Guide to Getting into a US College or University-

If you’ve decided you want to study in the United States next comes the hard part- the process of
getting accepted. It’s not a simple or quick procedure getting into a US school, but with the right
guidance it can certainly make it easier. This is why we’ve created our Guide to Getting into a US
College or University. Combine this guide with hard work and dedication on your part and it can help
make your dreams of studying in the US happen. Whether you’re only in the beginning stages of trying
to trying to study in the United States or you’re about to have admission interview- it’s the perfect time
to read our guide!

Before You Apply to a US College or University-

Since it can take around 2 years to get your application ready, starting early is a great first step. There
are several personal factors to consider as you prepare to research colleges and universities in the
United States. Finding the perfect match is not difficult once you decide how much your family can
afford, what you want to study, which state or location you like, the housing choice you prefer, social
options you would the school to offer, and career placement assistance needs.

Determining your preferences now will make it a lot easier to target the perfect place to earn your
undergraduate or graduate degree.

Personal Factors to Consider

 Cost
 Degree Programs
 Location
 Housing
 Social Life
 Career Placement

Cost

Getting a degree in the United States is expensive. Although many students are able to find one or two
scholarships to help offset the cost, keep in mind that finding a full scholarship is not a common
occurrence. This means you will need to explore all possible funding options. If money is not a factor,
that’s great! However, regardless of your situation, you should know what the financial aid policy is for
the colleges on your final list. Life circumstances can change suddenly, and you don’t want all your
hard work to be for nothing. It’s always better to have as much knowledge as possible about your
preferred colleges.

Tuition, room and board (food), books, supplies, and travel should be calculated when figuring the total
cost of attendance. For tuition alone costs can range from $4,000 to $40,000 per year. Some colleges
and universities offer merit aid, but some only offer need-based aid. So, what are your potential funding
options?

 Family Assistance: A majority of international students fund their education through personal
and family funding. Establish early on how much of your education you or your family members
will be paying. Keep in mind that as an international student you can’t rely on working in the US
 to fund your education. Working in the US comes with limitations including how many hours per
week you can work and will not be enough to fund your education.
 Home Country Funding: Many countries are encouraging of their citizens earning an
education and new skill set in the US that they can bring home with them. Because of this,
some countries will even help you pay for your degree. Contact your embassy or ministry of
education to see what type of aid is available.
 International Scholarships: Scholarships are a great way to help pay for your education.
Keep in mind that scholarships are essentially free money and can be very competitive. Apply
to as many scholarships as possible and as early as possible so you have a good idea how
much aid you can realistically reply on from scholarships. *Tip: Although applying to just a few
scholarships that offer large award amounts may be tempting, keep in mind that those are often
the most competitive. Find as many scholarships as possible that only allow a specific group of
students to apply (for example: students from Sweden studying biology).
 Educational Institution Funding: It will be difficult to know exactly how much aid will come
from a college or university in the beginning stages- especially prior to researching schools.
When you nail down which institutions you want to consider you can explore their site and
email their international student office to see what type of aid they offer international students.
Schools will use different methods to obtain the information needed to establish your individual
financial need, for example they may require you to complete the Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (FAFSA)- confirm with each school which method they prefer. After you’ve been
accepted into a university you will receive an aid offer that includes what type of aid you’re
eligible for through the university. Figuring out how much of the tuition you’re able to cover
through other funding options will allow you know exactly how much the institution will need to
offer at that point to make it an affordable option.

Scholarships are free money and should not require you to pay. If a scholarship is charging money
before you can apply it could be a scam.

 Private Sponsor: This type of funding is very difficult to find so you will need to work hard and
start searching early if you plan on relying on an individual or company sponsor to help fund
your education.
 US Government Funding: Although international students aren’t eligible for all student aid that
the US government offers like Pell Grants and Stafford loans, they do offer aid specific to
international students, like the Fulbright. A good place to begin your search for US government
funding is EducationUSA.
 Work & Study Programs: If you’re able to work in the US while you earn your degree keep in
mind that it will not provide enough funds to cover your full tuition and other educational costs.
Working in the US will typically provide some supplemental income, but the most rewarding
part will be in the experience and connections you make. InternationalStudent.com has
partnered with HTIR Work-Study, USA to help international students find a program where they
can work while earning their degree. These programs are available to graduate students trying
to pursue a degree in a variety of programs including international business, finance
management and investment, human resource management, management information
systems, marketing management, healthcare leadership, engineering management, healthcare
administration, analytics, technology and innovation, project management, computer science
and general business.
 International Student Loans: If you’ve tapped each of the other funding outlets and still fall
short on being able to provide the funds needed to study in the US, international student loans
can help you fill the remaining gap. Not all lenders work with all schools, and some do not offer
 loans to international students at all. Find lenders that work with both the schools you’re
considering and international students, and then compare each lender to find the best terms.

