Of all the study destinations in the world for international students, the United States easily makes it to the top three. American institutions like Harvard, Stanford, MIT, and other top universities have established a standard for educational institutions worldwide. Aside from the globally recognized quality of education, research opportunities, and cutting-edge technology, education in the country is offered entirely in English, in a wide range of educational disciplines, opening up multiple career opportunities within the country and overseas.

In this guide, we cover everything you need to know about submitting an effective application to an esteemed institution in the United States.

University Application Process at American Universities

Applying to a university overseas can take a lot of work. In this section, we break down the general application procedure for most universities in the United States across all degree levels.

Step 1. Explore and Shortlist Preferred Universities

It is recommended that an applicant start their application process a year ahead of the application deadlines. Generally, these deadlines fall in October and February for bachelor’s programs and in January and July for postgraduate programs. Assuming that you’ve already decided on a course of study or a few that interest you, you can begin your search for a study destination.

There are thousands of universities across the 50 states of the United States — just enough to get you overwhelmed at the very beginning. It’s advisable to pick around 15 universities for the first phase of your decision-making process. Take into account factors like educational and research quality, the reputation of the university, student requirements, tuition, and location. A comparison chart may come in handy at this stage.

Step 2. Check Your Eligibility

Begin by evaluating your qualifications against the requirements listed on the university’s website. For example, the University of Washington Tacoma has its admission requirements for applicants for the freshman year listed on this official page. For comparison, the requirements for the University of California are given on this page of the official website.

You might have to take some standardized tests depending on the university you are applying to. At this stage, you might also be able to get your transcripts evaluated to ensure your eligibility. Applicants can contact the admission office of the university and get an official response to whether their international qualifications meet the university’s enrollment standards.

Step 3. Prepare Your Documents

Upon having your eligibility assessed and verified, you can start preparing your documents for the application process. Universities might require you to submit recommendation letters, SOPs, proof of sufficient funds to support international education, proof of language proficiency, and other academic transcripts.

These documents need to be scanned and submitted along with the application as required. More on the required admission documents are discussed in the following section.

Step 4. Prepare and Register for Standardized Tests

Universities might require applicants to take further tests to ensure their suitability for a program of their choice. These tests, which are different from the language tests, might include GRE, GMAT, MCAT, and SAT. It is best to sit for these examinations at least a year ahead of the application deadline. While most of the universities in the United States consider SAT and ACT scores, there are also other universities that you could get into without the need for this exam. At Harvard University’s Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, applicants do not need GRE scores for postgraduate studies. Similarly, SAT or ACT scores are optional for first-year applicants at Arizona State University and Oregon State University.

Depending on the requirements you can meet, you can make the list of your chosen universities shorter at this step. Make sure to have a few universities of different levels of competitiveness on your list. That way, you can stand a high chance of being selected at a university of your choice in the U.S.

Step 5. Fill Out Your Application Form

Most universities might have their own online application to be filled out by the applicants. Many universities including the University of Michigan have their application form hosted on the Common App. Others might mail their application forms. You must read through and stick to all the application guidelines, terms, and conditions explained to you on the application form. Application deadlines could be in different months of the year depending on the program, university, and the intake you are applying to. Usually, highly competitive universities have early deadlines. Others might have rolling admissions without a specific deadline.

The application fee, a non-refundable levy that is charged by almost all universities, might have to be paid at this stage. Application fees could be anywhere between $35 and $250. Application fees may also be different for local and international students. For instance, at the Illinois Graduate College, domestic applicants are required to pay a $70 admission fee while international students should pay $90. Since most universities consider applications on a first-come, first-served basis, you should send in your application along with all the supporting documents at your earliest. Ensure that you apply to a few universities on your list.

Step 6. Prepare to Meet Other Requirements

You should expect to take an entrance exam depending on the program and university you have applied to. Once you have submitted your application, it would be a good time to prepare for these exams and your funds for education abroad.

This is also a good time to explore scholarship opportunities at the university. All details for acceptable scholarships are given on the university websites, for example, the Scholarships at Boston University. Scholarships can not only ease the financial burden of living abroad but also improve the likelihood of being accepted. If you are already a recipient of a government, international, or third-party scholarship, make sure to include that in your application.

Step 7. Receive Your Acceptance Letter

Assuming that you’ve met all the application requirements and submitted an outstanding application, there is nothing left to do than wait for a positive response from the university. Initially, the university officials might get back to you with a conditional offer letter. A conditional offer confirms a student’s place on the course, but they will have to meet the university’s other requirements to proceed with the application process.

An unconditional offer means that your pending application has been finalized and accepted. Generally, American universities would inform you about your application within a few weeks or a month or two after the application deadline.

General Admission Documents

These are some of the documents that are needed when applying for an international university.

General Admission Documents
  • Application Form
  • Test Scores and Transcripts
  • Personal Statement and Recommendation Letters
  • Passport
  • Language Proficiency Certificate
  • Financial Statements
  • CV, Portfolio, and Research Proposals

Application Form – an application form is found either on the university’s official website like the University of Pennsylvania’s application form or is mailed to you upon request. Needless to say, it is the most important part of the selection process. Ensure that you read through the instructions, and fill it out accurately. Make sure you submit your application as soon as possible ahead of the deadline.

