Tips For International Students When Applying to Colleges in the US
College gives you a chance to achieve all your wishes. This is probably the reason why parents emphasize its importance. Honor their wishes because parents know exactly what they are talking about when they say that college is important. Wanting to go to college is a different thing from actually going. This is because it involves a rigorous process. Sometimes you cannot get what you want from your local college and so you apply for colleges outside your country. Here we will discuss some important tips for international students when applying for colleges in the US.
The first thing you encounter while applying is the application form which is mostly found online. This does not mean that regular mail becomes unnecessary. Sometimes you will have to send some supporting documents by regular mail. When applying to the US as an undergraduate, you can use a common application form which can be sent to more than two hundred and forty universities. You should however keep in mind that some universities will in addition need a supplement to the common application form.
Another issue of concern is the application fee. It is quite expensive to apply to colleges in the US as most colleges require an application fee along with your application. You can be assured that some universities in the US waive application fees for undergraduate students. Therefore you should try to get a fee waiver from your college counselor so as to save on application fees to schools. All universities have websites and so before applying it is good to check the website so as to be up-to-date on information concerning the application fee.
Again, colleges may require a statement called “Statement of Purpose (SOP)”. This gives you the chance to tell the college exactly who you are. Talk about what has influenced your career path, your professional interests and even your future plans. The statement of purpose should be around 500 to 750 words. Keep in mind that this is what will get the admissions office to be interested in you. Think of the unique things about yourself, for example your experiences. This can even increase your chances to be admitted even if your grades are not so good.
To your surprise, it is also a good idea to send a resume along with the application. This is because a resume outlines your achievements, activities, skills and so on. Make sure that your extracurricular activities are well mentioned as colleges in the US do not only care about what you have to offer inside but also outside the class. Remember that the resume is not a CV and should only be one page that highlights your strength.
Furthermore, try to get a recommendation letter. This should be from people who know you well and not necessarily from people who are in high positions.
Finally, once you have done all this, check to see if you are missing anything. Find out the deadline of the application so that you are on the admission’s schedule.
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