I served as a judge for undergraduate thesis projects at a reputable university. Does that count as ‘judge’?

Yes, serving as a judge of others’ work can count as evidence for the ‘judge’ criterion in EB-1, but the weight of that experience depends on context. Having evaluated a thesis project at a reputable institution is a point in your favor; even so, it tends to carry more weight when it is part of a consistent record of evaluation activity.

This criterion generally considers participation as an evaluator of peers’ work, for example on thesis committees, selection panels, publication review boards, or award juries. When assessing this type of evidence, factors typically taken into account include:

• The prestige and recognition of the institution or event.
• The relevance and reach of the work you evaluated.
• The consistency of your involvement, rather than a single isolated participation.

A one-time or internally scoped experience may carry less weight than a well-established role on recognized panels. For that reason, the ideal approach is to compile documentation that clearly describes your role and demonstrates the impact of your evaluation activity. It is worth reviewing the current requirements with USCIS and assessing your overall body of evidence with a qualified specialist.

About the author

Victoria Harper

Editor-in-Chief

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As a journalist and lead editor at Visto n’ Visa, Victoria helps ensure that immigration topics are covered in a clear, trustworthy, and easy-to-understand way. Her focus is on delivering useful, human, and relevant content for people exploring new paths abroad.