Test Scores and Transcripts – along with the application, an applicant is required to submit proof of previous qualifications. The application process might make it incumbent on the applicant to submit standardized test scores which would help the university gauge the applicant’s suitability to follow a program. For example, the University of Chicago considers SAT and ACT scores according to statistics of students already accepted.

Personal Statement – the personal statement, statement of purpose, or motivation letter refers to the same document. It is an essay-type document written ideally by the applicant that clearly explains the applicant’s motivation behind selecting a specific program, university, and country in addition to a short section about the applicant’s profile and academic history.

Recommendation Letters – recommendation letters bolster an application’s likelihood of being accepted by providing professional feedback on the applicant. Generally, recommendation letters are written by employers, teachers, and workmates. The University of Michigan, for example, requires applicants to submit a teacher evaluation along with their application.

Passport – Since you are an international student, it is only a matter of time until you are required to produce your passport. Some universities or visa-processing agencies might also require you to provide information about your travel history.

Language Proficiency Certificate – English is the primary language of instruction in almost all the universities in the United States. Regardless of whether you are applying for studies or work, a good command of the English language is crucial to survive in the country. Depending on the educational program you have applied for you might be required to have different levels of proficiency in the English language. Generally, CAE, TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE are widely accepted English language proficiency certifications.

Financial Statements – if you are studying abroad, the university would require you to prove that you can financially support yourself during your stay in the country. This includes tuition fees, accommodation and living costs, transport, and other miscellaneous costs. It is recommended that you talk to an agency or the admission department of the relevant university to help you understand the financial requirements of the university and the state you are applying to.

CV and/or Portfolio – a CV or portfolio might be required when applying to a university in the United States. This is a requirement, especially in STEM fields and highly technical subjects where a student’s academic and professional history may be helpful in the selection process.

Research Proposals – for postgraduate programs, some universities might require the students to take an entrance exam called the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Applicants would also be required to submit a research proposal for Ph.D. programs. A research proposal is an important document in the application process that demonstrates a student’s educational and professional background.

Optional Materials / Documents to Consider

Standardized International Test Scores – while SAT and ACT scores may play a role in the selection process of a university, they aren’t always necessary. For example, at the University of Michigan, students who do not have SAT or ACT scores may still apply with other exam scores like AP or IB exams. For bachelor’s programs, in the absence of a high school diploma, educational institutions might ask an applicant to submit an equivalent qualification.

Other Internationally-recognized Qualifications – your application can further be enhanced by qualifications such as the International Baccalaureate. If you believe one of your other qualifications might help testify to your high academic achievements, make sure to submit it along with your application.

Key Facts for Applying to Universities in the U.S.

Here are some key facts and answers to frequently asked questions that might help you when applying to a university in the United States.

1. Application Deadlines may Vary Vastly

In the United States, there are three intakes: The fall intake which starts in August/ September, the spring intake which starts in January, and the summer intake which is usually in May. However, deadlines for applications for each of these intakes can vary from university to university. It is best to visit the official website of your chosen universities to inform yourself of the application deadlines. For example, the deadline for the fall intake of the University of Minnesota – Twin Cities is typically set on the 1st of January (Regular Deadline).

2. Importance of Academic Excellence

Some universities in the United States can be very competitive to get into. Often, students would be required to ascertain their eligibility to study at these esteemed institutions through outstanding academic performance. This is where other standardized test scores could become useful. However, other universities are also relatively easier to get into.

3. Apply to Multiple Universities

When shortlisting your preferred universities, you would be taking into account factors like affordability, location, and the quality of education. However, make sure to have a few universities in the list from the following categories: Highly competitive universities, mid-level universities, and universities that are highly likely to accept your application. This could help ensure that you manage to secure a seat at an institution in the United States.

 

Universities in the United States receive applications from all around the world, making the selection process tedious and highly competitive. With the amount of information and options available, it could be overwhelming to apply to a university in the United States. We hope this guide helped you understand the usual application process and the required documents to submit a successful application.

For more valuable tips and insightful articles about studying abroad, check out our Guide to Studying in the USA and Available Programs for International Students sections!

About the Author: Hyun Lee

Hi! I am Hyun, and I am the founder at Global Scholarships. I've received a full-tuition scholarship at Birmingham-Southern College and a $1,000 Burger King Scholarship for my undergraduate degree and was offered a fully funded scholarship consisting of tuition, living stipend, and health insurance for computer science Ph.D. program at North Carolina State University. You can read more about my scholarship journey here. If you are interested, you can follow me on Linkedin where I regularly write about scholarships.

Share this article via

4 Comments

  1. CHRISTOPHER AGYEMANG AVORKA August 6, 2024 8:29 pm - Reply

    I need Scholarship opportunity to further my education Abroad
    Thank you

  2. Anonymous November 28, 2024 2:39 pm - Reply

    I want to apply to any university in the United States with low tuition fees, offering scholarships for international students with low GPAs.

    • Hyun Lee November 30, 2024 2:51 am - Reply

      Hello, please check out this list of the Cheapest Universities in the United States. Many Universities in the United States offer scholarships based on financial need alone, so check out need-blind and need-aware universities before you start applying for universities.

Leave A Comment