Embassy of the United States Bangkok, Thailand

Accreditation

• Accreditation Guide - educationUSA
  If you are planning to study in the U.S., it is important to know if the school in which you plan to enroll is accredited. Accreditation helps to ensure that the school is of high quality and that you will receive the programs and services that the school describes in its promotional materials.
• Accreditation in the United States - U.S. Department of Education (USDE) All accrediting agencies—regional, national, and specialized—that are recognized by the USDE as reliable authorities regarding the quality of the programs and schools they accredit are listed on the USDE website.
• Association of Specialized and Professional Accreditors (ASPA)  ASPA’s mission is to represent its members on issues of education quality, while also advancing the knowledge, skills, good practices, and ethical commitments of accrediting agencies.
• Commission on English Language Program Accreditation (CEA) CEA accredits both independent English language schools and intensive English programs in accredited universities and colleges. International students who want to study English in the United States can use CEA accreditation to identify accredited English language schools and intensive English programs in colleges and universities.
• Recognized Accrediting Organizations - Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) (PDF 141KB)This chart lists regional, faith-based, private career and specialized accreditors that are or have been recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) or the U.S. Department of Education (USDE) or both.

Colleges and Universities in the U.S.

• America's Best Colleges
  U.S. News & World Report ranking of colleges, including articles and other information.
• America's Best Graduate Schools 
  U.S. News & World Report ranking of graduate schools, articles and information about graduate programs.
• American Association of Community Colleges
  The American Association of Community Colleges is the primary advocacy organization for approximately 1,100 associate degree-granting institutions. In addition to providing links to the websites of community colleges, the website contains important information about the organization's ongoing activities, its lobbying activities and some basic statistics about the landscape of community colleges.
• College Opportunities Online (COOL)
  Compiled by the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics, COOL is a direct link to nearly 7,000 colleges and universities in the U.S.
• Google's University Search Google's University Search enables you to narrow your search to a specific school website. Try it for things like admissions information, course schedules, or alumni news.
• Peterson's "Find a School" Search Engine Explore a comprehensive database of information on nearly 4,000 accredited two-year and four-year colleges and universities across the U.S. Use a variety of search criteria to find your perfect match: name, location, tuition, average GPA of incoming freshmen, religious denomination, and more.
• U.S. Colleges and Universities This site provides easy state by state access to the web sites of community colleges, 4 year colleges and universities throughout the United States.

Financial Aid Scholarships

• Financial Aid Information Page FinAid was established in the fall of 1994 as a public service. This award-winning site has grown into the most comprehensive source of student financial aid information, advice and tools -- on or off the web.
• Financial Assistance Guide - educationUSA Since studying in the United States will likely cost more than it does to study in your own country, it is important to start your financial planning at least 12 months before you intend to study in the United States.
• Fulbright Scholarships The Fulbright Program provides grants for Graduate Students, Scholars and Professionals, and Teachers and Administrators from the U.S. and other countries.
• IIE Funding for US Study Online Funding for US Study Online is an extensive database of scholarships, fellowships and grants organized and maintained by the Institute of International Education (IIE). Funding for US Study includes all types of funding programs, for all levels of post-secondary study, across the full range of academic areas.
• International Scholarhips The International Scholarships website, www.InternationalScholarships.com , is the premier Internet resource listing financial aid information for students wishing to study in a foreign country. At this site you will find the most comprehensive listing of grants, scholarships, loan programs and other information to assist students in their quest to study abroad.
• Peterson's "Financial Aid/Scholarships" Search Engine Looking for money to help finance your education in the U.S.? This scholarship database is full of awards that are available to international students!
• Scholarships - Office of Civil Service Commission (OCSC), The Office of the Prime Minister, Thai government scholarships.
• Scholarships for International Students - Council of International Schools, Scholarship information has been submitted by CIS member colleges and universities.

