The entire application process, from obtaining initial information to applying for your student visa, should begin 12 to 18 months in advance of when you want to go the United States. It is possible to complete the process in less than 12 months but late applicants usually find they have a much more limited choice of colleges.
Requesting Application Materials
E-mail is an easy way to obtain an application and other materials, and U.S. universities are usually quick to respond. However, sometimes you may need to make a telephone call to follow up on a particular item. In that case, send a fax or e-mail ahead of time, telling the appropriate person that you will be telephoning, when you will call, and what you wish to discuss.
When to Send Your Inquiry
Send your first inquiry approximately 12 months before you plan to enroll. Give yourself sufficient time for possible delays in international mailings, especially if you are posting applications or requesting information in November or December when the high volume of holiday mail will often double the length of time mail takes to reach its destination.
Where to Send Your Inquiry
Address your requests for information to the Office of International Undergraduate Admissions. Be brief but clear in your request. Be sure to include the full zip (postal) code for the institution on the envelope to ensure that your letter reaches its destination as quickly as possible. You may also send these inquiries by e-mail.
What to Include
name, address, age, and nationality (always be consistent in the spelling of your name and address);
your secondary school diploma or examination results that you have obtained or that you will obtain;
any postsecondary study you have undertaken (if applicable);
the degree and subject you would like to major in (if known), and the proposed starting date;
how you expect to finance your studies — if you need financial assistance from the university, inquire about the possibilities;
results of TOEFL, SAT, and any other admissions tests, if already taken.
Registering for the Admissions Tests
If you are planning to enroll at a college in September (fall semester), take any relevant tests no later than January in the same year, and preferably earlier. You should confirm with each college whether you need to take the SAT I and SAT II Subject Tests. Remember that you cannot take both the SAT I and SAT II on the same day, and deadlines for registration for the tests are usually five to six weeks before the actual test date. Test scores must reach universities before the application deadline date, and you should allow at least four to six weeks between the test date and the application deadline.
If English is not your native language, register to take the TOEFL. As with the SAT, make sure your test results reach colleges before their deadline dates. If you feel that you qualify for a TOEFL waiver, contact the universities directly and explain your circumstances. At least one to two months before the test dates, find out about test preparation materials and any other help you may need. Your information or advising center can give you further information.
The entire application process, from obtaining initial information to applying for your student visa, should begin 12 to 18 months in advance of when you want to go the United States. It is possible to complete the process in less than 12 months but late applicants usually find they have a much more limited choice of colleges.
If English is not your native language, register to take the TOEFL. As with the SAT, make sure your test results reach colleges before their deadline dates. If you feel that you qualify for a TOEFL waiver, contact the universities directly and explain your circumstances. At least one to two months before the test dates, find out about test preparation materials and any other help you may need. Your information or advising center can give you further information.