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Self-Assessment Template

Evidence
Checklist

EB-2 Academy — Substantial Merit Evidence Inventory

Use this checklist to inventory all third-party evidence of your impact and accomplishment. Be thorough and specific—vagueness is a red flag. For each category below, list specific, quantifiable evidence. Don't estimate. Use actual numbers and documentation you can provide.
Format example:
❌ "I've published many papers"
✅ "12 peer-reviewed publications in journals with average IF 3.5, including [Journal 1], [Journal 2], [Journal 3]"
Peer-Reviewed Publications

Count: total peer-reviewed publications

In top-tier venues (impact factor >3 or equivalent): publications

List the top 5 by impact:

  • Publication:
    Journal: Year: Citations:
  • Publication:
    Journal: Year: Citations:
  • Publication:
    Journal: Year: Citations:
  • Publication:
    Journal: Year: Citations:
  • Publication:
    Journal: Year: Citations:

Total citations to your publications:

Can you document this with a Google Scholar or ResearchGate profile link?

Patents & Innovations

Count: total patents

Granted:    Pending:    In use/commercialized:

List major patents:

  • Patent:
    Number: Status: Date:
  • Patent:
    Number: Status: Date:
  • Patent:
    Number: Status: Date:

Are any patents commercialized or actively used in industry?
If yes, by whom:

Awards, Honors, and Recognition

Count: total awards

Major awards (national or internationally competitive):

  • Award:
    Issuer: Year:
    Competitiveness:
  • Award:
    Issuer: Year:
    Competitiveness:
Media Coverage and Public Recognition

Count: media mentions

  • Publication: Date:
    Subject:
  • Publication: Date:
    Subject:
Grants and Funding

Total grants awarded:    Total funding amount: $

As PI: grants ($)    As Co-I: grants ($)

  • Grant: Amount: $
    Funder: Role:
  • Grant: Amount: $
    Funder: Role:
Other Categories
  • Keynotes & Presentations: keynotes, invited talks
  • Editorial Roles: current, past
  • Products/Software Created:
  • Teaching/Mentorship: students advised, courses taught

Summary and Action Items

Total evidence items counted:

Strongest evidence (top 3):

Action Items (Gather before filing):

This checklist is for structured evidence gathering. Maintained by ImigraScore — not a law firm. This framework helps you organize documentation for the Dhanasar test. Individual case outcomes depend on specific evidence, how it is presented, and adjudicator discretion. Primary authority: Matter of Dhanasar, 26 I&N Dec. 884 (AAO 2016).