In an effort to help international students not only get started but to help ensure that they have met the requirements for their US college applications this simple US College Application Checklist has been created. Students must keep in mind, however, that each university has its own rules for applying and so it is necessary to check their websites or even make contact with their international student office to ensure that they have all the necessary information and application details. In addition to this simple checklist, students trying to navigate the college admissions landscape can find additional resources at sites such as Big Future, Khan Academy, US News Global Education and Cialfo.
Simple Application Checklist for International Students Applying To US Colleges
Create your “Applying List”
- By using online predictive tools categorize your “Applying List” based on acceptance likelihood categories such as “Far Reach, Reach, Target and Likely” where:
- Far Reach = Your overall profile falls short of college requirements and/or the acceptance rate is extremely low therefore your chances of acceptance are a ” Far Reach” (0% – 5%)
- Reach = Your overall profile falls short of college requirements and/or the acceptance rate is low therefore your chances of acceptance are a “Reach” (5% – 25%)
- Target = Your overall profile matches college requirements and/or the acceptance rate is moderate therefore your chances of acceptance are on “Target” (25% – 75%)
- Likely = Your overall profile exceeds college requirements and/or the acceptance rate is high therefore your chances of acceptance are “Likely” (>75%)
- Keep in mind the likelihood of your acceptance at each institution and balance the risks accordingly. Make sure that not all your applications are to schools where your profile falls short of their requirements and/or their acceptance rate is extremely low.
Create your calendar
- Take note of application deadlines, strategise how you wish to apply, especially if the colleges to which you are applying have early applications that may increase your chances of acceptance, and plan your calendar accordingly.
Ensure that you have a valid passport
- To prove your identity you may need to provide your passport number so plan to start your applications after you have a valid passport.
- Your passport will be essential after you have been accepted as the university will need your passport information in order to issue you a Form I-20.
Complete Application Forms
- Register for and complete any required application forms such as the Common Application, Coalition Application or university-specific applications.
- Complete all required demographics and essential details.
- Sign your FERPA waiver which regulates the privacy of your education records. FERPA also gives you the right to review confidential letters of recommendation provided as part of that application after you enrol. The FERPA requires you to explicitly give permission for their institutions to release their records.
- Complete writing requirements on applications such as personal essays and statements, college-specific questions, additional information sections and any supplementary essays.
- Brainstorm and draft.
- Proofread carefully for clarity, spelling and grammar.
- Read it aloud, and consider having someone read it aloud back to you as this can help you “hear” where there are mistakes or a lack of clarity.
- Ask others for feedback and perspectives.
- Review, revise, rewrite, repeat.
Manage School Requirements
- Link application to school portals as and where required.
- Request teacher and counselor recommendation letters.
- Request transcripts
- Initial high-school transcript (Grade 9 – 11) to be sent to all colleges on your application list.
- Midyear high-school transcript (Grade 9 – 11 + Sem 1 of Grade 12) to be sent to all colleges on your application list.
- Final high school transcript to be sent only to the college to which you will be attending.
Additional Requirements
- Admissions Tests: Find out if any admissions tests are required and if so, schedule, undertake and send scores accordingly.
- Standardized tests: Take any required or recommended tests such as SAT, ACT and English Proficiency tests such as IELTS and TOEFL and send accordingly, at least two weeks prior to application deadlines to ensure that they reach them on time. If using College Board tests, you can confirm your score reports by logging into your account on the College Board homepage.
- Financials: As part of the US college application process, you need to submit financial documents that demonstrate your ability to pay for your program. While you are not expected to pay the total cost of the program immediately, these documents show that you have the required funds to meet expected costs over time. Some universities require a certificate of financial responsibility and/or proof of available funds, which includes a bank statement or list of assets. Depending on your personal circumstances, documents such as the CSS Profile can take time to collect from your bank, and it is important to start this process early. Check scholarship submission deadlines and plan accordingly.
- Interviews: If available have an alumni interview as these are usually very friendly experiences where you can gain insights into the college from people who have attended. Other interviews may require a little more preparation especially if they make up part of the application process.
- Resume: Depending on the program you have chosen, your university may require you to document your extracurricular, work, and volunteer experience in the form of a resume. Some programs have a mandatory internship or assistantship component which gives you the opportunity to gain real working experience, and these also require you to have a cover letter and resume. You may also need a resume or CV for certain volunteer and extracurricular activities at your university. Resumes are expected to be one page long and should highlight your skills, education, and career experience, along with any awards or other notable achievements covering years 9-12.
- Optional Recommendations: Request optional recommendation letters if required
- Appreciations: Send thank-you notes to recommendation writers.
- Copies: Make sure that you have made copies (electronic or otherwise) of your applications.
- Fees: Pay any application fees.
- Sign and Send: Sign and send your applications as well as any additional material, if needed.
- Inform: Tell your school counselor that you applied.
BEFORE Application Submission
Your applications are complete, and you’re ready to submit but before doing so you should make sure that you have given your entire application one final check. Even though several elements of your application are submitted by others, you are still the person who is ultimately responsible for making sure that all parts of the application arrive on time.
You should check that:
- Your school counselor has submitted their portions of your college application package including the school report and transcripts.
- All materials have been received by the online portal for each of the colleges to which you are applying.
- All the details of your application are accurate and in particular the self-reported test scores, school awards and honours, mailing address and school name.
- There are no omissions and consider whether you’ll include additional or optional information, explain extenuating circumstances, or include a separate portfolio.
- You have addressed any unanswered questions an admissions committee may have
- Your teacher and any optional recommendations have been completed and sent.
- Each file, audio or video file in your portfolio, has been uploaded correctly. If you provide links to any outside materials, such as a blog or online portfolio, double-check these links and click each to make sure that it’s functional.
- Proofread your entire application out loud, even the lists.
- Read the college-specific directions for each application and sign your name before hitting the submit button!
AFTER Application Submission
You should:
- Receive an application results letter from the office of admission
- Receive a financial aid award letter
- Meet the deadline to accept admission and send the deposit
- Make a decision regarding any financial aid/scholarship offers and discuss any queries with the financial aid office.
- Notify those colleges that you will not attend
- Ensure that you have a valid passport as without it you will not be able to enter the US. In addition, if your passport is not up to date, then the school you are applying to will not be able to issue your I-20 form.
- Apply for your student visa once you receive your I-20 from the college that you will be attending.
