As a high school student, the prospect of going to the United States to study is stressful and thrilling at the same time. When should I start applications? What do I bring? What are the differences in applications between my country and the U.S.A.? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered! Here are ten things you need to know about college and admissions in the United States.
- Start applications early! Early Action and Early Decision are both due in early November and can significantly increase your chance of acceptance. Early Decision (ED) is a binding contract that requires the signature of you, your guidance counselor, and your parent. This means that if you get accepted into your ED school, you must attend. Early Action is non-binding, and you can apply to multiple schools to find out your acceptance by December. Keep in mind that some of your documents might need to be translated and therefore received beforehand.
- Standardized tests are not everything. Many schools are going test-optional: you can decide whether to submit scores or opt-out of testing altogether. Unlike in some countries, where standardized testing determines admittance, major, and even career trajectory, in the United States, admissions officers look at much more than standardized tests. Grades, course selection, school curriculum, extracurriculars, college essays, and letters of recommendation are all considered. Check to see if you need to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), though.
- The college essay is not about why you want to study at University X and why. College essays are a unique part of the college application. This is an opportunity for you to tell a story (the more specific, the better) about a particular moment in your life and what makes you unique. Supplemental essays are where you can showcase why you are interested specifically in that college or program. Don’t worry. Check out this College Essay Tips blog post for more information!
- Being an international student does not make you unique at some colleges. Many of the highly selective schools have large application pools of international students. Find something else that can make you stand out. Are you involved in your community? Do you show a passion for something specific? In what ways do you show up as a leader?
- You do not need to know what you will major in when applying to college in the United States. Many schools have students declare a major sophomore year, allowing time to take foundation courses and general elective courses. At liberal arts colleges, exploration and multidisciplinary study are emphasized, so students might take biology and art in the same semester. Universities are generally bigger and have both undergraduate and graduate students. Some schools are known for research, schools known for art, colleges known for music, engineering, and law. There is truly something for everyone!
- Show you are interested in attending! Some schools take demonstrated interest into consideration for college applications. Sign up for emails and request information from schools you are interested in. Contact admissions representatives or, if possible, visit the school itself and meet with professors. Expressing that you are interested in attending a particular college is a plus!
- Keep your letters of recommendation to a minimum. Do colleges accept letters of recommendation from coaches, mentors, alumni, even celebrities? Sure, but admissions have to read thousands of applications a year. Making sure you have two academic letters of recommendation from teachers (generally who taught you junior year) and a letter from your guidance counselor is all that is necessary. Otherwise, it starts to get excessive. To learn more about letters of recommendation, listen to this podcast created by Yale admissions officers!
Applying for colleges is stressful, especially when you are an international student. Take small steps, stay organized, and don’t procrastinate. This is an exciting moment in your journey, so enjoy the ride!