Have you made up your mind yet to study in one of the top universities in the United States? Applying for the university of your dreams can be pretty simple especially if you have decided to push through with your study abroad journey. Each university has its own admission policy and procedure, but they generally have similar steps for students to take. It is just a matter of sequence and additional details for stricter universities. We strive to provide you with the most updated and comprehensive guide into applying for universities in the United States.
1. Before Applying for US Universities
2. Which are the requirements for applying into US universities?
3. After Applying for US Universities
Before applying for admission into your chosen university, you need to undergo several steps as preparation for the submission of your application. Of course, the first step is to explore your choices for highly-recognized academic institutions in the US. Think about what you want to study and which university is the center of excellence for that degree program. You may also take into consideration the tuition fees and reviews for each university so that you will know the best fit for you. It is important that you conduct thorough research on the university’s location as well as its cultural programs for international students. You would not want to study in a university that will make you feel out of place. However, the US has a list of engaging cities for international students, so you need not worry too much about the location’s cultural elements. Explore our list of best universities in the United States to help you make the right choice.
Research on the admission process in your chosen university.
Each university has different admission guidelines for international students. Moreover, US universities are known to have more complex admission process than universities in other countries. You may want to visit the university website for a detailed instruction on how to apply for admission. In this way, you can prepare early if there are specific requirements in your degree program.
Take the required examinations at least a year before your planned application.
Almost all universities that cater to international student-enrollees require test scores on standardized examinations such as the SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or the ACT (American College Testing) for prospective undergraduate students and the GRE (Graduate Record Examination) for prospective graduate students. Since English is the primary language of instruction in universities in the US, most universities require English language proficiency test results such as those from TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System). These language proficiency exams usually have fill-in-the-blank, multiple choice, and essay questions that test one’s listening, reading, writing, and speaking skills in English. The TOEFL takes about four and a half hours to finish, while the IELTS takes about two hours and 45 minutes to complete. These tests ought to be completed a year before your supposed application date in the university of your choice. Typically, August is the best month to take these exams in time for the start of admission applications.
Participate in extracurricular and community activities.
Besides the hard factors or your test scores on required exams, most universities in the US look at the soft factors of an applicant. This means that they take into consideration your participation in activities in your previous school or community as well as your genuine interest in learning.
Seek letters of recommendation.
Universities in the US often ask for reference and recommendation letters from professionals who know you. This is to actually check your personality and capabilities in addition to the results of your exams. This requirement aims to measure both qualitative and quantitative information about you as an applicant.
Create a financial plan for your whole stay in the university.
Going to a university in the US is a big step that can eat up your savings as the cost of tuition and living are high. Thus, you have to make a financial scheme on how to get through three or four years of college. You will also need to prepare your bank statements for your visa application. If you need scholarship grants to help with the finances, you may explore scholarship programs offered for international students in the US.
When you have successfully completed the aforementioned steps, it is time to start your university admission applications.
Applications for US universities vary according to degree program and university. It is recommended that every prospective international student looking to apply into US universities completes the Common Application – a standard online application which a student can use to apply to multiple universities using the same information. The Common Application form will let you store information about your academic and personal background, extracurricular activities, letters of recommendation, and application essays. Other similar options are the Coalition Application and the Universal College Application.
Here’s a list of requirements for admission into US universities:
Undergraduate Degree Programs
Graduate and Postgraduate Degree Programs
When you have secured all the document requirements, you can now send in your applications and wait for the results. Make sure that you have submitted your application at least ten months (usually January to March) before the academic year starts in mid-October or early November. Usually, it takes several months for universities to evaluate admission applications. They will then send you the result via email.
Upon successful application for admission, it is time to start your visa applications as you cannot commence your studies in the US without a student visa. Check out our guide on How to Apply for a Student Visa in the US for further information.
For more updated information on student visa applications, please visit the US government website.
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