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Below is the recommended timetable for applying to universities in the United
States. It is sometimes possible to complete the process more quickly, but you
may have a much more limited choice of schools. Planning ahead gives you
sufficient time to make successful applications to the universities of your
choice.
12 TO 18 MONTHS PRIOR to the academic year in
which you hope to enroll, begin to consider, research, and do the following:
- What are your reasons for wanting to study in the United States?
- Which universities offer your subject and specialization?
- Will you need financial assistance?
- Begin narrowing down your choices of schools to approximately 10 to 20
institutions, and make sure they meet your academic, financial, lifestyle, and
other needs.
- Find out application deadlines. This will affect when you take the
standardized tests required for admission since test results must reach
admissions offices
no later than these deadlines. The tests should be taken in advance of
submitting university application forms.
- Register to take paper-based GRE Subject Tests if required by the
universities to which you are applying.
12 MONTHS PRIOR to enrollment, start to complete
the following (months indicated are estimates):
August
- Continue narrowing down your choice of schools. While some students apply
to more, 5 to 10 well-researched choices are sufficient.
- Contact universities for application and financial aid forms and catalogs.
- Register to take the TOEFL and the GRE General Test, GRE Writing
Assessment, GMAT, or other admissions tests, as necessary
September – December
- Continue narrowing down your choice of schools. While some students apply
to more, 5 to 10 well-researched choices are sufficient.
- Request official transcripts from your undergraduate institution.
- Brief your recommenders and request letters of reference from them.
- Draft personal statements or statements of purpose and research proposals,
if requested.
- Submit completed application forms (for admission as well as financial
aid).
- Double check that transcripts and references have been sent.
- Take the necessary admissions tests.
January – March
- University application deadlines must be met.
April – June
- Letters of acceptance or rejection arrive. Decide which university to
attend, notify the admissions office of your decision, complete and return any
forms they require.
- Send letters of regret to those universities you turn down.
- Organize finances (arrange to transfer funds to a U.S. bank; make sure you
have funds for travel and expenses on arrival).
- Finalize arrangements for housing and medical insurance with your
university.
- Notify any sponsoring organizations of your plans.
June – August
- Use information from your Form I-20 or DS-2019 to fill out the SEVIS Form
I-901 and pay the $100 required SEVIS fee (see SEVIS information for
description of SEVIS form and fee).
- Upon receipt of your I-20 and SEVIS I-901 payment receipt, apply to your
nearest U.S. embassy or consulate for a visa. This should be as far in advance
of your departure date as possible .
- Contact your nearest EducationUSA information and advising center to let
them know that you have been accepted to a U.S. institution.
- Make travel arrangements, planning to arrive in time for the university's
orientation program.
- Contact the International Student Office at your university with details
of your arrival plans, and confirm details of any orientation for new students
held by the university.
Getting Ready to Go
Once you know that you are going to study in the United States, you will
probably have many questions about visas, accommodations, health insurance,
banking, how to study, and other "predeparture" information. Most EducationUSA
information and advising centers conduct predeparture orientation presentations
in the summer, and some may also offer sessions midyear. Contact your nearest
center for their schedule and to reserve space for these popular events. Some
centers may charge a fee for this service.
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