Applying to College in the US? What International Students Need to Know
Every year thousands of students from across the globe submit applications to US colleges. The admissions process in the US varies vastly from other places, so for those considering the process, there are key planning steps you need to know.
This blog is the first in a series about global college and university opportunities. We invite you to stay tuned for future posts exploring international college options for American students, study abroad, and more.
Read on for three keys to unlocking the admissions process for international applicants –
1. Learn the lingo –
Different from other places around the world, the terms university and college are used almost interchangeably. In some cases, the term ‘university’ applies to larger educational institutions that serve both undergraduates pursuing bachelors’ degrees as well as graduate students pursuing Masters and PhD or Doctoral programs. College, though often used as a general term for undergraduate study, can also mean a smaller institution that focuses on educating undergraduate students exclusively. The designation of “college” or “university” does not convey anything about the selectivity or quality of education in the US. Lastly, community colleges are typically institutions that offer two-year degree and certificate programs. Because these cater to learners at all stages of life, they rarely include housing for students.
2. Know the language requirements –
In many US universities, exam scores are required to demonstrate English proficiency. In recent years, many colleges and universities have expanded to offer several options for these exams including TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo English Test (DET). It is important to understand that almost no requirements for US colleges and universities are standardized across all institutions, so it is crucial to visit the website of the colleges you are interested in to review their specific requirements. These can range from not requiring any testing to be submitted, to requiring test scores only for students who have attended a certain number of years of high school outside of the US. These testing requirements are separate from and can be in addition to the requirement of submitting SAT or ACT scores.
3. Plan ahead and determine how to submit your transcripts –
As with testing requirements, university policies on submitting transcripts vary widely from institution to institution. The best approach is to visit the college’s admissions website and carefully review how to submit your academic records as an international student. Sometimes transcripts must be translated by a translation service prior to submission. Universities may even have different requirements depending on the country where you have attended high school, so it is wise to look into this process several months ahead of your deadlines and make sure you coordinate with the counselor at your school for support.
4. Consider your activities and time outside of school –
Although a student may have grades and test scores that match up perfectly with the admitted student profile for a college of interest, this alone does not guarantee admission to US colleges. In addition to valuing essays and teacher recommendations, the US admissions process tends to focus more heavily on students’ leadership, involvement, initiative, and activities outside of their coursework in high school. It is a common expectation that students will have significant involvement in leadership, service, athletics, arts, or work outside of school. So if you are early in your process, consider how you will represent your involvement and time spent outside of the school day on your applications.
5. Know the deadlines –
For many US colleges, submitting applications at the earliest available deadline can be helpful. Check each college’s deadlines, and know that some will require submissions as early as the October before you plan to enroll for the next year’s fall semester. In the US, Early Decision deadlines are important to distinguish from other application plans. Submitting an Early Decision application means making a binding commitment to attend that university if you are admitted. This only should be pursued if you are very confident in the college fit, finances, and ability to secure a visa to enroll. Early Action deadlines differ significantly, as they are non-binding. A student may continue to consider this option and apply to other colleges if admitted under and Early Action plan. These deadlines are typically in October and November, and applicants may receive decision results as early as December-February.
TBU Essay & Application specialists are experts at supporting students to craft their most compelling, authentic work, taking the pressure off of parents playing this role. If you’d like to explore working with a TBU Essay & Application specialist, now is the time. Get in touch here and we will look forward to connecting with you.
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