Admission requirements & Application
To start your application to study in the US, you will need to apply directly to each of the universities you’re interested in. There are different ways to apply for admission to a US university. The application procedure depends on which subject you would like to study and where you come from. Requirements and application deadlines can vary from university to university, and even from degree programme to degree programme.
Remember that athletic recruitment and sports scholarships follow a slightly different timeline to regular applications, so it’s worth checking the application deadlines early (1-1 ½ years before enrolment) to avoid missing out. If you are accepted you’ll be entered into an international student database called the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS), and sent a copy of the information stored on this, which you will need to check for accuracy.
It’s important to ensure that you pay the application fee (the SEVIS I-901 fee) for this database service, which will be US$200. A few universities also allow international students to apply for free online. The university will then provide you with a Form I-20 to present to the US embassy when you attend your visa interview.
Applying for undergraduate studies
Entry requirements for each university are different but most involve completing an admissions test or essay, the SAT or ACT admissions tests, and providing recommendation letters from teachers. Most universities also ask for a transcript of your grades and a personal statement. The latter is a chance to set out your aspirations and demonstrate your suitability for the program of study in question, and can be a valuable way to set yourself apart from other applicants.
Applying for postgraduate studies
To be eligible for graduate study in the US, you should have completed a bachelor’s degree or equivalent qualification from an internationally recognized institution. Along with your bachelor degree certificate, you will also probably be asked to provide one or more letters of recommendation, and a personal statement or application essay. You may also be asked to submit graduate admissions test results (e.g. GRE/GMAT), and for PhD applications, a research proposal.
In the end, the university itself is responsible for making the final decision on admissions. Therefore, we recommend inquiring in advance at the International Office at the University of your Choice as to whether you meet all the necessary prerequisites.