Navigating College Applications as an International Student
Before the pandemic began, there were over a million international students studying at colleges and universities all over the United States. However, even as political conditions around the world have led to the diminished enrollment of international students, institutions of higher education continue to advertise themselves globally in hopes of drawing the interest of high-achieving teens. Applying to colleges is a complicated process for anyone, but adding in visas and international flights make it exponentially more complex. As an international applicant to schools in the United States, you probably also have a lot of questions about everything from logistics to student life. Applying to colleges in the United States involves a lot of steps, and attending the college adds even more. So what makes it worth it despite all of the difficulties involved?
Why the United States? | Language Requirements | Standardized Testing | Transcripts | Visas | Timeline | Financial Aid | Summary
Why the United States?
The United States has a large number of world-renowned research institutions and exceptional liberal arts colleges, forming a unique combination of academic opportunities. Qualifications and degrees earned at an American university are recognized and accepted globally, making the investment into college one that will benefit you wherever you go. Plus, connections made with faculty and peers at these institutions will enhance your professional network, which can influence long-term career success. Additionally, the potential of socioeconomic mobility offered by getting an American degree is a factor which attracts many different kinds of students throughout the world.
The most popular areas of study for international students tend to be in reliably lucrative professions, such as business, engineering, math, and computer science. There is an upward trend in degrees relating to health professions, applied arts, social science, and other sciences, correlating with these areas becoming better paid in the professional world. Plenty of internships are available when studying within the States, which can be a great way to gauge your interest both in specific careers and in your degree as a whole. These opportunities combine to form a powerful argument for pursuing higher education within the United States.
Language Requirements
Typically, American universities require international applicants to take an English exam to prove proficiency. The two tests most often administered for this purpose are the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Schools which ask for TOEFL scores require a minimum of a 78, but more competitive universities often ask for higher scores. Taking these exams early in high school can help relieve stress once the admissions process is underway, but you can take them any year. The popular language-learning app Duolingo offers a low-cost, online testing option which is beginning to be accepted by more universities.
Standardized Testing
Which tests you should take depends entirely on the schools you’re aiming for. Doing research ahead of time can help you meet school-specific requirements and prevent unnecessary testing. Certain schools offer standardized testing options for foreign applicants for whom English is not a native language. This often involves taking the TOEFL instead of the SAT or ACT. Some schools accept IELTS and TOEFL scores, while others do not. Some schools which are test-optional for domestic applicants still require international applicants to submit test scores. The bottom line is that researching the specific policies of each school to which you plan to apply is the only way you’ll know for certain what you are expected to submit. If you think you’ll need some help preparing for the SAT, check out our website here.
Transcript Evaluation
While your classes are likely comparable to those of domestic students, variations in curriculum and grading systems make evaluations more complicated for admissions officers who are reviewing thousands of applications in a relatively short period of time. Some institutions will spell out separate transcript policies, but in most instances, universities will ask that your transcript be verified and transcribed by a third-party organization. Some reputable agencies include the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services and members of the Association of International Credential Evaluators, Incorporated. Having your transcripts evaluated can cost between $75-250 and take a few weeks to complete.
Student Visas
While the process of applying to colleges and universities in the United States is complex, the bureaucracy involved in applying for and obtaining a student visa is much more convoluted. Once you are accepted by a school, it will enroll you in a system known as the Students and Exchange Visitor Information System, and you’ll get forms based on which visa you are eligible for. If you're going to a four-year institution, you’ll fill out the F-1 form, and if you’re going to vocational school, you’ll fill out the M-1 form. These visa applications have to be filled out at the United States Embassy or Consulate in your country, and you’ll have to meet with an embassy official to be interviewed to determine your visa eligibility.
Applying for your visa as soon as possible is recommended because there is often a long wait time which is unpredictable. An F-1 visa can be issued up to 90 days before a student enters the states to begin their studies, so starting your application ahead of time can only help.
Timeline
The college application timeline in America is unique, and you should familiarize yourself with it before beginning. Knowing your application deadlines for admission as well as financial aid is critical to the process. You should also figure out roughly when to ask for recommendations, when to take the TOEFL, IELTS, SAT/ACT, and any additional tests required for admission, when the CSS Profile is due, and when the Common Application is due. This is a lot to juggle, so doing some research ahead of time can save you a headache.
Financial Aid
The financial aid mechanisms for domestic students are sometimes vastly different than those for international students. For starters, the FAFSA, the standard document for domestic students, does not give aid to foreign applicants, but you should still fill it out. Some schools will use this to determine if you’re eligible for state aid. The process is further complicated by the fact that without a United States social security number, you can’t apply online; you’ll have to print and complete the FAFSA and then mail it to the college of your choice. The CSS profile is open to both domestic and international applicants, and is used to calculate non-federal aid. It is required by some colleges and recommended by others, but either way, it can be useful to bolster your financial aid portfolio.
Because of the differences in financial aid from school to school, during your application process, make sure you check whether the school you’re applying to is “need-blind,” “need-aware,” or commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated need for international applicants. For context, “need blind” means your financial information is not a factor in your admissions decision and “meeting 100% of demonstrated need” indicates that the college or university will give you aid based on your need, demonstrated in your CSS profile and other financial aid application documents. More commonly, for international applicants, the terminology used is “need aware,” which means that if you do need financial aid, it might factor into the admissions decision.
Non-need based forms of aid are typically open for application by all students who are hoping to go to a specific school; these forms of aid can include merit scholarships or grants, so check out the financial aid website and see what is available. This process, like the others, can be tedious, as there is no central resource for aid for international applicants, but non-need based aid should be fairly simple to find on the colleges’ websites. External scholarships are also popular options, so looking through sites such as CollegeBoard and Scholarship Positions for funds that are targeted towards foreign students is a great way to supplement financial aid. There may also be grants and loans available directly through your school which are exclusive to international applicants.
Things to Keep in Mind
Try not to hyper-focus on a few prestigious schools; instead, look at comparable institutions with higher acceptance rates and better financial aid. Pay attention to factors like extracurricular activities and optional essays, as these components are highly valued by American schools. Ensure that your essay aligns with your hopeful area of concentration so that your application’s narrative is consistent. Passion and authenticity are valued nearly as highly as grades by some colleges, so try to keep those present in your essays and application materials.
While your high school experience has undoubtedly been invaluable, it might not have been catered towards the college application process of the United States, and although there’s a huge amount of information available, it can get overwhelming. Everyone’s admissions process is going to be different, but we hope these tips helped you figure out where to start.
