As an international student with the dream of studying in USA, It is important to note some important things to do when applying for admission into a US College. Although to some people, the application process may seem very tasking, it is possible to be admitted into a US college with a fully funded scholarship or a partial scholarship. An international student with the determination to work hard and see his/her dream come true can study in the United States.
There are reviews about how students couldn’t meet up with the requirements for application into US colleges simply because they were not properly informed about the requirements and timelines to meet to be admitted. The problem of not having the right information can be solved simply by appropriate use of the internet.
There are articles and quite a ton of information available for international students with just one click. However, just surfing the internet without actually having a well thought out plan may not be helpful as you may end up spending time on irrelevant things. This article is therefore tailored to bring to your notice the things to know before starting your application process into a US college.
See Also: What You Must Know Before Applying for scholarships in 2022
- Get started as soon as possible
This is a general rule because the earlier you start working on your application, the better your chances of being admitted into a US college. Some international students apply to college in the final year of their high school while others take a gap year after graduation to fully focus on the application process. However, your style or timing, it is important that you start your application process early by getting the right information and processing your documents in time.
- Know the general process
As earlier mentioned, there are a ton load of information and articles out there about how to apply for admission into US colleges, not all of them provide the right information or cover the subject line extensively. It is advised that you get your information from trusted websites such university websites, US embassies, long standing scholarship information website such as studygreen. Some of the most important things to look out for includes:
- Be sure that you know the various application windows available and their respective deadlines. Most colleges have their early action deadlines in November while the regular decision deadlines are in December or January.
- Mode of application. Be sure that you understand the mode of application as most colleges accept online application. However, there as some colleges that may require that you send a hardcopy of your application in addition to the online application.
- Document and Test requirements. Some specific documents may be required by some colleges while others may not require such documents. Also, there are some specific test requirements which will be required from some international students. So it is important to note the documents and test required by your college of choice. Read about the SAT and ACT tests. As an international student, you may be required to take an English proficiency test to measure your level of English proficiency. Know the tests that are accepted by your college whether it is TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo Test.
- Make a list of your College
As an international student, you may already have some colleges in mind, but it is important to look out for the ones that meet your career goals and objectives. Also be sure that your preferred college is within your budget. Read about public and private colleges or universities and if you need any financial aid, be sure to check the universities that offer financial support to international students. You may select a few out of the thousands of colleges in the United States to research their application process and what it takes to become a student of their institution. If you already know your course of study, focus your attention on the institutions that offer such disciplines.
- Contact and Connect with International students in the U.S.
This is one of the very important thing to take into consideration as there is nothing better than talking to someone who has already been admitted and is studying in a US college. Contact and connect with these students who are already in your preferred institution. Ask them about their experiences in the application process and what you can do to stand a chance of getting admitted. If they are willing to help, you can ask them to give you feedback on your essays and the information you would provide on the application portal.
- Prepare your documents
You will be required to submit some documents during the application process. Such documents as your academic transcripts, letters of recommendations, essays and statement of purpose. Documents such as letters of recommendations should be sent to the application portal by your referees themselves. Ensure that you read about these documents and let your referee know when to send the letters. Your academic transcripts should be requested early even before you start your application process. Ensure that the hardcopy of your official transcripts and other documents get to the appropriate quarters to avoid disqualification.
- Send you application
This is a very important step in the entire application steps or process. After putting in so much energy and time to researching about your preferred institution, reaching out to students and the admission office, writing essays and preparing documents, you are finally left with the task of submitting your application. Before submitting your application, ensure that you review each document and section of your application. After submission, check your email for a confirmation message. Ensure that you fill out correctly your contact information and constantly be checking your email for any update on your application status.