Preparing the International
College Application
Begin the application process as soon as you have decided upon a college. Most applications and other required forms can be downloaded from the university's website. Deadlines are extremely important and applications must reach the college before the closing date. Visit our submission timeline for guidance. A good strategy is to send all required documents and forms no later than 10 months before your expected start date, or approximately two to three months before the deadline, to allow for delays in the mail.
Only after all the paperwork has been received will the university begin to review the application. If anything is missing the application will be considered incomplete and will not be reviewed. Be sure to make a photocopy of everything you send including the application and any essays. This will help if the application is lost and needs to be resubmitted.
Although applications will vary slightly among colleges they usually require the following:
- A cover letter. This letter should introduce yourself and identify the contents of the application packet.
- An application fee. This non-refundable fee is required to process your paperwork and is usually paid in the form of a check that can be cashed at a bank in the United States or international money order.
- The completed application form. Each college usually has their own specific application form. Questions on these forms will ask you about your academic credentials as well as personal information.
- An application essay or statement of purpose. The application essay allows the admission committee to evaluate your English writing ability and gives you a chance to describe yourself and academic passions. The essay question is typically given to you by the university and a common question for international students is to explain why they want to study at this particular college.
- Transcripts. These are a record of your academic ability. Universities require that certified copied of transcripts should be sent directly from your former school. English translations should be done by a professional translator or credential evaluation service.
- Standardized test scores. These tests include the TOEFL, SAT and ACT. These scores should also be sent directly from the testing agency.
- Letters of recommendation. These letters are written by previous professors about your academic abilities. The letter should be sent directly to the university by the person writing the letter. You should provide the professor with a stamped envelope with the correct address. The letters should highlight both your strengths and weaknesses and provide the admission committee a sense of your abilities and background.
- Financial statements. You must demonstrate that you have enough financial resources to support yourself throughout your entire education. Universities often have specific forms for you to use when documenting your financial resources but may also require bank statements or other financial forms.
Once the application has been submitted it typically takes several months to hear anything back. During this time the university may contact you for additional information or to request missing items.
If you are accepted, you will receive a letter of admission. If you are admitted to several colleges, accept only one and confirm your choice according to instructions in the letter. Write letters to the other schools declining their offers. Once your admission has been confirmed, the college will send you the paperwork needed to apply for a student visa (Form I-20).
