The USA is the country that receives the largest number of international students every year. Find out how to apply for admission to US universities, the deadlines and how to avoid common mistakes when filling out forms

The United States of America is one of the countries that hosts the largest number of international students in the world. This is facilitated by the high level of education provided by US universities, as well as the multicultural environment. Studying in the US is a popular choice for students from around the world, as American universities offer a diverse range of programs and opportunities for personal and academic growth.

How to apply for admission to a US university?

Applying for admission to the US can be difficult, especially for international students who are thousands of kilometers away and studying in a completely different education system.

However, if you divide the procedure into several steps, the admission process will become much simpler:

Step 1 – Make a list of universities you would like to enter

According to the latest data from the National Center for Education Statistics, there are a total of 6,502 private and public universities in the United States that grant bachelor's and master's degrees. The most popular of them are

- University of Massachusetts Amherst – the university ranks 67th in the U.S. ranking. News & World Report - Best National Rankings 2023, offering highly ranked programs in the following subjects: Computer Science Master's Program, Material Engineering Master's Program, Business Master's Program, and Mechanical Engineering Master's Program.

- University of Arizona - the university occupies the following honorable places: No. 48 in the ranking of the best universities in the USA (CWUR) and No. 151 in the ranking of world universities according to academic indicators (Academic Ranking of World Universities 2023).

- University of Illinois at Chicago - No. 14 in the list of the best public universities in the country (QS World University Rankings), 42 master's programs are among the top 100 in the country (U.S. News & World Report) and top 50 graphic design programs (College Choice).

- UMASS Boston - ranked among the top 100 universities in the United States (QS Rankings), #46 in the list of the best undergraduate programs in engineering sciences (U.S. News & World Report) and #104 in the ranking of the best public colleges in the U.S. News & World Report.

In general, your list of educational institutions should contain from 8 to 10 universities. However, if you think you're applying to highly competitive colleges, it's best to increase your number to 12.

Step 2 – Familiarize yourself with the university's requirements

Each university has a specific list of requirements that students must meet in order to be admitted to their programs. The list may include your high school diploma score, ACT, SAT, GRE or GMAT standardized test scores, extracurricular programs, and more.

Importantly! Extracurricular activities can strengthen your application by demonstrating your interests, skills, and leadership abilities outside of the academic environment. These are considered along with other factors such as GPA and test scores.

One of the requirements is also a language requirement. It applies to foreign students whose native language is not English. This is usually verified using a standardized test such as IELTS or TOEFL.

Step 3 – Fill out applications to admissions committees

This application form is sent to you by the admissions office or you can find it online on their website.

Students can apply to a university or college either through a centralized CommonApp portal, Coalition Application or directly to the university itself.

Each university has its own way - some accept applications through any of the portals, some only through one, and others exclusively through their portal, for example, MIT accepts applications through its MITadmissions portal.

Step 4 – Take the entrance exam

Another important requirement of US universities is the entrance exam. All future students are required to pass it.

Step 5 – Wait for the letter about enrollment in the educational institution

After passing all the stages and passing the exam, wait for the enrollment notification.

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How to fill out an application for admission to a university in the USA? Useful tips

To avoid common mistakes when filling out applications for admission to universities in the USA, pay attention to the following points:

- "Profile" section

Make sure that your first and last name are the same as in your foreign passport. This particularly applies to all exams and certificates (TOEFL, SAT, etc.), as differences in spelling can cause confusion and delays.

- Knowledge of foreign languages

If you really know a foreign language (English or any other), indicate it in the application, even without certificates. However, do not ascribe to yourself skills that you do not have, as this can lead to unpleasant consequences.

- "Family" section

Provide detailed information about your family, including parents' education and status. Universities take into account whether you are a first-generation student in your family, in which family you grew up, etc.

- "Education" section

List all schools attended and provide grade information as required. Note the difference between “Honors” and “Activities”: Honors are academic achievements such as awards and publications, while Activities are club participation and volunteer work.

- "Tests" section

Indicate not only the results of the exams already passed, but also those that you plan to take. This will show your focus and desire to improve results.

A properly prepared application can make a great impression on the admissions committee and help in admission.

Confirmation of funding is an important stage of applying to universities in the USA

Along with student achievement information, grades, and test scores, the US bachelor's degree application process also requires financial disclosure.

This information is provided by the foreign student through CSS Profile, International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA), or through the university portal, which provides data on family income, real and movable property, aids.

Without filling in information about finances, it is impossible to count on a scholarship, as well as admission to the university in general. This is due to the fact that most universities follow the Need Aware (Policy) for international students, which means considering the financial aspect when selecting candidates.

When to apply for admission to US universities? Deadlines

Applications to US universities are made long before the start of studies. Depending on the priority, there are several periods for submitting applications to US universities.

- Early Action (Early Action – EA)

If you want to receive a decision from the university earlier, but at the same time leave yourself time to make a final decision, you can apply by this deadline. Deadlines for EAs are usually in November (November 1-15) and a response from the university is expected in January-February.

- Early Decision (Early Decision - ED)

If you have definitely chosen a top priority university and are ready to accept an offer of admission unconditionally, you should apply for early decision. Deadlines for ED usually fall in November-December (from November 1 to 15), and you receive a decision on enrollment already in a month. By applying to ED, you demonstrate your seriousness and commitment to your chosen educational institution.

- Main deadline (Regular Decision - RD)

If you prefer to have more time to prepare documents and do not want to be tied to a specific university, you can choose to submit documents to RD. Usually, the deadlines for RD are December-January (from January 1 to 15).

- Rolling Admission

In this case, the university reviews applications continuously, so you can expect a quick decision on your application throughout the year.

It's worth noting that institutions with rolling admissions will fill positions on a rolling basis, so the later you apply, the fewer places open. In this sense, it may be useful to apply in advance. If you plan to enroll in 2025, now is the time to urgently decide and prepare documents, because the start of accepting applications began on August 1.

Benefits of Rolling Admission:

1. "Rolling Admission" can ease the stress of college admissions. Even if a university with Rolling Admission isn't your top choice, you can still rest easy knowing you have one confirmation of acceptance in hand.

2. Applying early can increase your chances of admission. While preparation is also important, applying to colleges with Rolling Admission early in the admissions process can reduce competition.

A quality higher education in the USA guarantees excellent future opportunities and employment prospects, because for many employers, the availability of international education and experience is an important factor that affects hiring.

We will remind you! Many US universities offer financial aid and scholarships specifically for international students. Before applying, it is important to research each university's financial aid policies and application requirements.

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