The United States has over 250 universities and colleges listed in the latest higher education rankings created by Times Higher Education, US News, and Top Universities.
Over 1 million international students choose to enrol at a university or college in the USA.
But, how can you make sure that you will be accepted at one?
In this article are steps and approaches to selecting a university, and making sure meet the necessary criteria to stand a chance to be admitted.
US Universities to Consider for Your Studies
Here are some top US Universities you should consider for your study abroad adventure:
• University of California, Berkeley
• Northeastern University
• Kansas State University
• Wichita State University
• University of San Francisco
• Boston University
• Bay Path University
• Columbia University
You can also choose an online Master’s degree from universities based in the US. Here are just a couple of examples:
• Walden University
• Kettering University Online
Prepare to Apply
• Most universities give an option to apply directly on their websites.
• Be sure to read the requirements carefully when applying to American universities. Some will require standardised tests like GRE, GMAT, MCAT, LSAT while others will ask for different documents as part of the application process.
• Most students apply to 3-5 universities to increase their chances of being admitted.
• University application fee is usually between 75-100 USD, depending on the university. If you have trouble paying your admission fee, contact the university or programme directly.
• Non-US students may be required to supply proof that their English-language skills are proficient enough to attend classes. Be sure to have your TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic, PTE Academic, or C-1 Advanced certificates available.
Language Requirement for U.S University Application
To ensure that you are able to effectively learn and participate in your classes, you will need to show that you have good enough English-language skills to apply for admission to a U.S. university. The minimum scores depends on the programme and the university. Most U.S. universities will accept one of these tests:
• IELTS Academic (International English Language Testing Service)
• TOEFL iBT (Test of English as a Foreign Language)
• PTE Academic (Pearson Test of English)
C1 Advanced (formerly known as Cambridge English Advanced)
Check the university and programme requirements to see the minimum score they expect from applicants.
Required University Application Documents
These are the items you may need if you apply to a university in the US:
• Transcripts or records of grades (high school and/or university)
•Resume/CV
• Test scores (SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT)
• Proof of English-language proficiency
• Motivation letter or statement of purpose
• Application fee
• Writing sample
• Passport photo
University Application deadline in the US                                                                                                                                                                          If applying for an undergraduate (Bachelor’s) degree in the US, universities will typically offer two application deadlines – early admission and regular admission.
• If you’re applying for the fall (autumn) admission, early deadlines will be between October and November, the previous year.
• If you’re applying for the fall (autumn) admission, regular admission deadlines will be between February and March, the same year.
• If you are applying for a post-graduate (Master’s or PhD) degree, your American university application deadline will depend on the semester in which you are enrolling (spring intake or fall intake).
• If you are applying for the fall admission, your deadline can be anywhere from January to March.
• If you are applying for the spring admission, your deadline is probably anywhere between July and September, the previous year.
These deadline mag vary depending on what program you are applying for or which university you wish to attend. Be sure to contact the program itself if you’re not sure about the correct deadline.
Final Steps After Receiving the University Acceptance Letter
• If you aren’t a US citizen, you will need to use your acceptance letter to apply for the F-1 student visa.
• Be sure to take some time to apply for funding and scholarships. You can also check out the Studyportals Scholarship to get some help on financing your studies abroad.
• Check whether the university you applied to requires an enrolment fee to secure your spot there.
• Celebrate your victory of being admitted at the university of your dreams!
Once you have finalized which US university to pick, the next plausible step is to arrange your student housing on time. And for that purpose, you can either opt for on-campus accommodation or go for a more popular option, off-campus accommodation. Whether you shift into student housing in Chicago or student accommodation in D191174as, you will find a safe and cozy place to live; moreover, freedom and independence to relish your student life to the fullest, which tends to be somewhat restricted in university dormitories.