An International Students

Guide to Applying to US
Universities and Colleges
Find out what admissions professionals look for in
prospective international students

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A global university education has never been more accessible

to students around the world. Though the application process
might seem daunting, know that international students are in
high demand in the U.S.
Academic institutions aim to fill their classrooms
with diverse voices because it enhances each
students learning. An international student can
bring a different and interesting perspective to a
discussion. It is in pursuit of this diverse voice that
admissions professionals are flying to the four
corners of the world to meet and attract bright and
motivated students like you.
TestRocker has put together this guide to give you an
overview of the application process and to help you
gain a better understanding of what admissions
professionals are looking for in prospective students.
In order to do so, we followed Jacques Steinberg,
Editor of the New York Times Education section and
Joyce Lau, Editor of the International Herald
Tribunes Education Column to Singapore and Hong
Kong where they interviewed various US Deans of
admissions and alumni during the recent
International Herald Tribune Education Forum.
There are over two thousand four-year colleges and
universities in the United States. You owe it to
yourself to pick the college or university that best
suits your educational needs and future aspirations.
Books such as The Fiske Guide to Colleges or The
Insiders Guide to Colleges are a good resource as
you start thinking about this serious question.
Once you shortlist the colleges and universities you
want to apply to, dont waste time looking for a
scientific formula that will get you in; no such magic
formula exists.

Importantly, anyone who guarantees you

admission to any institution is being
dishonest. Instead, focus on some of the
best practices outlined in this guide and
other resources to create a game plan.

What do Admissions Professionals look

for?
Academic Rigor
Academic rigor is the most important factor in your
college application. Admissions professionals study
your high school transcripts to not only check your
grades but also to determine whether you took a
challenging course load. For instance, if your school
offers AP or IB classes, did you avail of those
opportunities? Did you intentionally shy away from
higher-level math or science courses? This is not to
say that you should just sign up for the hardest
classes your school offers, because your classes
should be relevant to you and your story.
Additionally, simply taking the hardest courses will
most likely result in poor grades and it is important
to maintain a competitive GPA.
Taking hard courses while maintaining good grades
might sound like conflicting advice, but here is a
simple way to think about it: Aim to get a B+ in

a course where you stretch yourself

versus an A in an easy course.

Your GPA describes only one part of your academic

story, but when combined with your course selection,
admissions counselors can see how you applied yourself
to doing well while making the best out of your high
school education. This demonstrates that you will
continually challenge yourself and utilize the immense
academic opportunities available to you at the college
or university you attend.
Recommendations
Every part of the application is an opportunity for you to
provide your full story. Admissions professionals have to
make a big decision on you, but they usually havent
even met you yet! This is why they rely on your teachers
and counselor to tell them what sets you apart.
So, how do you decide which teacher to ask to write
your recommendation? Go with the one that knows you
best. Set up time to talk with her or him about the
types of institutions you are applying to, what you hope
to accomplish from studying in the U.S., the essay topics
you have picked for your application, meaningful
contributions you may have made in that teachers
class, etc. Keep your recommendation writers informed
of your application process so that they can assist you in
a suitable manner.

Another good piece of advice is to pick a

teacher who taught a class you struggled in.
A story about how you initially struggled in a class but
improved tremendously over the duration of the
semester or year speaks volumes about your dedication
and makes for a compelling recommendation.
Activities
Colleges want to see that you live a balanced life and
excel in activities beyond your academic endeavors.
There is absolutely no hard and fast rule about how
many, or what kinds of activities colleges look for. In

fact, colleges prefer that you are deeply

involved in a smaller number of activities,
and that you are truly passionate about
these activities. They also pay special attention to
the length of your involvement, and are usually
impressed if you took on a leadership role in any teamoriented activity.
If you are reading this guide close to application time, it
might be too late to get involved in an extra-curricular
activity. Dont panic. Think about what other things you
have done to occupy your time. Did you have an after
school job? Did you take care of your younger siblings or
grandparents because both your parents work? Perhaps
you werent part of an official school club but spent
your time writing poetry, are an avid collector of
stamps, have travelled extensively or are a fantastic
cook. These examples are meaningful and make you
unique! Be sure to mention them in your essays.

Academic rigor is the most

important factor in your
college application. Make
sure you take a challenging
course load that is
appropriate for you.
Test Scores
Most schools require you to submit an SAT or ACT score
along with your application. While colleges do not need
a minimum score to consider your application, you
should be aware of the average SAT or ACT score of all
the schools you apply to.
Most international students take the SAT, which
contains three sections critical reading, mathematics
and writing. Each section is scored out of 800 points for
a maximum SAT score of 2400. Admissions officers DO
NOT mind if you take the test multiple times. In fact,
some recommend taking the test twice so that you can
be more at ease with the test the second time around.
However, with tight application deadlines, it is
important to remember that taking the SAT too many
times is a massive use of both and money. Time that is
much better spent on schoolwork or on extra-curricular
activities. Remember, your grades are a very important
part of your application, and you want to devote
adequate time to completing assignments and preparing
for mid-terms and finals.

Be well prepared for the

SAT so that you can score your best the first
or second time you take it. A resource such as
So what should you do?

