Category: College/University >> Application Process
Created: Apr 06, 2008 at 10:10 pm
Updated: Apr 06, 2008 at 10:12 pm
Read by: 9 users
Congratulations on deciding to apply to a university abroad! Many universities try to make the application process an easy one for both their domestic and international applicants. Although each university has their own distinct application procedure, most of them come down to similar requirements and prerequisites. By properly organizing these similar requirements to the allocated university and their deadlines, I guarantee that it will make application season a little less like hell and actually a little more enjoyable. Here is some background information on the important requirements that you will probably need for every university you apply to:
* Standardized test scores. Colleges usually dont require SATs for international students unless you earn a certain score in the English section (usually 600 or higher, depending on the university). However, because they do want to ensure that students that they are admitting are qualified to speak comfortably in an English-speaking school (and country!) score requirements will range from the 70+ zone (520 or higher on the paper version). Check the universitys deadlines to make sure youve completed your TOEFLs long before the actual application is due; based on most universities, your first TOEFL test should be completed by the end of the year (December to early January).
* Transcripts and mid-year reports. Contact your high schools guidance counselor to get an official copy of your transcript after the first grading period of your senior year. Usually, guidance counselors will send official documents to the university themselves, but if you obtain them yourself, its also acceptable to send everything in one package. However, its usually not advisable as the university admissions counselor should be able to touch base with your guidance counselor if they had any questions regarding the transcript such as the grading system or any course names that are not located in the American education curriculum.
* Financial aid. Only U.S. citizens and permanent residents are granted financial aid through government agencies like FAFSA or PROFILE. Usually, colleges will require international applicants to fill out separate financial forms stating their parents net earnings, net expenditures, etc. Obtain the forms yourself and trust your parents to acquire bank statements and fill these outbut keep checking in on them so that they can meet the designated deadlines! These are required so that you can obtain your I-20 or DS-2019 to come into the U.S. Otherwise, try to apply for independent scholarships within and outside your university of choice, many features of goSwoop can connect you with specific independent scholarships, international student loans and financial aid grants.
Of course, there are many other factors to your application that will enhance your chances for admission, but these are the basic factors that you will need to obtain and simply resend to the several universities you choose to apply to. Just try not to get lost in deadlines, paperwork, and the various amounts of people you are requesting information fromthe key is to keeping organized and keeping track of your actions. The best of luck in your admissions processes!
