Application Timeline - 18 Months Before

Updated on Tuesday 03 June 2008

• Research various colleges and universities programs to see which programs will best fit your academic and professional goals

Thousands of American colleges and universities open their doors each year to international students like you. As you begin your research, visit How Do You Start Your Decision Process? You can start your search of possible schools in the U.S. using college-search software or reference books. Keep in mind that these types of reference books are often updated every year, so you will want to make sure that you have the most up-to-date information available.

Students seeking an undergraduate level of study should use software and reference books that may be available at your school library or U.S. educational advising centers. A few good Web sites for the initial search are:

http://www.internationalstudent.com/school-search/
http://www.collegenight.com/

Applicants to graduate study need to study college catalogs and Web sites to find suitable programs and identify faculty who share that academic interests. You should use software such as Peterson’s Grad Search, and reference books such as the GRE/CGS Directory of Graduate Programs, available at U.S. advising centers. A few good Web sites for the initial research are:

http://www.collegeboard.org
http://www.petersons.com
http://www.review.com

Once you have narrowed down the colleges in which you are interested, read anything you can find about them. If possible, talk to or correspond with alumni of these institutions or parents of students studying there. Confer with faculty and academic counseling staff at your own school. A good list of your selected programs can only be made if you are well informed.

• Register and prepare for required entrance exams

Undergraduates should register and prepare for the TOEFL and SAT exams. Graduate students should determine whether they will need to register for the GRE and/or GMAT exams. Please visit our section on standardized tests for more information on standard tests you may be required to take.

Keep working at your subjects at school. Good grades in the courses you are taking will count heavily in the admissions process.