TestRocker.com can be invaluable, allowing you to

prepare whenever you want, wherever you want. In
addition to math and verbal preparation, TestRocker
hand grades two of your SAT essays and provides
detailed feedback. You can combine your TestRocker
preparation with the resources available on the College
Board website where you can take a free full-length SAT
test to get a sense for where you stand.

officials are looking for a voice that belongs to a 17 or

18 year old not a 40 or 50 year old!
Once you have your essays mostly done, pick a couple of
people you trust to help you edit and proofread. But
beware of over-editing, as described by Amy Jarich,
Director of Admissions at University of California,
Berkley. Too many advisors and too many drafts can
result in editing away your authentic voice. If you are
recycling an essay you wrote for one college application
in another application, remember to put the correct
colleges name!
Admissions interviews
International students might be asked to submit a
second standardized test score called TOEFL (Test of
English as a Foreign Language). Often, colleges will
waive this requirement if your English teacher can
provide a letter attesting to your proficiency in English,
or if you score well on the SAT II Critical Reading test
(above 650).
Essays
Essays are your chance to truly introduce yourself to the
admissions committee. Dont waste time telling them
what they already know through the rest of your
application. Instead, tell them what you value, describe
experiences that have shaped you and explain what you
hope to achieve from your education. If you can

show the committee that you bring a fresh

and interesting perspective that will add to
any discussion in the classroom, then you
have done your job.

Set aside enough time to write your essays. Start top

down write a rough draft of everything that comes to
mind and edit from there. Though the process might
seem time consuming, remember that good essays can
help set you apart. Make sure you support your claims
with real examples from your life and stay away from
statements that are vague. Also, try to start each essay
with a line that grabs the attention of the reader right
away and makes him or her want to continue to read.

Let the voice in your essays be your own

fresh and unfiltered. We cannot stress this enough.

If possible, try to secure an interview with the colleges

you are most interested in. Since you live abroad, you
could request to meet with admissions officers during
your campus visits. If the college has a mandatory
interview policy, they will arrange an interview
themselves. If you are offered an interview,
make every effort to be there. If you are not
located in the U.S., more than likely you will be
interviewed by an alumnus. No matter who interviews
you, take it seriously. Make sure you dress appropriately
and have good body language. To prepare, jot down
answers to some of these frequently asked questions.
10 Frequently asked interview questions:
1. Tell me about yourself
2. Why do you want to attend our college?
3. Why do you want to major in xyz?
4. What do you do in your free time?
5. What is your favorite book? Why?
6. Who has influenced you the most in your life?
7. Tell me about a time you overcame a challenge
8. What do you have planned for the summer?
9. What will you add to our college?
10. Do you have any questions for me?

Let your parents and other advisors help, but make sure
the writing and the voice are your own. Admissions

It is very important that you know a lot about the colleges you are applying to. You should demonstrate
your knowledge about the institution through your essays and in the admissions interview
Things to know:
What kind of college/university is it: size, curriculum, teaching style, liberal arts
Life outside the classroom: activities, sports, popular special interest clubs
Alumni: have you met any? Are there any famous alumni you admire or identify with?
Majors: do they offer the major you are interested in?
Traditions: find out about the sports teams, the mascot and any other unique traditions

6 things to consider when shortlisting colleges in

the United States as an international student
What is your learning style?
Some colleges provide small classes or seminars where you
have considerable interaction with the professor and are
expected to participate in class. Big state universities have
many classes in the form of lectures with large class sizes
where you can be more anonymous. Pick a college that best
matches your learning style.

Is it important for you to be with other international

students?
Even some of the top-ranked institutions in the U.S. have few
international students. If it is important to you that there are
students from your country at the school, you will have to do
some research and perhaps even stick to bigger schools.
How far is the closest international airport?
Many great colleges and universities are located in remote
locations. Such institutions boast of a fantastic campus life.
However, be aware you might have to take multiple trains,
planes and buses just to access an international airport to go
home during breaks. This can also make it harder for your
family to visit you.

Is there a dedicated international student office?

If the university is dedicated to international student welfare,
they should have an international student office led by an
experienced professional. Such a resource can be useful in
answering questions about student visas, work permits,
internships, etc. They can also provide useful information on
things like where to store your belongings during summer
break, how to get a drivers license, etc.
Where do you plan to live after graduation?
Shortlist universities just by looking at US News rankings if you
plan to live in the U.S. Otherwise, consider the colleges
reputation in your country. Some very highly ranked colleges &
universities dont have a strong presence or alumni in countries
outside the United States.

How expensive is the college or university?

Unfortunately, the majority of U.S. colleges dont offer
financial aid for international students. Dont forget to take
expenses beyond tuition into account such as housing, living &
travel. Do your research.
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Track progress
College Application Checklist for International Students
Class/Grade 10
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Take the PSAT to know your strengths and weaknesses

Register for the SAT/ACT
Take the TOEFL if needed
Start practicing for the SAT/ACT
Start researching colleges
Pick a challenging course load and keep your grades strong
Secure a leadership position in an extra-curricular activity youre passionate
about

Class/Grade 11
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Visit campuses in the summer and talk to alumni

Make a final list of colleges and note the application deadlines
Attend college fairs in your area to network with admissions officers
Ask your teachers for recommendations
Take the SAT/ACT
Take the SAT II subject tests if required
Start drafting your essays

Class/Grade 12
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Determine whether you need to take the SAT/ACT again

Finish your essays
Focus on the application supplements
Follow up with your teachers about recommendations
Request for transcripts to be sent to your selected colleges
Ensure youve sent your SAT/ACT/TOEFL/SATII scores to your selected colleges

Post Acceptance
o Keep your grades strong right through the end (your acceptance can be
rescinded if your grades drop!)
o Send your teachers thank you notes
o Apply for your US visa after you accept your college admission

This guide has been prepared for you by TestRocker

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