Overview of the College Application Process
Step by step instructions for applying to a U.S. college or university
General Process for Applying
While many aspects of the U.S. university admissions process are important, perhaps the most critical step is the first one! The application process has changed significantly thanks to technology, but it is still important to read and follow instructions to help assure a successful admissions outcome.
First, if you plan to apply to more than one institution—which is as important a decision as picking your “preferred institution”—be sure to select those institutions early and apply simultaneously. Do not wait to send your application and materials to your “fall-back school” (the one that is a lower choice school where the chances of acceptance are higher) until after you have heard from the preferred institution(s). Frequently, waiting too long means that even the “fall-back school” has reached capacity for the upcoming term and you are now without any of your alternatives.
Secondly, do your homework on the desired colleges and universities. Visit the Web sites of each of your listed schools to learn the critical elements of the admissions process: what document items are required and what is the deadline date by which all of these items are due?
If the insitutions enumerates their admission policy for international applicants, read this as well. Some schools even indicate in detail the requirements for overseas applicants according to their country of origin.
Make Test Score Arrangements Early
Most schools have specific standardized test requirements such as SAT or ACT, GRE or GMAT, and TOEFL® or IELTS. With more than 4,000 U.S. institutions of higher education, the variation among them regarding standardized tests is immense.
Be sure to find out very early on if your desired institutions require a standardized test for freshman admission such as SAT or ACT, and make sure the date you intend to take the exam allows you time for having the score submitted by the stated deadline. In fact, the wisest idea would be to take the required exam early enough in advance of the proposed semester entry date to allow for a re-take if necessary.
Also, read the application procedure on the Web site sufficiently carefully to determine if additional tests, such as SAT subject tests, are required before entry. Usually, such exams are required after entry rather than before, but taking these tests early can give you an advantage during those critical early days of advising and registration because the required English or math placement test has already been taken.
Almost all institutions expect some sort of proof of English proficiency. Very few schools have time for interviews, and so the requirement is to take either TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System). There may be a process for waiving either exam, but make sure you read the explanation of the waiver process carefully. Do not wait until just before the deadline when there is no time to quickly take an exam should the waiver request be denied.
Follow the College Application Directions Closely
Almost all U.S. colleges have an online application process. Indeed, many no longer even have a paper application ready to hand out. Read the instructions carefully and fully as they will undoubtedly vary between schools. If a Social Security number is required (increasingly less likely as schools move away from using this number for identification purposes), find out how you should proceed (can you just leave this section blank? or mark not applicable).
Make use of the contact e-mail address if you have a question. Do not depend on friends or relatives who may have applied to the same school in the past—things change in a very short time.
Graduate Student Requirements
Graduate applications may begin in a centralized graduate admissions office, but they typically end up in the individual graduate departments for a final decision. That being the case, additional departmental requirements invariably exist; you can usually find out what those are by visiting the graduate department’s Web site (not just the graduate admissions office). These additional requirements generally take the form of letters of recommendation, a résumé, or a statement of purpose.
Also, deadline dates that differ from the general graduate application deadline will appear on these sites. Make sure to note the difference between the general department deadline date and the deadline expected of students applying for graduate fellowships or assistantships.
Final Reminders
Electronic applications are quick but carry their own difficulties. Many are multi-paged so be sure you make sure you answer all the questions. Also, most institutions have some sort of application fee; have your credit card ready when you sit down to begin the process. If you must leave the application to go check some information, be sure to hit the “save” button so all your work is not lost should something go wrong.
When you are finished, do not just hit the “save” button—make sure you click the “submit” button, or your application will never get there. Finally, try to complete the application on your home computer or at a school library where you have plenty of time. An Internet café is not the best venue to launch that all-important application that will change your future.
While many aspects of the U.S. university admissions process are important, perhaps the most critical step is the first one! The application process has changed significantly thanks to technology, but it is still important to read and follow instructions to help assure a successful admissions outcome.
First, if you plan to apply to more than one institution—which is as important a decision as picking your “preferred institution”—be sure to select those institutions early and apply simultaneously. Do not wait to send your application and materials to your “fall-back school” (the one that is a lower choice school where the chances of acceptance are higher) until after you have heard from the preferred institution(s). Frequently, waiting too long means that even the “fall-back school” has reached capacity for the upcoming term and you are now without any of your alternatives.
Secondly, do your homework on the desired colleges and universities. Visit the Web sites of each of your listed schools to learn the critical elements of the admissions process: what document items are required and what is the deadline date by which all of these items are due?
If the insitutions enumerates their admission policy for international applicants, read this as well. Some schools even indicate in detail the requirements for overseas applicants according to their country of origin.
Make Test Score Arrangements Early
Most schools have specific standardized test requirements such as SAT or ACT, GRE or GMAT, and TOEFL® or IELTS. With more than 4,000 U.S. institutions of higher education, the variation among them regarding standardized tests is immense.
Be sure to find out very early on if your desired institutions require a standardized test for freshman admission such as SAT or ACT, and make sure the date you intend to take the exam allows you time for having the score submitted by the stated deadline. In fact, the wisest idea would be to take the required exam early enough in advance of the proposed semester entry date to allow for a re-take if necessary.
Also, read the application procedure on the Web site sufficiently carefully to determine if additional tests, such as SAT subject tests, are required before entry. Usually, such exams are required after entry rather than before, but taking these tests early can give you an advantage during those critical early days of advising and registration because the required English or math placement test has already been taken.
Almost all institutions expect some sort of proof of English proficiency. Very few schools have time for interviews, and so the requirement is to take either TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System). There may be a process for waiving either exam, but make sure you read the explanation of the waiver process carefully. Do not wait until just before the deadline when there is no time to quickly take an exam should the waiver request be denied.
Follow the College Application Directions Closely
Almost all U.S. colleges have an online application process. Indeed, many no longer even have a paper application ready to hand out. Read the instructions carefully and fully as they will undoubtedly vary between schools. If a Social Security number is required (increasingly less likely as schools move away from using this number for identification purposes), find out how you should proceed (can you just leave this section blank? or mark not applicable).
Make use of the contact e-mail address if you have a question. Do not depend on friends or relatives who may have applied to the same school in the past—things change in a very short time.
Graduate Student Requirements
Graduate applications may begin in a centralized graduate admissions office, but they typically end up in the individual graduate departments for a final decision. That being the case, additional departmental requirements invariably exist; you can usually find out what those are by visiting the graduate department’s Web site (not just the graduate admissions office). These additional requirements generally take the form of letters of recommendation, a résumé, or a statement of purpose.
Also, deadline dates that differ from the general graduate application deadline will appear on these sites. Make sure to note the difference between the general department deadline date and the deadline expected of students applying for graduate fellowships or assistantships.
Final Reminders
Electronic applications are quick but carry their own difficulties. Many are multi-paged so be sure you make sure you answer all the questions. Also, most institutions have some sort of application fee; have your credit card ready when you sit down to begin the process. If you must leave the application to go check some information, be sure to hit the “save” button so all your work is not lost should something go wrong.
When you are finished, do not just hit the “save” button—make sure you click the “submit” button, or your application will never get there. Finally, try to complete the application on your home computer or at a school library where you have plenty of time. An Internet café is not the best venue to launch that all-important application that will change your future.
