From Saudi Arabia · 2026–27
Applying to US universities from Saudi Arabia
National school or international school, the question is the same: how will a US university read what you've done? Here's what to prepare, and the traps to avoid when you apply from Saudi Arabia.
Your school system, read from the US
A US university doesn't read your file the way your school or your exam board does. Here's what changes for you.
The national system
Georgia Tech asks national-system students for transcripts for each year of secondary school, translated into English if needed, and at least the level that opens a competitive university at home. Harvard accepts national leaving exam results or predictions in place of the SAT or ACT only in exceptional cases, when those tests aren't accessible.
Sources: Georgia Tech · Harvard
Classes taught in Arabic
If most of your classes were in Arabic, plan for an English test. 466 US universities list the ones they accept; check the minimum score on each university's page.
International schools
If you're in an IB, British or American-curriculum school, our UAE page covers what each one means for your file.
Applying from the UAEThe forms your school fills in
234 of the 1,078 US universities on the Common App ask for a counselor recommendation, and 188 want a mid-year report. Those come from your school, not from you. If your school has no college counselor, agree now on who will fill them in and send them.
Your essays
Talking about yourself is allowed
Many students were taught that talking about yourself is improper, so they write “we”, stay modest and thank everyone. A personal statement needs “I”: what you did, what you thought, what changed. An idiom translated word for word from Arabic often reads strangely in English; say it plainly instead.
We point out what isn't working and ask you the right questions. We never write a line for you.
Mistakes to avoid when you apply from Saudi Arabia
Leaving the visa for the end
The F-1 student visa comes after admission: your university sends you the I-20, then you apply and attend an interview at the US embassy or consulate that serves you. Look up appointment wait times early on the State Department's site.
Assuming you're exempt from the English test
466 US universities list the English tests they accept (465 take the TOEFL, 436 IELTS, 356 Duolingo) and 611 send you to their website. Studying in English doesn't exempt you automatically: read each university's international page before you book a test, or skip one.
Two Early Decision applications
Early Decision is binding: you can only have one active ED application at a time. Your plan flags it the moment you pick a second one.
Counting on a fee waiver that isn't for you
86 US universities reserve the Common App fee waiver for US applicants. Your plan tells you which ones before you count on it.
Forgetting the international fee
151 US universities charge international applicants a higher application fee. Your plan adds up what you'll really pay.
An SAT that comes too late
For a January 1 deadline, the last SAT whose scores arrive in time is the December 5, 2026 sitting: scores on December 18, 2026, registration until November 20, 2026.
Every 2026–27 SAT date
Official pages
Rules change, and the official page is the one that applies. Check it before you decide.
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