Determining where your funding is coming from is crucial. You don’t want to have to change your top
schools at the last minute because you can’t meet the financial expectations.

Additionally, before you can enter the US you will have to provide documents that show you have
sufficient funds to cover your expenses while in the United States. Creating a personal budget plan
early will help you determine a good estimate. Gathering all the important information or at least
knowing what information you will eventually need and how to get it, is a necessary step you can’t
avoid.

Financial Checklist

 Personal finances
 Home country assistance
 School specific assistance
 Independent general scholarships
 International student loans

After you have a realistic idea of how much you can afford and where the money is coming from, it will
help you later on to quickly eliminate any colleges that don’t meet the price tag you need.

Degree Programs

Before choosing a school it’s ideal to know which degree you want to pursue. If you’re having a difficult
time choosing a profession spend some time observing a wide range of professionals in your everyday
life. Ask questions when you can and try to imagine yourself in their role. Once you have a better idea
of what you might like to do, you will need to research the type of education that is required. Of course
you must attend a school that offers the specific track, courses and degree program you will need, has
a good reputation, and a good post-graduation employment record. Our Study Guide by Subject is an
excellent tool to use while researching different career paths that interest you.

Location

Something else you will need to decide before you start searching schools is where you want to pursue
your education. The United States is vast and diverse; you have 50 states plus Washington, D.C. to
choose from. Some colleges and universities are located in the heart of a major city, and some are
located in beautiful rural areas. If you like a vibrant lifestyle with museums, restaurants, luxury
shopping, and public transportation, then be sure to center your search in big cities. If you prefer a
quieter experience in a location that’s less populated, a smaller city or town might be a better option for
you.

When exploring different locations around the US make sure you consider the following:

 Cost of living
 Fee to purchase weather appropriate clothes
 Available transportation
 Ease of travel to other locations throughout the US and globe
 Safety
  Job/internship opportunities

If you need further guidance on where to study our USA State Guide can provide more details on each
state, the schools located in that area, and what you can expect while living there.

Housing Options

When you picture yourself studying in the US where do you see yourself living? Whether it’s in a
residence hall with lots of other students to hang out with or in a cozy apartment with one or two close
roommates it’s key to take note of the living conditions you expect. Researching the various housing
options ahead of time will ensure that when you do explore schools you can confirm if they offer what
you want.

Some colleges and universities require undergraduate freshmen and first year international students to
live on campus in residence halls. However, during your second year (or if your school doesn’t have
this requirement) you will have many other options such as off campus apartments and homestays.
Universities will often have a student forum or a list of suggested off campus housing to help you find
other students looking for roommates and independent apartments to rent. Alternatively, you might
want to consider a homestay program. Many international students enjoy getting a firsthand look at life
in the US when living with an American family through a homestay. Do your research to find a
qualified homestay company that will pre-screen the family, house, and location to confirm you will have
an authentic and safe experience

Social Life

With the amount of pressure around the academic side of studying in the US the social aspect is often
overlooked. However, part of being an international student is the experience it’s able to offer which
means you should take time to think about social expectations you have for your future college or
university. If you are an athlete, musician, artist, actor, or just someone who has very specific needs
when it comes to activities outside of academics, you will need to explore the available clubs and
facilities available to you at each school. You don’t want to miss out on those enrichments by choosing
a location or college where your favorite pastime is unavailable to you.

You will also want to explore what organized social activities your school has to offer. Many schools
have a social calendar where they plan movie nights, grill-outs, karaoke and other fun (free) events
where students can mingle. Check out the social calendars for each school you’re considering and
make sure they offer plenty of opportunities for you to meet new friends. Also contact the international
student office as they often have an additional calendar of events.

Career Placement

Employment can be even more complicated and intimidating than getting your degree, but as an
international student you will want to participate in OPT or CPT if allowed. If the school doesn’t offer
much advice or assistance, you may want to cross them off your list. After you’ve headed to the US,
you should visit the career center as soon as you get situated on campus. The sooner you establish a
relationship with an actual person in the career center the more comfortable and ready you will be when
you are looking for opportunities.
Choosing a College or University
Now that you have outlined personal factors to take into account when choosing a college or university
in the United States, you can build a list of schools to choose from. Make sure you follow a
strict timeline and start early, stay organized, and be diligent in your research. As previously stated, it
can take around 2 years to go through the entire process. Don’t forget to continue your academic
excellence, take required exams, and pursue extracurricular activities you are passionate about. You
will need to meet all the requirements for admission to your top college choices, so be realistic when
making your school list.

