How to Transfer an International College Degree to the US

I'm an international student considering transferring my college credits to a university in the US. What is the process for transferring an international degree, and are there any specific challenges I should be aware of?

Transferring international college credits to a U.S. university generally involves some steps:

1. Evaluation of Credentials: First, you'll have to get your international transcripts evaluated by a recognized credit-evaluation service like World Education Services (WES) or Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE). These services will assess your previous study, course by course, and determine how it compares to the U.S. education system.

2. Application: Simultaneously, you will need to start the application process for the universities you are interested in. This will typically involve completing the university's application, possibly writing a personal statement, providing letters of recommendation, and giving them proof of English language proficiency like the TOEFL or IELTS, although requirements can differ by school.

3. Submitting Evaluated Transcripts: Once you have your evaluated transcripts, you will need to submit them to the universities you're applying to alongside your application materials.

4. Decision from the University: The university uses the credential evaluation to see how your previous studies align with their coursework and makes a decision on how many of your credits they'll accept. If approved, you will maximize the coursework you’ve already completed while saving time and money.

As for challenges, the biggest one is that not all credits may transfer and apply to your new program of study. Universities in the U.S. each set their policies on transferring credits, and some might not recognize certain courses or institutions.

Another issue could be language barriers. If your original transcripts are not in English, you will need to provide a certified translation along with your evaluation.

Lastly, bear in mind that the process can be time-consuming and there might be costs involved, including fees for the evaluation service and translations, application fees, and potentially a cost for the actual transfer of credits.

Although transferring international credits may appear complex, doing thorough research, being well prepared, and contacting prospective universities’ admission offices for specific guidance can help expedite the process and make it more manageable.