#Application process
Which College Application Platform Should I Use?
Use the Common App, it is accepted by more than 1,000 colleges, including some outside the U.S. Students fill out the Common App once and can then submit it to multiple colleges.
When Can You Start Working on My College Application Through the Common App?
The new edition of the Common App opens Aug. 1 every year. Given the variance in college application deadlines, students should pay close attention to when they need to submit their materials.
For example, students who are applying for early action or early decision may need to submit an application in November or December, whereas the regular decision deadline is more likely to be Jan. 1. Prospective students should treat these ranges as a general rule of thumb and check with individual colleges on deadlines.
Students don't have to wait until Aug. 1 to get started on the Common App. They can create an account at any time and transfer their information into the new app when it opens. College admissions counselors suggest students start completing application tasks as early as possible, including during the summer before their senior year.
Step by Step, To Start your application early
Step 1: Go to https://www.commonapp.org/ and click on the "Start your application" button to get details about how to create an account and log in. Students also can download the Common App's mobile app to keep track of deadlines, invite recommenders and set reminders.
Step 2: Choose the first-year student or transfer student option.
step 3: Add user information such as name, email, phone number, address, date of birth and prospective enrollment year.
step 4: Fill out the user profile with requested details on education, extracurriculars, demographic data, household information and more.
step 5: Add collaborators such as teachers, counselors and others providing letters of recommendation or other supporting documents.
step 6: Search for and add schools to "My Colleges."
Final step: Get familiar with each college's application requirements and follow those accordingly when applying.
Make sure you have everything
Check List
- Personal information
- High school transcript
- Standard test score (SAT/ACT)
- Letters of Recommendation
- Information on extracurricular
- Interview
- Portfolios
- Resume (optional)
- Personal Statement/Essays
- Degree-Specific Requirements
More Informations...
Academic Requirments
Academic requirements for US college admissions include a strong GPA, standardized test scores (SAT), and language tests from TOEFL or IELTS scores (varies from schools). Additionally, students should have participated in extracurricular activities, and provided letters of recommendation and personal essays. Leadership roles and special talents (sports, music, etc) or achievements can strengthen an application. Some programs may require portfolios or auditions. High school coursework should include a strong foundation in subjects of English, Mathematics, Science, and at least one Foreign Languages.
For more detailed requirements, students should refer to the specific colleges they are interested in. Some colleges may require interviews on-campus. Most colleges require one or more essays to showcase writing skills, personality, and unique experiences.
Degree-Specific Requirements
Here are the basic requirements of degrees, but the year requirements might vary depending on the specific major you are looking for:
- 4 years of English
- 3 years of social studies and/or history
- 3-4 years of mathematics
- Specific math requirements are detailed by college below
- 2-3 years of science
- Completion of a High School Diploma
Questions
What is GPA?
The GPA, or Grade Point Average, is a number that indicates how high you scored in your courses on average. Using a scale from 1.0 to 4.0, your GPA tracks your progress during your studies. Most US colleges require a minimum GPA, which varies by institution. Competitive schools often seek GPAs of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. Some schools may have different requirements for weighted GPAs, especially those considering honors or advanced placement courses.
What is SAT?
The SAT is an entrance exam used by most colleges and universities to make admissions decisions. The SAT is a multiple-choice, computer-based test created and administered by the College Board. The purpose of the SAT is to measure a high school student's readiness for college, and provide colleges with one common data point that can be used to compare all applicants. College admissions officers will review standardized test scores alongside your high school GPA, the classes you took in high school, letters of recommendation from teachers or mentors, extracurricular activities, admissions interviews, and personal essays. How important SAT scores are in the college application process varies from school to school.
Take TOEFL or IELTS?
For US colleges, it’s mostly preferred to take the TOEFL. It is designed to test academic English. The TOEFL iBT test measures a test taker's ability to combine listening, reading, speaking and writing skills where it matters most — in the classroom. It gives your institution access to millions of students who have proven they have what it takes to succeed in an English-speaking academic environment.
Do you need a resume?
Submitting a resume is often optional for applications for students to upload because information such as awards, work experience, and extracurricular activities, are often requested in other sections of a college application.
How to choose the university that’s best for you?
The best way of choosing a university is not just by looking at it through a digital website, instead, a campus tour might be a better option. Visiting the campus can provide you a sense of the culture, environment, and the community that’s right for you. Many universities do offer campus tours for students.
Some useful website to find out deeper information:
SAT Registration: https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat
TOEFL: https://www.ets.org/
Student Visa: https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/study/student-visa.html