Steps in Choosing a College

 Create a spreadsheet
 Research and record
 Compare and narrow
 Track acceptances
 Track finances and required documents

Create a College Spreadsheet

The best way to keep organized is to create one central spreadsheet. Before you start your research,
list each university you’re considering and include a column for each of the following:

 Requirements
 Deadlines
 Cost & available financial aid
 Personal preferences
 Social life
o Housing
o Notes
 Acceptance or denial notification

This sheet will be your command center and come in handy when you are busy with all your activities,
testing, studying, and applying to colleges. It will be difficult, if not impossible, to keep track of
everything without a well thought out spreadsheet. Use the categories as listed above but also add
other categories specific to your needs. Notate everything when researching each school to make sure
you can keep track of the small details.

Research and Record

When starting your search for a college or university our International Student USA School Search is an
excellent tool to help you get started. You can search by degree level, degree program and location.
When compiling schools at first, add every schools that seem like a possible fit, even if they don’t meet
all your qualifications. Then, be sure to mark which preferences they meet and which they don’t on your
college spreadsheet, so you can easily reference later when making a final cut.

Narrow Your Options

When you sort your spreadsheet, you will start to see a pattern that could help you select your top
choices with the most matched important preferences. Sort your spreadsheet in several different ways
until you get an order that you can lock into place after comparing them with each other. Be prepared
for this list to change frequently in the beginning. However, eventually you should have your list sorted
by your top choices.

The US College Application Process-

Now that you have identified which colleges and universities you would like to apply to, it’s time to start
the application process! As previously stated, it can take around 2 years to complete so make sure you
follow a strict timeline , start early, and stay organized. Getting everything done correctly and on time is
extremely important. A late or incomplete application will not be considered and could result in a denial.
With a good overview and plan created beforehand, you will have a better chance at receiving
acceptance notifications.

Application Next Steps

 Timeline
 Tests
 Extracurriculars
 Academics
 References
 Essays
 Forms
 Interviews
 Applications
 Help

TimeLine

Every college and university will have their own timeline with various deadlines which can get confusing
when applying to numerous schools. To avoid missing deadlines it’s key to create your own personal
timeline. Your timeline should include a compilation of each required item and deadline for each school
you wish to apply. Most colleges and universities release their new applications, supplemental essay
topics, and school specific questions well in advance allowing you to give yourself deadlines well before
the actual due date so you can prepare for the unexpected. Whether you are applying early action,
early decision, or regular admission, allow yourself as much time as you possibly can. You can’t control
everything in the application process, but you can maximize your timeline.

Testing

Reference your spreadsheet for which colleges require which tests and the deadline for each.
The required tests will have specific dates you must register and take them, and they might not be
offered very often in your area. Be sure to register early so you can take the test again if needed- you
should aim to meet and exceed the minimum score required to get into your first choice school.

The best approach to achieving the highest score possible is to know the rules of the exam and take as
many practice tests as you can. The practice tests should be taken under the same conditions you
would experience on the actual testing day. Use a timer and try different techniques of answering
questions until you achieve the practice score that you want. Study your score and determine how
many additional questions you need to get correct to improve. Did you make a simple mistake? Why?
Did you run out of time? Could you skip a certain type of question to in lieu answer additional easy
questions and get a better score? Evaluate your score after each test to see how you can improve
going forward.

Extracurriculars or ECs

What are you passionate about? Rather than spreading yourself too thin by joining every club, charity,
or sport, try to tie a few very specific extracurriculars together. Universities review thousands of
applications for a few select spaces. Your EC’s will add depth and character to your grades and test
scores that could set you apart from the crowd.

Admissions officers know that if you have regular activities with a central theme, you will find a way to
include that passion while attending university. If your activities appear to be random and too recent,
they could perceive them to be an attempt to simply impress the admissions department.

By developing a track record of thoughtful and meaningful participation, you will not only become very
knowledgeable about your passion or special skill, but you will also have cultivated a pool of references
to draw upon. You may need good references for your admission applications, scholarships, or
internships. Throughout your life, building a network of friends and colleagues that know what you're
passionate about, appreciate your talents or special skills, and have personal experience working with
or supervising you, can give you an extra edge when others are evaluating your qualifications.

