It takes a lot of effort and dedication to pursue an undergraduate or graduate degree — more so when students choose to do it in a foreign nation.
There are many reasons why people choose to pursue their higher education in the U.S. — and there is no shortage of college admission spots for overseas students.
According to The Open Doors 2023 Report, there were over one million international students from over 200 countries studying in American higher education institutions in the 2022/23 academic period. The average rate of acceptance for international students in these schools is estimated to be 42% according to figures published by U.S. News and World Report.
College Admissions Checklist for Overseas Students
To help give international students the best chance of success, here is a step-by-step guide on how to apply for U.S. colleges and universities.
- Start with a College List
Overseas students looking to study in the States should start by identifying institutions that match their requirements. The main focus should be to find a school that matches them and their academic and career goals, instead of matching themselves to the institution.
When compiling a college list, students should consider a variety of factors that have an impact on their chances of admission. Examples include eligibility, standardized tests, grade requirements, fees, and location/distance among others.
A good college list should be made up of a mixture of safety, target, and reach schools. This can be around 10 schools that students are almost sure they can get into, schools they have a good chance of being accepted into and those they have lower chances of getting into.
- Transcript Evaluation
International students who want to pursue higher learning opportunities in U.S. schools must have their transcripts evaluated. This is an official report that helps admission counselors ascertain whether academic credentials earned in another country satisfy enrollment standards in the States.
- Research Applicable Requirements
Every higher learning institution has a list of requirements that students must meet to be enrolled in the programs offered. Common college admissions requirements include extracurriculars and a high school diploma among others. Students whose first language is anything other than English must also satisfy a language requirement — normally handled through a standardized test like TOEFL or IELTS.
Last but not least students may also be required to take other standardized tests like SAT, GMAT, or ACT among others. Accepted test scores normally vary from one institution to the next.
- Decide on Financing
Between tuition, books, housing, and travel, overseas students incur huge costs when studying in the States. With that in mind, learners should consider their financial situation as early as possible — especially considering that they will likely have to cover these costs out of pocket. Some universities offer scholarships and financial aid to those who can’t afford to pay. During the 2022-2023 academic year, international students received an average of over $26,000 in financial aid from U.S. colleges.
- Complete Application
The process of completing college applications is time-intensive. To get started, students should download an application form from each institution’s college admissions portal. This may attract a non-refundable fee of between $35 and $100. Before submitting each form, students must make sure that they have attached all necessary accompanying documents, including standardized test scores and transcripts.
Start Your Journey to a Top U.S. College Today
For students to have the best chance of joining their dream higher learning institution in the U.S., they must follow every step of the college application process.
At Bruscan Educational Information Services (BEIS), we offer Document Translation, College Admission, and Foreign Credential Evaluation services.
Need help securing a college admissions letter? Contact us today to find out how we can help.
