Below is a list of Boston-area colleges and universities that will waive their TOEFL requirement for students who complete a certain level of the CELOP 12-Week Intensive (20 or 25 hours) program. You must speak with the CELOP Academic Advisor before applying for a waiver.

In the United States, students graduate from high school and then study for an undergraduate/Bachelor’s degree. After that, students study for graduate/Master’s and Doctoral degrees.

Degree programs in the US typically start in the fall, at the end of August or beginning of September finishing in mid-December. Some universities allow students to start degree programs in the spring, too. The spring semester normally starts at the end of January and finishes mid-May. Many schools do not hold classes over the summer. Even fewer allow students to start degree programs during the summer.

In the United States, “college” and “university” are often used to mean the same thing. The main difference between a “college” and a “university” is that universities typically offer graduate and doctorate degrees while colleges do not.

There are many things you will need to prepare to apply to universities in the US. Some items you will need to prepare before you come to the US, others you can do once you are here. You will need to:

• Prove your English proficiency. Most schools accept the TOEFL or IELTS. Different schools require different scores on these tests. A few schools in Boston will accept completion of a certain level at CELOP in place of a TOEFL or IELTS score. See a list at the bottom of this page.
• Submit an application. For undergraduate programs, this is typically the Common Application but can also be the Coalition Application or Universal Application. For graduate programs, you typically need to fill out a separate application for every school.
• Write an application essay or personal statement. The CELOP Academic Advisor can help you brainstorm ideas, choose a prompt, and write your essay.
• Submit an official copy of your transcript, along with a translation if it is not in English. This should cover all years of high school (if applying for an undergraduate degree) or university (if applying to a graduate degree or as a transfer student). An “official” transcript is one that your school or ministry of education issues in a sealed envelope and which has the school or ministry seal on it.
• Ask at least two people to write and submit recommendation letters for you. For undergraduate programs, you should ask one of your high school teachers and your guidance counselor or other school administrator. For graduate programs, you should ask your university professors if you will have less than a 2-year gap between your undergraduate and graduate programs. Otherwise, you can ask your manager at work or other individuals who can speak to your professional capabilities.

If you want to start a program in the fall, you should plan on submitting your application about a year in advance. A common deadline for fall applications is January 1. Some schools have special, early deadlines in November as well.

If you want to start a program in the spring, you should plan on submitting your application the fall before you want to start. November 1 is a common deadline for spring applications. Keep in mind that not all schools accept spring applications.

Regardless of which semester you want to start your studies, be sure to start your application well before the deadline. Remember that you need to give your recommenders enough time to write their recommendations. You should also make sure you give yourself enough time to write and re-write your essay or personal statement. It is normal to write several drafts before your essay is ready to submit.