Here's an example of extracurricular activities that show a commitment to specific areas of interest:

 Piano 4 years
o Jazz Band: grades 9th-12th
o 1st place International Piano Competition: grades 10th-11th
o Musicians for Charity Event Organizer: grades 9th-12th
o Piano for Seniors: grades 9-12; Head Tutor: grades 11th-12th
 Swim Team 4 years
o Captain: grades 11th-12th
o 1st Place State Backstroke: grade 12th
o Town Lifeguard: grades 11th-12th
o Volunteer Youth Swim Instructor: grades 10th-12th

In the example above the student shows a solid track record of several years of developing a couple
skills to the fullest potential. In addition to eventually becoming a champion, this student also uses
these skills within the local community and for charitable events. Just from this small example you
should have a good idea of what this student is interested in along with what kind of character or work
ethic he or she has. You can also see how this kind of EC activity is more manageable and enjoyable
for the student.

Academics

During the application process you may find yourself overwhelmed by deadlines in addition to your
classes and extracurriculars. However, the college spreadsheet you created should be keeping you on
track and relieving some of the burden. One item that you should have notated in your college
spreadsheet for each school is the required GPA- this should be your minimum GPA goal. Colleges
and universities will be requesting your mid-year grades, so ensure you keep your grades high and not
plan on “catching up” at the end of each academic year. You’ve worked hard for many years, so try not
to fall behind now. You are almost to the finish line and will be happy you pushed yourself to maintain
your achievements.

References

Ask teachers, professors and volunteer or work supervisors if they would be willing to write a letter of
recommendation for you. Once they confirm make sure you provide them with a resume and cover
letter so they can use it as a guide when writing your recommendation. This will provide them with
accurate information including dates and titles. There is usually an online portal for your references to
submit their recommendation so keep in mind you will need to ask them for an email address that you
can list during the application process. Your references should then receive a notification and reminder
about submitting their letters.

Once your letters of recommendation have been submitted you will want to check your application
status to make sure they were received. It’s also a good idea to send a thank you note to your
references- not only is it polite but you may also need to ask for their letter of recommendation again in
the future.

Essays

Admission essays will give the admissions team additional insight into your personality. Their job is to
curate a group of students that will enhance the university, create a diverse yet collaborate student
class, and find individuals that are a good match for the culture of the college as a whole. That’s why
many star students don’t get into every school they have applied to.

When choosing a topic for your essay, be sure to include information that is not already on other
documents you’re submitting. You can also write in detail about something that is on your application
but that needs to be explained or would be extremely interesting with additional details. The biggest
reason for requiring essays is to encourage you to tell your own story; who you are and what motivates,
interests, or troubles you. Be honest, give yourself enough time to write, rewrite, and rewrite again. Ask
someone who is proficient in English, preferably a native English speaker, to proofread your essay.
Learn more about college application essays.

College admission officers will read thousands of essays during the admissions process. Make sure
you start your essay off strong to encourage they keep reading and stay engaged.

Interviews

College interviews are often conducted by alumni. If you are planning a campus visit, you should check
to see if you can schedule an interview while you are there. Review the college website for their
interview policy and available dates. As with any interview, a bit of preparation will go a long way. You
can practice general interview techniques with a teacher, employer, or experienced friend. However,
you don’t want to have bad habits go uncorrected, so choose your helper carefully. The more you
practice answering questions about yourself, the better you will do when it really counts.

Additionally, you should learn as much information about the college as you can. It will be very
impressive if you ask questions that are specific to the university history, culture, or reputation. If you
know a little bit about the interviewer, you might be able to mention something you both have in
common to help the conversation be more natural. Do your research ahead of time and practice the
questions you would like to ask, as well as those you anticipate being asked. Knowing how to
answer common interview questions will make you feel and look more confident.

Finally, always dress for success. It’s a sign of respect to dress appropriately for an interview. You do
not want to distract from the conversation with a poor clothing choice. Spend time preparing your
interview clothing as soon as it’s confirmed you will have an interview. Waiting until the day of the
interview could leave you unprepared and create unnecessary anxiety if you don’t feel good about your
appearance. Learn more about making a good first impression during an interview.

Applications

Whether you’re completing the actual application through the school’s website or a third party site like
common app, the application must be completed fully, accurately and on or before the deadline.
Incomplete applications will be rejected and may cost you a spot at the university of your choice. Make
sure you:

 Review the entire application several times

 Carefully read each question
 Answer each question fully

Additional Help

Hopefully you have already learned that getting help can be a lifesaver. If something doesn’t seem right
or you don’t understand the directions, find help. If you have minor questions then often asking a
college advisor is a good solution. If you’re confused or worried about the entire application process to
studying in the US as an international student then make sure you contact a college consultant
company like IvyWise.

Keep in mind that the process of getting accepted into a US university is not a simple one and requires
hard work on your part to find success. However, if you have followed the steps in this guide to getting
into a US college or university, you are well on your way to becoming an international student.