How Do I Apply To Study in the United States?
The United States of America, also known as the US, is one of the most popular destinations on the planet.. The US is known for Hollywood, the home of technological innovation, and the location of many stunning world-famous landmarks—the Grand Canyon, anyone? The US also has the world’s largest international student population, with nearly 5% of post-secondary students arriving from outside of the United States.
How Do I Apply To Study in the United States?
If you’re interested in studying in the United States your first step is to review the admission requirements for the programs that you’re interested in. There’s no one-size fits all when talking about admission requirements—program requirements may vary by institution, and many other factors may impact requirements too. Please also note: requirements for the same programs can change over time.
US post-secondary institutions typically will assess its prospective students by evaluating a variety of factors, these include:
- The student’s previous academic performance—previous transcripts will likely be required, as well as translations where applicable.
- Prerequisite courses, for admission to specific courses.
- English language proficiency
- Other supplementary information, such as a resume or statement of purpose.
English is the primary language of instruction in the US. As part of the admission process, students applying from a non-English speaking country will need to demonstrate English proficiency. Standardized English language tests evaluate students on their reading, listening, speaking and writing skills.
Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is the most common language test for universities and colleges in the US. English Language Testing System (IELTS), is also accepted.
When Do I Submit My Application?
It's important to make note of application deadlines and submit your completed application within the deadline provided by the educational institution.
In the US, admissions are typically offered for entry in fall (September), winter (January), and summer (May). September is most commonly considered the official start of the school year and that’s when the biggest intake occurs.
Institutions in the US offer its students one of the following options when applying:
- Regular Decision (RD): A regular decision is for students who are not 100% sure where they would like to apply. This option allows students to take more time to complete their application or retake their ACT or SATs.
- Early Action (EA): Early action is for students who are unsure about attending a particular institution. Students are able to apply to multiple institutions through early action.
- Early Decision (ED): Early decision is for students that know where they would like to go. If a student selects EA, it can be difficult to back out as that can lead to negative consequences as the application is a binding contract.
- Rolling Admission (RA): Rolling admission is an option for students that apply to an institution through EA and decide they want to attend a different one. This option is also available if students finish their application early. Educational institutions can provide students with acceptance quicker through RA.
Please note: we strongly recommend checking the institution’s page on the ApplyBoard Platform for the most accurate deadline information.
How Long Will It Take to Process My Application?
There is no easy answer to application processing times, however, we recommend that you submit your application as early as possible. This will give you time to secure a study permit and visa, as well as address any comments that the institution may have. The application deadline and flexibility is also dependent on the type of application you submit, for example: Rolling Admission applicants typically have a more flexible deadline — but it is still strongly recommended that you submit as early as possible.
What’s Next?
Now that you have a general overview of the US application process, it's time to hit the ground running! Use the ApplyBoard Platform to get started on your application, and reach out to an ApplyBoard student support adviser to receive free study abroad counselling.