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Completing and
Returning the Application Materials
Application Form | Application
Fee | Academic Credentials
| Test Score Reporting | Personal
Statement | Recommendations
| Financial Statement | Deadlines
and Submissions
Once you have received information from the colleges, read
everything thoroughly. Most schools require similar information,
but they may ask for it in different ways. You will usually
be asked to provide the following items.
Application Form
Your application form should be neat and clear to create a
good impression. Unless it specifically asks you to complete
the forms by hand, use a typewriter or word processor. You
should fit your information into the application form provided
and only use additional pages where necessary. Keep your personal
information consistent and always spell your name the same
way on all documents. This will help schools keep track of
your application materials more easily. Remember that large
U.S. universities handle thousands of student records annually.
Do not worry about providing a Social Security Number —
either leave the section blank or write "none,"
according to the instructions. Avoid abbreviations; it is
better to write the names and addresses of your schools, employers,
examinations, and awards in full. Always provide information
about your education or employment experiences in a logical
order that is either chronological or reverse chronological
order, as required. You will be asked when you want to study,
what level (usually "freshman" or "transfer"),
and the degree you hope to receive. Remember that it is acceptable
for you to write "undecided" on the section asking
about proposed major.
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Application Fee
Almost all universities charge a non-refundable application
fee that covers the cost of processing your application. It
must be paid in U.S. dollars either by a dollar check drawn
on a U.S. bank or an international money order obtainable
from banks or American Express offices. Check the school's
application form, Web site, or catalog for the current cost.
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Academic Credentials
Each college will specify the types of official records it
requires to document past education. In American terms, these
are called transcripts and include a list of classes that
you have taken at secondary school, when they were taken,
and the grades you received for each class.
The U.S. college may furnish special forms on which school
authorities are asked to write your grades and your academic
performance relative to other students in your secondary school.
If such forms are not provided, your school still will be
expected to submit official documents that provide this kind
of information on letterhead paper with the school stamp.
If the admissions officer requests an explanation of the grading
and class ranking system or descriptions of classes taken
or subjects you have studied, this information should be furnished
by an official of your school, if possible. U.S. admissions
officers prefer that transcripts of previous educational work
be sent with your application in an envelope sealed by your
school or sent directly from the school.
U.S. colleges either will evaluate your grades and documents
themselves, or they sometimes require international applicants
to pay an outside company, called a credential evaluator,
to evaluate your documents.
In addition to a transcript, you must also send certified
copies of the originals of secondary school diplomas, certificates,
final examination results, or records of your performance
in any national or leaving examinations administered in your
home country. Do not send original documents unless there
is no alternative; usually they cannot be returned. Copies
should be certified with an official seal from the school,
or certified by a public official authorized to certify such
documents.
If English translations are necessary, you may use the services
of a professional translator, or you may translate the document
yourself. Such translations must also be certified by an acceptable
agency. Some U.S. educational information and advising centers
translate and certify documents to assist you with the application
process. There may be a charge for such services. Do not attempt
to convert your school results and courses into American terms.
Instead, try to provide as much background information as
possible on the grading system used and the types of diplomas,
certificates, or awards granted.
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Test Score Reporting
When you apply to take the SAT I or SAT II, TOEFL, or other
examinations, you should know which universities you wish
to apply to. In this way, you will be able to specify at that
time that you wish your scores sent to those universities.
You will save time and money by sending the scores at test
time rather than requesting separate scores at a later date.
When you submit an application, also include a photocopy of
your test score reports, if possible. The admissions office
can more easily match the official scores with your application,
and, in some instances, they may begin processing your application
with only the photocopy in hand.
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Personal Statement
"Don't be afraid to pour your heart out — if something
is really important to you, talk about it, because that is
what the admissions officers want to know about you. The important
thing, however, is to be positive: reflect on what experiences
meant for you, how they changed you, what you learned."
— Molecular biology and genetics student from Romania
"I would say the most important part of an application
is the essay…it's your chance to get across that you've
got something extra, an edge."
— Mathematics student from Ghana
Many schools ask applicants to submit a written personal
statement or essay as part of the admissions process. When
university admissions officers read this part of the application,
they may look to see whether the student can contribute to
the school and if the school can meet his or her needs. The
personal statement gives universities a chance to get a personal
glimpse of you, an insight that is not possible in the grades
and numbers that make up the rest of your application. In
general, essay questions either require a specific response
or are open-ended. Colleges look for certain qualities for
their student body and tailor their essay questions accordingly.
