If you have a good understanding of why you want to study in the United States and have already decided on a college (or several colleges), you should begin to prepare your applications. Almost all U.S. colleges begin in August, and you should begin to prepare 12 to 18 months in advance. The first step is to ask the colleges you choose to send you brochures and catalogs that contain information about the college’s programs, location, entrance and living conditions, traditions, accomplishments, and so on. You will also be sent a questionnaire to complete.
I. Take a consultation at the nearest Information and Education Center. During your consultation be prepared to answer the following questions:
What field of study or internship would you like to pursue?
How well do you speak English?
How long would you like to study?
Is your goal to get a degree or diploma, or to gain experience?
II. Ask the center for a list of materials describing various aspects of the U.S. university admissions process, recommendations and sample documents, and a list of further reading.
III. Use the center’s reference books and electronic databases to find institutions offering degrees in your field of study. If you are interested in an internship, search for programs that offer internships in your field. Be careful to write down their e-mail addresses and coordinates and websites. Be sure to note the following considerations in selecting institutions: whether they provide financial assistance to international students (graduate students, etc.). If institutions do not provide financial aid for international students, you will need to pay for your education from your own funds. Institutions usually make their financial aid decisions in January-February of each academic year, and their enrollment decisions in March.
IV. Send inquiries to the universities and institutions of your choice. Sample application forms (Requests for Application Materials) are available at the centers. Responses will begin to arrive in three to four weeks.
V. Start application and examination preparation immediately. All international students applying to U.S. universities take the TOEFL (Test of English for Non-English Speaking Foreigners). Institutions may also require you to take other tests. The centers have information about all the tests and test scores to help you register for tests. Below is an average list of documents required by universities for admission and financial aid.