Introduction
Usually the process of admission to universities usa begins long before the student clears high school. Most of the students admitted in the universities usa will have begun the process by the time they were 17 or 18 years old which happens in the senior year of high school. The process mostly begins I autumn and ends in spring during the last year of high school.
Step 1
In the universities usa application process the students must apply separately to each college and university they wish to attend which have their own application forms. Most of the universities usa use the Common Applications. Students are allowed to apply to as many universities usa as possible unless the student is making their application under what is commonly referred to as early action programs.
Step 2
Majority of the universities USA admit the students to an entire college rather than to a particular department which is often the practice in many European countries. Some departments however required separate admissions such as engineering due to their curriculum requirements. Applicants to universities USA often get their decision letters mailed to them during spring.
Step 3
Universities USA take the decision on whether to admit, reject or wait-list applicants depending on several factors which includes performance. Wait-listed students have greater chances of getting admitted once a situation falls vacant in the university.
Step 4
Once admitted to universities USA the students can be awarded financial help according to their individual merit. Two types of financial need exists, one based on need and is entirely tied to a student family status and a merit-based aid which is awarded to students who do exceptionally well in their academics.
Step 5
Admissions to universities USA can vary depending on the values of the school and size, it can also depend on the subjective judgment about the student being perceived as fit for that particular student. Criteria for admission to USA universitiesmay be based on standardized test scores also referred to as ACT or SAT, extra-curriculum involvement and potential in other fields such as leadership. Universities usa also heavily rely on essays that applicant write and also on recommendations written by the applicants teachers and career counselor.
Step 6
Most of the universities in USA collaborate with Common Data Set Imitative which is a cooperation of colleges and universities together with publishers who regularly conduct surveys about the institutions information. The data collected is then published in websites, magazines and books which give requirements about admissions to universities usa. Information contained in the websites that can be downloaded includes admission requirements, the process of admission, fees structure, financial aid available once students are admitted and faculty information.
Tips
One of the systems used in USA institutions is what is referred to as need-blind admission. Under these arrangements students are not admitted due to their ability to pay the college fees, however the admission is not a guarantee that the student will be offered financial aid once admitted. Some universities usa offer to finance the admitted students 100 percent especially when the student has demonstrated that they are in need of the funding. Students who require funding must fill an application form known as Free Application for Federal Students Aid.