Application essays also allow admissions officers to assess
your writing skills, academic ability, organizational skills,
purpose in applying to a U.S. institution, and your reasons
for your chosen field of study. Admissions officers look for
strong writing skills, as well as a demonstration of intellectual
curiosity and maturity. Write the essay far enough in advance
so that you have time to put it aside for a week and then
read it again to see if it still makes sense. This shows through
in your essay, and tells admissions officers that you are
a good writer, that you care about the essay, and that you
are willing to take the time to prepare it well.
Some general tips:
DO:
- Answer the question asked.
- Focus on a specific incident or event you remember well
- details are important.
- Consider explaining anything unusual that has influenced
your school or home life.
- Get others to proofread it for grammatical and spelling
errors.
DO NOT:
- Lie.
- Choose a topic merely to look good.
- Say what you think the college wants to hear; just tell
the truth about your reasons for applying to the school.
- Turn down the college's invitation to write more about
yourself.
- Write the essay (or any other part of your application)
the night before it is due.
Make sure that your essay is a true representation of yourself
and your abilities. The most important part of the essay is
to be genuine and honest — admissions officers read several
hundred essays each year and have become experts in picking
out fake essays or those written by parents. The essay is
your opportunity to tell the college why they should accept
you over other students — use it as such.
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Recommendations
"Anecdotes are much better than strings of adjectives
and adverbs."
— Associate Dean of Admissions, University of North Carolina
at Chapel Hill
You will usually be asked for at least two recommendations.
These may come from the head or principal of your school,
your school counselor, your personal tutor, or any teachers
who know you well. Your recommenders must be able to write
about your work and be able to assess your potential to do
well at college. If you know the subject in which you plan
to major, have your teacher in that subject write a recommendation.
Recommendations from American teachers are very positive and
can be longer and more detailed than those written by teachers
in other countries. Poorly written, negative, or late recommendations
will reflect on your judgment in picking referees, so choose
with care.
Recommendation forms may ask a list of questions or just
one general question. Since recommendations carry a fair amount
of weight in the admissions process, let your recommenders
know about your plans and where you would like to study. A
recommendation form may include a waiver where you can relinquish
your right to see what is written about you. If this option
is offered, most admissions officers prefer you to waive your
right so that recommenders may feel more comfortable when
writing their evaluations. Admissions officers usually interpret
waived recommendations as more honest. If your recommendations
must be sent directly from your referees, it is common courtesy
to give them stamped, addressed envelopes. Also allow plenty
of time for your referees to write their recommendations.
Remind them to sign the sealed flap of the envelope before
mailing.
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Financial Statement
Most universities include a form called a Declaration and
Certification of Finances or Affidavit of Financial Support
in their application packets. This must be signed by your
parents or whoever is meeting your college expenses, and must
be certified by a bank or lawyer. Keep a copy of this form
since you will also need it to apply for your student visa.
Schools usually need to know that you have at least the first
year's expenses covered, although many may also ask you to
indicate your source of income for the entire period of study.
If you know when you apply that you will need some form of
assistance from the college, indicate how much you plan to
request from the university. Many U.S. universities operate
a "needs-blind" admissions policy. This means that
your financial position is not a consideration in the decision
whether to grant you admission. Please note, however, that
the university will issue the relevant certificate of eligibility
for a student visa only if you are able to document fully
your source(s) of income.
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Deadlines and
Submission
Each university sets its own deadline date, and it is usually
firm about not accepting applications after that time, particularly
if a college is very popular. Deadlines usually fall between
January and March, although they can be as early as November
or as late as June. If, however, a college indicates that
it operates "rolling admissions," late applicants
may still have a fair chance of acceptance. In this case,
a university will admit and reject candidates until the freshman
class is filled. It is nonetheless a good idea to submit your
application as soon as possible.
More competitive universities have an "early decision"
deadline. In this instance, you apply early, usually in November,
and you can apply only to that institution. Because of your
demonstrated commitment to the college, your application may
be considered somewhat more favorably than those applying
in the regular way. If you are accepted, you are expected
to confirm that you will definitely attend this institution.
It is your responsibility to ensure that all your documents,
application forms, references, and official score reports
reach the universities safely and on time. Send your applications
by registered mail or by courier if you are very close to
deadline dates. It is worthwhile telephoning or sending an
e-mail to colleges to make sure that they have received your
application package and that they have everything they require.
Keep copies of your application and documents just in case
your material gets lost in the mail; you will be relieved
to know that you can supply another set of information quickly,
if this should happen.
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