General information for applying for colleges in the U.S.
When you apply to universities in the U.S., there are several things to keep in mind that might be useful. Below are four important aspects of an application that you should consider. Also, keep in mind that it is possible for you to apply as “undecided” for a specific subject or joint subjects.
The SAT is an entrance exam that is used during the admission process for colleges in the U.S. The exam is administrated by the College Board. It consists of two sections: Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing. The highest score one can achieve on the exam is 1600 points.
Universities look for students who show academic excellence. A 4.0 GPA is at the top of the scale and means that you are a student who does very, very well at all of their subjects. This means that you must keep your grades up since this is one of the most important aspects of university admissions. All of the universities that you will see on this website will want you to excel in all of your school subjects in order to get accepted.
Colleges, especially those who are more selective, will definitely require an essay or a personal statement. It is a crucial part of the application because it gives the admission officers a chance to hear the applicant's voice and get to know them better as a person. You should be genuine and write about something important for you since your uniqueness is what will set you apart. Each college may have further requirements for the essays, yet the tips I have outlined above apply for wherever you may want to apply. Besides the essays, recommendation letters are necessary as well. Normally, students will be asked to submit recommendations from at least two teachers. So try to build good relationships with your teachers and show hard work and dedication in and out of the classroom.
Universities are also interested in what you do outside of school. It is important to take up activities you feel passionate about and stick with them. Try to think about ways to help those around you and make a difference. Take up a sport, volunteer, learn to play an instrument. There isn't a right or wrong thing!
The Common Application, which is also known as the Common App, is an undergraduate college admission application that you can use to apply to more than 1,000 member colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, China, Japan, as well as European countries. It helps make the application process more straightforward, and you can apply to multiple universities at once through it.
Creating your college list:
Make sure you have a well-balanced list, which includes a combination of reach, target, and likely colleges. However, keep in mind that this will depend on your personal preferences when it comes to school size, location, interaction with professors, your grades, scores, etc. YOU are the only one who is capable of making this list, so make sure to take time and do your research carefully.
1) Reach: you have about 25% chance of getting admitted
2)Target: you have approximately 50% chance of getting admitted
3)Likely: you have approximately 75% chance of admission
Early action vs Early Decision vs Regular Decision:
Early action and early decision allow you to apply earlier than regular decision. You can receive admission decisions in December. The difference between the two is that early decision is a binding agreement. You should apply early decision if you have a specific college that you truly want to attend, and if you are accepted, you will be expected to enroll there. On the other hand, the regular decision deadline is in early January, with decisions coming out in late March/early April.