.
Get Document Help