Testing Services

• CGFNS - Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools Qualifying Examination. The Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools (CGFNS) is an immigration-neutral, non-profit organization and internationally recognized authority on credentials evaluation pertaining to the education, registration, and licensure of nurses and other healthcare professionals worldwide. Its mission is to protect the public by assuring the integrity of health professional credentials in the context of global migration.
• ETS - Educational Testing Service. Users can register online for various pre-admission tests such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), the Graduate Management Admission Test (GMAT) and the Graduate Record Exam (GRE).
• GMAT - Graduate Management Admission Test. The Graduate Management Admission Test® (GMAT®) is a standardized assessment—delivered in English—that helps business schools assess the qualifications of applicants for advanced study in business and management. The GMAT® exam measures basic verbal, mathematical, and analytical writing skills that you have developed over a long period of time in your education and work.
• GRE - Graduate Record Examinations. The GRE® General Test measures verbal reasoning, quantitative reasoning, critical thinking, and analytical writing skills that have been acquired over a long period of time and that are not related to any specific field of study. The GRE® Subject Tests gauge undergraduate achievement in eight specific fields of study.
• LSAT - Law School Admission Test. The Law School Admission Test (LSAT) is a half-day standardized test required for admission to all ABA-approved law schools, most Canadian law schools, and many non-ABA-approved law schools. It provides a standard measure of acquired reading and verbal reasoning skills that law schools can use as one of several factors in assessing applicants. The test is administered four times a year at hundreds of locations around the world.
• MCAT - Medical College Admission Test. Almost all U.S. medical schools require applicants to submit MCAT scores. Medical college admission committees consider MCAT scores as part of their admission decision process.
• SAT - Scholastic Assessment Test. The College Board's SAT Program consists of the SAT Reasoning TestTM (SAT) and SAT Subject TestsTM. The SAT is three hours and 45 minutes long and measures skills in three areas: critical reading, math, and writing. Although most questions are multiple choice, students are also required to write a 25-minute essay.
• TOEFL - Test Of English as a Foreign Language. The TOEFL® test measures the ability of non-native speakers of English to use and understand English as it is spoken, written, and heard in college and university settings.
• USMLE - United States Medical Licensing Examination. In the United States and its territories, the individual medical licensing authorities ("state medical boards") of the various jurisdictions grant a license to practice medicine. Each medical licensing authority sets its own rules and regulations and requires passing an examination that demonstrates qualification for licensure. Results of the USMLE are reported to these authorities for use in granting the initial license to practice medicine. The USMLE provides them with a common evaluation system for applicants for initial medical licensure.

U.S. Government Links

• Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA), U.S. Department of State The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) of the U.S. Department of State fosters mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries around the world.
• Educational Information and Resources Branch - Bureau of Cultural and Educational Affairs, U.S. Department of State. The Office of Global Educational Programs (ECA/A/S) plans, develops, administers and monitors three major Fulbright exchange activities; the Teacher Exchange Program, the Humphrey Fellowship Program, and the Educational Partnerships Program. The office is assisted by private, non-profit organizations in administering various aspects of the programs. Through its Educational Information and Resources Branch, the office also oversees educational advising around the world and funds the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program.
• EducationUSA - Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, U.S. Department of State. EducationUSA is a global network of more than 450 advising centers supported by the Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of State. The Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs (ECA) fosters mutual understanding between the United States and other countries by promoting personal, professional, and institutional ties between private citizens and organizations in the United States and abroad, as well as by presenting U.S. history, society, art and culture in all of its diversity to overseas audiences. Millions of prospective students learn about U.S. study opportunities through EducationUSA centers each year.
• Study USA - U.S. Commercial Service, U.S. Department of Commerce. Study USA is a program of the U.S. Department of Commerce that seeks to connect international students and professionals with quality U.S. education and training.
• U.S. Department of Education ED was created in 1980 by combining offices from several federal agencies. Its original directive remains its mission today — to ensure equal access to education and to promote educational excellence throughout the nation.

Non Governmental Organizations

• Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) A national advocate and institutional voice for self-regulation of academic quality through accreditation, CHEA is an association of 3,000 degree-granting colleges and universities and recognizes 60 institutional and programmatic accrediting organizations.
• Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) CIEE, a nonprofit, nongovernmental organization, is a leader in international exchange programs and related services. Describes international opportunities for work, study, travel, teaching and learning abroad.
• eduPASS! The SmartStudent Guide to Studying in the USA Information for international students on college admissions, passports and visas, traveling to and living in the United States and a discussion of cultural differences, among other topics.
• Institute of International Education (IIE) Resources for students, scholars, educators and university or college advisers as well as research on international education issues. A description of the Fulbright Program includes application information.
• NAFSA The Association of International Educators. NAFSA promotes exchanges of students and scholars to and from the U.S. The association provides professional education and training and acts as a forum for sharing ideas on international education.