GoScholar AI · Documents Hub
Every Document You Need.
Demystified.
Undergraduate, Master's, and PhD applicants — transcripts, WASSCE, GRE, passports, bank statements, recommendations, I-20, DS-160, and more. What each document is, why it matters, and exactly how to get it.
Built for the African applicant. These guides cover both undergraduate and graduate / PhD applications. Operational details (exam boards, banks, embassies) are written from the Ghanaian context for concreteness, but the principles apply across English-speaking Africa — Nigeria, Kenya, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Uganda, and beyond. Country-specific deep-dives for Nigeria and Kenya are coming next.
Who you are
When in your journey
Type
Awards & Achievements Evidence
Certificates, photos, videos, and other concrete proof of awards, competitions, and standout performances — in case schools ask.
RequiredValid Passport
Your national passport (Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, etc.) with at least 6 months of validity beyond your intended program end date. Required for the F-1 visa, useful for the application.
RequiredWASSCE Results
Your West African Senior School Certificate Examination results — accepted by US universities in place of A-Levels or IB.
Undergrad only
RequiredHigh School Transcript
Your complete academic record from all 3 years of SHS — grades, subjects, and term-by-term performance, on official school letterhead.
Undergrad onlyJHS3 / BECE Results
Your Junior High School year-3 records or BECE results — sometimes requested by US universities to bridge the 3-year-vs-4-year high-school gap.
Undergrad only
SAT / ACT Scores
Standardised test scores. Many top US universities are now test-optional — but a strong score still moves the needle.
Undergrad onlyTOEFL / IELTS Scores
English proficiency test scores — frequently waived for African applicants from Anglophone countries (Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Liberia, etc.) since English is the official medium of instruction.
GRE / GMAT Scores
Graduate-level standardised tests. The GRE is required by many Master's and PhD programs; the GMAT by most MBA programs. Increasingly waivable since 2022.
Grad / PhD onlyUniversity Transcript
The official transcript from your Bachelor's (and Master's, if applicable) — every course, every grade, your CGPA, on university letterhead with the registrar's stamp.
Grad / PhD onlyBachelor's Degree Certificate
Official proof you graduated from your undergraduate program — the degree certificate, sometimes called the diploma. Required by most US grad programs.
Grad / PhD onlyStatement of Purpose (Grad)
A 1-2 page essay explaining what you want to research, why this program, and what you bring. The grad-school analogue of the Common App essay — but specific, technical, and program-tailored.
Grad / PhD onlyAcademic CV
A multi-page detailed CV listing every academic credential, publication, presentation, project, and relevant role. Distinct from the 1-page activities resume undergrads use.
Grad / PhD onlyWriting Sample / Research Portfolio
A 10-25 page sample of your academic writing — a published paper, a thesis chapter, or a substantial term paper. Required by humanities and many PhD programs.
Grad / PhD only
RequiredLetters of Recommendation
Recommendation letters — typically 2 teachers + 1 counsellor for undergrad; 3 academic / research professors for grad applications. The third-party voice that corroborates everything else in your application.
Personal Essay (Common App)
Your 650-word personal statement. The Common App essay is sent to every undergrad school you apply to — it is the most important piece of writing in the application.
Undergrad only
Activities Resume
A structured list of your extracurriculars, leadership, work, awards, and community service — submitted as part of the Common App or as a separate PDF. (Grad applicants: see the Academic CV guide instead.)
Undergrad onlyBank Statements
Recent statements from a bank account in your home country showing sufficient funds for tuition + living for at least one academic year. Used in financial aid applications and visa interviews.
Sponsor / Employer Letter
A signed letter from your financial sponsor (usually a parent or relative) committing to fund your education, accompanied by their proof of income.
CSS Profile
The CSS Profile is the financial aid application used by most private US universities to award institutional grants to international undergraduate students. Different from FAFSA (US-citizens only); also distinct from grad-school aid which works through department-level funding.
Undergrad only
RequiredAcceptance Letter
The official offer of admission from your university. Required for the visa interview and to obtain the I-20.
I-20 Form
Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status — the document the university issues that allows you to apply for an F-1 visa. Same form for undergrad and grad.
SEVIS Fee Receipt (I-901)
Proof of payment of the $350 SEVIS fee, paid online before your visa interview. Same fee for undergrad and grad.
DS-160 Confirmation Page
The online nonimmigrant visa application form. The confirmation page with barcode is required for the interview. Same form for undergrad and grad.
Watch the Walkthrough
Required Documents for US College Applications
A 14-minute walkthrough by Philip Boakye, our CTO — a Ghanaian who lived this exact process and has helped students land scholarships at NYU, Georgia State, Quinnipiac, and beyond.
GoScholar AI
Track every document for every school you apply to
Use the application tracker to organise your transcripts, recommendations, and visa documents per school — so nothing gets missed.
Open Application Tracker