Preparing your application

It takes several months to successfully complete your application to an American community college. Here is an overview of required documents, tips, and sample documents.

Admission requirements

Community colleges usually operates with open admission, meaning that all students who meet admission requirements are automatically admitted. In that sense, your application to a community college can be compared to applying to an advanced program in the Netherlands. However, you must meet certain requirements.

Each college has its own admission requirements, deadlines, and forms. On the websites of the colleges you will find an overview of the admission requirements and all required documents. Look at admissions of prospective students and follow the information for international students, where you will find an overview of all application forms.

In general, students must meet the following criteria:

Preliminary education
Students must have a diploma equivalent to an American high school diploma. For students from the Netherlands, the admission requirement is at least a HAVO, VWO, or MBO diploma. An International Baccalaureate diploma (IB) also suffices. Don’t have a completed diploma yet? At some community colleges, you can take a high school completion program while starting an associate’s degree at the same time.
English proficiency
A community college may have requirements for your English proficiency. During application, you must be able to demonstrate that you have a sufficient command of English to take courses in the US. You do this with an English language test.
Costs
Additionally, you must be able to prove that you can afford the costs of your studies. Visit the page on costs and scholarships for more information on financing your studies.

Components of the application

A community college will ask for a number of documents during the application process. The parts below take more time. Be sure to prepare these parts several months before the application deadline.

English language test

As a prospective student from a non-English-speaking country, you must at least demonstrate a sufficient command of English to study in an academic setting. Most American educational institutions want you to take an English language test for this purpose. You can choose from several language tests, including the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo that you take online or at a test center in the Netherlands.

Transcripts

Community colleges ask for transcripts — these are your transcripts and any diplomas from your prior Dutch education — to verify that you have the required prior education. Because you come from a different school system, the college also likes to receive further context about your education and level. Your transcripts may need to be translated and assessed by a credential evaluation agency. The college itself indicates where you can do this. Your Dutch school can provide an official copy of your transcripts.

Proof of financial support

A community college requires proof of sufficient finances during application. They want to make sure you have sufficient budget to cover the cost of tuition, your living expenses, insurance, and unexpected expenses. Most colleges will ask for a certification of finances; this is a form you can download from the college’s website. In addition, you will submit an English letter from the bank certifying that the money is actually available. You can request this letter from your bank.