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Saudi students are more ambitious than ever, driven by Vision 2030’s commitment to education and global competitiveness.
The Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program, one of the Kingdom’s most generous educational initiatives, provides fully funded opportunities for students to pursue degrees at top universities worldwide. This program opens doors to leading institutions in the US, UK, Europe, and Asia. The aim is to equip students with knowledge and skills in critical fields including technology, healthcare and finance to contribute to the Kingdom’s growth.
Despite these remarkable opportunities, many high school students struggle to navigate the complex and varying admissions processes across different education systems. Each country follows its own unique requirements, leaving students uncertain about where to begin and how to best position themselves for success. Some turn to private college counselors, but these services can be costly and inaccessible to many. Others rely on scattered online information, making the process overwhelming.
As a high school senior, I faced these same challenges. Excelling academically, maintaining a high Grade Point Average, or GPA, engaging in extracurriculars, and preparing for standardized tests were already demanding, but understanding the specific requirements for each pathway added another layer of complexity. Should I focus on Advanced Placement, or AP, courses for US admissions or prepare for the UK’s subject-specific approach? How would my Saudi high school GPA convert? When should I take the Scholastic Aptitude Test or SAT, Graduate Assessment Test or GAT, or International English Language Testing System or IELTS?
To bridge this gap, I founded Global College Prep Guide, a platform that provides free, structured guidance on different university systems, helping students understand application requirements and plan their journey effectively.
Through the Global College Prep Guide, I analyzed the key differences in university admissions, helping students understand what each system requires:
Saudi universities follow a formula-based admissions system where the final score is calculated as 30 percent for the high school GPA (out of 100) plus 30 percent for the Qudurat (GAT) which is a general aptitude test plus 40 percent for Tahseely which is a subject-specific assessment.

The aim of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques Scholarship Program is to equip students with knowledge and skills in critical fields.

US universities follow a holistic review process that considers GPA (on a 4.0 scale) and course rigor (AP courses are highly valued), extracurricular activities including leadership, and community involvement, personal essays and recommendation letters, standardized tests (SAT or ACT), and application platform including, The Common App which is used by most U.S. universities, allowing students to apply to up to 20 schools with a single application, and The University of California (UC) Application which uses a different GPA calculation and allows students to apply to all 9 undergraduate UC campuses with one application
UK universities have a specialized, academically driven approach that prioritizes: A-Level or IB results as the primary admission criteria, a subject-specific personal statement, additional admissions tests and interviews for competitive fields (UCAT for medicine, LNAT for law, Oxbridge entrance exams). While A-Level or IB students can apply for direct undergraduate entry, Saudi high school certificate students often require a foundation year before starting a degree.
Additionally, students must navigate English proficiency tests such as IELTS or TOEFL, which are required unless they studied in an English-medium curriculum. Medical applicants face further challenges, as the U.K. allows direct entry into medicine, while the U.S. requires a pre-med undergraduate degree and the MCAT exam.
By breaking down these requirements, Global College Prep Guide provides structured guidance to help students plan their applications effectively. Many students who once felt lost in the process now have access to a centralized resource, enabling them to approach university applications with confidence and clarity.
¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ is investing in education, innovation, and international partnerships to build a knowledge-driven economy. As more students pursue international university placements, access to reliable guidance is essential.
By bridging the knowledge gap, Global College Prep Guide empowers Saudi students to take control of their futures; whether they aim for top local universities, Ivy League institutions, or world-renowned British programs. With the right resources, they can turn ambition into achievement and contribute to the Kingdom’s growing presence in the global academic landscape.

• Alwaleed Shata, 17, is a ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ high school student, born in the US and studying in the Kingdom. He founded Global College Prep Guide and leads student initiatives, including the AS Sports Medicine Club, focusing on research, education, and youth well-being, in support of ¶¶Òõ¶ÌÊÓƵ’s Vision 2030.

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