The Foreign Service Journal, June 2022

THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL | JUNE 2022 67 to that is the need for students to show AP exam results in certain subjects, depending on their field of chosen study. International Baccalaureate Diploma Program students may often use their IB grades, predicted grades or diploma in place of standardized testing. Always read the website carefully to see if the institution is “test flexible.” Also, though many university admis- sions officers are aware of the difficulty students may have had doing testing during the COVID-19 era, some may be required by their Ministries of Education to have a qualifications-based admis- sion process. How are degrees earned overseas alike or different from a bachelor’s in the U.S.? If the chosen university is accredited by its national Ministry of Education, students can feel confident that their degree will be recognized in the U.S. for employment, as well as in application for graduate study. Once again, however, it’s impor- tant to do one’s homework. Degrees offered in England, Wales, Ireland and other European countries are usually three-year degrees, while those offered in Scotland are earned in four years. American universities in Europe offer four-year degrees. Why is this important? For those students who know what they want to study, a three-year degree offers a more streamlined path to graduation, and students might study a subject in greater depth as an undergraduate. That commitment to their field of interest must be demonstrated in their personal statement. Many students, however, are not clear about what they want to study and therefore may want to explore several